Making a Will in Hamilton, Ontario
Last updated 2026-06 · Ontario
Hamilton, with about 569,000 residents, has transformed from a steel town into a city of rising home values and new arrivals from the GTA. Higher property values make probate planning more relevant than many longtime Hamiltonians expect.
What a valid will requires in Hamilton
Under Ontario's Succession Law Reform Act, a Hamilton will must be in writing, signed at the end, and witnessed by two non-beneficiary adults present together. You must be 18 and capable. A fully handwritten holograph will is valid with no witnesses; fully electronic wills aren't clearly valid in Ontario — print and sign.
Probate and cost in Hamilton
Hamilton estates go through the Ontario Superior Court of Justice estates office in Hamilton. Ontario's Estate Administration Tax is about 1.5% above $50,000 — roughly $14,250 on a $1,000,000 estate. As Hamilton home values climb, naming beneficiaries on registered accounts and insurance, and using joint tenancy where appropriate, can keep more out of probate.
If you die without a will in Hamilton
Ontario's intestacy formula gives a married spouse the first $350,000 plus a share, and a common-law partner inherits nothing. A will is the only way to provide for a common-law partner or shape a blended-family estate.
Getting started
A simple estate can use a reputable Ontario online will signed with two witnesses; complex situations warrant a Hamilton estate lawyer. Add Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a will cost in Hamilton? A simple lawyer-drafted will is usually a few hundred dollars; online wills cost less. How much is probate in Hamilton? About 1.5% above $50,000 — roughly $14,250 on a $1M estate. Are online wills legal in Hamilton? Yes, once printed and signed with two witnesses.
Not legal advice. General information about Ontario law as of 2026. Confirm specifics with a Hamilton estate lawyer.
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