Quick answer: The average cost of a will in Canada was $624 in the Canadian Lawyer Magazine 2021 Legal Fees Survey. Treat that figure as a historical benchmark rather than a current quote — actual prices change by provider, province, complexity, and date. But the actual price ranges from $40 for an online DIY will to over $2,500 at a traditional estate law firm. The right option depends on the complexity of your estate, the province you live in, and whether you want professional oversight.
Here's an honest, province-by-province breakdown of every option — what you get, what you give up, and what actually makes sense for most Canadian families.
Average Will Cost in Canada by Province
According to the 2021 Canadian Lawyer Magazine Legal Fees Survey, the national average for a lawyer-prepared will was $624. This is the latest survey benchmark cited in this article, not a live market quote. Prices vary significantly by province and should be confirmed with the provider:
| Province | Average Will Cost (Lawyer) | Notary Available? | Wills Made Easy Flat Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $821 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| Alberta | $650–$900 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| Ontario | $503 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| Saskatchewan | $500–$800 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| Manitoba | $500–$800 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| Nova Scotia | $500–$900 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| New Brunswick | $500–$800 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $500–$800 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
| Prince Edward Island | $500–$800 | Yes | $395 individual / $495 couple |
BC has the highest average will cost at $821, while Ontario has the lowest at $503. Flat-rate services like Wills Made Easy offer the same $395 price across all provinces — potentially saving BC families $426 or more compared to the provincial lawyer average.
Option 1: Online DIY Will Platforms — $40 to $199
Platforms like Willful, LegalWills.ca, and similar services offer self-guided will creation starting around $40 for a basic will, up to $199 for full packages that include a power of attorney and healthcare directive.
What you get: A document that, if completed correctly, is legally valid in your province. It follows a template. You fill in the blanks.
What you give up: A licensed professional reviewing your answers, catching errors, asking clarifying questions, and ensuring the document reflects what you actually intend. If you make a mistake — a poorly worded clause, a missing witness requirement, a conditional gift that creates ambiguity — you won't know until it's too late to fix it.
Best for: Very simple estates. Single person, no children, no business, no complex assets, no blended family. The moment any of those factors are present, DIY risk increases significantly. Compare online wills to lawyer-prepared services in detail.
Option 2: Notary or Will Preparer — $150 to $400
In some provinces — particularly British Columbia — notaries public are authorized to prepare wills. Will preparers (not lawyers, but trained professionals) also operate in some markets. Costs typically range from $150 to $400 for a basic package.
What you get: A professional reviews your instructions and prepares the documents. More oversight than DIY.
What you give up: Depending on jurisdiction and complexity, a notary may not be authorized to advise on more complex estate issues. They prepare documents; they don't provide legal advice. A notary-prepared will in BC might cost $200-$350, but it typically covers only the will itself — not a power of attorney or healthcare directive.
Option 3: Flat-Rate Will Services — $395 to $595
Services like Wills Made Easy occupy the middle of the market: a licensed legal professional prepares and executes your will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive at a flat rate — no hourly billing, no surprises.
What you get: A licensed lawyer or notary. Document preparation, review, signing, witnessing, and notarization — all included. The complete package in one appointment. Three documents per person (will, POA, healthcare directive) for $395 individual or $495 per couple.
What you give up: Complex estate planning — trusts, estate freezes, business succession — requires a traditional law firm. If your estate is genuinely complex, this isn't the right fit.
Best for: The vast majority of Canadians. Families, homeowners, parents with minor children, common-law couples — anyone who needs a professionally prepared, legally sound will without the overhead cost of a full estate law firm. Find your city to check availability.
Option 4: Traditional Law Firm — $800 to $2,500+
A full-service estate lawyer charges by the hour — typically $300 to $500/hr in major Canadian cities — or a flat fee for standard will packages. The Canadian Lawyer Magazine 2021 Legal Fees Survey found the national average for a simple will was $624. For a couple's package with POA and healthcare directives, expect $1,500 to $2,500 in most markets.
What you get: Full legal advice. Complex estate planning. Business succession. Trust structures. If your estate involves significant assets, corporate holdings, or genuinely complicated family circumstances, this is the right environment. Read our complete guide to estate planning in Canada to understand when you need a full-service lawyer.
What you give up: Speed and cost-efficiency for standard work. For a straightforward will, you're paying a significant premium for overhead — office, support staff, billable hours — that isn't necessary for a simple estate plan.
Will Cost Comparison at a Glance
| Option | Price Range | Who Prepares It | Signing & Notarization | Documents Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online DIY Platform | $40 – $199 | You (self-guided template) | Not included — you handle it | Will only (POA/directive extra) | Very simple estates only |
| Notary / Will Preparer | $150 – $400 | Notary or preparer | Varies by jurisdiction | Typically will only | Basic wills in provinces that allow notaries |
| Flat-Rate Will Service | $395 – $495 | Licensed lawyer or notary | Included — signed and notarized on the spot | Will + POA + Healthcare Directive + Guardian | Most Canadian families |
| Traditional Law Firm | $800 – $2,500+ | Estate lawyer (hourly or flat fee) | Included | Will + POA + Directive (often billed separately) | Complex estates, trusts, business succession |
Hidden Costs of a DIY Will Gone Wrong
The advertised price of an online will kit is rarely the final cost. The real risk is what happens when a DIY will is ambiguous, incomplete, or improperly executed. If a will is contested in court, legal fees can easily reach $10,000 to $50,000 or more — and the estate pays those costs before beneficiaries receive anything.
Common DIY mistakes include: failing to properly witness the signature, not addressing all assets, ambiguous beneficiary designations, and not accounting for provincial legal requirements. In Ontario, for example, a holographic (handwritten) will is valid — but in Alberta, the requirements for a valid will are stricter.
A professionally prepared will costs more upfront but dramatically reduces the risk of a contested estate. For most Canadians, the question isn't whether you can afford a will — it's whether your family can afford the consequences of not having one done properly. Learn what happens if you die without a will in Canada.
What's Included in a Lawyer-Prepared Will Package
When you book through Wills Made Easy, the $395 individual or $495 couple package includes more than just a will. You get three legal documents per person: a last will and testament, a power of attorney (for financial decisions), and a personal directive or advance healthcare directive (depending on your province). All three are prepared, reviewed by a licensed professional, and signed in a single one-hour appointment.
Comparing this to the cost of preparing each document separately at a traditional law firm — where a will alone can cost $400-$800 — the value becomes clear. You're getting comprehensive estate planning for less than the cost of a single document at many firms. Compare online will kits to professional services to see the full difference.
What Most Canadians Actually Need
Most Canadians — especially those under 60 without a large business or complex trust requirements — need a legally valid will, an enduring power of attorney, and a healthcare directive. That's it. The documents aren't complex. The process doesn't need to be.
The question isn't just cost — it's value. A $40 DIY will that's incorrectly executed or missing a critical provision isn't cheaper than a $395 professionally prepared one. It's more expensive — you just pay the cost in probate, legal challenges, and family conflict instead of upfront.
For a full walkthrough of the estate planning process, read our complete guide to making a will in Canada.
The Wills Made Easy Model
Wills Made Easy was built specifically to close this gap. $395 individual. $495 couple. One hour. A licensed legal professional. Everything signed and complete before you leave. No hourly billing. No retainer. No surprises.
We currently serve families in Lethbridge, Toronto, Vancouver, and communities across 9 provinces. Join the waitlist for your city and we'll notify you when appointments open near you.