E -Wills: A c o nstruc tio n a nd fra me wo rk T .J. Rya n F - - PDF document

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E -Wills: A c o nstruc tio n a nd fra me wo rk T .J. Rya n F - - PDF document

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 E -Wills: A c o nstruc tio n a nd fra me wo rk T .J. Rya n F ra ze r Rya n Go ldb e rg & Arno ld, L L P Arizo na Sta te Ba r Co nve ntio n - June 29, 2018 E le c tro nic wills


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SLIDE 1

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 1

E

  • Wills:

A c o nstruc tio n a nd fra me wo rk

T .J. Rya n F ra ze r Rya n Go ldb e rg & Arno ld, L L P Arizo na Sta te Ba r Co nve ntio n - June 29, 2018

E le c tro nic wills

  • Sta tuto ry F

ra me wo rk fo r Va lid Will

  • Cha lle ng e s to Va lidity o f Wills
  • Ca pa c ity
  • Undue I

nflue nc e

  • E

le c tro nic Wills Sta tute s e ffe c tive July 1, 2019

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SLIDE 2

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 2

Wills – sta tuto ry fra me wo rk

  • Who ma y ma ke a will (14-2501)
  • 18 ye a rs o f a g e a nd o f “so und mind.”
  • No n-Ho lo g ra phic Will must b e (14-2502):
  • I

n writing ;

  • Sig ne d b y te sta to r OR in the te sta to r’ s na me b y so me o the r individua l in the

te sta to r’ s c o nsc io us pre se nc e a nd b y the ir dire c tio n;

  • Sig ne d b y two pe o ple , within a re a so na b le time a fte r the se pe rso ns (i) witne sse d

the sig ning o f the will b y the te sta to r o r (ii) the te sta to r’ s a c kno wle dg e me nt o f the ir sig na ture , o r (iii) te sta to r’ s a c kno wle dg e me nt o f the Will;

Wills – sta tuto ry fra me wo rk

  • Ho lo g ra phic Wills (14-2503):
  • F

a ils to c o mply with 14-2502’ s re q uire me nts;

  • Sig na ture is te sta to r’ s ha ndwriting ; a nd,
  • “Ma te ria l pro visio ns” o f the Will a re in ha ndwriting o f te sta to r.
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SLIDE 3

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 3

Wills – sta tuto ry fra me wo rk

  • Se lf-Pro ve d Wills (14-2504)
  • Will ma y b e simulta ne o usly e xe c ute d, a tte ste d, a nd ma de -se lf pro ve d b y a n

a c kno wle dg e me nt o f the te sta to r a nd b o th witne sse s b e fo re a n o ffic e r a utho rize d to a dministe r o a ths, a nd a c e rtific a te o f suc h o ffic e r.

  • E

ffe c tive ly, a n a ffida vit o f va lid e xe c utio n.

  • Witne sse d Will ma y b e ma de se lf-pro ve d a fte r e xe c utio n b y a n a c kno wle dg e me nt
  • f the te sta to r a nd b o th witne sse s b e fo re a n “o ffic e r a utho rize d to a dministe r
  • a ths” (no ta ry)
  • A te sta to r’ s sig na ture to a se lf-pro ving a ffida vit is c o nside re d “a tta c he d to a will”

fo r purpo se s o f pro ving the Will’ s e xe c utio n (14-2504(C))

Wills – sta tuto ry fra me wo rk

  • Witne ss re q uire me nts (14-2505)
  • A pe rso n who is “g e ne ra lly c o mpe te nt” to b e a witne ss ma y a c t a s a witne ss

to a will.

  • An “inte re ste d” witne ss do e s no t inva lida te the will o r a ny pro visio n o f it.
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SLIDE 4

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 4

Wills – witne sse s

  • Witne ss re q uire me nts – Bussbe rg v. Walke r
  • F

a c ts:

  • Bra dle y sig ne d will in pre se nc e o f he r b o yfrie nd, Wa lke r, a nd No ta ry.
  • No ta ry c o nfirme d Bra dle y wa s c o mpe te nt a nd no t unde r dure ss.
  • No ta ry no ta rize d sig na ture s o f Bra dle y a nd Wa lke r.
  • Afte r Bra dle y’ s de a th, e stra ng e d so n (E

ve rso n) c ha lle ng e d the Will, c la iming the re we re no t two witne sse s a s re q uire d b y sta tute .

  • Supe rio r Co urt a g re e d; Wa lke r a ppe a le d.

