Estate Planning in Canada: The Key to Effectively Transferring Your Assets

Have you made a Will yet?

Why should I make a will?

Every Canadian who owns property or assets should make a will. Your will is the cornerstone of your estate plan.

If you were to die intestate (without a valid Will), your loved ones will have to pay court costs and legal fees to administer your estate. They already have enough to deal with after your passing - you can spare them the extra expense and trouble by making a will.

If you have children or dependents, you can make provisions in your will for their support and care. You can establish a trust for minor children and instruct your executor how and when to pay out the trust to them as they become adults.

If you own real estate or other assets, whether in Canada or outside of the country, making a will ensures that your property is distributed in accordance with your wishes, and not as the court decides.

What is included in the Canada Legal Will Kit and Estate Plan?

This complete Legal Will Kit and Estate Plan for Canadian residents includes everything you need to make your will:

• Last Will and Testament form, with instructions to help you complete the document. Special instructions for Quebec.
• Guide to Making a Will in Canada, which contains information and things you need to know to help you through the process of preparing your Will.
• Legal Requirements for each province and territory.
• Will Information Sheet which is a checklist of information you will need to compile in order to complete your Will.
• Organ Donor Information.
• Estate Plan and Questionnaire developed by a financial planner, to help you decide how you want all your property, investments, stocks and digital assets to be preserved during your lifetime and managed after your death.
• How to Choose an Executor and a Guardian for Minor Children.
• Affidavit of Execution of Will forms as required for Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I order the Will Kit?

Just add it to your cart and check out. Your complete Canada Legal Will Kit and Estate Plan will download automatically immediately after purchase.

Are the forms legal across Canada?

This English-language will kit can be used in all provinces and territories, and includes information and forms required under specific provincial legislation.

A French-language will is available on request. Please contact our Support Team for details.

Additional Resources

What happens if you don't have a will—by province, Farm Credit Canada

The Cost of Dying Without a Will in Canada: Intestacy Rules Explained, Forum Estates LLP

Why You Need to Review Your Will, MegaDox.com

Do your will and plan for the future with a complete Nova Scotia Estate Planning Document Package — Will, Power of Attorney and Personal Directive Forms.

Planning ahead is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family, your finances, and your personal wishes.

This comprehensive Nova Scotia Estate Planning Package includes the essential legal documents you need to prepare for unexpected events, manage your affairs if you become unable to do so, and ensure your wishes are respected.

These editable documents allow you to create, update, and organize your estate planning documents from the comfort of your own home.

Learn more about making a will in Nova Scotia.

What is included in the Nova Scotia Estate Planning Package?

Designed specifically for residents of the Province of Nova Scotia, this convenient downloadable package includes all of these professionally prepared templates:

1. Nova Scotia Enduring Power of Attorney

The Enduring Power of Attorney form allows you to appoint a trusted person (your attorney) to manage your financial and property matters if you are unable or choose not to manage them yourself.

This document can help ensure that someone you trust has the authority to handle important financial and legal matters, including:

• Managing bank accounts and investments
• Paying bills and expenses
• Handling real estate and property matters
• Managing business and financial transactions
• Generally managing your affairs, except for healthcare and personal care

An Enduring Power of Attorney is an important part of your estate plan because it allows you to choose who will act on your behalf rather than leaving decisions to be made without your input.

2. Nova Scotia Revocation of Power of Attorney Form

This Revocation of Power of Attorney form allows you to formally cancel a previously granted Power of Attorney.

Use this document when you want to terminate an existing appointment and no longer wish the named attorney to have authority to act on your behalf.

3. Nova Scotia Personal Directive

The Personal Directive (also called an Authority for Medical Treatment or Advance Health Care Directive) allows you to give instructions regarding medical treatment and personal care decisions, in the event you are not able to give those instructions at some point in the future.

You can address important healthcare and personal matters in this document, including:

• Medical treatment preferences
• End-of-life decisions
• Housing, lifestyle, recreation and social activities
• Personal care choices
• Continuing care and support services

4. Legal Will Kit for Canada (Including Nova Scotia Requirements)

This comprehensive Canadian Legal Will Kit provides the information, instructions, and forms needed to prepare your own legally structured will.

The Canadian Will Kit package includes:

• A customizable Last Will and Testament template
• Step-by-step information and instructions to guide you through preparing your will
• Guidance to help you complete your will correctly
• Nova Scotia Affidavit of Execution of Will form as required by provincial laws
• Comprehensive estate planning questionnaire

Creating a will allows you to:

• Decide how your property and assets will be distributed
• Name beneficiaries
• Appoint an executor to administer your estate
• Provide instructions regarding your final wishes
• Help reduce uncertainty and stress for your family

Why do you need to prepare an estate plan?

Many people put off estate planning because they assume it is only necessary for older adults or people with significant assets. In reality, every adult can benefit from having documents that explain their wishes and appoint trusted decision-makers.

Without proper planning, your family may face additional stress, delays, or uncertainty when dealing with your financial affairs, health care decisions, or estate administration.

A complete Nova Scotia estate plan can help you:

• Protect your family and loved ones
• Maintain control over important decisions
• Choose who manages your affairs if you cannot
• Clearly communicate your wishes
• Make future decisions easier for those close to you

Save Money with a complete Nova Scotia estate planning package

Purchasing this all-in-one Nova Scotia Estate Planning Package saves almost 60% compared with purchasing each document separately.

These downloadable forms are reusable and can be used by more than one person in your household, making this an affordable and practical way to organize your estate planning documents.

Prepare your Nova Scotia will, Power of Attorney, and Personal Directive today and gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have planned for the future.

Give yourself and your family the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have made arrangements for future eventualities.

Additional Resources

• What is estate planning?, IG Wealth Management
• Why every Canadian should make a legally valid will, Empire Life
• Explaining the words and phrases commonly found in a Will, MegaDox.com
• Top Tips to Avoid Estate Tax in Canada, Munroe & Crawford

Make additions to your Last Will & Testament with this template Codicil to Will form for the Province of Ontario.

• The Codicil must be executed and witnessed in the same manner as the original Will.
• If you are making substantial changes to your Will, you should make a new Will instead of doing a codicil to the old one.
• The document also includes the required form of Affidavit of Execution of Will or Codicil (Form 74.8).
• This form is provided in MS Word format and is totally editable to meet your needs.
• Intended to be used only in the Province of Ontario, Canada.