ClearEstate is a modern, digital platform backed by a team of estate professionals, designed to simplify estate planning and estate settlement. Offered in partnership with Canada Life, ClearEstate helps plan members:

- Create legally valid wills and powers of attorney
- Build comprehensive estate plans for complex family and financial situations
- Support executors through every step of the estate settlement process

Our goal is to ease the administrative and emotional burden that often comes with planning or managing an estate. By combining intuitive technology with specialized support, ClearEstate empowers members and their families to move forward with confidence.

We offer personalized guidance in English and French, and the service is available to Canada Life plan members, employees, advisors, and their families.

Navigating estate matters can feel overwhelming, whether you’re preparing your own plans or managing a loved one’s affairs. ClearEstate brings clarity, efficiency, and compassion to this process:

- Save time and money with digital tools and flat-fee pricing—no surprise costs.
- Feel supported with access to experienced estate professionals, every step of the way.
- Plan confidently with a clear, personalized strategy that reflects your values and protects your loved ones

ClearEstate provides trusted, one-on-one support for every stage of estate planning and settlement—whether your needs are simple or more complex.

As a Canada Life member, you’ll have access to exclusive discounts and expert guidance to help you:

Create essential legal documents

- Make your will and power of attorney online in under an hour—for just $50, plus $19/year for unlimited updates (cancel anytime).
- That’s a 70% discount off the regular price of $249—exclusively for Canada Life members.

Plan your estate with confidence with our premium guided offerings

- Get personalized help building a complete estate plan that aligns with your values and family’s needs.

Support your executor

- AfterCare: Your appointed executor gets free access to ClearEstate’s services to help notify government agencies, banks and file pension & benefit forms upon death (a value of $80).

Settle a loved one’s estate with an exclusive 5% Canada Life member discount

- ClearEstate's specialized team and digital tools make it easier to manage the administrative steps during a difficult time.

ClearEstate’s services are available to a wide range of individuals connected to Canada Life, including:

- All Canada Life group benefits and group retirement & savings plan members
- Extended family members of eligible plan participants
- Canada Life employees, advisors, and their families

Whether you're planning ahead or managing a loved one’s estate, support is available for you and your family—when it matters most.

Yes—online wills are legal in Canada, as long as they meet the legal requirements of your province or territory.

ClearEstate’s will creation platform is built to align with these provincial standards, ensuring that your documents are valid, secure, and legally binding. Our process has been reviewed and approved by legal professionals, and we follow the guidelines set by provincial law societies to ensure compliance.

With ClearEstate, you can feel confident that your will reflects your wishes—and holds up in court if ever needed.

Ontario
Online wills are legal in Ontario as long as they are printed, signed in ink by the testator and two witnesses, and stored safely. Electronic signatures are not currently accepted for wills under Ontario law. ClearEstate guides you through each step to ensure compliance.

British Columbia
B.C. allows digital wills under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA), including wills signed and stored electronically. ClearEstate ensures your digital will meets all requirements and can be validated through probate if needed.

Quebec
Quebec has unique legal traditions under civil law. Wills can be holograph (handwritten), witnessed, or notarial. ClearEstate helps you prepare a valid witnessed will, and if needed, we can connect you with a notary to finalize it according to Quebec law.

Yes—you can create Power of Attorney (POA) documents even if you already have a will.

Once you’ve drafted your will and completed payment with ClearEstate, simply log in to your ClearEstate dashboard, select the “Document Builder”, and follow the prompts to create your POA documents.

Whether you’re starting with a will, a POA, or both, ClearEstate is here to ensure your plans reflect your wishes and protect what matters most.

Yes—ClearEstate can absolutely help.

Estate planning for a child with a disability requires thoughtful guidance to ensure their long-term financial security while protecting their eligibility for government benefits. Our team understands the legal and emotional complexities involved and can support you with:

- Specialized estate plans tailored to your family's unique needs
- Guidance on Henson Trusts, a powerful tool that allows you to leave assets to your child without impacting their access to government support
- Will drafting that clearly outlines guardianship, trusteeship, and long-term care provisions

With ClearEstate, you're not navigating this alone. We're here to help you secure your child's future with clarity and confidence, so you can plan ahead with peace of mind. If you would like to book a free consultation to discuss your needs, you can do so here.

Yes—ClearEstate is uniquely equipped to support blended families through thoughtful, customized estate planning.

We understand that remarriage and complex family dynamics can make estate planning more sensitive and nuanced. Our team can help you:

- Create a clear, legally sound will that respects your wishes and avoids conflict
- Plan fairly for children from previous and current relationships
- Ensure your spouse is cared for while protecting your legacy for all your loved ones

Our secure, digital platform stores all your important documents in one place and includes annual reviews to keep your plan aligned with life changes, such as marriage, births, or shifting family roles.

