Creating a will online has become increasingly popular in recent years. Online estate planning platforms offer convenience, accessibility, and often a lower upfront cost than traditional legal services. Many allow users to answer a series of questions, select beneficiaries, name an executor, and download a completed will from home.
But does creating a will online actually make it legally valid?
In Kansas and Missouri, the answer depends less on where the document was created and more on whether the will satisfies the legal requirements of the state where it is executed. Signing, witnessing, and other execution requirements can determine whether a court ultimately accepts the document.
If you are beginning your estate plan, understanding these requirements can help you avoid mistakes that could create problems for your family later.
What Does an “Online Will” Actually Mean?
An online will usually refers to a Last Will and Testament created through an online platform such as LegalZoom, Trust & Will, or another document preparation service.
These platforms typically allow you to:
- Enter personal and family information
- Identify beneficiaries
- Name an executor
- Provide instructions for distributing certain assets
- Nominate guardians for minor children
- Download or electronically execute a completed document, depending on the service and state
However, creating the document online is only one part of creating a legally enforceable will.
Two important factors generally determine whether the will is valid:
- Whether the document satisfies your state’s legal requirements
- Whether the will was properly signed and witnessed
A will can contain clear instructions and still face challenges if the proper execution requirements were not followed.
For additional background on how wills work, see Kelley Law Firm’s guide to a Last Will and Testament.
Are Online Wills Valid in Kansas?
An online platform can be used to help draft a Kansas will, but the completed document still needs to satisfy Kansas law.
Under Kansas Statute § 59-606, a will generally must be in writing, signed by the person making the will, or signed by another person at the testator’s direction and in their presence. It must also be attested and signed in the testator’s presence by at least two competent witnesses.
Kansas Will Requirements
For most Kansas residents using an online will service, the key requirements include:
Written Will:
Kansas law requires a will to be in writing.
Testator’s Signature:
The individual creating the will, known as the testator, must sign it. Another person may sign at the testator’s express direction and in the testator’s presence under circumstances permitted by Kansas law.
Two Competent Witnesses:
At least two competent witnesses must attest and sign the will in the presence of the testator.
Electronic Signatures Are Not a Substitute for Will Formalities:
Kansas has adopted electronic transaction laws for many types of documents, but its Uniform Electronic Transactions Act specifically excludes laws governing the creation and execution of wills, codicils, and testamentary trusts.
For that reason, someone using an online will service in Kansas should not assume that electronically clicking or typing a signature is enough. The safer approach is to properly execute the completed will according to Kansas’s traditional statutory requirements.
Does a Kansas Will Need to Be Notarized?
Kansas generally does not require notarization simply to make a properly executed will valid.
However, Kansas law permits a will to be made self-proved through acknowledgments and affidavits completed before an authorized officer. A self-proving will can simplify the probate process because testimony from the witnesses may not be necessary later.
Creating the document correctly today may help prevent unnecessary questions or complications during probate.
You can learn more about the relationship between wills and probate in Kelley Law Firm’s article on probate requirements for wills in Kansas and Missouri.
Are Online Wills Valid in Missouri?
Missouri’s rules changed significantly in 2025.
Historically, Missouri followed a traditional execution process. Under Missouri Revised Statute § 474.320, a written will generally must be signed by the testator, or by another person at the testator’s direction and in their presence, and witnessed by at least two competent witnesses.
Missouri now also permits properly executed electronic wills.
Missouri Electronic Wills Became Legal August 28, 2025
The Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act became effective on August 28, 2025. The law is contained in Missouri Revised Statutes §§ 474.540 through 474.564.
Under the new law, an electronic will can be legally valid if it meets the statutory requirements.
According to Missouri Revised Statute § 474.548, an electronic will generally must:
- Exist as a record that is readable as text when signed and remains accessible for later reference
- Be signed by the testator or by another individual under legally permitted circumstances
- Be signed by at least two witnesses
- Have those witnesses observe the signing or acknowledgment in the testator’s physical or electronic presence
Missouri therefore allows witnesses to participate through qualifying electronic presence rather than requiring every electronic will to be executed with everyone physically in the same room.
This represents a major change from Missouri’s previous approach and makes a fully electronic estate planning process possible when all statutory requirements are satisfied.
The Uniform Law Commission’s Electronic Wills Act resources also provide useful background on the broader development of electronic will legislation across the United States.
Missouri Residents Can Still Use Traditional Wills
Missouri’s electronic will law does not mean everyone must create an electronic will.
Traditional written wills remain an important estate planning option. A properly drafted and executed paper will can still be used under Missouri law.
