KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The New York Electronic Wills Act permits valid wills to be created and signed electronically and remotely.
- Electronic wills offer enhanced security with features like multi-factor authentication, video recordings, and tamper-proof storage.
- Remote execution removes scheduling and logistical barriers, making estate planning more convenient and accessible.
Audio Summary:
When was the last time you updated your will?
The traditional process feels overwhelming and inconvenient.
Governor Kathy Hochul just changed all that.
A new NY will law is enacted as the Electronic Wills Act. This law allows you to create and sign a valid will once its provisions take effect. You can do this from your kitchen table, your office, or even while visiting family.
No more scheduling conflicts. No more taking time off work.
What the New NY Will Law Means for You and Your Family
Electronic wills aren’t just about convenience.
They’re about removing barriers that have kept families vulnerable.
Maybe you’re caring for aging parents and can’t leave the house easily. Perhaps you travel constantly for work. Or maybe you feel more comfortable having important conversations from home rather than in a formal office.
New York just made estate planning work for all these situations with a new NY will law.
Under the new law, you can execute your will electronically and remotely under state law.
Witnesses can electronically sign, and use remote online notarization (if the will requires it).
People record and store everything electronically. This actually creates more security than a paper document sitting in your filing cabinet.
The Security Your Legacy Deserves
Is an electronic will truly as secure as a traditional paper will?
Actually, it’s more secure; when done right.
The New York City Bar Association raised important questions during this law’s development.
Governor Hochul listened.
New York’s Electronic Wills Act will operate together with existing remote and electronic signing rules. Which already require robust identity verification and technology standards.
When you execute an electronic will through a qualified platform, you get:
- Multi-factor authentication that proves your identity
- Video recordings that document the session
- Tamper-proof electronic document storage that can’t be lost or destroyed
- Permanent audit trails that protect against fraud
Compare that to a paper will. People can hide, alter, or challenge paper based on fading signatures and old memories.
Estate Planning That Fits Your Real Life
Consider the practical realities. You’re busy. Your adult children live in different states. Your trusted friend works opposite hours from you. The attorney you trust practices two hours away.
Traditional estate planning required everyone to align schedules and gather in one place.
For many families, this logistical nightmare meant estate planning never happened.
Remote will execution solves this.
Your attorney can guide you via video conference. Your witnesses can participate from their homes. You can review and finalize documents without missing your daughter’s soccer game.
This isn’t about cutting corners. Removing barriers to something critically important is the focus.
Taking the Next Step with NotaryLive
NotaryLive (an online notary platform) built its services for documents needing electronic signings, and remote online notarization. No longer do you have to search for a “notary near me” to find a notary public.
Electronic will processes should be safe. It should also be legal and easy to access when you need it.
This isn’t just facilitating online notarization. This is protecting your legacy with the highest security standards and technology designed for this important moment.
When you’re ready to create or update your will, you shouldn’t face obstacles. You shouldn’t delay protecting your family’s future. You should be able to act; confidently, securely, and on your terms.
New York just made that possible.
NotaryLive helps you take advantage of it.
The platform offers bank-level security, comprehensive identity verification, and seamless electronic will execution. The process becomes simple without cutting corners on protection.
Your family deserves a safe and straightforward remote process. You deserve a process that respects your life. Remote online notarization and eSigning through NotaryLive gives you both.
Ready to optimize your electronic will process? Discover how NotaryLive makes secure estate planning accessible for every New Yorker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does New York’s Electronic Wills Act change the way I sign and store my will?
- It allows you to create a valid will online. You can use electronic signatures and store it securely. This way, you don’t have to rely on a single paper copy.
NotaryLive allows storage for up to 10 years.
If I sign my New York will electronically, when do I also need remote online notarization?
- You use remote online notarization when your lawyer or will format needs a notarized acknowledgment or self-proving affidavit. Basic will execution can still depend on required witnesses.
What security should I expect from a platform handling my electronic will and remote online notarization?
- Look for strong identity checks, encrypted video calls, tamper-evident documents, and clear audit trails. Platforms like NotaryLive provide these protections.