With ClearEstate, you can move forward with a plan that brings clarity and peace of mind to you—and your entire family. If you would like to book a free consultation to discuss your needs, you can do so here.

While only a court can formally appoint a legal guardian for a minor, it is standard and strongly recommended that you name your preferred guardian in your will.

By doing so, you give clear, written direction about your wishes—something courts give significant weight to when making their decision. Naming a guardian in your will helps ensure your child’s immediate care is addressed and that the person you trust most is considered first.

At ClearEstate, we can help you:

- Properly document your guardian preference in your will
- Understand the legal steps involved in guardianship decisions
- Plan for the future so your child’s well-being is protected, even in the most difficult times

Estate planning is about peace of mind—and we’re here to help you get there, every step of the way.

An Affidavit of Execution is a sworn statement by a witness to a will, confirming that:

- The will was signed in their presence,
- The testator (person making the will) appeared to be of sound mind, and
- The signature was voluntary.

This affidavit is typically required when applying for probate, which is the legal process that confirms a will’s validity and gives the executor authority to carry out its instructions.

In most Canadian provinces, including Ontario and Alberta, creating a valid will does not require signing in front of a commissioner of oaths. However, during estate settlement, an Affidavit of Execution—a document sworn by a witness to confirm the will was properly signed—is often strongly recommended and may be required for probate.

Here’s what that means by region:

Alberta
Is Affidavit of Execution Required? Recommended for probate
Notes: Strongly advised to avoid delays in court acceptance.

British Columbia
Is Affidavit of Execution Required? Not required
Notes: B.C. does not require an Affidavit for probate.

Ontario
Is Affidavit of Execution Required? Recommended for probate
Notes: Often requested by courts during the probate process.

Newfoundland & Labrador
Is Affidavit of Execution Required? Recommended
Notes: Called a “Proof of Will”; required for probate in most cases.

Prince Edward Island
Is Affidavit of Execution Required? Recommended
Notes: Also known as “Proof of Will”; typically required.

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
Is Affidavit of Execution Required? Recommended
Notes: Varies slightly, but generally required or highly advised for probate purposes.

Territories (YT, NT, NU)
Is Affidavit of Execution Required? Recommended
Notes: Legal infrastructure similar to provinces; affidavits often needed.

While ClearEstate does not directly offer commissioner of oaths services, we may refer you to trusted partners like NotaryPro, depending on your location and needs.

This “exclusion” simply means the cost of swearing the affidavit (usually $30–$60) before a commissioner is not included in the ClearEstate service fee—but we’ll help you get it done if needed.

Yes—including the date on an electronically signed will is strongly recommended for clarity and legal assurance.

ClearEstate ensures that this is done properly as part of our guided estate planning experience. Here’s how it works across provinces:

For most provinces (including BC)

Electronic wills are valid in British Columbia and must meet specific requirements, including proper dating. ClearEstate helps members complete their will via a virtual meeting and DocuSign, which automatically applies a secure date and time stamp to the document.

For Quebec

Quebec uses notarial wills, which can be signed electronically using software mandated by provincial law. When members use ClearEstate’s notary partner, the platform automatically includes a secure date stamp, ensuring full legal compliance under Quebec’s Civil Code.

With ClearEstate, your will isn’t just signed—it’s signed the right way, with clear, date-stamped documentation to support your wishes.

In Quebec, residents have two options when creating a will with ClearEstate—witnessed wills and notarial wills—each with different levels of legal formality, cost, and convenience.

1. Witnessed Wills (Standard Legal Will)

These wills are legally valid if signed in front of two witnesses. ClearEstate offers two service levels:

a) Self-serve Online Will:

- $50 + $19/year for unlimited updates (regular price: $249)
- Create your will in under an hour, with access to our secure digital vault

b) Guided Will Creation:

- $595 +$19/year for unlimited updates
- A ClearEstate professional walks you through the full process to ensure clarity and peace of mind

2. Notarial Wills (Highest Legal Standard in Quebec)

These are drafted and signed in front of a licensed notary, making them the most formal and automatically probate-proof option under Quebec’s Civil Code.

- Available through ClearEstate for $1,895.25
- Delivered in partnership with Cain Lamarre, one of Quebec’s leading notarial law firms
- Includes full professional guidance and the use of secure electronic signature technology that meets Quebec's legal requirements

With ClearEstate, Quebec residents can choose the estate planning path that fits their needs, budget, and legal preferences—with expert support every step of the way.

If you have a question not answered in this FAQ, book a free consultation with an Estate Solutions Advisor here.