HB 2197 Summary

• Establishes legal framework for electronic wills in Arizona, requiring they be created and maintained in electronic records readable as text at time of signing, with the testator's electronic signature.

• Requires electronic wills to have at least two witnesses who were physically or electronically present with the testator, electronically signed within reasonable time, and if electronically present, were physically located within the United States.

• Electronic wills must include the execution date, a copy of the testator's current government-issued identification card, and be maintained under exclusive control of a qualified custodian.

• Allows self-proved electronic wills to include notary public electronic signature and seal, and establishes specific affidavit language for attested self-proving electronic wills.

• Defines "electronically present" as two or more individuals in different physical locations communicating via technology enabling real-time visual and audio communication equivalent to physical presence.