Estate & Wills

Online will vs a lawyer

Q: How much does each option cost?

An online will runs from about $50 to a few hundred dollars for a couple with full incapacity documents, with some platforms including free updates for life. A lawyer-drafted will typically costs several hundred to over a thousand dollars, more for complex estates or trusts. For a simple estate the online route saves a lot; for a complex one, the lawyer’s advice is what you’re paying for. Compare the platforms on our best online wills page.

Q: What documents do I actually need besides a will?

Three core documents: a will , a power of attorney for property/finances , and a health-care directive (power of attorney for personal care) . The incapacity documents matter as much as the will — they decide who manages your money and health if you can’t. Most online platforms bundle all three; a lawyer will prepare them too.

For a lot of Canadians an online will is genuinely all they need — it’s just as legally valid as a lawyer’s for a fraction of the cost. But some situations really do call for a lawyer. Here’s how to tell which side of the line you’re on.

Updated June 2026

Start with the thing most people get wrong: an online will is not a lesser will. Signed and witnessed properly, it carries exactly the same legal weight as one drafted by a lawyer. What a lawyer adds is judgment — spotting tax traps, structuring trusts, and tailoring complex wishes. So the real question isn’t “is online valid?” (it is) but “is my estate simple enough that I don’t need the advice?”

An online will is fine if…

Your estate is straightforward — you’re leaving everything to your spouse, then your children
Your assets are simple: a home, registered accounts, bank and investment accounts, maybe a vehicle
Your family situation isn’t complicated (no blended family, no dependant with special needs)
You just need the core documents — a will, powers of attorney and a health-care directive
You want to get protected this week, cheaply, and update it freely as life changes

See a lawyer if…

You have a blended family or want to protect children from a previous relationship
A beneficiary has a disability and you need a Henson trust to protect their benefits
You own a business, a farm, or a private corporation that needs succession planning
Your estate is large or complex enough for real tax planning (trusts, the LCGE, US-situs assets)
You own property in another province or country, or have cross-border tax exposure
You expect the will to be challenged, or you’re disinheriting someone
You want tailored legal advice, not just a correctly-drafted document

The worst option is no will at all

If you die without a valid will (intestate), provincial rules decide who inherits — not you — and the process is slower and costlier for your family. A simple online will today beats a perfect lawyer’s will you keep meaning to book. Get something valid in place, then upgrade if your situation gets complex.

What each costs

An online will runs from about $50 to a few hundred dollars for a couple with full incapacity documents — and some platforms include free updates for life. A lawyer-drafted will typically runs several hundred to over a thousand dollars, more for trusts or a complex estate. You’re not paying the lawyer for the paper; you’re paying for the advice — which is exactly worth it when your estate is complicated, and largely wasted when it isn’t. Compare platforms and prices on our best online wills page.

Frequently asked questions

Is an online will as legally valid as a lawyer’s?

Yes — a will is a will. A document from a reputable online service is just as legally valid as a lawyer-drafted one, provided it’s signed and witnessed correctly (two adult, non-beneficiary witnesses present together; BC allows electronic signing). The difference isn’t validity — it’s the advice. A lawyer can spot issues and structure complex wishes; an online kit drafts exactly what you tell it.

How much does each option cost?

An online will runs from about $50 to a few hundred dollars for a couple with full incapacity documents, with some platforms including free updates for life. A lawyer-drafted will typically costs several hundred to over a thousand dollars, more for complex estates or trusts. For a simple estate the online route saves a lot; for a complex one, the lawyer’s advice is what you’re paying for. Compare the platforms on our best online wills page.

Can I start online and see a lawyer only if needed?

Absolutely, and it’s a smart, cheap insurance policy: many people make an online will now so they’re not unprotected, then book a lawyer if a complication arises (a business sale, a blended-family question, a disabled beneficiary). Having any valid will beats dying intestate, where provincial rules — not your wishes — decide who gets what.

What documents do I actually need besides a will?

Three core documents: a will, a power of attorney for property/finances, and a health-care directive (power of attorney for personal care). The incapacity documents matter as much as the will — they decide who manages your money and health if you can’t. Most online platforms bundle all three; a lawyer will prepare them too.

Compare online will makers Estate planning, explained

Educational only, not legal advice. Cost figures are typical Canadian ranges and vary by provider and complexity (June 2026). An online or lawyer-drafted will must be signed and witnessed correctly to be valid; for a complex estate, consult an estate lawyer. See our methodology.