Wills – witne sse s

  • Witne ss re q uire me nts – Bussbe rg v. Walke r
  • Appe a l:
  • Sta tuto ry I

nte rpre ta tio n – De No vo Re vie w

  • A.R.S. § 14-2502(A)(3) re q uire s tha t the will b e sig ne d “b y a t le a st two pe o ple , e a c h
  • f who m sig ne d within a re a so na b le time a fte r tha t pe rso n witne sse d e ithe r the

sig ning o f the will … o r the te sta to r’ s a c kno wle dg e me nt o f tha t sig na ture o r a c kno wle dg e me nt o f the will.”

  • E

ve rso n a rg ue d tha t a fo urth re q uire me nt is ne c e ssa ry: T ha t the pe o ple must sig n “a s a witne ss.”

  • Arg ue d tha t the No ta ry wa s a c ting a s a no ta ry, no t a “witne ss.”
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SLIDE 5

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 5

Wills – witne sse s

  • Witne ss re q uire me nts – Bussbe rg v. Walke r
  • Appe a l:
  • Ct o f App.: T
  • “witne ss” me a ns no thing o the r tha n to ha ve “o b se rve d o r pe rc e ive d

the te sta to r’ s sig ning o r a c kno wle dg e me nt.”

  • Similarly, A.R.S. § 14-2505(A) re q uire me nt tha t so me o ne who is “g e ne ra lly

c o mpe te nt” ma y ‘ a c t a s a witne ss” sho uld no t b e c o nstrue d to re q uire so me o ne sig n a nd b e de sig na te d “a s a witne ss” to a Will.

  • Ct. o f App. Co nstrue d 14-2505(A) “o nly a s a b ro a d a llo wa nc e tha t o ne ne e d no t

ha ve pa rtic ula r q ua lific a tio ns (unre la te d to po we rs o f o b se rva tio n o r pe rc e ptio n) to “witne ss” a will.”

Wills – witne sse s

  • Witne ss re q uire me nts – Bussbe rg v. Walke r
  • Appe al:
  • T

urning to the No ta ria l Ac t:

  • An “Ac kno wle dg e me nt” is a “no ta ria l a c t in whic h a no ta ry c e rtifie s tha t a sig ne r, who se

ide ntity is pro ve n b y sa tisfa c to ry e vide nc e , appe a re d b e fo re the no ta ry a nd a c kno wle dg e d tha t the sig ne r sig ne d do c ume nt.” A.R.S. § 41-311(1); A.R.S. § 33-503.

  • T

hus, the No ta ry’ s a c kno wle dg e me nt sa tisfie d A.R.S. § 14-2502(A)(3) b y c e rtifying tha t Bra dle y (i) a ppe a re d b e fo re he r a nd (ii) a c kno wle dg e d tha t Bra dle y ha d sig ne d the will.

  • T

he No ta ry furthe r te stifie d tha t she pe rso na lly witne sse d Bra dle y sig n the will. T hus, e ve n witho ut he r no ta ria l a c kno wle dg e me nt, she q ua lifie d a s a witne ss.

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Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 6

Sta nda rds fo r Ca pa c ity

  • Ca pa c ity: whe the r a pe rso n ha s suffic ie nt me nta l a b ility to e ng a g e in o r

pe rfo rm a pa rtic ula r tra nsa c tio n.

  • Va rio us le ve ls: a pe rso n ma y po sse ss the re q uisite c a pa c ity to e ng a g e in
  • r pe rfo rm a spe c ific tra nsa c tio n, b ut tha t sa me pe rso n, a t the sa me time ,

mig ht no t po sse ss the re q uisite c a pa c ity to e ng a g e in o r pe rfo rm a diffe re nt tra nsa c tio n.

Sta nda rds fo r Ca pa c ity

  • Ca pa c ity to Co ntra c t. All pe rso ns a re pre sume d to ha ve the re q uisite me nta l

c a pa c ity to e nte r into a b inding c o ntra c t, a nd a pa rty c ha lle ng ing the va lidity

  • f a c o ntra c t o n the g ro unds o f inc a pa c ity ha s the b urde n o f pro ving la c k o f

c a pa c ity b y c le a r a nd c o nvinc ing e vide nc e . S e e He ndric ks v. S impe r, 24 Ariz.

  • App. 415, 418, 539 P.2d 529, 532 (1975).
  • T

he te st o f whe the r a pe rso n ha s suffic ie nt c a pa c ity to e nte r into a b inding c o ntra c t is “whe the r, unde r a ll the c irc umsta nc e s, [the ] pe rso n’ s me nta l a b ilitie s ha ve b e e n so a ffe c te d a s to re nde r him inc a pa b le o f unde rsta nding the na ture a nd c o nse q ue nc e s o f his a c ts, tha t is, una b le to unde rsta nd the c ha ra c te r o f the tra nsa c tio n in q ue stio n.” I d.

