How Much Does a Will Cost in Ontario?

People often put off making a will because they assume it will be expensive. The honest answer is that the cost depends on how complicated your situation is, and that most families fall at the simpler end. Here is what changes the price and what to ask before you hire anyone.

What we charge

For a straightforward situation, our fee for a will together with a continuing power of attorney for property and a power of attorney for personal care is $1,000 to $1,500 plus HST and disbursements. For more complex planning, such as tax planning or planning to reduce estate administration tax, our fee is up to $3,000 plus HST and disbursements. After a short first conversation we confirm your exact fee in writing before any work begins, and that is the fee you pay. Our wills and powers of attorney page lists what each package covers.

What affects the price

• How many documents you need. A will alone costs less than a will with both powers of attorney.
• Couples. Mirror wills for spouses are common and are usually prepared together.
• Blended families. Children from earlier relationships and a new spouse need careful drafting.
• Trusts. Planning for a minor child, a person with a disability or a pet takes more work. See our guide to Henson trusts and ODSP.
• Tax and estate administration tax planning. Ontario charges estate administration tax of $15 for every $1,000 of the estate's value over $50,000, according to the Ontario government. Some families use planning, such as a secondary will, to reduce it.
• Property or family abroad. Assets in another country may need separate advice there.

Disbursements and HST

Fees are quoted plus HST and disbursements. Disbursements are out-of-pocket costs paid to others on your behalf. Your written quote lists the ones that apply to your matter.

Is a do-it-yourself will cheaper?

Often the upfront cost is lower, but Ontario has strict rules. A will generally must be in writing, signed by you and witnessed by two people present at the same time, and a gift to a witness or the witness's spouse can be lost. A handwritten will signed by you can also be valid in some cases, but it raises questions that families end up arguing about. See our guide on whether you need a lawyer to make a will and the risks of online will kits.

What is not included

We prepare wills and powers of attorney. We do not handle probate applications or estate administration. When someone dies, the estate trustee named in the will deals with those steps, and our guide to choosing an executor explains the role.

Questions to ask any lawyer before you hire

1. What exactly does the fee cover: the will, both powers of attorney, anything else?
2. Are HST and disbursements extra, and roughly how much?
3. Will you confirm the fee in writing before starting?
4. Can I sign by video if that is easier?

Talk to us

We prepare wills, Islamic wills and powers of attorney in English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi. Download the free checklist to get ready, or call (289) 652-0529 for a written quote.

DISCLAIMER: This article is general information about Ontario and federal law, not legal advice, and no lawyer-client relationship is created by reading it. Laws change and every situation is different, so speak with a lawyer about yours.