Having a Will gives you a voice when it comes to how you want your estate distributed after you pass away, rather than leaving it in the hands of the government to make that decision for you. A will also allow you to assign a Power of Attorney if you’re unable to make sound decisions yourself, and also gives you a chance to communicate your wishes when you are no longer here.
Traditionally, a Will would be drafted up at a lawyer’s office, after having paid them hundreds of dollars – or more. But with today’s array of online platforms, you can quickly generate a customized Will from the comfort of your home and at a fraction of the price. One such online tool available is LegacyWills.ca, which promises to help you create a comprehensive Will that details how your estate is to be handled when you are no longer here.
Let’s get into more detail about LegalWills.ca to help you decide if an online Will platform is right for you.
What Products/Services Does LegalWills.ca Offer?
LegalWills.ca provides an online platform to create customized Wills from your computer without having to visit an attorney. You can go as simple or as in-depth as you like, as LegalWills.ca offers plenty of add-on features to fully personalize your last Will, Power of Attorney, or Living Will. Each feature comes with its own price point, with some being totally free.
The features of LegalWills.ca are discussed in further detail below.
How Much Will It Cost To Make A Will?
With LegalWills.ca, you can have a last Will drafted for as little as $39.95. The following is a breakdown of the most popular packages they offer:
- Last Will and Testament: $39.95
- Premium Last Will and Testament: $69.95
- Complete Estate Plan: $99.95
- Premium Estate Plan: $129.95
Additional Reading
Pros And Cons Of Using LegalWills.ca Vs. A Lawyer
Pros
Several Add-Ons To Choose From
If you want to cutomoized your Will, LegalWills offers a build your Will service where you can choose from a variety of add-on options.
Streamlined Platform
Using LegalWills.ca is straightforward and simple to use and boasts a fully responsive website design that scales on devices of all sizes.
Simple Instructions
Any confusing details or concepts will be explained in plain language.
Affordable
Not only is LegalsWills.ca a lot cheaper than having a lawyer create your Will for you, but they are also one of the most affordable online Will services on the market.
Upload Documents For Your Executor
Make things easy for you and your executor with the ability to upload documents.
Pet Trusts
Make arrangements for your furry friend with LegalWills.ca.
Excellent Support
If you have any questions while completing your Will, there are customer support representatives available who will quickly answer your calls and questions.
Lots Of Information On The Website
You can access LegalWills.ca’s blog which features numerous helpful articles to educate you on creating a comprehensive Will.
Lawyer-Approved
The tools provided by LegalWills.ca have been approved by lawyers, so you can be sure that you are creating a legally-binding Will.
Available To Canadian Ex-Pats
You may be able to deal with any assets you may have in the US or the UK.
Free Updates Up To A Year
You can update your Will as you see fit for free for up to one year (costs apply for changes made after one year).
Cons
May not be appropriate for those with a very high net worth or significantly complex estates.
What Support Us Available?
LegalWills.ca offers a variety of avenues to take to get support:
- Telephone: 1-888-660-WILL (888-660-9455), 8am to 8pm EST
- Email: support@legalwills.ca
- Ticket support
- Mail: LegalWills.ca, 2420 Bank Street, Suite 45, Ottawa, Ontario, K1V 8S1, Canada
- Lawyers are available to review your completed document for completeness.
- Extensive library of educational articles.
Which Provinces Does LegalWills.ca Provide Its Services?
LegalWills.ca is available for residents of Canada in all provinces and territories.
Overview Of Key Features
Product | Price | Feature |
Last Will & Testament | $39.95 | One customized Will. |
Mirror Will | $23.97 | 40% discount off a mirror Will for your spouse. |
Power of Attorney | $29.95 | Name who you want to act as your legal and financial power of attorney in the event you’re unable to make necessary decisions. |
Living Will (Power of Attorney and Health Care) | $19.95 | Gives you some say in how you are to be cared for before you pass. |
Expatriate Will for Assets Held in Canada | $39.95 | For properties held in all provinces and territories in Canada. |
Expat Will for Assets in the US. | $39.95 | For properties held in the United States. |
Life Locker to Store Personal Information | $29.95 | Store personal information necessary to be passed on to your family or executor. |
Upload important files to your Vault | $0 | For digital assets that need to be reserved. |
Document Funeral and Organ Donation Wishes | $0 | Communicate your wishes to your family. |
Write Final Messages Delivered After You Pass Away | $0 | Communicate a message to your family and friends. |
Review of Complicated Will, Power of Attorney or Living Will | $69.00 | Get a Will, Power of Attorney, or Living Will reviewed by a lawyer. |
Document Storage | $0 | Store your documents online with unlimited updates for 1 year. |
Extend Storage and Unlimited Updates Beyond 1 Year | Add 1 year: $11.95 Add 5 years: $24.95 Add 10 years: $34.95 Add 25 years: $74.95 Lifetime: $124.95 | Store your documents online with unlimited updates beyond one year. |
Is LegalWills.ca Safe?
Yes, using LegalWills.ca is safe. As far as ensuring that your Will is legally binding and in compliance with Canadian law, the information provided is created and supported by real-life lawyers. As long as it is signed in the presence of two witnesses, and the two witnesses also sign the Will, it is considered a legal document in the province or territory in which it is created.
Further, any credit card information you provide to pay for these services will be kept safe thanks to the secure gateway that all credit card purchases go through to protect all transactions. LegalWills.ca also uses robust Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and Private Communication Technology (PCT), and your information is never stored.
How Do You Create A Will With LegalWills.ca?
To create a Will using LegalWills.ca, simply go through the steps outlined and answer a series of questions, all of which are written in plain language that makes them easy to understand without the help of a lawyer. Once you’ve answered all the questions and completed all details, a document will be instantly formatted to create the foundation of a legal Will that is customized for you and your location.
In order for the Will to be legally binding, it will have to be printed and signed in the presence of two witnesses, who will also have to sign the document in everyone’s presence.
Is LegalWills.ca Right For You?
For Canadians who have relatively simple estates and do not have extremely high net worths, LegalWills.ca may be a suitable tool to use. You’ll have access to the same software that attorneys use to prepare their documents for clients, but with LegalsWills.ca, you are preparing the documents yourself. It’s a great tool to use if you want to save time, money, and hassle compared to visiting a lawyer’s office and paying hundreds of dollars for a Will.
However, if you have a complicated estate and a high net worth, you may be better off having a lawyer draft a Will for you.
Final Thoughts
LegalWills.ca is a convenient online tool for Canadians with a simple estate who want to create a customized, affordable, and comprehensive Will. There’s no need to visit an attorney, saving you hundreds of dollars in services. That said, those with more complex estates may want to have a lawyer create a customized Will.