How Much Does a Will Cost in Winnipeg? (And What You Actually Need)

One of the main reasons people delay making a Will is that they are unsure what it costs and whether they actually need a lawyer to do it. A professionally prepared Will in Winnipeg is more affordable than most people expect, and a lawyer is worth the cost.

What Does a Will Cost in Winnipeg?

• Simple Will (single person): $300 to $600
• Mirror Wills (couple): $500 to $900 for both
• Will with testamentary trust: $800 to $1,500+
• Complex estate planning (business interests, multiple properties, blended families): $1,500 to $3,000+

These fees are for legal preparation only. If probate is required after death, separate Manitoba Probate fees apply, currently set at $70 per $10,000 (or part thereof) of estate value above $10,000.

What Should a Properly Drafted Will Include?

Executor appointment: The person responsible for administering your estate, paying debts, and distributing assets. Name a backup executor in case your first choice cannot act.

Beneficiary designations: Who receives your assets and in what proportions. This can be specific or general.

Guardian designation: If you have minor children, your Will is where you name who you want to care for them if both parents die.

Testamentary trust provisions: If a beneficiary is a minor or cannot manage money independently, a Will can direct that their inheritance is held in trust.

Do I Also Need a Power of Attorney?

A Will only takes effect after death. While you are alive but incapacitated, a Power of Attorney (POA) is what matters. Manitoba recognizes two types:

• Enduring Power of Attorney for Property: authorizes someone you trust to manage your finances if you become incapacitated
• Healthcare Directive: sets out your wishes for medical treatment and appoints a proxy to make healthcare decisions on your behalf

Most lawyers recommend preparing a Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney, and a Healthcare Directive together. Preparing all three at the same time is more cost-effective.

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Manitoba?

If you die without a Will, Manitoba's intestacy rules under The Intestate Succession Act determine who receives your estate. This may not reflect your wishes at all.

• If you leave a spouse and no children, your spouse receives everything
• If you leave a spouse and children, your spouse receives the first $50,000 plus half the remainder; your children split the other half equally
• Common-law partners have more limited rights under intestacy rules than legally married spouses

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write my own Will in Manitoba? Yes. A holograph Will (entirely handwritten and signed, with no witnesses) is valid in Manitoba. However, holograph Wills are easy to challenge and often contain ambiguities. A lawyer-drafted Will is far more reliable.

How often should I update my Will? Review your Will after any major life event: marriage, separation, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary or executor, or significant change in assets.

Does a Will cover my RRSP or TFSA? No. Registered accounts and life insurance policies pass outside your estate through beneficiary designations filed directly with the institution.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, contact Ellan Law Corporation at 431-458-3526 or book a consultation at calendly.com/ellanlaw.