Missouri Joins National Movement to Modernize Estate Planning with New Electronic Wills Law

SAN DIEGO, CA — July 10, 2025 — Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning platform in the U.S., is celebrating a major legislative win for modern families across Missouri. On July 10, Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 754 and SB 221 into law, officially enacting the Missouri Uniform Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act.

Starting August 28, 2025, Missourians will be able to create, sign, and store estate planning documents — including wills, trusts, and health directives — entirely online with full legal recognition.

“This will make estate planning more accessible, affordable, and attainable for Missourians, especially in rural and underserved communities,” said Representative Cameron Parker, who led the legislation in the House. “It’s a meaningful step toward modernizing our laws and helping every family plan their legacy with confidence and ease.”

With the new law, Missouri joins a growing list of states that are updating their estate planning frameworks to reflect how people live and work today. Instead of navigating the outdated paper-based system, residents can now manage these important documents securely from their own homes.

“This law brings Missouri into the 21st century,” said Senator Jaime Burger, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate. “Electronic estate planning eliminates unnecessary barriers and gives families the flexibility to plan for the future on their own terms.”

The new law adopts a Missouri tailored version of the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act, which has been endorsed by the Uniform Law Commission and the Missouri Bar.

Estate planning has long been plagued by accessibility issues. Only about one-third of Americans have a will—and that number drops even further among underserved populations. Electronic estate planning helps address this disparity by:

• Expanding Access: Digital tools remove geographic and logistical barriers, making it easier for families in rural or remote areas to plan their estates.

• Improving Security: Electronic documents come with tamper-evident seals, audit trails, and identity verification; often making them more secure than paper.

• Reducing Costs and Time: Online estate planning streamlines the process, reducing the need for in-person visits and legal fees.

• Adding Convenience: Individuals can complete critical end-of-life planning without ever leaving their homes, a major advantage for seniors, people with disabilities, and busy families.

Trust & Will worked closely with lawmakers, the Missouri Bar, and consumer advocacy organizations to support and advocate for the legislation’s passage.

With this new law, Missouri becomes the fifth state to enact end-to-end digital estate planning and the fifteenth state to recognize electronic wills, a sign of growing momentum toward nationwide modernization.

“We’re incredibly proud to support this legislation and grateful to Missouri’s leadership,” said Cody Barbo, Co-founder and CEO of Trust & Will. “This new law ensures that more families, regardless of income or zip code, can access estate planning tools that are safe, digital, and aligned with how we live today.”

Trust & Will continues to work with lawmakers, bar associations, and advocacy groups to advance similar legislation across the country. The goal: to make digital estate planning accessible to all Americans, in all 50 states.

Media Contact:
Mark LoCastro, Senior Director of Public Relations & Communications
Trust & Will 
mlocastro@trustandwill.com