How to make a will in Ontario

This page is a public educational walkthrough. It is not a retainer, a court form, or a promise about your result. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.

1. Most formal wills need writing, a signature and two witnesses

   Witnesses generally should not be beneficiaries. A holograph will has different rules and is easy to get wrong.

2. Name an estate trustee and say who inherits

   Use full legal names. Vague wishes cause fights.

3. Read the Succession Law Reform Act on this site

   Marriage, separation and beneficiary designations can change a plan.

4. Store the original

   Probate usually needs it. After death, the estate trustee often applies for a certificate of appointment using the Rule 74/75 estate forms under Court Forms.

Official law on this site: wills-estates-ontario.

Disclaimer: Know The Law publishes legal information for the public, not legal advice. Court forms, fees and filing channels change. Read the official statute text and the official form page linked from this guide before you act. We do not represent you and we do not file documents for you. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.