Where is the best place for Canadians to create a will online? While it may not be the conversation you most want to have, planning for your death and what comes after it, is a critical step that all Canadian adults need to take. According to RBC Wealth Management, less than half of us have a last will and testament, so don't be a statistic. You may not have your will at the forefront of your mind, but leaving the courts and legislation to decide the fate of your estate isn't something you really want either.
Good
With the mission of modernizing the legal experience for everyday people, Alberta-based LawDepot has provided an online workspace for over 13 million users in the 20+ years they've been in business for people in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Started because the founder was unable to easily access a promissory note, LawDepot has grown into a leading online publisher of hundreds of DIY legal documents built by their legally-trained professionals who take into account legal requirements specific to each jurisdiction.
More than wills here
Upon visiting the LawDepot website, you'll notice there are many options offered, unlike most of the companies on our list. That's because they have more than just wills. As such, you'll need to do some navigating to find what you're searching for, but with last will and testament as one of the featured documents, it should be relatively easy. The landing page for wills clearly explains requirements and terms to make it easier for you to know what you're doing, even providing a list of what you'll need to know prior to completing your last will and testament. At the top of the page is a simple online form which easily guides you through the will creation process. Once you're finished, it shows you a first page of the last will and testament, noting that the remainder is available after you've purchased a license. To edit, download the PDF, and print, you have to select a free or premium subscription. Another benefit is that when you make your free trial account, you can save your progress and return later to finish the document.
Trial offered or memberships of varying levels
A free, 7-day trial is offered for those who want to check out LawDepot and see what they have to offer, providing unlimited access to all of their legal documents for a full week. After the trial ends, your membership is renewed at $54 per month and they say you can cancel any time. If you'd prefer, you can get a single document licence for a one-time charge, which ranges depending on the document (though we couldn't find prices listed anywhere). A one-year pro subscription allows members unlimited access to all documents on LawDepot for $131.88 a year, with an annual renewal that can be cancelled at any time. Alternatively, they provide essentials access which offers unlimited access to a single category of documents at a monthly fee (after the week's trial) or annual charge. Estate planning document access is available for $39 per month or $95.88 a year. That's a lot of different price options, so be sure you know what you're getting into when you select from their packages and tiers.
Streamlined process to get your completed will
Though a specific time is not offered, LawDepot says you can print or download your will in minutes, which we found to be true as we walked through the questionnaire. We like how streamlined it is to create a last will and testament on this platform.
Quality is guaranteed in wording and legal standing
One thing that stands out with LawDepot is their quality guarantee. They offer a $25,000 USD legal guarantee on their documents, meaning that if you suffer legal judgment due to a clear mistake on their part, they'll cover that much in damages, Additionally, they offer to pay up to $120 USD for mistakes in their wording that you discover before anyone else - that's how confident they are in the quality of their legal documents.
Secure storage for your information
LawDepot says they offer a secure document storage and management system. They use the TLS protocol with 128-bit or higher encryption, similar to what banks, governments, and online retail giants use. They don't sell, trade, or rent your information to anyone, as they are committed to protecting your privacy.
Support but no legal advice
LawDepot wants to make it clear that they simply provide the information and software you need to make your own legal documents without providing legal advice to you. They do provide free technical support to help you through the process of preparing your will or other legal documents. Their representatives are available via live chat, email, or phone. If you want legal help, they present the opportunity for you to request assistance on a variety of topics and they will connect you to an experienced and vetted lawyer in your province for a separate membership fee.
Lots of legal documents here - if you need them
With hundreds of forms offered by LawDepot, you're sure to find documents you want to help with your various legal needs, including other estate planning documents like powers of attorney. They feature residential lease agreements, employment contracts, bills of sale, separation agreements, and more. The search bar allows you to quickly look up documents by name or even category. Alternatively, you can choose from their listed categories of legal docs for purposes such as renting out property, selling services, lending money, getting married, and more.
Reputation has some concerns
With accreditation from the BBB, LawDepot has an excellent "A+" rating with 29 complaints in the past year. And yet, many complain that they sign up for the free trial and then have trouble cancelling or getting charged even when they thought they did. Some note that the emails were going into the spam folder so they didn't catch it. As always, if you plan to cancel the membership during the trial period, it's up to you to keep track of the date and make sure you're not billed. Aside from the negative complaints about billing, their reputation is great. They have nearly 7,800 reviews on Trustpilot who give them 4.1 out of 5 stars, with over 5,400 being 5-star reviews. Pleased users say that LawDepot was easy, straightforward, and user friendly. Again, reviewers warn to keep proof of cancellation and beware of unwanted subscription charges even after the trial is cancelled. This makes us a little wary when we see it happening hundreds of times, so we suggest using caution if you're planning on just getting your document during the free trial.
Great option for all-around legal help, not just wills
LawDepot has a large variety of legal documents on their side, offering a great quality guarantee. However, the free trial may not be your best bet. Just keep a close eye on what you sign up for and what the details are, but overall you should be pretty satisfied if you choose LawDepot to draft your will in Canada.
Continued from above...
While it may not be the conversation you most want to have, planning for your death and what comes after it, is a critical step that all Canadian adults need to take. According to RBC Wealth Management, less than half of us have a last will and testament, so don't be a statistic. You may not have your will at the forefront of your mind, but leaving the courts and legislation to decide the fate of your estate isn't something you really want either.
Even those who are single without children should consider making a will so their hard-earned assets don't end up with the government instead of a friend or relative. Though it seems like this is a difficult process and only for those with significant assets, wills are important for all adults, providing peace of mind so that your final wishes are heard.
A common misconception is that you need a lawyer to create a will, or at least a notary public. However, it truly just needs to be a written document signed in the presence of witnesses who aren't beneficiaries. This makes things much easier - and potentially much more affordable - for people to create their last will and testament. While lawyers are helpful in preparing such documents, their services are not a legal requirement to crafting a will. The rise of online will services has made obtaining a legal will even easier for those without legal knowledge. If your wishes are straightforward, this process is significantly cheaper - even free, perhaps - and faster than using a law firm.
To create your online will, it's recommended that you gather details about family members and be prepared to make decisions about who you trust to appoint as executor of your estate (manage your affairs) or guardian to your minor children or pets. Then think about how you want to distribute your assets (who gets what after you pass). That's the basics. These online services will guide you through the questions, most allowing you to pause and save your work so you can return as you gather what you need or make decisions. If you're afraid of missing something, don't worry - these platforms are designed to ask all of the questions so you don't have to be an expert. Some of them will even offer explanations along the way so you're not lost in a sea of legal jargon.
Online wills can be made for a fraction of the cost of seeing an estate lawyer, an unnecessary step for most simple wills anyway. The convenience of creating the will at home, at work, or on the go cannot be overlooked since you don't have to waste time making an appointment, dealing with traffic, waiting for the professional to see you, and other time-consuming details. The time involved in the online will-making process is significantly shorter as well, just taking minutes to complete the questionnaire and be ready to download and sign. You could even do it on your lunch break. The simplicity involved in the online will process means no adult has a valid excuse for being without a will.
There are many factors to consider when comparing online will creation services in Canada. Here are the top ones on our list:
Creating a will doesn't have to be a burden any longer. At Top Consumer Reviews, we have done the work for you, looking at the best Canadian will creation services to assist you in making a choice for directing your final wishes so you can get on with the business of living.
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