Create Your Legal Will in Alberta
Create your legal will in Alberta in less than an hour.
You know you need a will. You have been putting it off because lawyers are expensive and the process feels complicated. You may have searched for a will kit or wondered if the Alberta government provides one. Here is the truth: there is no official Alberta government will kit. If you are trying to figure out how to make a will in Alberta, you have likely come across free templates online. But these are often generic, limiting, missing important clauses, and not written for Alberta law. Will-Kit.ca offers a better path. Our online will kit for Alberta walks you through simple questions about your situation, then generates a complete, legally valid will tailored to Alberta requirements. Will-Kit generates a PDF, you sign it with two witnesses, and you are done.
Get Started Now
What Is a Will?
Why Choose an Online Will Kit for Alberta
When you decide to make a will in Alberta, you have several options. Understanding the differences helps you make the right choice for your situation.
Hiring a Lawyer
A lawyer-drafted will in Alberta typically costs $500 to $1,500 for a simple will. Complex estates, blended families, or business assets can push costs higher. You get personalized legal advice, but you pay professional fees for it. Lawyers make sense for complicated situations: significant business holdings, potential family disputes, complex tax planning, or assets in multiple jurisdictions. For most Albertans with straightforward estates, a lawyer is more than you need.
Using Free Templates
Free will templates are available online, but they carry real risks. Most templates are generic documents not written specifically for Alberta law. They may be missing clauses that Alberta courts expect to see, like a proper residue clause that handles assets you forgot to list.
Alberta has specific rules that differ from other provinces. For example, Alberta uses the term “adult interdependent partner” instead of common-law spouse, and the rights and requirements differ from provinces like BC or Ontario. A generic template is unlikely to account for these distinctions.
Free templates give you no guidance. They assume you already know what a personal representative does, how guardianship works for minor children, or what happens if a beneficiary dies before you do. One mistake can mean expensive legal battles for your family.
Using an Online Will Kit
An online will kit for Alberta like Will-Kit.ca sits between these options. You get guided questions that ask about your specific situation and explain your choices in plain language. The system generates a complete will written for Alberta law, with all the clauses Alberta courts expect. You get legal validity without lawyer fees. You get guidance without the generic risks of free templates.
What Will-Kit Provides
- Alberta-specific content: Every clause is drafted for Alberta law and the Wills and Succession Act
- Guided questions: We ask about your family, assets, and wishes, explaining each option clearly
- Complete coverage: Personal representative appointment, alternate personal representative, guardians for minor children, beneficiaries, specific gifts, residue clause, and more
- Clear signing instructions: Step-by-step guidance so you execute your will correctly under Alberta requirements
- Ongoing updates: When Alberta laws change, we update our templates
How to Create a Legal Will in Alberta
If you want to write a will in Alberta, you need to understand what makes a will legally valid. Alberta wills are governed by the Wills and Succession Act, which came into effect on February 1, 2012. The requirements are straightforward:
Age requirement: You must be 18 years or older. Exceptions exist if you are married, in an adult interdependent partner relationship, or a member of the Canadian Forces.
Written format: Your will must be in writing. This can be typed or handwritten. Alberta recognizes holographic wills (entirely handwritten and signed by you, with no witnesses required), but a typed will is generally preferred because it is easier to read, clearer in intent, and less likely to face challenges in court.
Signature: You must sign your will, and your signature must make it apparent on the face of the document that you intended to give effect to it as your will. Someone else can sign on your behalf if they do so in your presence and at your direction.
Witnesses: Two witnesses must be present when you sign. Both witnesses must watch you sign, and then both must sign the will themselves in the presence of you and each other. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
Witness restrictions: Your witnesses should not be beneficiaries named in your will or the spouse of a beneficiary. If a beneficiary witnesses your will, any gift to that person becomes void unless there are two other valid witnesses who also signed. Choose witnesses who have no interest in your estate.
You do not need a lawyer to create a legal will in Alberta. You do not need a notary. As long as you meet these requirements, your will is legally binding. Our Alberta will kit guides you through each requirement and provides clear signing instructions so you execute your will properly.
