Online Will service – 11 things that you can do at LegalWills.ca

Originally published: June 15, 2019 | Last updated: June 18, 2025

Reviews of online Will services typically compare pricing, website design, and customer support. They rarely test the actual Will-writing capabilities by running through different estate planning scenarios. At LegalWills.ca, our Will service handles situations that other platforms cannot. Here are 11 features unique to LegalWills.ca that set it apart from every other online Will service in Canada.

1. How Does LegalWills.ca Handle Flexible Estate Distribution?

Most online Will services limit you to basic percentage-based distribution – for example, 50% to your spouse and 50% to your children. LegalWills.ca allows users to create various complicated estate plans which exceed basic arrangements:

• Specific bequests – leave particular items (jewelry, vehicles, property) to named individuals
• Percentage and fraction-based splits – divide your residual estate by any combination of percentages
• The distribution process depends on the number of beneficiaries who survive you. You need to state your backup beneficiary choices across all beneficiary levels which should include what happens to assets when a beneficiary dies before you. The real world needs operational flexibility because actual family systems contain multiple complex elements. A basic system which divides everything into equal parts fails to work because I want to give my cottage to one child while giving my investment portfolio to another child and donating money to charity.
• 2. What Alternate Beneficiary Options Are Available?

Your Will needs you to pick a backup beneficiary who will receive your assets when the main beneficiary dies before you. LegalWills.ca supports multiple layers of alternate beneficiaries, something most competitors do not offer.

The document includes my instructions to distribute all my assets to my spouse through estate transfer. My three children will receive equal shares of my estate when my spouse passes away before me. My grandchildren will receive the shares of any child who dies before me.

3. Can I Appoint a Backup Executor at LegalWills.ca?

Your executor is the most important appointment in your Will because this person will handle all your estate matters after you pass away. Your chosen executor might fail to perform their duties because they either refuse to serve or they become unavailable to serve at the required time.

LegalWills.ca enables users to select their first choice for executor while they can also select a backup executor to take over the role. Some services only allow a single executor appointment, which can create serious problems if that person cannot serve. Your family members need to apply for court approval to become administrators because you haven’t created a backup plan which will result in extended delays and high expenses.

4. How Does LegalWills.ca Support Blended Families?

Blended families which consist of children from previous relationships need specific estate planning solutions because their family structure differs from traditional families. Standard online Will services fail to provide solutions for cases which involve:

A current spouse needs support but the inheritance rights of children who come from previous marriages must stay protected.

You can create lifetime interest trusts which let your spouse use assets during their lifetime but these assets will eventually go to your children. You have the ability to establish particular rules which determine how your biological children and stepchildren receive their inheritance. You have the ability to establish trusts which will protect your minor beneficiaries until they reach specific age milestones.

• LegalWills.ca is the only online service that allows you to distribute portions of an inheritance over different ages and set different age thresholds for different minor beneficiaries. This is important because siblings may have different levels of maturity – one child might responsibly handle an inheritance at 21, while another may need to wait until 25.
• 5. Can I Plan for Assets in the US or UK?
• More than one million Canadians spend their time in the United States for over thirty days each year while about one million Americans have chosen to live in Canada. Cross-border assets including vacation properties and bank accounts and investments need detailed estate planning to protect them.
• LegalWills.ca operates as part of an estate planning service network which includes USLegalWills.com and LegalWills.co.uk. You can create Wills which apply to your US and UK properties and assets to avoid the complex process of international probate.

6. How Do Mirror Wills Work for Couples?

A Mirror Will consists of two Wills which couples use to create identical documents that contain matching provisions which direct each spouse to receive all assets from the other spouse while keeping the same backup beneficiary list and distribution instructions. LegalWills.ca provides a distinct Mirror Will creation tool which helps couples produce their Wills together in one process.

The tool generates Wills through fast processing because users need to enter their data only once to receive two separate Wills which serve as the final documents for each spouse. Users can revise their Wills through independent legal documents which function separately from each other. No other Canadian online Will service offers this level of efficiency for couples.

7. Can I Get My Will Professionally Reviewed?

Many people doubt the reliability of online Will services because these platforms lack professional oversight. LegalWills.ca provides users with an option to get their documents professionally reviewed through a service they can choose to use. A qualified estate planning attorney reviews your completed Will for:

The document contains all essential provisions which users must have. The document maintains uniformity through its different sections which do not contain any opposing statements. The document uses clear language which does not cause confusion and meets legal standards.