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SLIDE 7

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 7

Sta nda rds fo r Ca pa c ity

  • Ca pa c ity to Gift Pro pe rty. A pa rty c ha lle ng ing the va lidity o f a g ift b e a rs

b urde n o f pro ving tha t the do no r la c ke d the re q uisite c a pa c ity a t the time the g ift wa s ma de . Cf. E ag e rto n v. F le ming , 145 Ariz. 289, 292, 700 P.2d 1389, 1392 (App. 1985) (ho lding tha t a pa rty c ha lle ng ing the va lidity o f a g ift o n g ro unds o f undue influe nc e ha s the b urde n o f pro ving the e xiste nc e o f a fiduc ia ry re la tio nship b e twe e n the do no r a nd the do ne e ).

  • “Whe re the re la tio nship o f the pa rtie s is suc h tha t the do ne e ha s a na tural

c la im o n the g e ne ro sity o f the do no r, c o urts lo o k with fa vo r o n a c la im o f g ift.” Chire ko s v. Chire ko s, 24 Ariz. App. 223, 227, 537 P.2d 608, 612 (1975).

Sta nda rds fo r Ca pa c ity

  • Ca pa c ity to Gift Pro pe rty.
  • T

ra nsa c tio ns, de e ds, wills a nd o the r instrume nts e xe c ute d b y tho se o f a dva nc e d ye a rs a re g e ne ra lly uphe ld b y c o urts a g a inst a tta c ks o n the a lle g e d g ro und o f me nta l we a kne ss b e c a use o f the infirmitie s o f a g e . F ro m a g e a lo ne no pre sumptio n a g a inst c o mpe te nc y o r o f undue influe nc e a rise s. F urthe rmo re , it se e ms to b e the la w tha t in the a b se nc e o f sta tute to the c o ntra ry, a pe rso n o f a de q ua te me nta lity ha s the rig ht to g ive a wa y pa rt o r a ll o f his o r he r pro pe rty, a s the c a se ma y b e , if he wishe s to do so . A g ift whic h is c o nsiste nt with la w will no t b e de c la re d invalid me re ly b e c a use the c o urt re g a rds the do no r’ s a c t a s impro vide nt. E ve n though the gift is conside r e d as unr e asonable , if othe r wise lawful it may not be se t aside .

  • Amado v. Ag uirre , 63 Ariz. 213, 218-19, 161 P.2d 117, 119 (1945) (c ita tio ns o mitte d,

e mpha sis a dde d).

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Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 8

Sta nda rds fo r Ca pa c ity

  • T

e sta me nta ry Ca pa c ity. All a dults a re pre sume d to po sse ss suffic ie nt me nta l c a pa c ity to ma ke a te sta me nta ry dispo sitio n o f the ir a sse ts. S e e , e .g ., I n re Ve rme e rsc h’ s E state , 109 Ariz. 125, 128, 506 P.2d 256, 259 (1973).

  • A pa rty c ha lle ng ing the va lidity o f a will o n the g ro unds o f la c k o f c a pa c ity ha s the

b urde n o f pro ving b y a pre po nde ranc e o f the e vide nc e tha t the te sta to r la c ke d a ny

  • ne o f the fo llo wing :
  • (a) the ability to know the natur

e and e xte nt of the te stator ’s prope r ty,

  • (b) the ability to know the natur

al obje c ts of the te stator ’s bounty, or

  • (c ) the ability to unde r

stand the natur e of the te stame ntar y ac t.

  • I

n re T ho rpe ’ s E state , 152 Ariz. 341, 343, 732 P.2d 571, 573 (App. 1986) (c iting Ve rme e rsc h’ s E state , 109 Ariz. At 128, 506 P.2d a t 259, fo r the b urde n o f pe rsua sio n a nd te st fo r te sta me nta ry c a pa c ity and I n re Walte rs’ E state , 7 Ariz. 122, 125, 267 P.2d 896, 898 (1954), fo r the q ua ntum o f pro o f re q uire d); a c c o rd Ariz. Re v. Sta t. § 14-3407 (“Co nte sta nts o f a will ha ve the b urde n o f e sta b lishing la c k o f te sta me nta ry inte nt o r c a pa c ity . . . .”)).

