Create Your Legal Will in Ontario
Create your legal will in Ontario in under 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 Ontario government provides one.
Here is the truth: there is no official Ontario government will kit. If you are trying to figure out how to create a will in Ontario, you have likely come across free templates online. But these are often generic, limiting, missing important clauses, and not written for Ontario law.
What Is a Will?
How to Create a Legal Will in Ontario
If you want to write a will in Ontario, you need to understand what makes a will legally valid. Ontario wills are governed by the Succession Law Reform Act. The requirements are straightforward:
Age requirement: You must be 18 years or older. Exceptions exist if you are married, in a common-law relationship, or a member of the Canadian Forces.
Written format: Your will must be in writing. This can be typed or handwritten. A typed will is generally preferred because it is easier to read and less likely to face challenges in court.
Signature: You must sign your will at the end of the document. Your signature confirms that the document represents your wishes.
Witnesses: Two witnesses must be present when you sign. Both witnesses must watch you sign, and then both must sign the will themselves. This is critical. If the witnessing is not done correctly, your will may be invalid.
Witness restrictions: Your witnesses cannot be beneficiaries named in your will. They also cannot be the spouse of a beneficiary. If a beneficiary witnesses your will, they risk losing their inheritance under Ontario law.
You do not need a lawyer to create a legal will in Ontario. You do not need a notary. You do not need to register your will with any government office. As long as you meet these requirements, your will is legally binding.
Our Ontario will kit guides you through each requirement and provides clear signing instructions so you execute your will properly.
What to Inlude in Your Ontario Will Kit
Executor appointment
Name the person who will manage your estate after you pass. Your executor pays debts, files taxes, and distributes assets according to your wishes. Choose someone you trust who is organized and responsible.
Alternate executor
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.
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 Ontario Will Kit Works
A lawyer-drafted will in Ontario 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 Succession Law Reform Act. Start Your Ontario 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 Ontario 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. Sign your will in front of both witnesses, then have them sign as well. Store the original somewhere safe and fireproof. Tell your executor where to find it.
That is it. You now have a legally valid will under Ontario law.
Why Choose an Online Will Kit for Ontario
When you decide to write a will in Ontario, you have several options. Understanding the differences helps you make the right choice for your situation.
Hiring a Lawyer
A lawyer-drafted will in Ontario 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 premium prices for it.
Lawyers make sense for complicated situations: significant business holdings, potential family disputes, complex tax planning, or assets in multiple jurisdictions. For most Ontarians 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 Ontario law. They may be missing clauses that Ontario courts expect to see, like a proper residue clause that handles assets you forgot to list.
Free templates give you no guidance. They assume you already know what an executor 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 Ontario 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 Ontario law, with all the clauses Ontario courts expect.
You get legal validity without lawyer fees. You get guidance without the generic risks of free templates.
What Will-Kit Provides
- Ontario-specific content: Every clause is drafted for Ontario law and the Succession Law Reform Act
- Guided questions: We ask about your family, assets, and wishes, explaining each option clearly
- Complete coverage: Executor appointment, alternate executor, 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 Ontario requirements
- Ongoing updates: When Ontario laws change, we update our templates
$59 For Your Ontario Will
A lawyer-drafted will in Ontario 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 Succession Law Reform Act. Start Your Ontario Will Kit Today Takes less than an hour. No legal knowledge required.
Get Started NowFrequently Asked Questions
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Are online wills legal in Ontario?
No. You have the legal right to write your own will in Ontario. 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.
Do I need a lawyer to write a will in Ontario?
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How much does a will cost in Ontario?
Lawyer-drafted wills typically cost $500 to $1,500 for a simple will in Ontario. 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 Ontario?
Yes. Ontario 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 Ontario?
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Who can witness my will in Ontario?
Any adult can witness your will in Ontario, with one critical exception: witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or the spouse of a beneficiary. If a beneficiary witnesses your will, they may lose their inheritance under Ontario law.
We recommend using neighbours, coworkers, or friends who are not named in your will. Both witnesses must be present at the same time when you sign, and both must sign after watching you sign.