New poll finds more Canadians are preparing their own final wills

A new poll from Narrative Research has found more Canadians are preparing their final wills themselves, while also showing that less than half have their final wishes documented.

While the overwhelming majority of those with wills (74 per cent) had them prepared by a professional, the survey found more people are utilizing online tools that help them make them themselves.

The first online tool to assist Canadians with writing their own wills was launched in 2021. That sector has been growing since with the latest data showing that 25 per cent of newly created wills were done with their aid.

Wills more likely the older you are

Image: Narrative Research.

The survey discovered that only 43 per cent of Canadians currently have a will and testament , while 53 per cent are without and 4 per cent were unsure.

As one might expect the survey found that the older you are the more likely it is you’ve documented your final wishes.

Members of the Baby Boomer generation (55+)  are the best prepared with 64 per cent having a will, compared to 34 per cent of Gen X (ages 35-54), 23 per cent of Millennials (ages 25-34) and just 18 per cent of Gen Z (ages 18-24).

The survey was conducted between May 7 and May 14, 2024 with 1,230 Canadians, 18 years of age or older from the Logit Group’s online Canadian Omnibus. Data was weighted based on the 2016 Census, by gender, age, and region to reflect actual population distribution.