Sta nda rds fo r Ca pa c ity

  • T

e sta me nta ry Ca pa c ity:

  • “I

n a will c o nte st, the ma te ria l po int o f time fo r purpo se s o f inq uiry into me nta l c a pa c ity is the time o f the will’ s e xe c utio n.” T ho rpe ’ s E state , 152 Ariz. a t 344, 732 P.2d a t 574. T hus, e vide nc e o f the te sta to r’ s me nta l c a pa c ity b e fo re o r a fte r e xe c utio n o f the will in q ue stio n ma y b e c o nside re d o nly to the e xte nt it te nds to sho w the te sta to r’ s sta te o f mind a t the time the will wa s e xe c ute d. I d.

  • Be c a use the te sta me nta ry c a pa c ity is b a se d upo n the te sta to r’ s c a pa c ity a t

the time o f the q ue stio ne d will’ s e xe c utio n, the e xiste nc e o f me nta l illne ss o r disa b ility o r insa ne de lusio ns b y itse lf is no t suffic ie nt pro o f o f la c k o f te sta me nta ry c a pa c ity. T ha t is: “[t]e sta me nta ry c a pa c ity c a nno t b e de stro ye d b y sho wing a fe w iso la te d a c ts, fo ible s, idio sync ra sie s, mo ra l o r me nta l irre g ula ritie s o r de pa rture s fro m the no rma l unle ss the y dire c tly b e a r upo n a nd ha ve influe nc e d the te sta me nta ry a c t.” I n re Wrig ht’ s E state , 7 Ca l.2d 348, 60, P.2d 434, 438 (1936) (quo te d in I n re S titt’s E state , 93 Ariz. 302, 306, 380 P.2d a t 601, 603 (1963)).

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Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 9

c ha lle ng ing Ca pa c ity

  • Cha lle ng ing T

e sta me nta ry Ca pa c ity:

  • T

he re is a pre sumptio n tha t a pe rso n is sa ne , a nd the po lic y o f la w fa vo rs te sta c y. A.R.S. § 14-2712; I n re Walte r’ s E state , 77 Ariz. 122, 267 P.2d 896 (1954); I n re Gre e ne ’ s E state , 40 Ariz. 274, 11 P.2d 947 (1932).

  • T

he b urde n o f pro o f is upo n the c o nte sta nts to pro duc e e vide nc e tha t o ne o r mo re

  • f the e sse ntia l e le me nts o f the te st fo r te sta me nta ry c a pa c ity wa s missing a t the

time o f e xe c utio n o f the will. I n re Walte r’ s E state , 77 Ariz. 122, 267 P.2d 896 (1954).

  • Ge ne ra l de te rio ra ting me nta l c o nditio n, e c c e ntric itie s, idio sync ra sie s, o r me nta l

slo wne ss a nd po o r me mo ry a sso c ia te d with o ld a g e do no t ne c e ssa rily de stro y te sta me nta ry c a pa c ity. Matte r o f E state o f Kille n, 188 Ariz. 562, 937 P.2d 1368 (Ariz. 1996). E ve n a sho wing o f me nta l re ta rda tio n, witho ut mo re , is no t suffic ie nt to e limina te te sta me nta ry c a pa c ity. I n re T e e l’ s E state , 14 Ariz.App. 371, 483 P.2d 603 (1971).

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • I

n re T e e l’ s E state , 14 Ariz.App. 371, 483 P.2d 603 (1971).

  • T

e sta to r ha d func tio ning c a pa b ilitie s o f a 10-12 ye a r o ld c hild.

  • Ab le to drive , re a d, a nd tra nsa c t simple b usine ss (g ro c e ry sto re a nd
  • b ta ining c a r re pa irs).
  • E

vide nc e sho we d tha t he kne w who he wa nte d to b e ne fit fro m his e state , a nd tha t he a rra ng e d fo r the pre pa ra tio n a nd e xe c utio n o f the will.

  • T

ha t the te sta to r la te r ha d a g ua rdia n a ppo inte d fo r him did no t inva lida te the will, e ithe r.

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Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 10

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • I

n re T ho mas’ E state , 105 Ariz. 186, 461 P.2d 484 (1969).

  • Ca pa c ity to e xe c ute a re vo c a tio n o f a will the sa me a s c a pa c ity to

e xe c ute will in the first pla c e .

  • Appo intme nt o f g ua rdia n do e s no t c ha ng e pre sumptio n o f c a pa c ity.
  • No te : T

his c o nflic ts with RE

ST AT E ME NT(T HI RD) OF PROPE RT Y (WI L L S & DONAT I VE

T

RANSF E RS) § 8.1, c mt. h, whic h c re a te s a re b utta b le pre sumptio n o f

inc a pa c ity upo n the a ppo intme nt o f a g ua rdia n o r c o nse rva to r.