The electronic will law simply provides an additional method for people who prefer a digital process.
Because electronic execution involves specific statutory requirements, using a generic online document service does not automatically mean the resulting electronic document qualifies as a valid Missouri electronic will.
Common Misconceptions About Online Wills
Drafting a Will Online Does Not Automatically Make It Valid
The website or software you use to prepare your will does not determine whether the document is legally enforceable.
State law determines validity.
A document created online can potentially be valid, while a professionally formatted document can still create problems if it was not properly executed.
Every Online Will Service Is Not the Same
Online estate planning platforms vary considerably.
Some services provide state-specific documents and detailed execution instructions. Others rely heavily on standardized forms that may not address complicated family relationships, business interests, property ownership, tax planning, blended families, special needs beneficiaries, or other important circumstances.
The more complicated your estate becomes, the more important personalized planning may be.
Witness Requirements Still Matter
Witnesses remain a critical part of will execution in both states.
Kansas generally requires two competent witnesses under its traditional will statute. Missouri requires two witnesses for traditional written wills and also requires at least two witnesses for electronic wills, although qualifying electronic presence is now permitted for Missouri e-wills.
A Will Does Not Automatically Avoid Probate
Another common misconception is that having a will keeps your estate out of probate.
A will generally provides instructions for how probate assets should be handled after death. Depending on your goals and financial situation, other tools such as trusts, beneficiary designations, transfer-on-death arrangements, or joint ownership may also be appropriate.
If avoiding or reducing probate is one of your goals, read more about probate versus trusts and estate planning privacy or compare a will versus a trust in Kansas.
Practical Tips When Considering an Online Will
1. Make Sure the Platform Supports Your State
Choose a platform that specifically addresses Kansas or Missouri law rather than relying on a generic national form.
State-specific instructions are especially important because Kansas and Missouri now have different rules regarding electronic wills.
2. Follow the Execution Instructions Carefully
Do not stop once the document has been generated.
For Kansas residents, properly completing the signing and witnessing process is critical.
For Missouri residents using an electronic will, the electronic execution process must comply with the requirements established under Missouri’s electronic wills statute.
3. Consider Making Your Will Self-Proving
Both Kansas and Missouri provide procedures that can make properly executed written wills self-proving. This can reduce the need to locate witnesses and obtain testimony when the will eventually goes through probate.
4. Do Not Treat a Will as Your Entire Estate Plan
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan.
Depending on your circumstances, your plan may also include:
- Revocable or irrevocable trusts
- Durable powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Beneficiary designations
- Transfer-on-death planning
- Guardianship nominations
- Digital asset planning
For example, online accounts, cryptocurrency, cloud storage, and social media may require planning beyond what a basic online will provides. Kelley Law Firm explains these considerations further in its guide to digital assets in modern estate planning.
You can also explore the full range of estate planning services offered by Kelley Law Firm.
5. Talk With an Estate Planning Attorney When Your Situation Is More Complex
Online wills may appear convenient for straightforward situations, but estate planning mistakes sometimes do not become apparent until after someone has died, when correcting them may no longer be possible.
Professional guidance becomes particularly valuable when you:
- Own a business
- Own property in multiple states
- Have a blended family
- Have minor children
- Have a beneficiary with special needs
- Want to minimize probate
- Have substantial or complicated assets
- Want to establish a trust
- Are concerned about family disputes
- Have questions about Missouri electronic wills
An estate planning attorney can help make sure your documents work together and properly reflect your intentions.
Bottom Line: Can You Make a Will Online in Kansas or Missouri?
Yes. An online will can potentially be valid in Kansas or Missouri, but simply creating or downloading a document online does not guarantee that it will be legally enforceable.
In Kansas, an online service can help prepare the document, but the will still needs to comply with Kansas’s written, signature, and witness requirements.
In Missouri, residents now have two general options. They can continue using traditionally executed written wills, or they may use a qualifying electronic will under the Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act, which has been in effect since August 28, 2025.
In either state, proper execution is just as important as the words contained in the document.
Get Help Creating an Estate Plan That Works
Online estate planning tools can be convenient, but convenience should not come at the expense of making sure your wishes are legally documented and your family is protected.
Kelley Law Firm helps individuals and families throughout Kansas and Missouri create customized estate plans that address their assets, family circumstances, and long-term goals. Whether you need a Last Will and Testament, trust, power of attorney, or a comprehensive estate plan, you can review the firm’s estate planning and legal services to learn more.
If you are considering an online will, already created one, or simply want to make sure your current documents comply with Kansas or Missouri law, contact Kelley Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
A little planning today can help prevent significant uncertainty for your family later.