Bill > SB2127

This bill creates the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act for North Dakota, which establishes a comprehensive legal framework for using electronic records and signatures in estate planning documents. The legislation defines key terms like "electronic record" and "electronic signature" and provides guidelines for creating, signing, and maintaining electronic estate planning documents such as trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and guardianship nominations. The bill ensures that electronic estate planning documents have the same legal validity as traditional paper documents, allowing individuals to create, modify, and execute these important legal documents electronically. It specifies that electronic documents must accurately reflect the original information, be accessible, and can be witnessed or notarized electronically, provided certain security and verification procedures are followed. The act also clarifies that while electronic methods are now permitted, they are not mandatory, and individuals can still choose to use traditional paper documents if they prefer. The legislation applies to electronic estate planning documents created or signed before, on, or after July 31, 2025, and aims to promote uniformity with similar laws in other states while maintaining consistency with existing electronic signature regulations.

Justice

Judiciary (S)

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo2127.html