Field Notes
- Missouri’s Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act takes effect August 28, 2025, enabling end-to-end online execution of wills and other estate documents. Missouri Senate
- California already recognizes fiduciary access to digital assets under Cal-RUFADAA (Probate Code §§870–884), offering a useful framework for families and practitioners. California Lawyers Association
- Experts warn that convenience must be balanced with protections against fraud, coercion, and deepfake-enabled abuse in remote signings. America Bar
By Samuel Lopez – USA Herald
Missouri has just given families a powerful new way to protect their legacies in the smartphone era. On July 10, 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe approved House Bill 754, establishing the Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act. Beginning August 28, 2025, Missourians can lawfully create, sign, witness, store, and even present certified paper copies of estate planning documents — all online. house.mo.govhttps://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/bill.aspx?BillID=8424443&SessionType=R
Supporters call it a modern fix to a long-standing access problem. As Craig Parker, Assistant General Counsel at Trust & Will, told St. Louis media, “I think you should be very proud…you’re on the cutting edge…using technology [and] there are so many people that will benefit from it,” adding that “Seventy percent of adults have nothing” in place for estate planning. Reporting noted Missouri will be the fifth state to offer complete digital estate planning and the 15th to recognize electronic wills.