Recommendations – suggestions for improvements based on your specific situation

LegalWills.ca delivers this special service which lets users receive professional document review at a price that remains lower than what they would pay to have a lawyer write their entire Will.

8. Can LegalWills.ca Print and Mail My Will?

• Most users of LegalWills.ca website access the platform through their smartphones and tablets which lack built-in printer functions. People should not use work or public library facilities to print their personal documents which include Wills.
• The print-and-mail service at LegalWills.ca delivers your final Will document through postal service which sends you a professional folder with signing directions. The service provides expedited courier delivery for emergency needs which enables customers to receive their shipments by the next business day in most Canadian cities.
• 9. How Does the LifeLocker Personal Information Vault Work?
• Your Will addresses the distribution of your estate, but there is a wealth of personal information your family will need after you pass away – information that does not belong in a Will. This includes:

Banking and financial account details

Insurance policy numbers and contact information

Digital assets – email accounts, social media credentials, online subscriptions

Location of important documents (deeds, titles, certificates)

Contact information for your accountant, financial advisor, and lawyer

Messages or instructions for family members

• LegalWills.ca offers LifeLocker which functions as a digital storage system to keep all your data protected. The system maintains order while it protects data through encryption until your designated KeyHolders receive access to the system after your death.
• 10. What Is the KeyHolder Process?
• LegalWills.ca has developed the KeyHolder process which functions as an advanced security system for its users. The system lets you pick people you trust to become KeyHolders who will access your LifeLocker data after death but they need to reach agreement multiple times to confirm your death.
• The system solves a major problem because it needs a solution to protect sensitive data which includes passwords and account details and personal messages while people in the family can access this information when they require it. The KeyHolder process requires multiple parties to verify each other’s identities which blocks unauthorized users from entering the system during your lifetime but enables your family members to enter when you die.
• 11. What About Funeral Wishes and Organ Donation?
• Your Will remains unread until several days pass after your death which makes it impossible to use for funeral planning or organ donation choices. LegalWills.ca includes a dedicated section for documenting your wishes regarding:

Burial vs. cremation preferences

Specific funeral arrangements and instructions

Organ donation wishes

Memorial service preferences

Your LifeLocker stores these wishes so your KeyHolders can access them right away to understand your family preferences during decision-making situations.

How Does LegalWills.ca Compare to Other Services?

• LegalWills.ca maintains its position as Canada’s top online Will service according to independent evaluation results. The service offers flexible estate distribution and professional review options and LifeLocker and KeyHolder features which support blended families to create a unique experience for customers.
• Frequently Asked Questions About the LegalWills.ca Online Will Service
• How Much Does LegalWills.ca Cost?
• A single Will costs $49.95. A complete estate plan (Will + Power of Attorney + Living Will) costs $99.95. For full pricing details, see our cost of a Will guide.

How Long Does It Take to Create a Will at LegalWills.ca?

Most users complete their Will in 20–30 minutes. You can save your progress and return at any time.

Is a Will Created at LegalWills.ca Legally Valid?

Yes. Wills created at LegalWills.ca are legally valid in all Canadian provinces and territories when properly signed and witnessed. The service uses the same software which Canadian law firms use for their operations.

Can I Update My Will After Creating It?

Yes. Log into your account, make changes, and print a new Will. Updates are included during your subscription period. There is no need for a codicil – you simply create a new, complete document each time. For more on updating, see our guide on updating a Will.

Does LegalWills.ca Work on Mobile Devices?

Yes. The service operates through full access from all types of devices which include smartphones and tablets and laptops and desktop computers. The print-and-mail service fulfills your need for Will delivery because it sends your final document directly to your home address.

Is a Will Created at LegalWills.ca Legally Valid?

Yes. Wills created at LegalWills.ca are legally valid in all Canadian provinces and territories when properly signed and witnessed. The service uses the same software used by Canadian law firms.

Can I Update My Will After Creating It?

Yes. Log into your account, make changes, and print a new Will. Updates are included during your subscription period. There is no need for a codicil – you simply create a new, complete document each time. For more on updating, see our guide on updating a Will.

Does LegalWills.ca Work on Mobile Devices?

Yes. The service is fully accessible from smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. If you do not have access to a printer, the print-and-mail service delivers your completed Will to your door.