Is Your Will Valid Under Arizona Law?

Recently, the law has changed in Arizona as to the validity of a Will. Arizona also allows electronic Wills under certain circumstances.  

For any Will executed on or after October 1, 2019, unless it is self-proved as prescribed in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 14-2504 or 14-2519, a person may not act as a witness to a Will if that person is a devisee under that Will or is related by blood, marriage or adoption to a devisee under that Will.  “Devisee” means a person who is designated in the Will to receive a devise (distribution) or who is a beneficiary of a trust that is designated in the Will to receive a devise.

A Will is self-proved if both the will maker and the witnesses have signed after proper attestations — dictated by statute — and had their signatures notarized. 

Arizona requires two witnesses.  Who is competent to be a witness? ARS Section 14-2505 says that a person who is generally competent to be a witness may act as a witness to a will.  Who is that?  A person at least 18 years of age and of sound mind is competent to be a witness.  

As to Electronic Wills:

In addition to the requirements of section 14-2504, to be self-proved, an electronic Will must meet all the following requirements:

1. Contain the electronic signature and electronic seal of a notary public placed on the Will in accordance with applicable law.  

2. Designate a qualified custodian to maintain custody of the electronic will.

3. Before being offered for probate or being reduced to a certified paper original, be under the exclusive control of a qualified custodian at all times.

Also, the journal to record the notary act must be in a tamper-evident electronic journal; no recording in a paper journal.  The electronic journal and the audio-visual recording are public records upon proper request to the notary.