Willful Review: Legal online Canadian will

Published: September 8, 2022
Last updated: July 11, 2024

Written by
Thomas Guenther

Why you can trust us

The team at WealthRocket only recommends products and services that we would use ourselves and that we believe will provide value to our readers. However, we advocate for you to continue to do your own research and make educated decisions.

Only about half of Canadians have made a will and that number is even lower among people under 35, a shocking 22%.

Without a will, your property will be distributed according to provincial law. Your friends, family, and loved ones may be SOL if you neglect setting up a legally binding will.

Fortunately, you have some options.

You can visit a lawyer, buy a DIY will-kit, or use an online service like Willful

Crafting a will doesn’t need to cost you a ton of money. Legal fees can add up quickly when setting up your last will and testament, and a DIY will-kit you buy at some store will not be very comprehensive. These are your final wishes, don’t screw around. Do it right. Your loved ones are counting on you. So check out our Willful review, and find out if it’s right for you.

Willful

Visit Willful

Plans Essential, Premium, Family Premium
Pricing $99, $189, $329

What is Willful?

Willful is an online fintech company that can help you set up your will in about 20 minutes. Their set-up is incredibly user friendly, and their three pricing tiers cover all the bases no matter if you’re single or married. Their Essential’s package is only $99 which is super affordable.

Started in 2017, Willful only serviced Ontario customers at first. They have since expanded to British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

Willful employs a team of legal advisers who ensure all the documents involved in your will are certified and binding. This is the kind of peace of mind Willful is trying to share with its customers.

Features of Willful

Creating your will with Willful is completely done online while you sit in your pajamas instead of across from a lawyer in their downtown office. You don’t have to wait for any appointment, you can fill out your will at any time of the day or night.

Pricing is affordable, ranging from $99 for the essentials package and $329 for the family plan. Even at $300 and change, you’re still saving hundreds of dollars compared to having your will drawn up by a lawyer.

Legal documents are often confusing, but Willful makes it easy. They have a questionnaire which helps their system customize the documents to your needs and avoid all the confusing jargon which could otherwise easily lead to errors.

You can make your final wishes known should you prefer a funeral, cremation, burial, wake, etc. You can leave instructions about what is to be given to any beneficiaries including charities and pets.

When you make a will using Willful, there is no limit to the number of updates you want to make. This is a big deal because, normally, making changes to your will costs money in legal fees. After you make your will, it can become invalid if you get married, divorced, or separated. Willful removes the stress from paying for making changes to your will.

Plans & pricing for Willful

Willful has three different plans to meet the various needs of their customers.

Essentials Plan $99

This is marketed to single people who want the security and peace of mind of having their own will, but don’t want to set up Power of Attorney to determine what happens to them or their property, instead they set all that out in this will including naming guardians for any children and setting out an inheritance.

Premium Plan $189

Everything included in the Essentials Plan plus Power of Attorney to determine personal care and distribution of property. You can also write out your wishes for your funeral and burial.

Premium Coverage for Families $329

This option is the same as the Premium Plan, but it covers two adults. It’s an excellent option for couples or families looking for a less expensive method to crafting their will.

How to sign up for Willful

It’s easy AF to make your own will using Willful. Signing up requires an emails address and password, “password” is not a valid entry. You enter basic personal information and Willful recommends one of their three plans based on your data. After you choose a plan that suits you best, you fill out your last will and testament with the help of Willful’s straight forward user interface. Once you’re done, you’ll pay for the plan and only then can you print a hardcopy of your will.

This is the only part of Willful’s process that isn’t digital. But, it’s not their fault. In Canada, a will is not considered legally valid unless it exists in physical form. Once it’s printed, you and two witnesses sign it–another legal requirement–and boom goes the dynamite, you have a 100% legal will.

Pros & cons of Willful

Pros

Simple, online process that takes the confusion out of legal documents
Complete your will at any time and from the comfort of your own home.
Save money! Willful is significantly cheaper than visiting a lawyer to make your will.
Save money! Willful is significantly cheaper than visiting a lawyer to make your will.

Cons

Not the best option for complex wills (those that require trust funds, tax shelters, etc.)
Unavailable in several provinces and territories

Do I need Willful?

Do you need a microwave, a cell phone, air conditioning?

Technically, no. However, all these things make life way more enjoyable and convenient – Our AC in our home is currently broken, so…yeah…

When you have a will prepared, you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you’ve checked one more box off your adulting list. You’re taking care of your family, you’re making sure your last wishes are honoured, and you’re guaranteeing that your property and assets are distributed the way you want.

Why wouldn’t you sign up with Willful? You’ll pay less than visiting a lawyer–unless your estate is hella complex, you can virtually complete the whole thing online, and it’s crazy easy.

Go check out Willful and see if it’s right for you.

Thomas Guenther

Thomas Guenther is a freelance reporter based in southern Manitoba. Thomas earned his Masters in Journalism in 2016 from the University of British Columbia, and has worked several jobs in the writing and marketing field since.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Willful for free?

Is Willful legal?

Can I use Willful for free?

Yes and No. Willful doesn’t require payment until after you’ve filled out all the information to create your will and you’re ready to print it. So, you can go through the process, learn what to expect when you make a will for real, and find out if the service Willful provides is right for you. You might discover your will and estate require a lot more guidance and help. That said, you cannot print your will through Willful without paying.

Is Willful legal?

Yes it is. Willful employs real lawyers to ensure all the necessary requirements are met. In Canada, a will is only considered legally binding if it exists in hardcopy, it’s been signed by the person making it, and signed by two witnesses. This is why Willful’s online process can only take you part of the way. You will need to print out the document they prepare for you and have it witnessed and signed.