Do I Really Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Ontario?

Is a Lawyer Legally Required?

The short answer is no. There is no law in Ontario that requires a lawyer to draft your Last Will and Testament. As long as the document meets the requirements of the Succession Law Reform Act (it is written, signed by you, and properly witnessed by two independent adults), it is a completely valid legal document.

When an Online Will is Sufficient

For the vast majority of Ontarians, a high-quality online will platform (like Cedar Wills) is completely sufficient. You are a great candidate for an online will if:

• You are single, married, or in a common-law relationship without complex blended family dynamics.
• Your assets are primarily straightforward (a house, bank accounts, RRSPs, TFSAs).
• You want to leave your estate to your spouse, children, or a few easy-to-identify charities.
• You do not own a complex corporation or foreign property.

When You Absolutely Should Hire a Lawyer

While online wills are powerful, they are not for everyone. You should seek specialized legal counsel if:

• You have a blended family: If you have children from a previous marriage, ensuring your current spouse is provided for without accidentally disinheriting your children requires complex trust structures.
• A beneficiary receives ODSP: If you leave a lump sum to a disabled beneficiary, it can cut off their Ontario Disability Support Program benefits. A lawyer must draft a Henson Trust.
• You own a business: Corporate succession planning requires dual-wills (Primary and Secondary Wills) to save on probate taxes.
• High Net Worth / Cross-Border Assets: If you own property in Florida or Europe, you need cross-border tax advice.

Conclusion

If your situation is standard, save the $1,000+ legal fees and use a trusted, Ontario-specific online platform. If your life is complicated, the legal fees are a necessary investment to protect your estate.