Alberta Last Will and Testament
A will is the document that says who inherits your estate, names the executor who carries out your wishes, and can set out funeral preferences and specific gifts. In Alberta, wills are governed by the Wills and Succession Act, and a properly signed and witnessed will is one of the most important documents most adults will ever make.
If you die without a valid will (intestate), Alberta law — not you — decides who receives your estate and who administers it. That can mean delays, extra cost, and outcomes you wouldn't have chosen. A clear will keeps those decisions yours.
This guided builder creates a straightforward Alberta will for common situations and walks you through eligibility, executors, gifts and the residue of your estate. It then sets out exactly how to sign it with two qualified witnesses. Xpress Notary can help with the accompanying Affidavit of Witness to a Will after hours, on weekends, or by mobile visit in Edmonton.
When you might need it
- You want to decide who inherits your estate rather than leaving it to default law
- You want to name an executor you trust
- You have specific gifts or charitable bequests to make
- You've had a major life change — marriage, a child, buying a home
What your will decides
A will does a few important jobs at once. It names the people who will inherit, the person who will manage everything, and — where relevant — practical wishes that spare your family from guessing.
- Your executor (and an alternate) who administers your estate
- Specific gifts — items or amounts left to particular people or charities
- The residue — everything left over — and how it's divided
- Optional wishes, such as funeral or burial preferences
Signing a will correctly in Alberta
A formal Alberta will must be signed by you in front of two witnesses who are present at the same time, and who then sign in your presence. A witness (or their spouse/partner) generally should not be a beneficiary, or their gift can be void. Getting this step right is essential to a valid will.
- You sign at the end of the will in front of two witnesses, together
- Both witnesses sign while you watch
- Choose witnesses who are not beneficiaries (and aren't married to one)
- One witness usually swears an Affidavit of Witness to a Will (needed later for probate)
When to see a lawyer instead
This builder is designed for straightforward estates. Some situations genuinely need tailored legal advice — for example, blended families, business ownership, complex trusts for minors or dependants, significant tax planning, or property outside Alberta. If any of these apply to you, please speak with an Alberta lawyer rather than relying on this builder.
Is your Will's witness affidavit done?
Read the transcript
Your Will might be signed — but is the witness affidavit done?
In Alberta, one of the witnesses to your Will will often need to complete an Affidavit of Witness to a Will.
This is a sworn statement confirming that the Will was properly signed and witnessed.
Why is it important?
When your executor later applies for probate, this affidavit can be used as evidence that the Will was properly executed.
And it's much easier to have it completed now than to try locating a witness years down the road.
If you already have a signed Will and your witness needs to swear their Affidavit of Witness, Xpress Notary Services can help.
Simply book an appointment, bring the affidavit and the original Will, and we can have the affidavit properly sworn and commissioned.
Take care of the paperwork today and make things easier for your family tomorrow.
How it works
- Answer a few guided questions — the document builds as you go.
- Download the print-ready PDF with a branded cover page (emailed to you too).
- Sign it as the instructions explain, and book an appointment for any notarizing or commissioning it needs.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I die without a will in Alberta?
Your estate is distributed under Alberta's intestacy rules in the Wills and Succession Act — a fixed formula that may not match your wishes — and the court appoints an administrator. A valid will keeps those decisions in your hands.
How many witnesses does an Alberta will need?
A formal will must be signed in front of two witnesses who are present at the same time and then sign in your presence. Witnesses should not be beneficiaries (or married to one), or the gift to that person can be void.
Does a will need to be notarized?
A will itself is witnessed, not notarized. However, one witness usually swears an Affidavit of Witness to a Will before a commissioner or notary, which proves the will was signed correctly when it's submitted to the court for probate. Xpress Notary can help with that affidavit.
Can I use this builder for any estate?
It's built for straightforward Alberta estates. If you have a blended family, a business, complex trusts for minors, major tax planning, or property outside Alberta, you should speak with a lawyer instead — the builder doesn't screen for these situations, so please check before you start.
Can I change my will later?
Yes. You can make a new will at any time while you have capacity, and a new will typically revokes the old one. Review your will after major life events like marriage, a new child, or a home purchase.
Is this legal advice?
No. Xpress Notary provides a self-help template and general information about Alberta wills. If anything about your situation is complex, please consult an Alberta lawyer.