A 2023 Angus Reid survey found that fewer than half of Canadian adults have a will. The majority of those without one know they need one. They've thought about it. They've meant to get around to it.

They haven't.

The reasons are predictable — and every one of them collapses under scrutiny. Here are the five most common explanations and the honest response to each.

1. "I'll do it when I'm older."

This is the most common delay strategy and the most dangerous. The implicit assumption is that you won't die young — that estate planning is for people in their 60s or 70s, not people in their 30s or 40s.

The data disagrees. Sudden illness and accidents don't check your age first. And the financial and legal consequences of dying intestate with young children — no guardian appointment, no clear asset distribution, no power of attorney — are significantly more severe than dying intestate at 75.

The people who need a will most urgently are often the ones who feel least urgency about getting one: young parents with minor children and growing assets.

2. "My estate isn't complicated enough."

This is usually code for "I don't have a lot of money." But estate planning isn't only about wealth distribution. It's about:

  • Who has legal authority to make decisions if you're incapacitated
  • Who raises your children if you can't
  • Who can access your accounts and pay your bills while your estate is being administered
  • Whether your common-law partner has any inheritance rights at all

A modest estate with young children is far more urgent to plan than a large estate with no dependents. Simplicity doesn't reduce the need — it often increases it.

3. "It's expensive."

This one was more true fifteen years ago. Traditional law firms charge $800 to $2,500 for a full estate planning package — a real barrier for many families. The perception has stuck even as the market has changed.

A professionally prepared will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive now costs $395 for an individual — far less than most people think. See our full breakdown of will costs in Canada by province and provider. A professionally prepared will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive now costs $395 for an individual and $495 for a couple at services like Wills Made Easy. One hour. One appointment. Everything included.

The question isn't whether you can afford to get a will. It's whether you can afford what happens if you don't have one.

4. "It makes me think about dying."

This is the most honest reason, and the one people talk about least. Writing a will requires you to imagine your own death and the practical aftermath — which is uncomfortable. Most people would rather not.

But the discomfort is brief and the benefit is permanent. The 60 minutes you spend at a will appointment buy your family an indefinite period of security and clarity. That is an exceptional exchange, by any measure.

The people who've done it consistently describe relief as the dominant emotion afterward — not sadness. Taking responsibility for your family's future is a concrete act of care. It feels like one.

5. "I don't know where to start."

The process feels opaque — especially for people who've never dealt with estate lawyers or legal documents. Where do you find someone? What do you need to bring? How long does it take? What does the document actually say?

The confusion is understandable but fixable in about five minutes. At Wills Made Easy, you book an appointment online, complete a short questionnaire (10–15 minutes, no legal knowledge required), and show up. Your documents are prepared in advance. You review them, ask any questions, and sign. You leave with everything done.

There's no ambiguity in the process. That's the point.

The Real Cost of Delay

Every year without a will is a year where, if something happens to you, a court decides what happens to your children, your assets, and your affairs. That's not a hypothetical risk. It's a certainty — if the bad outcome occurs, the absence of a will guarantees the worst possible process for your family.

It doesn't have to be today. But it should be this week.

The Real Cost of Waiting

Putting off your will isn't just a personal inconvenience — it creates a legal and financial burden for the people you love most. When someone dies without a will in Canada, the estate goes through a longer, more expensive probate process. The court appoints an administrator (who may not be who you would have chosen). Assets are distributed according to provincial intestacy law, which may not reflect your wishes at all. And if you have minor children, the court — not you — decides who raises them.

The practical cost difference is significant. An estate with a valid, professionally prepared will typically costs $1,500-$3,000 in probate and legal fees. An estate without a will can cost $5,000-$15,000 or more, depending on complexity and whether disputes arise among family members. The math is simple: spending a few hundred dollars on a will now can save your estate thousands later.

How to Get It Done in One Hour

The perception that making a will requires multiple appointments, weeks of back-and-forth, and significant time off work is outdated. Through Wills Made Easy, the entire process — whether you need a will in Toronto, a will in Vancouver, or a will in Winnipeg — is designed to be completed is designed to be completed in a single one-hour appointment. You fill out an intake form online beforehand. A licensed professional reviews your information, prepares your documents, and walks you through the signing at your appointment.

One hour. Three documents. Done. There's no reason to wait.