Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

DIY Will Kits in Canada — Are They Legally Valid?

A will kit is a pre-formatted template — available at stationery stores, pharmacies, or online — that allows you to fill in your personal details and create a will without hiring a lawyer. They cost anywhere from $20 to $60 and are widely used across Canada. But are they actually legally valid? The short answer is yes, if completed correctly. The longer answer requires some nuance.

What Is a Will Kit?

A will kit typically includes a pre-drafted form with blanks for your name, address, beneficiary names, executor name, and asset distributions. Some kits also include instructions, a guide booklet, and a sample completed will. The finished document is a testamentary will — the same legal category as one drafted by a lawyer.

Are Will Kits Legally Valid in Canada?

Yes, will kits can be legally valid in Canada. The law does not require a will to be drafted by a lawyer. What makes a will valid is whether it meets the formal requirements set out in your province's Wills Act or equivalent legislation. Those requirements generally include:

• You must be of legal age (18 in most provinces)
• You must have testamentary capacity (understand what you own and what making a will means)
• The will must be in writing and signed by you
• Two adult witnesses must sign in your presence (and yours in theirs)
• Witnesses must not be beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries

If a will kit is filled out correctly and executed with proper witnesses, it is legally binding.

Common Problems with Will Kits

Improper Witnessing

Forgetting that a witness cannot also be a beneficiary is one of the most common mistakes. In many provinces, a gift to a witness (or their spouse) is voided even if the rest of the will stands. Some people ask a family member to witness — not realizing that family member is also named in the will.

Vague or Ambiguous Language

Will kits rely on fill-in-the-blank language, and it can be hard to describe specific assets clearly. "My house" might be unambiguous for most people, but "my investments" or "my personal effects" can create disputes if you have multiple accounts or valuable collections.

Failure to Account for All Assets

A will kit rarely prompts you to think about what happens if a beneficiary predeceases you, or how to handle digital assets, business interests, or jointly held property. An unanticipated gap can cause intestacy for a portion of your estate.

No Legal Review

A lawyer reviewing a will may spot issues you would never think of — conflicting clauses, provincial-specific requirements, or estate planning opportunities that reduce taxes. A will kit provides no such review.

When a Will Kit Is Appropriate

Will kits are most appropriate when:

• Your estate is simple — a home, bank accounts, and straightforward beneficiaries
• You are leaving everything to a spouse or equally to your children
• You have no minor children requiring a guardian or testamentary trust
• You have no business interests or complex assets
• You understand the instructions clearly and can complete them accurately

When to Hire a Lawyer Instead

You should strongly consider working with an estate lawyer if:

• You have a blended family or complex family dynamics
• You own a business
• Your estate has significant assets or multiple properties
• You want to minimize probate fees or taxes
• You have children with disabilities who need special needs trusts
• You own property in multiple provinces or countries
• You anticipate the will might be challenged

Online Will Services — A Middle Ground

Online will services like Willful (available in most provinces) and Epilogue offer a guided, interview-style process that produces a customized will document. They typically cost $100–$200 and are significantly more thorough than a paper kit. They still have limits — they do not provide legal advice or flag complex situations — but they reduce the risk of simple errors.

Storing and Updating a Kit Will

A kit will should be stored the same as any will — in a safe, accessible place known to your executor. Update it after any major life change: marriage (which revokes a will in most provinces), divorce, birth of a child, or significant change in assets. Write a brand-new will rather than crossing things out — alterations to a signed will can create legal complications.

The Bottom Line

A will kit is better than no will at all. For Canadians with simple, straightforward estates, a properly completed kit will can serve its purpose well. But the cost savings over a lawyer or online service need to be weighed against the risk of errors. If your estate involves anything beyond the basics, the extra investment in professional help is almost always worth it.