Making your will online

Making your will online for a low fee almost seems too good to be true. Yet, it’s possible as several websites offer this type of service. But is it a good idea to deprive yourself of a notary’s legal advice?

First of all, if a Master of Laws is required to become a notary, it’s probable that there’s lots to learn about Québec law, don’t you think? A notary is the best person to write a will that honours your wishes, complies with existing law, and prevents future potential issues. They can also provide advice on practicalities (just because we CAN do something doesn’t mean it’s actually a good idea).

Then, does it comply with Québec law? When typing “will” and “English” on Google, we can very well come across a will from England, just as we could find a will from France by typing “testament” and “français”. As one could imagine, this could cause issues when settling your succession.

Even worse, if the will doesn’t comply with Québec rules, it could simply not be recognized! In such cases, the Québec Civil Code would determine who would get the inheritance. It’s particularly important for common-law partners to be cautious; without a will, they may not inherit from their spouse, even if they have been together for 30 years!

In addition, the online will will ultimately be more costly than a notarial one. Why? The notarial will doesn’t need to be audited by the court before being applied, whereas a self-prepared one requires it. This also means that your succession would take longer to be settled.

Finally, do you know where confidential information entered online is kept? Who can access it? And will your document, once printed, be safe? Make sure not to lose it during a move! In conclusion, we could say that if it doesn’t cost much, it’s probably not worth much!