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