Alberta Probate Fees and Why They Matter
When someone dies, their personal representative typically needs to apply to the Alberta Court of King’s Bench for a Grant of Probate. This is the court’s confirmation that the will is valid and that the personal representative has authority to manage the estate. Alberta has some of the lowest probate fees in Canada. The maximum probate fee in Alberta is $525, regardless of estate size. This is a flat cap, and it applies to all estates valued over $250,000. For smaller estates, the fees are even lower: estates under $10,000 pay $35, estates between $10,000 and $25,000 pay $135, estates between $25,000 and $125,000 pay $275, and estates between $125,000 and $250,000 pay $400. This is significantly less than provinces like BC or Ontario, where probate fees are calculated as a percentage of the estate and can reach thousands of dollars. Having a properly prepared will makes the probate process faster and less expensive for your family. If you die without a will in Alberta, your family still faces probate costs plus the added expense and delay of the court appointing an estate administrator.
What to Include in Your Alberta Will Kit
Personal representative appointment
Alberta uses the term "personal representative" rather than executor, but the role is the same. Name the person who will manage your estate after you pass. Your personal representative pays debts, files taxes, and distributes assets according to your wishes. Choose someone you trust who is organized and responsible.
Alternate personal representative
Name a backup in case your first choice cannot serve. Life circumstances change. Having an alternate prevents delays and court appointments.
Guardianship for minor children
If you have children under 18, your will is where you name who should raise them if something happens to you. This is one of the most important reasons to have a will. Without one, the court decides.
Beneficiaries
Specify who receives your assets and in what proportions. Be clear to avoid confusion. You can divide by percentages or by specific items. Remember that under Alberta law, your adult interdependent partner (a person you have lived with in a relationship of interdependence for three or more years, or with whom you have a child) has estate rights similar to a married spouse.
Specific gifts
Leave particular items to particular people. Jewelry, vehicles, family heirlooms, art, or anything with sentimental value can be directed to the person you choose.
Alternate beneficiaries
Name backup beneficiaries in case your primary choice passes away before you do. This prevents your gift from falling into your general estate.
Digital assets
Address online accounts, cryptocurrencies, photos stored in the cloud, and other digital property. This is increasingly important as more of our lives exist online.
Residue clause
This catches everything not specifically mentioned in your will. It ensures nothing falls through the cracks and prevents intestacy for forgotten or future assets.
Funeral wishes
While not legally binding, expressing your preferences for burial, cremation, or memorial services gives your family guidance during a difficult time.
Get Started NowHow Our Alberta Will Kit Works
A lawyer-drafted will in Alberta typically costs $500 to $1,500 or more. Our online will kit costs a fraction of that price while producing an equally valid legal document under the Wills and Succession Act. Start Your Alberta Will Kit Today Takes less than an hour. No legal knowledge required.
1. Answer Simple Questions
Our guided process asks about your family, your assets, and your wishes. Questions are written in plain English with explanations when you need them. We ask about your situation so we can generate a will that fits your life, not a one-size-fits-all template.
2. Review Your Will
Based on your answers, we generate your complete Alberta will. Review it to make sure everything looks right. You can make changes if needed. Take your time. This document matters.
3. Sign and Store
Gather two witnesses who are not beneficiaries and who are at least 18 years old. Sign your will in front of both witnesses, then have them sign as well. Store the original somewhere safe and fireproof. Tell your personal representative where to find it.
That is it. You now have a legally valid will under Alberta law.
When to Review Your Will
A will is not a document you write once and forget about. Life changes, and your will should reflect those changes.
Review your will when you get married or enter an adult interdependent partner relationship (marriage automatically revokes a prior will in Alberta under the Wills and Succession Act, unless the will was made in contemplation of that marriage). Review it after a divorce or relationship breakdown, after the birth or adoption of a child, after a significant change in your assets such as buying or selling a home, if your personal representative or guardian can no longer serve, or if you move to another province (each province has different rules).
You can update your will at any time through Will-Kit.ca. If the changes are minor, a codicil (a formal amendment) may be sufficient. For major changes, creating a new will is usually the better approach.
Personal Directive vs Living Will in Alberta
If you are making a will in Alberta, you may also want to think about what happens if you become unable to make decisions while you are still alive. In some provinces, this is handled by a "living will." Alberta does not use that term. Instead, Alberta has a Personal Directive, governed by the Personal Directives Act. A Personal Directive lets you name an agent to make personal decisions on your behalf if you lose the capacity to make them yourself. This includes decisions about health care, where you live, and other personal matters. It does not cover financial decisions. For financial matters, you need an Enduring Power of Attorney, which is a separate document. A Personal Directive is not part of your will. It is a standalone document. But the two work together as part of your overall estate plan. Most estate lawyers recommend having both in place. Will-Kit.ca focuses on wills, but we recommend Albertans also consider preparing a Personal Directive and an Enduring Power of Attorney. Self-Counsel Press publishes resources on both topics for readers who want to handle these themselves.