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • T

hre e Part T e st: Unde rstanding the Natural Obje c ts o f One ’ s Bo unty:

  • I

n re We il’ s E state , 21 Ariz.App. 278, 518 P.2d 995 (1974):

  • “T

he ra tio na le b e hind the re q uire me nt tha t the te sta to r re c o lle c t who a re ‘ the na tura l

  • b je c ts o f his b o unty’ a ppe a rs to b e fo unde d upo n the re a so ning tha t o ne o f the

purpo se s o f ma king a will is to c ha ng e the pro spe c tive inhe rita nc e o f he irs so tha t the y wo uld no t ta ke the pro pe rty o f the te sta to r in the ma nne r pro vide d fo r b y inte sta te suc c e ssio n; a nd tha t while pro spe c tive he irs ha ve no pre se nt le g a l inte re st in the te sta to r's pro pe rty, the la w re g a rds the ir e xpe c ta tio ns a s so me thing whic h a c o mpe te nt te sta to r will no rma lly ha ve in mind, fo r the se e xpe c ta tio ns will b y the ve ry a c t o f ma king a te sta me nta ry dispo sitio n, b e c ha ng e d.”

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Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 11

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • T

hre e Part T e st: Unde rstanding the Natural Obje c ts o f One ’ s Bo unty:

  • I

n re We il’ s E state , 21 Ariz.App. 278, 518 P.2d 995 (1974):

  • T

hus, the inq uiry must b e fo c use d o n whe the r the te stato r ha s the Ca pa c ity to kno w who the se o b je c ts o f his b o unty a re a nd to appr

e c iate his r e lationship to the m (i.e ., the y a re my so ns).

  • I

nq uiry not whe the r in fa c t the te stato r a ppre c ia te s his mo ra l o b lig a tio ns a nd dutie s to wa rd suc h he irs in a c c o rda nc e with so me sta nda rd fixe d b y so c ie ty, the c o urts o r psyc hia trists.

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • T

hre e Part T e st: Unde rstanding the Natural Obje c ts o f One ’ s Bo unty:

  • RE

ST AT E ME NT(T HI RD) OF PROPE RT Y (WI L L S & DON. T RANS.) § 8.1, c mt c (2003).

  • T

e stato r must, whe n e xe c uting a will, b e c a pa b le o f kno wing a nd unde rstanding in a g e ne ra l wa y (i) the na ture a nd e xte nt o f his o r he r pro pe rty, (ii) the na tura l o b je c ts o f his o r he r b o unty, a nd (iii) the dispo sitio n tha t he o r she is ma king o f tha t pro pe rty.

  • T

e stato r must a lso b e c a pa b le o f re lating the se e le me nts to o ne ano the r a nd fo rming an o rde rly de sire re g a rding the dispo sitio n o f the pro pe rty.

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Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 12

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • E

xe c utio n o f Will affe c te d by I nsane De lusio n:

  • I

n the Matte r o f E state o f Kille n, 188 Ariz. 562, 937 P.2d 1368 (Ariz. 1996).

  • I

n Kille n, the de c e de nt b e g a n suffe ring fro m de lusio ns a b o ut fa mily me mb e rs ye a rs b e fo re the will in q ue stio n wa s e xe c ute d. Spe c ific a lly, she b e lie ve d c e rta in nie c e s a nd ne phe ws who he lpe d c a re fo r he r we re living in he r a ttic , we re sprinkling pa ra site s a nd c he mic a ls do wn o n he r, ha d pulle d he r to o th a nd c ut he r a rms with g la ss, we re me mb e rs o f the ma fia , a nd we re trying to kill he r so tha t the y c o uld ta ke he r pro pe rty.

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • E

xe c utio n o f Will affe c te d by I nsane De lusio n:

  • I

n the Matte r o f E state o f Kille n, 188 Ariz. 562, 937 P.2d 1368 (Ariz. 1996).

  • E

va lua te d b y two se pa ra te psyc hia trists, o ne 8 da ys prio r to e xe c uting the will.

  • Dia g no se d with de lusio na l pa ra no id diso rde r, a nd no te d tha t he r judg me nt wa s

c o mpro mise d b y pa ra no ia a nd tha t he r de lusio na l b e lie fs we re c a pa b le o f inte rfe ring with de c isio n ma king .

