Saskatchewan residents are getting the option to create electronic wills, use electronic signatures and remote witnessing to prepare estate documents.
The government has introduced the Will Amendment Act as it sets out the criteria that must be met for an electronic will to be valid in Saskatchewan, as well as provisions for revoking an electronic will.
To be valid, an electronic will must be in electronic form and signed electronically by the testator before two witnesses, one of whom is a lawyer, who also attest to and sign the will, note justice officials. As well, if an electronic will is revoked it cannot be revived, and a new will must be created.
As with a paper will, the creation of an electronic will requires that someone be over 18, of sound mind, and free from undue influence or pressure.
“Paper wills are still completely valid in Saskatchewan. These amendments don’t require that anyone create an electronic will instead of a paper will,” says Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre.