House Bill 4654 Summary

• Permits wills and estate planning documents to be executed electronically, including electronic signatures, while maintaining validity under Michigan law.

• Allows testators and witnesses to participate in will execution through "electronic presence" (real-time communication) rather than requiring physical presence in the same location.

• Establishes new definitions for electronic documents and signatures, and creates a new section authorizing certified paper copies of electronic wills.

• Extends electronic execution authority to related documents including funeral representative designations, durable powers of attorney, and patient advocate designations.

• Repeals Section 1202 of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code, removing prior restrictions on electronic document execution.