  • A te stifying psyc hia trist e xpla ine d tha t the de c e de nt’ s de lusio ns wo uld ha ve influe nc e d

the writing o f the will b e c a use he r b e lie f tha t the individuals c lo se r to he r we re trying to de stro y he r wo uld ha ve b e e n uppe rmo st in he r mind whe n she c o nte mpla te d ta king a c tio n to wa rd the m.

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Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 13

Cha lle ng ing c a pa c ity

  • E

xe c utio n o f Will affe c te d by I nsane De lusio n:

  • I

n the Matte r o f E state o f Kille n, 188 Ariz. 562, 937 P.2d 1368 (Ariz. 1996).

  • Co urt o f Appe a ls re a so ne d tha t “if a pe rso n has suffic ie nt me nta l a b ility to ma ke a will b ut is

sub je c t to a n insa ne de lusio n a s to o ne o f the e sse ntia l re q uire me nts o f te sta me nta ry c a pa c ity, the will wo uld no t b e va lid.” I

  • d. a t 1371. Whe re the me nta l illne ss pro duc e s insa ne

de lusio ns tha t re nde r the te sta to r una b le to e va lua te o r unde rsta nd re la tio nships with the na tura l o b je c ts o f his b o unty, and tha t ina b ility a ffe c ts the te rms o f the will, the n the te sta to r la c ke d c a pa c ity to ma ke a va lid will.

  • T

ha t is, b e c a use De c e de nt’ s a nimo sity to wa rd he r fa mily wa s c o mple te ly b a se d o n he r de lusio na l b e lie f syste m c a using he r to ne a rly e ntire ly disinhe rit the m witho ut a ny justifia b le b a sis, she la c ke d c a pa c ity to e xe c ute he r will.

Cha lle ng ing e xe c utio n

  • Undue I

nflue nc e / Dure ss / F raud

  • A.R.S. § 14-2717(D), (E

), (F ) a nd (G),

  • D. E

xc e pt a s pre sc rib e d pursua nt to sub se c tio ns E a nd F

  • f this se c tio n, a pa rty tha t c ha lle ng e s the va lidity o f a g o ve rning instrume nt ha s

the b urde n o f e sta b lishing the inva lidity o f tha t g o ve rning instrume nt b y a pre po nde ranc e o f the e vide nc e .

  • E

. A g o ve rning instrume nt is pre sume d to b e the pro duc t o f undue influe nc e if e ithe r:

  • 1. A pe rso n who ha d a c onfide ntial r

e lationship to the c re a to r o f the g o ve rning instrume nt wa s ac tive in pr

  • c ur

ing its c r e ation and e xe c ution a nd is a pr inc ipal be ne fic iar y o f the g o ve rning instrume nt.

  • 2. T

he pre pa re r o f the g o ve rning instrume nt o r the pre pa re r's spo use o r pa re nts o r the issue o f the pre pa re r's spo use o r pa re nts is a princ ipa l b e ne fic ia ry o f the g o ve rning instrume nt. T his pa ra g ra ph do e s no t a pply if the g o ve rning instrume nt wa s pre pa re d fo r a pe rso n who is a g ra ndpa re nt o f the pre pa re r, the issue o f a g ra ndpa re nt o f the pre pa re r o r the re spe c tive spo use s o r fo rme r spo use s o f pe rso ns re la te d to the pre pa re r.

  • F

. T he b e ne fic ia ry o f the g o ve rning instrume nt ma y o ve rc o me a pre sumptio n o f undue influe nc e b y a pre po nde ranc e o f the e vide nc e .

  • G. F
  • r the purpo se s o f this se c tio n, de te rmining if a pe rso n is a princ ipa l b e ne fic ia ry o f a g o ve rning instrume nt o r the pre pa re r o f a

g o ve rning instrume nt is a q ue stio n o f fa c t to b e de te rmine d b y the to ta lity o f the c irc umsta nc e s.

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SLIDE 14

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 14

Cha lle ng ing e xe c utio n

  • Undue I

nflue nc e / Dure ss / F raud

  • RE

ST AT E ME NT(T HIRD) OF PROPE RT Y (WIL L S & DON. T RANS.) § 8.3(c ) a nd (d)

(2003).

  • (c ) A do na tive tra nsfe r is pro c ure d b y dure ss if the wro ng do e r

thre a te ne d to pe rfo rm o r did pe rfo rm a wro ng ful a c t tha t c o e rc e d the do no r into ma king a do na tive tra nsfe r tha t the do no r wo uld no t

  • the rwise ha ve ma de .
  • (d) A do na tive tra nsfe r is pro c ure d b y fra ud if the wro ng do e r

kno wing ly o r re c kle ssly ma de a fa lse re pre se nta tio n to the do no r a b o ut a ma te ria l fa c t tha t wa s inte nde d to a nd did le a d the do no r to ma ke a do na tive tra nsfe r tha t the do no r wo uld no t o the rwise ha ve ma de .

