What does estate planning include?

At minimum a valid will and powers of attorney for property and personal care, plus named executors and up-to-date beneficiaries on registered accounts and insurance. Fuller plans address taxes, probate, and how to pass on a home or business.

What happens if someone dies without a will in Canada?

The estate is distributed by a provincial formula, not by the person's wishes, which can leave out intended people and create delays and family conflict. A court also appoints the administrator. A simple will avoids all of this.

Do I need a lawyer to make a will?

Not legally, but for anything beyond the simplest estate it is wise. A lawyer or notary makes sure the will is valid, reflects your wishes, and works with your powers of attorney and beneficiary designations to avoid expensive mistakes.

How much does a will and estate plan cost?

A basic will and powers of attorney are commonly a flat fee; more complex estates with trusts or a business cost more. It is far cheaper than the probate delays, taxes, and disputes that a missing or outdated plan can trigger.

How often should an estate plan be reviewed?

After any major change: a death, marriage or separation, a new grandchild, a move to another province, or a big change in assets. Otherwise, a review every few years keeps executors, beneficiaries, and wishes current.

Professional Services

Estate Planning Lawyers

Estate planning ensures a senior's wishes are documented and their affairs are in order, wills, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, and strategies to ease the transfer of assets to family.

We list 118 estate planning lawyers across Canada, averaging 4.8 stars across 16,177 Google reviews. Ranked by our SCP Confidence Score, the strongest right now are Contrast Law, Lumina Law and Vest Wills and Estates Lawyers.

Estate Planning for seniors: what to know

Estate planning is simply making sure your wishes are clear and your affairs are easy for your family to manage: a valid will, powers of attorney, named executors and beneficiaries, and a plan that limits taxes, delays, and conflict. It is a gift to the people you love, not a grim chore.

For most families the core documents are a will and powers of attorney for property and personal care, ideally reviewed after any major life change. A lawyer or notary drafts them; a financial planner can help with the tax and beneficiary side. Compare estate professionals below, and see elder law for capacity and care-related matters.

How much does estate planning cost?

A will plus powers of attorney is often a flat fee (commonly a few hundred dollars each, illustrative), with more for trusts or complex estates

What moves the price: Simple will versus trusts and tax planning, the size of the estate, and whether ongoing advice is included. Figures are typical Canadian ranges for general guidance.

What to look for

A wills-and-estates lawyer, ideally one who also handles elder law
A clear, flat-fee document package rather than open-ended hourly billing
Willingness to coordinate with your financial advisor and accountant

Find estate planning lawyers in your city

Pick your city to compare local estate planning lawyers, each with a Confidence Score, Google rating, and recent reviews.

Top-rated estate planning lawyers

4.8 average rating16,177 Google reviewsacross 118 estate planning lawyers

Contrast Law

Oak Bluff, MB105 Fort Whyte Way #100, Oak Bluff, MB R4G 0B1

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5.0(132 reviews)

Confidence ScoreGood confidence

Alex Bainov focuses on estate planning and estate administration, helping clients understand their options and make informed decisions. The practice is known for professionalism and...

Elder Law
Estate Planning

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Lumina Law

Vancouver, BC885 W Georgia St Suite 1480, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8

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5.0(29 reviews)

Confidence ScoreGood confidence

Helps families create custom estate plans that minimize tax and probate fees while protecting their legacies. The firm specializes in wills, trusts, estate administration, and...

Estate Planning

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Vest Wills and Estates Lawyers

Calgary, AB396 11 Ave SW Suite# 730, Calgary, AB T2R 0C5

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5.0(20 reviews)

Confidence ScoreGood confidence

Estate Lawyers offers comprehensive estate planning services including wills, enduring powers of attorney, and personal directives to help you protect your wishes and family. Their...

Elder Law
Estate Planning

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Pick your city above to see every local provider.

Funding & insurance

Estate planning is private-pay, but a well-drafted will and powers of attorney can save the family far more later by avoiding delays, disputes, and unnecessary tax. Keep documents current after any major change.

Frequently asked questions

What does estate planning include?: At minimum a valid will and powers of attorney for property and personal care, plus named executors and up-to-date beneficiaries on registered accounts and insurance. Fuller plans address taxes, probate, and how to pass on a home or business.
What happens if someone dies without a will in Canada?: The estate is distributed by a provincial formula, not by the person's wishes, which can leave out intended people and create delays and family conflict. A court also appoints the administrator. A simple will avoids all of this.
Do I need a lawyer to make a will?: Not legally, but for anything beyond the simplest estate it is wise. A lawyer or notary makes sure the will is valid, reflects your wishes, and works with your powers of attorney and beneficiary designations to avoid expensive mistakes.
How much does a will and estate plan cost?: A basic will and powers of attorney are commonly a flat fee; more complex estates with trusts or a business cost more. It is far cheaper than the probate delays, taxes, and disputes that a missing or outdated plan can trigger.
How often should an estate plan be reviewed?: After any major change: a death, marriage or separation, a new grandchild, a move to another province, or a big change in assets. Otherwise, a review every few years keeps executors, beneficiaries, and wishes current.

How we rank estate planning lawyers

16,177

Google reviews

Ratings and reviews come straight from Google, from real clients across these 118 estate planning lawyers, never written by us.

100-point

SCP Confidence Score

Our trust rating decides the order in every list, recomputed as listings are verified and updated.

How estate planning lawyers are rated

Google star ratings across 118 estate planning lawyers.

4.5 and up108
4.0 to 4.410
3.5 to 3.90
Under 3.50

Confidence Score range

How the 118 estate planning lawyers fall across our trust tiers.

High0 communities
Good96 communities
Developing22 communities
Limited0 communities

What families are saying

A 4.8 star average across 16,177 Google reviews of 118 estate planning lawyers. Here is a sample, straight from clients and families.

“We used Axess Law to do our wills years ago. We had a great experience so it was natural that we would use them again to update our documents. The receptionist, Jessica, was warm, friendly and professional. The lawyer, Jas, was friendly...”

sparklynurse on Axess Law

“A++ Lawyer Professional, dedicated, hard working, and honest. My first time doing business with Mariana Samaan. I was very pleased with how fast they retrieved the documents that I required and at a fair price. Will definitely contact...”

Alexandru Gutu on Mariana Samaan Law Firm

“I had the pleasure of meeting Salman, and I couldn't be more impressed with the experience. Not only is he professional, knowledgeable, and approachable, but after talking with me for only about half an hour, he learned about my commitment...”

Trevor Cornand on Jurix Law

“We had used Summit when we bought our house and were pleased with the service we received. When it came time to do our wills we didn't hesitate to use them again. The process was fairly seamless. After an initial questionnaire we met with...”

JS M on Summit Legal Group

“I have dealt with Mr. Wazeer on different closings of my real estate transactions. I can only say he always have deliver over and above to my expectations. And handled my complex situations in very professional manner. I highly recommend...”

Faisal Anwar on Waseer Law Office

“I hired Lorne Shuman when I sold my mother's home. Lorne and Nicole were both great to work with. They were very quick on responding to email which is so important. I would not hesitate to hire Lorne again.”

Ted A on Isenberg & Shuman