4. Learn the ways to make a formal will
Question and answer
How do I make a will?There are different ways to make a formal will. But you must make sure to follow all the rules as explained in Step 3.
Hire a lawyer
An estates lawyer can make sure that your will follows the law and expresses your wishes properly. A lawyer can also help you make an that meets your needs.
Estate lawyers usually charge around $400 to $2,000 to make:
- a basic will
- a power of attorney for property
- a power of attorney for personal care
But their fee depends on how complicated your situation is, how large your is, and how much estate planning you need.
Your situation is complicated if you:
- own property and in more than one country
- have a business
- have a who needs long-term medical care or gets government benefits
- have children from a previous marriage
- are living with a partner and also have a partner who you have not divorced
If you have a large or complicated estate, it's a good idea to talk to a financial advisor as well as an estates lawyer. You can get advice about taxes and how to reduce probate fees.
CLEO’s Guided Pathway
You can use CLEO's Guided Pathway to make a simple will. This is a free online interview that:
- asks you questions to gather the information you need to make a will
- gives you the legal information you need to make a will, and
- gives you a draft of your will, along with instructions on the next steps you need to take to sign and the will.
Other online tools
Some public libraries offer free access to online tools that can help you draft a will. For example, the public libraries in Toronto and Barrie offer this. Ask your local library if they offer this service.
Will kit
You can make a will using a kit or form that you buy online or from a store. Make sure that your kit is based on Ontario laws.
Will kits usually have blank parts that you have to fill in. The price of a will kit is around $40 to $100 and sometimes more.