Cha lle ng ing e xe c utio n

  • Undue I

nflue nc e / Dure ss / F raud

  • RE

ST AT E ME NT(T HIRD) OF PROPE RT Y (WIL L S & DON. T RANS.) § 8.3(c ) a nd

(d) (2003).

  • Cmt. d: E

ffe c t o f undue influe nc e , dure ss, o r fra ud. Ordina rily,

  • nly the do na tive tra nsfe r tha t wa s pro c ure d b y undue

influe nc e , dure ss, o r fra ud is inva lid. T hus, if a de vise in a will wa s pro c ure d b y o ne o f the se wro ng ful a c ts, o nly tha t de vise , no t the e ntire will, is o rdina rily inva lid. T he c o urt ma y, ho we ve r, ho ld the e ntire will inva lid if it de te rmine s tha t c o mple te inva lidity wo uld b e tte r c a rry o ut the te sta to r's inte nt.

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SLIDE 15

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 15

Cha lle ng ing e xe c utio n

  • Undue I

nflue nc e / Dure ss / F raud

  • RE

ST AT E ME NT(T HIRD) OF PROPE RT Y (WIL L S & DON. T RANS.) § 8.3(c ) a nd (d)

(2003).

  • Cmt. i: Dure ss. A do na tive tra nsfe r is pro c ure d b y dure ss if the

wro ng do e r thre a te ne d to pe rfo rm o r did pe rfo rm a wro ng ful a c t tha t c o e rc e d the do no r into ma king a do na tive tra nsfe r tha t the do no r wo uld no t o the rwise ha ve ma de . An a c t is wro ng ful if it is c rimina l o r

  • ne tha t the wro ng do e r ha d no rig ht to do . Se e Re sta te me nt

Se c o nd, Co ntra c ts §§ 174-176. Altho ug h a n a c t o r a thre a t to do a n a c t tha t the wro ng do e r ha d a rig ht to do do e s no t c o nstitute dure ss, suc h a thre a t o r a c t c a n c o nstitute undue influe nc e , fo r e xa mple , a thre a t to a b a ndo n a n ill te sta to r.

Cha lle ng ing e xe c utio n

  • Undue I

nflue nc e / Dure ss / F raud

  • RE

ST AT E ME NT(T HIRD) OF PROPE RT Y (WIL L S & DON. T RANS.) § 8.3(c ) a nd

(d) (2003).

  • Cmt. j: F
  • raud. A do na tive tra nsfe r is pro c ure d b y fra ud if the

wro ng do e r kno wing ly o r re c kle ssly ma de a fa lse re pre se nta tio n to the do no r a b o ut a ma te ria l fa c t tha t wa s inte nde d to a nd did le a d the do no r to ma ke a do na tive tra nsfe r tha t the do no r wo uld no t o the rwise ha ve ma de .

  • F

a ilure to disc lo se a ma te ria l fa c t do e s no t c o nstitute fra ud unle ss the a lle g e d wro ng do e r wa s in a c o nfide ntia l re la tio nship with the do no r.

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SLIDE 16

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 16

Cha lle ng ing e xe c utio n

  • Undue I

nflue nc e / Dure ss / F raud

  • RE

ST AT E ME NT(T HIRD) OF PROPE RT Y (WIL L S & DON. T RANS.) § 8.3(c ) a nd (d) (2003).

  • Cmt. l: Re me dy fo r wro ng ful inte rfe re nc e in law o f re stitutio n and unjust

e nric hme nt. Altho ug h a do na tive tra nsfe r tha t is pro c ure d b y a wro ng ful a c t suc h a s undue influe nc e , dure ss, o r fra ud is inva lid, o the r fo rms o f wro ng do ing ha ve e ffe c ts tha t c a nno t b e re me die d simply b y inva lida ting a tra nsfe r. F

  • r e xa mple , wro ng do ing tha t pre ve nts the ma king o f a will o r
  • the r do na tive tra nsfe r, o r tha t pre ve nts a re vo c a tio n o r mo dific a tio n o f a

will o r o the r do na tive tra nsfe r, g ive s rise to a c la im in re stitutio n fo r the purpo se o f pre ve nting unjust e nric hme nt, a s me a sure d in lig ht o f the do no r's frustra te d inte ntio ns. S e e RE

ST AT E ME NT OF RE ST IT UT ION § 184,

Co mme nts f a nd i. An a ppro pria te re me dy in suc h c a se s is typic a lly the impo sitio n o f a c o nstruc tive trust.

