The pandemic has made many businesses and individuals bring their work home with them to work remotely. The way technology has progressed and adapted to this new style of work and life means that industries have been adapting along with it.

Just as many other industries, the estate planning industry has continued to be innovative with new forms of technology like electronic wills (e-wills). Is the idea of drawing a will electronically more appealing? Read further to learn the basics of e-wills.

An e-will is a will that is created entirely online that uses electronic signatures instead of wet signatures. One benefit of this is that because of its digital format, it can be stored right on your computer you created it in and extremely accessible to share.

While not all states legally accept e-wills, Illinois started to when they enacted the Electronic Wills and Remote Witnesses Act on July 26, 2021. Missouri allows for the creation of wills to be online, though it must be printed and signed physically. 

Does it Cover Everything That Traditional Wills Do?

Yes, so long as it fits the guidelines set by the state you reside in. Some examples of this are naming beneficiaries, healthcare directives, asset distribution, guardianship, and wishes for final arrangements. 

Do E-Wills Make Estate Planning Easier?

One of the core reasons states started to legally accept wills is because it made the process easier during the confines many were – and still are – experiencing during the pandemic.

There are a good portion of Americans who put off estate planning because they worry that it is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, and we are excited to tell that portion that e-wills make estate planning much easier!

Some of the benefits associated with an e-will are:

• Electronic signatures – Some states have started to recognize the use of electronic signatures so that you can skip the step of printing out the document sign it.

• One digital version – When you have the ability to skip the printing step, that also means it can easily be updated at home. Having a digital copy on your computer provides comfort in knowing you have the most current version and the only version of your will.

• Remote witness – With the advancement of remote technology, a simple video conference suffices in having a witness electronically watch you sign your document on your computer.



• Time-friendly – The pandemic has shown that there is a level of uncertainty in life. With many people choosing to stay home and now considering estate planning, e-wills allow for the opportunity to create an estate plan in a shorter amount of time. 

How Can I Create an E-Will?

Know that you have read that making an e-will does not have to be difficult and time-consuming, you can start by viewing our will plans on our website to get started.

We start with some simple questions to begin drafting your documents to allow your wishes to be fulfilled should anything happen to you.

Interested in Working With Us?

If you need any help regarding your estate or other legal matters please reach out to us directly here and schedule a call with one of our paralegals on our scheduling page here.