On Monday, June 26, 2017, Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed the "Florida Electronic Wills Act" (the "Act")." The Act would have authorized the creation of electronic wills, and for their execution to be witnessed and notarized through the use of remote technology. The bill also provided for the probate of an electronic will in Florida. The Act raised concerns over safeguards to exploitation and fraud. The Governor determined that the remote notarization provisions in the Act did not adequately ensure authentication of the identity of the parties to the transaction and were not cohesive with the notary provisions in the Florida Statutes. Additionally of concern was the fact that other states would not recognize electronic wills as a valid declaration of intent and their heirs with an intestate estate.
