You can also visit our Resources Page for frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Online Wills Legal and Safe in Canada?
- Who Can Benefit from Making an Online Will in Canada?
- Who Should Avoid Making an Online Will?
- The Pros and Cons of Making a Will Online in Canada
- Can an Online Will Be Contested in Court?
- How to Update an Online Will in Canada
- Can I Store My Will Online?
- In Which Provinces Can I Make an Online Will?
- Do I need a lawyer to prepare my Will and Estate Documents?
Yes, online wills are both legal and safe in Canada, as long as they meet certain criteria, which WillsKeeper have implemented in the platform.
Online wills are suitable for individuals with simple estate planning needs. This includes those who:
- Own property in Canada
- Have assets or investments in Canada
- Have children
- Have pets and want to assign a guardian or leave a part of their estate for their care
- Want to leave specific gifts or assets to beneficiaries
- Want to leave a cash gift or a percentage of their estate to charity
- Are single, legally married, divorced, or in a common-law relationship
In general, online wills are sufficient for about 90% of Canadians.
Individuals with more complex estate planning needs should consult a lawyer. This includes those who:
- Want to exclude a spouse or child from their will
- Have a child with a disability receiving government benefits
- Need sophisticated tax planning or have property outside Canada
- Need to set up a Henson trust or a Life Interest trust
- Have a blended family
Pros:
- Cost-effective compared to hiring a lawyer
- Convenient and accessible from anywhere with an internet connection
- Easy to update as life circumstances change
- Simplified process with guidance through important questions
Cons:
- Not suitable for individuals with complex estate planning needs
Any will, regardless of whether it was created online or by a lawyer, can be contested in court.
One of the benefits of online wills is the ease of updating. If your life circumstances change, such as marriage, divorce, or having a child, you can quickly make the necessary changes to your will. However, it's essential to remember that when you update your will, you must print and sign it correctly for it to be legally binding. Make sure to inform your executor of any updates and store the new will in a safe place. At Willskeeper, we offer unlimited free changes for life.
Canadian law currently does not support the online storage of wills. Regardless of how your will was created, it must be printed, signed, and stored in a safe place. Inform your executor of the will's location so they can access it when needed.
Our platform is available for residents of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and British Columbia.
A lawyer is not required to create a valid Will. Our documents, however, are drafted by experienced licensed lawyers so you can have the peace of mind of knowing that your will and estate documents are properly drafted and valid, and that your instructions will be followed according to your wishes when you pass away.