{"id":287016,"date":"2021-12-29T14:40:58","date_gmt":"2021-12-29T19:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/digital-estate-planning-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-09-02T12:02:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T17:02:00","slug":"digital-estate-planning-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/planning-an-estate\/digital-estate-planning-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Digital Estate Planning Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Digital Estate Planning Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Digital estate planning using electronic wills differs from traditional estate planning. An electronic will (an \u201ce-will”) is a last will and testament\u00a0(a \u201cwill”) that you make and sign electronically rather than on a paper copy.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The digital age has changed the way we conduct almost all aspects of personal business. This extends to estate planning, including growth in electronic wills (\u201ce-wills”) and rights relating to digital assets when you pass away. This FindLaw article discusses both.<\/p>\n

What Are E-Wills?<\/h2>\n

An electronic will (an \u201ce-will”) is a last will and testament<\/a> (a \u201cwill”) that you make and sign electronically rather than on a paper copy. E-wills have grown in popularity in recent years.<\/p>\n

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers became interested in creating ways for people to execute legally valid wills<\/a> and other legal documents at home. This is one reason that e-wills have been growing in popularity, but this change isn’t linked to the pandemic alone.<\/p>\n

Today, conducting most of our business and personal matters online is routine. Signing a will with pen and paper might seem outdated to some. As technology evolves and the demand grows, e-wills may become even more popular. Currently, e-wills are only legally valid in several states. As additional states research electronic wills legislation, more will likely adopt e-wills as an option.<\/p>\n

It’s essential to check your state’s most current laws. This is true whether you create a traditional will, an e-will, or any other estate planning<\/a> document. Experienced estate planning attorneys<\/a> stay updated on applicable laws and can provide you with legal advice during the planning process.<\/p>\n

General Requirements for a Will<\/h2>\n

Many safeguards and procedures for creating e-wills are adapted from the legal requirements for traditional wills<\/a>. Knowing what makes a conventional will legally valid helps in understanding e-will requirements.<\/p>\n

The rules for wills depend on your state but some requirements are common in most states for a valid will, including:<\/p>\n