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Legal Essentials · Review

FormalWill — Hands-On Review Review (2026): Is It Worth It?

We walked the full flow: free vs Premium Will Plus, signing, witnesses and updates.

★ 8.8 / 10Updated October 2026Canada & US
★ 8.8 / 10
Best for: Straightforward Canadian estates
Skip if: Businesses, cross-border assets or blended-family trusts — see a lawyerFree to start · Premium Will Plus $79 one-time · Prices checked October 2026 — the retailer’s price always wins.
Check price at FormalWill →
FormalWill — Hands-On Review — Legal Essentials

Free vs Premium, honestly

Standard (Free)Premium Will Plus ($79 one-time)
Legally valid willYesYes
Executor & beneficiariesCore optionsExtended options
Guardianship detailBasicRicher provisions
Price$0$79 once — not a subscription

Our take: the free will is a real will and beats having none. Premium is the right spend for parents and homeowners. Either way, execution is on you: print, sign and witness exactly as instructed for your province.

What we like

  • Free tier removes every excuse
  • Premium is one-time, not subscription
  • Plain-language flow

What to know

  • Complex estates need a lawyer
  • You must execute (sign/witness) correctly yourself

How we researched & scored FormalWill — Hands-On Review

  • Checked the official store, live pricing and product pages (October 2026)
  • Read the public terms, shipping, returns and warranty policies end to end
  • Sampled genuine customer feedback (store reviews and independent review platforms where available)
  • Walked the questionnaire structure and compared the free/premium feature split on the official site
  • Scored out of 10 on value, trust signals, policies and customer sentiment; re-checked monthly — scores are editorial and never paid for
★ 8.8 / 10 — Our verdict

FormalWill: start free today; upgrade to Premium if you have kids or a home

Researched from the official store, current pricing and verified customer feedback. Our method is spelled out on this page — no paid placements, ever.

Start your free will →

Frequently asked questions

Is the free will really valid?

Yes — validity comes from correct execution (printing, signing, witnesses) under your province’s rules.

When is a lawyer better?

Businesses, cross-border assets, blended-family trusts or disputes — get counsel.

Do I need witnesses?

Yes — in most provinces a will must be signed in front of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. The kit includes step-by-step signing instructions.

In pictures: FormalWill

The quill — FormalWill brand art
The quill — FormalWill brand art
FormalWill (official site)
FormalWill (official site)

Images: FormalWill (official site)

FormalWill’s tiers — and the lawyer option

Free Standard WillOUR PICKPremium Will Plus ($79)A lawyer
Cost✓ $0✓ $79 one-time~$400–800+
Guardianship & distribution optionsCore set✓ Full feature set✓ Fully custom
UpdatesEdit onlineEdit onlineNew fee per change
Best forGetting a valid will in place todayMost familiesComplex estates

Compared from the brands’ official sites, checked 15 October 2026. Prices and terms change — the retailer’s site is the final word.

Related reading

How to make a will online in Canada

The full guide to getting it done right.

Continue →
FormalWill — free to startStart free