Yes. ClearEstate's online will is legally valid across Canada, as long as it is executed properly according to your province's laws. This typically means signing the will in the presence of two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries. Both witnesses must also sign the will in your presence. ClearEstate provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help ensure your will is signed and witnessed correctly, so it's legally recognized and enforceable.

Most people take 20-30 minutes to complete their will, but you can spread this across several sessions if preferred. The platform is designed for you to work at your own pace across multiple sessions. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can take breaks, gather information, or discuss decisions with family members before continuing. Simply log back in to continue where you left off.

The annual fee gives you continuous value and peace of mind. It includes unlimited updates to your will, secure storage in your personal digital vault, and access to our support team. For clients of our guided plans, it also includes an annual check-in with an estate professional to make sure your plan stays aligned with your life. Unlike traditional lawyers who charge each time you make a change, our model ensures your will remains current, valid, and reflective of your wishes—without unexpected costs.

Executor fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the estate’s total value. In Canada, a friend or family member acting as executor is usually entitled to claim up to 5% of the estate’s value as compensation for their time and responsibilities. The same rate often applies when a lawyer takes on the role of executor.

By comparison, bank trust companies generally charge around 4% of the estate’s value for their executor services.

With ClearEstate’s Professional Executor Service*, the fee is a transparent 1% of the estate’s value — offering the same expertise, objectivity, and peace of mind as traditional executors, but at a fraction of the cost.

*The professional plan requires your appointment of Natcan Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Bank of Canada, as your executor.

Yes, you can upgrade your plan at any time to access additional features and services. Whether you're moving from an online will to a comprehensive estate plan, or adding professional executor services, upgrades are easy and flexible.

You can upgrade directly within the ClearEstate platform, or contact our support team for help. Any payments you've already made will be credited toward your new plan, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective transition.

Yes. You can cancel your yearly subscription at any time by visiting the **Billing** section of the ClearEstate platform. You'll continue to have access to your platform and documents until the end of your current billing cycle.

After cancellation, your access will be disabled, but your documents remain securely stored. You can reactivate your account at any time by resubscribing.

Probate is the legal process that confirms a will is valid and officially appoints the executor who will manage the estate. This step gives the executor the authority to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute what's left according to the will. ClearEstate helps simplify and guide you through this often complex process.

The length of the probate process can vary widely depending on the complexity of the estate and the rules in the jurisdiction where it’s being settled. In general, probate can usually take several weeks to several months. The entire estate settlement process can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

Probate fees are charged by the court when applying for probate. The amount varies by province and is usually based on the total value of the estate.

For example:

• Ontario charges roughly 1.5% of the estate’s value (with the first $50,000 exempt).
• British Columbia charges about 1.4% after a small exemption.
• Alberta uses a flat fee structure, generally capped at a few hundred dollars.

Because every jurisdiction has its own rules and thresholds, the total amount can differ significantly. To make it easier, ClearEstate offers a free Probate Fee Calculator so you can estimate costs quickly and accurately based on where you live and the size of the estate.

Not at all. ClearEstate was built specifically for people going through this process for the first time. One of our founders experienced the frustration of navigating estate settlement alone after losing a loved one—and that personal journey inspired the creation of ClearEstate. Our platform offers step-by-step guidance, supported by a team of experts, so you're never left figuring it out on your own.

Yes. ClearEstate can prepare and file all necessary probate documents on your behalf, ensuring they meet the legal requirements of your jurisdiction. If your case involves additional legal steps or complexities, we'll coordinate with legal professionals from our partner network to support you every step of the way.

ClearEstate's platform uses the information you provide to automatically generate key documents such as probate petitions, government notifications, and estate inventories, based on your jurisdiction’s requirements. This automation streamlines complex paperwork, reduces manual errors, and saves you hours of administrative work. Behind the scenes, our team helps review to ensure accuracy and compliance before submission.