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Thinking about writing your own will? A DIY Canadian will kit can be a low-cost option. It usually includes fill-in-the-blank forms to name your executor, beneficiaries, and any final wishes. These kits are legal in Canada if you meet key requirements. That means printing the document, signing in ink, and having two qualified witnesses.
But will kits are designed for simple estates. They donât offer personalized guidance or help if your situation changes. You may need to start over if you make a mistake or want to update your will.
Thatâs why many Canadians prefer using an online platform like Willful. You get a guided experience, clear instructions, and the ability to make updates anytime. Itâs easy, fast, and designed to meet provincial requirements.
Will kits can work for some. But if you want a more flexible and modern way to make your will, try Willful.
Will kits provide a simple, low-cost way to create a basic legal will in Canada
As fill-in-the-blank documents, will kits are best suited for simple straightforward estates, as they lack the flexibility and personalization needed for more complex situations
Other drawbacks of will kits include lack of expert support and being difficult to update, which could lead to additional costs over time
For more customization and support, online will platforms like Willful offer a better alternative at a great price, combining convenience with legal expertise
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The process and choices when it comes to making a will can feel overwhelming, but they can also feel like a lot of work and expense, especially if you have a smaller estate.
In fact, according to a new Scotiabank survey, among Canadians who do not have a will:
33% say they haven't gotten around to creating one
27% believe they don't have enough assets
20% assume wills are too expensive
Enter will kits. They're a dime a dozen, but are they the right fit for your estate planning needs?
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about will kits in Canada, so you can make the best choice for your own unique life situation and make sure you don't pass away without a will.
What Is A Will Kit?
A legal will kit is a fill-in-the-blank document that you can use to create your last will and testament.
It typically allows you to fill in key information about your estate including:
Who you are
Your executor
Guardians for any dependents
Any beneficiaries
The best comparison for a will kit is that itâs like Mad Libs, but for estate planning!
What is Included With a Will Kit?
A fill-in-the-blank template for creating a basic will
Instructions on how to properly complete the will document
Guidelines for selecting an executor and beneficiaries
Space to list assets and specific bequests
Sections for naming guardians for minor children
Forms for expressing funeral and burial wishes
Information on witnessing requirements
Storage recommendations for the completed will
Glossary of common legal terms related to wills
Checklists to ensure all important elements are included
Are Home Will Kits Legal In Canada?
Yes, will kits are legal in Canada.
However, itâs not the kit itself or how the will was made that makes it legal, but the signing and witnessing requirements.
Once youâve filled in the blanks with your information, you will need to sign and witness the will for it to be considered legally-binding.
While there are some variations in language and rule in each province, the general criteria for a legal will in Canada are:
You must be of sound mind and over the age of majority in your province: There are special circumstances in some provinces that allow you to make a will if you have not reached the age of majority (ie. marriage, have children, member of the armed forces)
The will must be signed in wet ink, in the presence of two valid witnesses who must also sign to confirm: Any will that is typed (not holographic), must follow this requirement. Even if you have filled in the blanks in your will kit by hand, the typed/printed form falls under this category.
Signed at the very end of the will: While not required, it is also good practice to initial each page.
Stored as a physical copy: Only the original and physical copy of your will is valid. You cannot store your will online unless you live in BC.
The best type of will is the one that works for your life situation.
Depending on the complexity of your estate, a simple will kit may be a reasonable option for you. Â
Legal will kits are a good choice for those who do not require or want to include any custom or specific requests in the will.
Some of the benefits of will kits are:
Low cost: Will kits are typically low cost and under $50, depending on where youâve purchased your kit. They are a good cost-saving option for making your will
No online tools required: You can often find will kits at an office supply store. This means you can finish your will without having to use any additional technologyâ
No lawyer needed: If you have a simple estate, you may not need legal advice. In this situation, as long as youâve signed and witnessed your will kit correctly, you have a valid will
What Are The Cons Of A Will Kit?
One of the biggest downsides of DIY will kits is that they are very simple and one-size-fits-all.
Everyone is different and has a unique life situation, so while will kits may be suitable for those with very simple wishes, they generally do not take into consideration any complexities, extra needs, or even funeral wishes.
Some other concerns around will kits include:
Concern
Details
No easy updates
Youâll likely want to make changes to your will as your life evolves and your estate (and wishes) change. However, with DIY will kits, youâll need to purchase a new template every time your life situation changes. Depending on how many changes you make, the costs can add up over time.
Incorrect witnessing
Having the right witnesses and following the correct signing procedures is what makes your will legally-binding. Itâs important to make sure youâve followed your legal provincial requirements on who can witness your will. Incorrect witnessing can result in your will being declared invalid and issues appearing with your estate in the future.
Contradictions
The lack of flexibility in a will kit leads many people to add additional comments into their will. However, this can lead to contradictions in your will and can do more harm than good.
Lack of customization
Will kits are typically fill-in-the-blank and do not allow for any additional customizations. Most individuals have life situations that would benefit from some level of additional personalization.
Little to no personalized support
Most physical will kits are stand-alone kits without any additional customer support or instruction. This can leave you with no one to turn to if you have any questions along the way.
If you have decided a will kit is the right fit for you, itâs important to make sure that youâve chosen a reputable kit that is up to date and includes the right information for your specific province.
What Makes Online Wills Better Than A DIY Will Kit?
If youâre looking for an affordable alternative to a DIY will kit, it might be worth considering an online will. An online will platform, like Willful, is basically a will kit but better!
