How much does it cost to make a will in Canada?

Will costs range from $0-$40 for DIY/online wills, $150-$500 for online legal services, and $300-$1,500+ for lawyer-drafted wills. Complex estates with trusts can cost $3,000-$10,000+.

Can I write my own will in Canada?

Yes, handwritten (holographic) wills are valid in most provinces if entirely in your handwriting and signed. However, DIY wills have higher rates of being contested or containing errors.

Do I need a lawyer for a will in Canada?

Not legally required, but recommended for complex situations like blended families, business ownership, significant assets, or cross-border issues. Simple estates can use online services.

How much does a will and power of attorney cost together in Canada?

A will and power of attorney package from a lawyer typically costs $500–$1,500 for a couple. Online services offer packages for $200–$500. Most estate lawyers recommend doing both documents at the same time since a will without a power of attorney leaves a gap if you become incapacitated before death.

How Much Does a Will Cost in Canada 2026 | DIY, Online & Lawyer Options

A simple will in Canada costs $300–$800 from a lawyer, $150–$500 from an online legal service, or $0–$50 for a DIY template — but the right option depends on whether you have children, a home, blended family, or business. Here’s a complete breakdown of what each option includes and when it’s worth paying more.

Will Costs Overview

Option	Cost Range	Best For
Holographic (handwritten)	$0	Emergencies only
Online DIY templates	$20-$50	Very simple estates
Online legal services	$150-$500	Simple to moderate
Lawyer (simple will)	$300-$800	General needs
Lawyer (complex)	$1,000-$3,000+	Complex estates
Full estate plan	$2,000-$10,000+	Comprehensive

Option 1: Free/DIY

Holographic Wills

Feature	Details
Cost	$0
Requirements	Entirely handwritten, signed
Valid in	Most provinces (not BC)
Pros	Free, immediate
Cons	High error risk, often contested

When Acceptable

Situation	DIY OK?
Emergency/travel	✅ Better than nothing
Very simple estate	⚠️ Risky
Minor children	❌ Use lawyer
Business ownership	❌ Use lawyer
Blended family	❌ Use lawyer

Option 2: Online Services

Popular Options

Service	Price	Features
LegalWills.ca	$40-$80	Will + POAs
Willful	$99-$189	Will package
Epilogue	$139-$299	Will + executor guide
LawDepot	$40-$60	Template-based
NoticeConnect	$149+	Full estate docs

What’s Included (Typical Package)

Document	Basic	Premium
Last will	✅	✅
POA property	❌	✅
POA health	❌	✅
Digital assets	❌	✅
Updates	Limited	1 year

Online Service Pros/Cons

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Limited customization
Quick	No legal advice
Accessible	May miss issues
Guided process	Not for complex estates

Option 3: Lawyer-Drafted

Lawyer Costs by Province

Province	Simple Will	Full Package
Ontario	$400-$800	$800-$2,000
BC	$350-$700	$700-$1,500
Alberta	$300-$600	$600-$1,200
Quebec	$400-$1,000	$800-$2,000

Notaries in BC and Quebec can also draft wills at lower cost.

What Lawyers Charge For

Component	Typical Cost
Simple will	$300-$600
Mirror wills (couple)	$500-$1,000
POA (property)	$100-$200
POA (health)	$100-$200
Trusts	$500-$1,500+ each
Corporate structures	$1,000+

Full Estate Planning Package

Documents	Cost Range
2 wills (primary + secondary)	Included
2 POAs (property + health)	Included
Consultation	Included
Updates (1 year)	Sometimes
Package total	$800-$2,500

Complexity Factors

What Increases Cost

Factor	Impact
Multiple beneficiaries	+$100-$300
Trusts for children	+$500-$1,500
Blended family	+$300-$1,000
Business ownership	+$500-$2,000
US/international assets	+$500-$2,000
Cottage/real estate	+$200-$500
Tax planning	+$500-$2,000

Complex Estate Package

Situation	Typical Cost
Business owner	$2,000-$5,000
Blended family with trusts	$2,500-$5,000
Cross-border assets	$3,000-$10,000
High net worth	$5,000-$15,000+

Ontario Two-Will Strategy

What It Is

Will Type	Purpose
Primary will	Assets requiring probate
Secondary will	Private company shares, etc.

Cost Savings

Single Will	Two Wills
All assets probated	Secondary avoids probate
Probate fee: ~1.5%	Saves probate on some assets

Asset Value	Probate Saved
$500,000 (secondary)	~$7,500
$1,000,000	~$15,000
$2,000,000	~$30,000

Two-will strategy costs ~$1,500-$3,000 but can save thousands.

Powers of Attorney

POA Costs

Document	Online	Lawyer
POA Property	$30-$50	$100-$200
POA Personal Care	$30-$50	$100-$200
Both	$50-$80	$150-$350

Why You Need Both

POA Type	Purpose
Property	Financial decisions if incapacitated
Personal Care	Health/medical decisions

When to Use Each Option

Use Online Services If

Situation	OK for Online
Single, no kids	✅ Yes
Married, simple estate	✅ Yes
Clear beneficiaries	✅ Yes
No business	✅ Yes
Under $500K assets	✅ Yes

Use a Lawyer If

Situation	Need Lawyer
Minor children	✅ Yes
Blended family	✅ Yes
Own a business	✅ Yes
Real estate in multiple provinces	✅ Yes
US assets	✅ Yes
Want to disinherit someone	✅ Yes
Tax planning needed	✅ Yes
Complex family dynamics	✅ Yes

Keeping Wills Updated

When to Update

Life Event	Update Needed
Marriage	✅ (may void old will)
Divorce	✅ (update beneficiaries)
New child	✅ (add, name guardian)
Death of beneficiary	✅ (name alternate)
Major asset change	✅ (update distribution)
Move provinces	✅ (check validity)

Update Costs

Method	Cost
Codicil (amendment)	$100-$300
New will (online)	$40-$150
New will (lawyer)	$300-$600

Cost Comparison Example

Family: Married, 2 Kids, $800K Estate

Option	Cost	Risk Level
DIY template	$40	High
Online service	$189	Medium
Lawyer (simple)	$1,200	Low
Lawyer (with trusts)	$2,500	Very low