The Top Online Wills in British Columbia

In British Columbia, creating legally binding wills is easy and convenient with online will services, such as Canadian LegalWills, Willful, and Epilogue. Their platforms help users draft wills online using templates and, if available, legal advice, in 20 minutes.

In this article, we'll detail the top online wills in BC, their respective costs, how to create a will, how probate works in this province, and their pros and cons.?

Best Online Wills in BC?

Canadian LegalWills

Canadian Legal Wills is an Ontario-based online will service designed to generate various legal documents, including custom-made wills, living wills, and Power of Attorney. It uses plain language and instructions, making it easy to use for anyone in the comfort of their home.?

The cost of a legal will at Canadian LegalWills is $49.95, which includes a year of storage and unlimited updates to your document. To get a 20% discount on their services, use LegalWills promo code SAVVY20. The service is available in all Canadian provinces and territories.

Here's a detailed LegalWills review.

Willful

Willful offers online will creation services for ON, AB, MB, NS, SK, NB, BC, and QC residents. It enables users to draft wills in minutes using customizable templates, simple steps, guided prompts, and with no lawyer or notary needed.?

Wills and power of attorney documents cost $99 and come with free unlimited updates, a free will registry, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. To get a 15% discount, sign up using this referral link. Willful is available in.

Epilogue

Epilogue offers a platform for the easy, affordable, and fast creation of custom and legally binding online wills for individuals and couples. With only three steps to creating an online will, Epilogue aims to make the online will creation process less complicated.?

For individuals, wills only cost $139, which includes detailed signing instructions, document storage, free updates, and live support. For couples, wills only cost $269. To get $20 savings, use promo code SAVVY20. Epilogue is available in ON, AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, PE, and SK.

How to Make a Will in BC

British Columbia recognizes both physical wills and electronic wills. The steps in creating a will in the province are as follows:

1. Choose an executor, or the person you name who will carry out your instructions. You can choose two or more people to act as co-executors.
2. Decide to whom you'll leave your property, also called the beneficiary.?
3. If you have children, decide on a guardian and make arrangements for them.?
4. Prepare your will in writing (typed, handwritten or electronic form). You must be at least 16 years old and mentally capable to make the will.?
5. Sign the will in the presence of two witnesses (physically or virtually). They must also sign the will in front of you to make the document valid. Make sure to date the will when you sign it.?

Is a Handwritten Will Legal in BC??

In British Columbia, a handwritten will, also known as a "holographic will," is legal, provided it complies with the legal requirements. For it to be valid, it must be signed at its end by the testator or the maker of the will and witnessed and signed by two people in the presence of the will-maker.?

Benefits of an Online Will

• Convenient
• Affordable than using traditional lawyer services
• Easily accessible
• Can be completed in 20 minutes
• No legal requirements or notarization needed
• Ideal for simple estate planning needs

Downsides of an Online Will

• Legal advice is not always included
• Not ideal for people with complex assets that need an experienced estate planning lawyer
• Not recommended for will-makers with complicated family situations, such as having a blended family
• Not advisable if you have specific wishes that need custom clauses in your will
• Not for sophisticated tax planning

How Does Probate Work in BC?

Probating a will in British Columbia requires verifying the authenticity of a will under provincial laws. The need to probate a will depends on the financial institutions or agencies managing the assets within an estate. They may require probate before the assets are accessed or distributed.?

In this formal legal process, the deceased person's will is submitted to the Supreme Court of BC through a probate registry. This step officially recognizes the validity of the will and the executor's role. Probate fees are then paid to the court, folllowing the Probate Fees Act:

• Estates valued under $25,000 - $0
• Estates valued at $25,000 to $50,000 - $6 for every $1,000
• Estates valued at over $50,000 - $14 for every $1,000

After the court issues the grant of probate, the executor can go ahead with administering the estate and distributing the deceased person's assets. The duration of the probate process is generally two to three months from start to completion.?