Online wills are essentially the best of both worlds.
They combine the convenience of a will kit with some customization and support that you could expect from a trusted estate lawyer. However, they arenât just simple fill-in-the-blank forms. Online will platforms are designed to walk you through the process from start to finish.
With Willful, we guide you through a series of questions designed to assess your life situation and your end-of-life wishes.
After learning about your needs, our platform creates a customized document tailored to you.
Why Willful Is The Best Canadian Will Kit
Willfulâs will plans start as low as $99 and include many unique features that you may not find from a will kit or other online will providers.
Feature
Details
Free easy updates, anytime
We know your life changes over time, so Willful allows for easy updates, for free, anytime. So you can save thousands in legal fees and feel confident knowing that you can change your will whenever you need to.
Legal documents created with estate lawyers
Willful has partnered with top estate lawyers in each province to ensure weâre providing you with documents that are up-to-date and reflect your wishes. Willful is also the first online will platform to be accepted into the Law Society of Ontarioâs Access to Innovation project.
Personal phone, email, and chat support
If you have any questions about the platform or even estate planning in general, Willfulâs team of experts are here to support you every step of the way.
30 day money back guarantee
We are confident in our documents, but we want you to be too! If you decide Willful doesnât meet your estate planning needs, weâll refund you within 30 days. No questions asked!
Power of attorney documents
In addition to your will, we can also help you create your power of attorney documents to cover you in the event you ever become incapacitated and need someone to make decisions about your property or health on your behalf.
If you require specific legal advice or have a very complex estate, you may benefit from speaking to an estate lawyer.
Please note that Willful is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.
âď¸ âď¸ âď¸ âď¸ âď¸ A legitimate, intuitive online will kit which is easy to navigate. I would recommend this program for uncomplicated wills. â Eddie, a Willful customer
Why Is It Important To Have A Will?
A will may be one of the most important documents you ever write and there are many reasons to have one.
Feature
Details
Choose your executor
Make the informed decision on who will be in charge of closing your estate (your executor).
Name beneficiaries for your assets
Protect your assets and decide how your house and the money in your bank account (along with any other assets you own) should be distributed according to your wishes following your death (by naming beneficiaries).
Avoid costly and lengthy court processes
Without a will, the court will decide. In addition to being pricey and long, this court process may also ignore an important relationship in your life (such as a common-law partner).
Outline your end-of-life and funeral wishes so your loved ones know what you want. Learn more about end-of-life and funeral wishes.
One of the most important reasons to have a will is because you deserve peace of mind.
Thereâs nothing worse than thinking about the nagging idea âI know thereâs something I should do, but Iâll just get to it later.â
By making your will, you give yourself and your loved ones that peace of mind, knowing they're protected for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There A Standard Government Of Canada Will Kit Or Form?
There is no standard form for a last will and testament in Canada. As long as youâve met the requirements for a legal will, it will be valid. This means you can make your will by any means, including will kits or online wills.
In some provinces, the government provides downloadable will templates online. If you think a DIY will is suitable for your estate, itâs worth researching your provincial resources first!
Does A Will Kit Need To Be Notarized?
No, a will kit does not need to be notarized in Canada. As long as youâve met the criteria for signing and witnessing based on your province, you have a legally-binding will.
However, if your estate needs to go through probate when you pass away, you will need an affidavit of execution from a witness. This document does need to be notarized, but it is not required for your will to be legal. It can be completed at a later date or even after you pass away.
When you use Willful, we include specific instructions about making sure your will is legal and how to complete your affidavit of execution with your documents.
Is It Easy To Make Your Own Will?
Over half of Canadians donât have a last will and testament in place. And we get it, making a will can feel extremely overwhelming.
However when you use an online will platform like Willful, we make it easy to record your wishes at your own comfort level. Willful provides step-by-step instructions so you can create your legal will online for as low as $99 and it only takes 20 minutes, start to finish.
Not only do you get a legal document that is personalized to your unique life circumstances, but you can also finish your will from the comfort of your home.
Good to know
You do NOT need to visit a lawyer or notary to make a legal will in Canada. As long as you meet the legal requirements of your province, you have a valid will.
What Are The Steps After You Complete Your Will?
Once your will has been signed, witnessed, and stored in a safe place, thereâs one step left. Get it registered so your executor can check you have one if they ever forget where it is.
You can register your will for free on the Willful Will registry.
Does Willful protect my information?
Yes! Willful prioritizes security by embedding protective measures into all operations and conducting regular third-party security audits.
User data is hosted on Heroku, using HTTPS for encrypted transit and AES-256 for encryption at rest. Payment processing is handled by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 Service Provider, ensuring that credit card information never touches Willful's servers.
Additionally, users can delete their accounts and all their data anytime.
"While fill-in-the-blank paper will kits can be an affordable option to get a will, theyâre not always tailored to your life situation, they donât accommodate updates in the future, and they lack the expert guidance that comes with visiting a professional or using a platform like Willful.
If you are planning to use a paper will kit, make sure you read the document carefully to ensure it reflects your wishes and doesnât have any major gaps, and carefully follow the instructions to sign and witness the document to make it legal."
â Erin Bury, Co-founder, CEO, and Certified Estate Planning Expert at Willful
There are pros and cons to every will, including a will kit. While paper will kits are low cost, they donât fit everyoneâs needs and there are other concerns depending on your unique situation.
Willful, on the other hand, makes online will kits that are unique, personalized, and affordable.
Plus, you can easily update yours anytime for free!
Willful vs. using a lawyer
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