Guides & Articles
Straightforward Answers to Estate Planning Questions.
Free guides written for Canadian families — on wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and what happens when you don't have them.
Complete Guides
Start Here: The Complete Guides
Comprehensive, in-depth guides covering everything you need to know about wills, estate planning, and powers of attorney in Canada.
The Complete Guide to Making a Will in Canada
The definitive Canadian will-making guide. Covers legal requirements, costs, storage, executors, guardians, and what happens if you die without one — with province-specific details.
The Complete Guide to Estate Planning in Canada
The complete Canadian estate planning guide. Covers wills, POAs, probate, taxes, digital assets, business succession, blended families, and common mistakes to avoid.
The Complete Guide to Powers of Attorney & Personal Directives in Canada
The complete Canadian guide to powers of attorney and personal directives. Covers financial POAs, healthcare directives, province-specific rules, and how to ensure your wishes are followed.
Estate Planning Basics
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Canada?
Dying without a will in Canada means provincial intestacy law takes over — not your wishes. Here's what that means for your family, your assets, and your children.
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6 min readOnline Will vs. Lawyer in Canada: Which Is Right for You?
Online wills are cheaper. Lawyer-prepared wills provide more protection. Here's how to choose the right option for your situation.
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5 min readDo Married Couples Need Separate Wills in Canada?
Married couples cannot share one will in Canada. Each person needs their own document. Here's what that means, what it costs, and what's included.
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5 min read5 Reasons Canadians Put Off Their Will — and Why to Stop
More than half of Canadians don't have a will. Here are the five most common reasons people delay — and the honest response to each one.
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7 min readWills for Common-Law Couples in Canada: Why You Can't Afford to Wait
In most Canadian provinces, common-law partners have no automatic inheritance rights. A will is the only legal protection your partner has — and the rules vary significantly by province.
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7 min readRRSP Beneficiary Designation vs. Your Will: What Canadians Get Wrong
Your RRSP beneficiary designation overrides your will — and most Canadians have it set up wrong. Here's how registered accounts pass on death and what you need to review today.
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7 min readWhen Should You Update Your Will? Signs It Is Time in Canada
Life changes — and your will should change with it. Here are the 10 key moments when every Canadian should review and update their estate plan.
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7 min readEstate Planning for Digital Assets in Canada: What You Need to Know
Cryptocurrency, online accounts, social media, and cloud storage all need to be part of your estate plan. Here is what Canadian estate law says about digital assets.
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7 min readCan I Write My Own Will in Canada? What the Law Actually Says
Canadian law does not require a lawyer to write a will. But the formalities matter — and DIY wills fail more often than most people realize.
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6 min readWhat Happens to Your Debts After You Die in Canada?
Your debts do not die with you. Here is how Canadian estate law handles debts, what your executor must do, and how to protect your beneficiaries.
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8 min readEstate Planning for Business Owners in Canada: What Happens to Your Company
Your business is likely your largest asset. Here is how Canadian estate law treats business ownership after death and what to plan for.
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Legal Documents
What Is an Enduring Power of Attorney in Canada — and Why You Need One
An enduring power of attorney is what protects you during your lifetime if you become incapacitated. Here's what it does and why most Canadians need one now.
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6 min readWhat Is a Personal Directive (Healthcare Directive) in Canada?
A Personal Directive names someone to make healthcare and personal decisions for you if you lose capacity. Here's what it covers, how it differs by province, and why it matters.
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7 min readWhat Makes a Will Valid in Canada? Legal Requirements by Province
The legal requirements for a valid will in Canada — witnessing, signing, capacity, and province-specific rules that determine whether your will holds up.
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8 min readContesting a Will in Canada: Grounds, Process, and How to Prevent It
Will challenges in Canada are rare but devastating. Here are the legal grounds for contesting a will, the process, and how to prevent it.
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6 min readLife Insurance vs. Will Beneficiaries in Canada: What Takes Priority
Life insurance beneficiaries override your will. Here is how the two systems interact in Canada and how to coordinate them properly.
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Parents & Families
What Happens to Your Children If You Die Without a Guardian Appointment?
Without a guardian appointment in your will, a court decides who raises your children. Here's how the process works, who has standing to apply, and how to prevent it.
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9 min readWills for Blended Families in Canada: Protecting Everyone Without Splitting the Family
Blended families face estate planning challenges that a standard will simply wasn't designed for. Here's how to protect your spouse and your children from a previous relationship — at the same time.
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7 min readHow to Choose a Guardian for Your Children in Canada
A practical framework for Canadian parents choosing a guardian — what to consider, what to discuss, and what to document legally.
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Province-Specific
Alberta Wills: What You Need to Know About the Wills and Succession Act
Alberta's Wills and Succession Act governs estate distribution, intestacy, and spousal rights in the province. Here's what it means for your estate plan.
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8 min readMaking a Will in British Columbia: What BC Law Requires
BC's Wills, Estates and Succession Act is one of Canada's most modern estate planning statutes. Here's exactly what it requires — and what happens if you don't have a will.
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8 min readMaking a Will in Ontario: What the Law Requires
Ontario's Succession Law Reform Act governs how wills are made, witnessed, and enforced. Here's exactly what the law requires — and what your family faces without one.
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Cost & Pricing
How Much Does a Will Cost in Canada in 2026?
Will costs in Canada range from $40 online to over $2,500 at a traditional law firm. Here's a clear, honest breakdown of every option.
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8 min readWhat Is Probate in Canada and How Much Does It Cost?
Probate is the court process that validates your will and oversees estate distribution. Here is what it costs by province and how it works in Canada.
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Guides & Checklists
Estate Planning Checklist: Everything Canadians Need Before They Turn 40
A complete, practical estate planning checklist for Canadian adults — the documents you need, the decisions to make, and what to communicate before something goes wrong.
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8 min readHow to Choose an Executor in Canada: What Most People Get Wrong
Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions in your will — and most Canadians get it wrong. Here's what the role actually involves and how to choose wisely.
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5 min readHow to Store Your Will Safely in Canada: Best Practices
A will that cannot be found is a will that cannot be used. Here is how to store your original will safely in Canada and ensure your executor can access it.
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