Canadian Formal Wills
Every Canadian should have a Last Will and Testament but most do not. There are many reasons for this, but mostly it comes down to the cost and inconvenience of setting up an appointment with a lawyer.
There are do-it-yourself kits available that allow you to create your own Last Will and Testament, but often these are dangerous because they don't take into account every situation that can occur and often the person writing the Will does in an ambiguous way. Wills written using Will kits are often challenged and can sometime lead to legal battles.
Other services do exist, however, that are more like tax preparation software. Preparing your taxes using a blank form is error prone and difficult, but not everybody requires the services of a tax accountant. In the same way, online Will preparation services guide you through the process of creating a Will. They are a step up from using a blank Will kit, but more convenient and affordable than using the services of an estate planning lawyer. You can see a service like this at
www.LegalWills.ca.
We have tried this service and had our Will created in about 20 minutes. The price is only $39.95 and this allows you to make unlimited updates for a year. We felt it was miles better than any blank form Will kit that we've seen, and far more convenient than booking an appointment with a lawyer each time.
However, it is no substitute for legal advice and if you feel that your situation is complicated, then you should always use a lawyer to prepare your Last Will and Testament.