NY EPTL Article 3 Part 6: Electronic Wills

EPTL Article 3 Part 6 governs the execution, revocation, filing, self-proving procedure, and related legal principles applicable to electronic wills in New York.

Structure of Part 6

Part 6 consists of nine sections:

• EPTL 3-6.1 Short title
• EPTL 3-6.2 Definitions
• EPTL 3-6.3 Law applicable to electronic will; principles of equity
• EPTL 3-6.4 Choice of law regarding execution
• EPTL 3-6.5 Caution to the testator
• EPTL 3-6.6 Execution of electronic will
• EPTL 3-6.7 Revocation
• EPTL 3-6.8 Electronic will attested and made self-proving at time of execution
• EPTL 3-6.9 Filing of an electronic will

Notes

Legislative History

Enacted: On December 12, 2025, Governor Hochul signed the New York Electronic Wills Act (S.7416-A / A.7856-A), enacted as Chapter 637 of the Laws of 2025. This legislation added Part 6 (Electronic Wills) to Article 3 of the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL), which governs the substantive law of wills in New York.

Amended: On February 13, 2026, Governor Hochul signed S.8887 / A.9497, enacted as Chapter 89 of the Laws of 2026.

Effective Date

As originally enacted, the Act was to take effect on the five hundred forty-fifth day after it became law. In 2026, S8887 amended the effective clause to provide that the Act takes effect two years after it became law.

Because the Act became law on December 12, 2025, it takes effect on December 12, 2027.