---
type: Concept
title: Missouri's Electronic Signature Law for Estate Planning
description: Missouri's update allowing electronic signatures, electronic wills, and remote online notarization on estate planning documents.
resource: https://nemolegal.com/new-electronic-signature-law-for-estate-planning-to-save-time-and-money-for-clients/
tags: [electronic-signatures, electronic-wills, remote-notarization, e-sign, missouri]
timestamp: 2026-06-22
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
---

# Summary
The firm reports that Missouri updated its law to allow electronic signatures on estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, with remote online notarization permitted. The post attributes the change primarily to House Bill 754, with similar bills such as SB 428, and says the provisions apply to wills of decedents dying on or after August 28, 2025, and to other documents signed or remotely witnessed on or after that date. The aim is greater flexibility and convenience while keeping legal safeguards in place.

# Quotable Q&A
**Q: What did Missouri's electronic signature law change for estate planning?**
A: Per the firm's post, Missouri now recognizes electronic wills and other estate planning documents executed with electronic signatures, permits online notaries to notarize electronic wills, and adds emergency provisions that can temporarily waive physical presence requirements during events like pandemics. The post says the new law generally supersedes the federal E-SIGN Act.

**Q: How many witnesses does a Missouri electronic will need?**
A: The post states an electronic will must be signed by the testator and at least two witnesses, who can be in either the physical or electronic presence of the testator. It also notes a presumption of revocation if an electronic will is not found after death or there is no evidence the testator signed it.

# Key Provisions From the Post
The post describes an electronic will as a record that is readable and remains accessible as text at the time of signing. Individuals can create certified paper copies of electronic documents by affirming under oath that the copies are accurate. The provisions are described as retroactive in application, generally reaching wills of decedents dying on or after August 28, 2025. The firm frames the overall effect as modernizing Missouri estate planning so the process is more convenient for new parents, people setting up trusts, and anyone updating a will.

Because this is new and evolving law and the firm's posts give differing bill numbers and effective dates, confirm the current Missouri statute and its effective date with counsel before relying on a specific citation.

# Decision rule
If you want the convenience of signing a will, trust, or power of attorney electronically in Missouri, then confirm the document meets the electronic will requirements and is notarized by a Missouri-authorized online notary. If a bank, hospital, or out-of-state party must accept the document, then verify in advance that they will honor a digital signature, since allowance under the statute does not guarantee acceptance.

# Related
- [electronic-estate-planning-overhaul](/okf/digital-assets/electronic-estate-planning-overhaul.md)
- [digital-assets-secure](/okf/digital-assets/digital-assets-secure.md)
- [Wills](/okf/estate-planning/wills.md)
- [Will requirements](/okf/wills-execution/will-requirements.md)
- [Missouri wills statute (RSMo 474)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-474-wills.md)
- [About Nolan Law Firm](/okf/firm.md)