Just $59 For A Legal Will in Alberta
A lawyer-drafted will in Alberta typically costs $500 to $1,500 or more. Our online will kit costs a fraction of that price while producing an equally valid legal document under the Wills and Succession Act. Start Your Alberta Will Kit Today Takes less than an hour. No legal knowledge required.
Get Started NowFrequently Asked Questions
This temporary text is utilized solely for demonstration purposes, serving as a stand-in until authentic and finalized content becomes available. Its primary function is to temporarily represent and fill in designated spaces.
Are online wills legal in Alberta?
Yes. Alberta law does not require a lawyer to create a valid will. The Wills and Succession Act sets out the requirements: your will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people who are at least 18 years old and who are not beneficiaries. As long as you meet these requirements, your will is legally binding. Thousands of Albertans use online will kits every year.
Do I need a lawyer to make a will in Alberta?
No. You have the legal right to make your own will in Alberta. Lawyers can be helpful for complex estates involving business assets, potential disputes, or multi-jurisdictional property. But most people with straightforward situations can create a valid will using an online will kit.
How much does a will cost in Alberta?
Lawyer-drafted wills typically cost $500 to $1,500 for a simple will in Alberta. Complex estates or couples cost more. Online will kits like Will-Kit.ca cost significantly less while producing an equally valid legal document.
Can I write my own will in Alberta?
Yes. Alberta recognizes two types of valid wills. A formal will is typed and signed in front of two witnesses. A holographic will is entirely in your own handwriting and signed by you, with no witnesses required. Will-Kit.ca produces a formal typed will, which is generally preferred because it is easier to read, clearer in intent, and less likely to be challenged in court.
What happens if I die without a will in Alberta?
If you die without a will (called dying intestate), Alberta law decides who gets your assets through the Wills and Succession Act. If all your children are from your current relationship, your spouse or adult interdependent partner receives the entire estate. If you have children from another relationship, your spouse or partner receives a preferential share of $150,000 or half the estate (whichever is greater), with the remainder going to your children. If you have no spouse, partner, or children, assets go to parents, then siblings, then more distant relatives. The court appoints an estate administrator to handle your affairs. This process is slower and more expensive than having a named personal representative. The outcome may not reflect what you would have wanted.
Who can witness my will in Alberta?
Any person aged 18 or older can witness your will in Alberta. Witnesses should not be beneficiaries or the spouse of a beneficiary. If a beneficiary witnesses your will, any gift to that person becomes void unless there are two other valid witnesses who also signed. We recommend using neighbours, coworkers, or friends who are not named in your will. Both witnesses must be present when you sign, and both must sign in the presence of you and each other.
What are probate fees in Alberta?
Alberta has some of the lowest probate fees in Canada. The maximum fee is $525, which applies to estates valued over $250,000. Smaller estates pay less: $35 for estates under $10,000, $135 for $10,000 to $25,000, $275 for $25,000 to $125,000, and $400 for $125,000 to $250,000. Having a valid will makes the probate process faster and less expensive for your family.
What is the GA8 form in Alberta?
The GA8 is an Affidavit of Witness form used during the probate process in Alberta. It is a sworn statement from one of the witnesses to your will confirming that proper signing procedures were followed. The GA8 is not required when you create your will, but your personal representative may need it when applying for probate. Having your will properly witnessed from the start makes completing the GA8 straightforward. Will-Kit.ca provides clear witnessing instructions that align with GA8 requirements.
What is the difference between a will and a Personal Directive in Alberta?
A will takes effect after you die. It directs how your assets are distributed and who manages your estate. A Personal Directive takes effect while you are alive but unable to make decisions for yourself. It names an agent to make health care and personal decisions on your behalf. They are separate documents but both are important parts of an estate plan. Alberta does not use the term “living will.” The equivalent document here is a Personal Directive, governed by the Personal Directives Act.
Does getting married affect my will in Alberta?
Yes. Under the Wills and Succession Act, marriage automatically revokes any will you made before the marriage, unless the will was made in contemplation of that specific marriage. If you get married and do not make a new will, you will be treated as if you died without one. This is one of the most important reasons to review and update your will after major life changes.