DIY Wills in Canada — When They Work and When to Get Help
DIY wills in Canada are legal and appropriate for many situations. The key isn't who drafted the will but how it's executed. This article covers what DIY means, when it works, and when professional help is needed.
Forms of DIY will
Handwritten from scratch (holograph). Entirely in testator's handwriting. Valid in most provinces. See our holograph will article for the specifics.
Typed from scratch. Testator drafts the document themselves. Rare in practice; people typically use templates or online services rather than starting from a blank document.
Will kit (template). Fill-in-the-blank template, often purchased from office supply store. Quality varies.
Online will service. Online software generates the will based on the testator's answers to structured questions. It's Simple Will is one of several Canadian online will tools.
All four can produce legally valid wills with proper execution.
What execution requires
Provincial Wills Acts specify:
- Will must be signed by the testator
- Two adult witnesses must be present at signing
- Witnesses must sign in the testator's presence
- Witnesses must not benefit from the will
- Spouses of beneficiaries should also not witness (varies by province)
Get this wrong and the will is invalid regardless of how well it's drafted.
When DIY works well
- Straightforward distribution (spouse first, then children, etc.)
- No business interests requiring succession planning
- No foreign assets (especially US property)
- No blended family complications
- No special-needs beneficiaries requiring trusts
- Moderate estate value (not requiring tax optimization)
- No expected family disputes
This covers most Canadian estates. For these, a DIY will (especially through a reputable online service) is appropriate.
When professional help fits
- Blended families with competing interests
- Business owners with succession concerns
- Substantial estates ($1M+) with tax optimization opportunities
- Foreign assets requiring cross-border planning
- Special-needs beneficiaries (Henson trusts)
- Complex trust structures
- Family disputes likely
- Specific provincial complications
Lawyer cost ($300-$1,500+) is justified for these situations.
Cost comparison
- Handwritten: free
- Template kit: $20-$50
- Online will service: $0-$200
- Lawyer-drafted: $300-$1,500+
For straightforward estates, online services represent the value sweet spot — good drafting, low cost.
Common DIY mistakes
- Not having two qualified witnesses
- Witnesses benefiting from the will (invalidating their portion or the whole will)
- Forgetting to sign every page (some provinces require)
- Failing to name a backup executor
- Failing to name a guardian for minor children
- Outdated provincial assumptions
- Not updating after major life events
These mistakes can be fatal to the will's validity or to the estate's distribution.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
It's Simple Will generates Canadian-compliant wills with execution instructions. The Life Discovery Kit and Funeral Pre-Planner complement the will to provide the full estate plan.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Canadian Bar Association — Wills and estates — Canadian Bar Association
- [2]Canada.ca — Estates and wills — Government of Canada
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a DIY will?
Several variations — handwritten from scratch (becomes holograph will in provinces that recognize them), typed from scratch (rare; testator drafts the entire document), completed will template (printed form filled in), or generated by online will service. All can be legal with proper execution.
What does 'proper execution' mean?
Signing the will in front of two qualified witnesses, who then sign in the testator's presence. Witnesses must be adults, not benefit from the will, and (in some provinces) not be spouses of beneficiaries. The will is invalid without proper execution regardless of how well-drafted it is.
When do DIY wills work well?
Straightforward estates — single person or couple, leaving everything to spouse/children/few specific beneficiaries, no business interests, no foreign assets, no complex trusts, no blended-family complications. The majority of Canadian estates fall into this category.
When should I get a lawyer?
Specific situations — blended families with competing interests, business owners with succession planning, substantial estates with tax optimization opportunities, foreign assets requiring cross-border planning, special-needs beneficiaries requiring trust structures, expected family disputes. Cost ($300-$1,500+) justified by complexity.
Are will kits sold at office supply stores valid?
Generally yes if properly completed and executed. Will kits provide templates with fill-in-the-blank format. Quality varies — some are well-drafted; some are generic and may not address provincial requirements. Online will services typically produce better-drafted documents than basic templates.
What about handwritten wills?
A handwritten will is a holograph will, which is valid in most Canadian provinces (Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, NB, NL, Nova Scotia, Yukon, NWT, Nunavut) but NOT in BC or PEI. Nova Scotia has recognized holograph wills since August 19, 2008 (Wills Act s. 6(2)). Has specific requirements — entirely in testator's handwriting, signed. Generally not recommended for normal planning. See our [holograph will article](/resources/wills/what-is-a-holograph-will-canada/).