Can I write my own will in Ontario without a lawyer?

Yes, you can write your own will in Ontario. The two most common options are a holograph will and a formally witnessed will you draft yourself.

A holograph will must be entirely in your own handwriting and signed by you. No witnesses are required. Because it must be entirely handwritten, you cannot type it and sign it — that will not qualify. While holograph wills are legally valid, they often contain ambiguous language or miss key provisions (such as naming an estate trustee or accounting for residue), which can create problems during estate administration.

Alternatively, you can prepare a typed will yourself and have it signed in front of two qualifying witnesses. The format must meet Ontario's requirements under the Succession Law Reform Act.

The risk with any self-prepared will is that a single drafting error — an unclear gift, a missing signature, or a beneficiary acting as witness — can invalidate part or all of the document or lead to costly litigation. Professional legal help is relatively affordable compared to the cost of fixing mistakes after the fact.