We live in a digital world—but should your will be digital too?

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Dave Shaffer and Caroline Cercone explore New York's groundbreaking electronic wills legislation, set to take effect in December 2027. This new law allows New Yorkers to sign their wills digitally, with witnesses joining remotely via video call—no wet signatures or in-person meetings required. While the goal is to make estate planning more accessible for people with mobility issues, busy schedules, or limited access to legal services, Dave and Caroline unpack the significant risks and technical requirements that could make electronic wills a double-edged sword.

The conversation covers how electronic wills work, including the requirement for digital signatures from both the testator and two witnesses, a mandatory 30-day filing deadline with the New York court system, specific cautionary language that must appear in all caps and bold, and detailed audit trails to prevent tampering. The episode wraps up with a "Show and Tell" segment featuring the 2013 "Samsung Galaxy Will" case from Ohio, where a terminally ill man used a stylus to write his will on his brother's tablet.