Cha lle ng ing e xe c utio n

  • F
  • rg e ry.
  • Ne a rly impo ssib le with a witne sse d will, sa ve fo r c o nspira c y.
  • T

ypic a lly se e n in c o njunc tio n with a ho lo g ra phic will o r no n- witne sse d o r no n-no ta rize d g o ve rning instrume nts (b e ne fic ia ry de sig na tio ns).

  • Re q uire s o rig ina l sig na ture sa mple s fo r fo re nsic e xpe rt

a na lysis.

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SLIDE 17

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 17

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Be g a n life in Ja nua ry a s HB2471, suffe re d flo o r a me ndme nts in the Ho use a nd Se na te , a nd

within the Se na te Rule s a nd Judic ia ry c o mmitte e s. T ra nsmitte d to Go ve rno r o n April 17.

  • Ve to e d b y Go ve rno r o n April 20th.
  • Re surre c te d a s HB2656 o n April 30; se nt to Go ve rno r Ma y 4.
  • Sig nific a nt c o nc e rns ra ise d b y b a r me mb e rs re g a rding b ill’ s prio r la ng ua g e whic h wo uld ha ve

a llo we d e ffe c tive ly dig ita l ho lo g ra phic wills a nd re mo te witne sse s.

  • De spite vo c a l a nd writte n o b je c tio ns b y se ve ra l info rme d me mb e rs o f the Arizo na Ba r, the

Go ve rno r sig ne d the b ill o n Ma y 16, 2018.

  • Do e s no t g o into e ffe c t until July 1, 2019, le a ving time fo r a djustme nt a nd re pe a l.

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • De finitions 14-1201:
  • Ce r

tifie d Pape r Or iginal: me a ns the ta ng ib le ve rsio n o f the E

le c tro nic Will tha t c o nta ins b o th the te xt o f the E le c tro nic Will a nd “a ny se lf-pro ving a ffida vit c o nc e rning the E le c tro nic Will.”

  • E

le c tr

  • nic Me dium: e sse ntia lly dig ita l sto ra g e (e le c tric a l, dig ita l, ma g ne tic ,
  • ptic a l, e le c tro ma g ne tic o r simila r c a pa b ilitie s).
  • E

le c tr

  • nic R

e c or d: a re c o rd whic h is c re a te d, g e ne ra te d, se nt,

c o mmunic a te d, re c e ive d o r sto re d b y e le c tro nic me a ns.

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SLIDE 18

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 18

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • De finitions 14-1201:
  • E

le c tr

  • nic Signatur

e : E

le c tro nic me tho d o r pro c e ss, whic h a llo ws, thro ug h the a pplic a tio n o f a se c urity pro c e dure , a de te rmina tio n tha t the e le c tro nic sig na ture a t the time it wa s e xe c ute d wa s:

  • Uniq ue to the pe rso n using it;
  • Ca pa b le o f ve rific a tio n;
  • Unde r the so le c o ntro l o f the pe rso n using it; a nd,
  • L

inke d to the e le c tro nic do c ume nt in a ma nne r suc h tha t if the e le c tro nic do c ume nt is c ha ng e d, the sig na ture is invalida te d.

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • De finitions 14-1201:
  • E

le c tr

  • nic Will: A te sta me nta ry instrume nt tha t is e xe c ute d a nd ma inta ine d o n

a n e le c tro nic me dium a nd tha t is e xe c ute d in c o mplia nc e with the ne w e -wills sta tute , 14-2518.

  • Pape r

Will: De fine d to se t it a pa rt fro m a n E

le c tro nic Will b y spe c ifying tha t it is e xe c ute d a nd ma inta ine d o n a “ta ng ib le me dium” a nd e xe c ute d in c o mplia nc e with 14-2502 o r 14-2503.

  • Qualifie d Custodian: “Pe rso n who fulfills the re q uire me nts o f se c tio n 14-2520.
  • Will: Ame nde d to inc lude b o th Pa pe r Will a nd E

le c tro nic Will.

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SLIDE 19

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 19

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • E

le c tr

  • nic Wills; R

e quir e me nts; Inte r pr e tation 14-2518(A):

  • (1) Must b e c re a te d a nd ma inta ine d in a n E

le c tro nic Re c o rd;

  • (2) Must c o nta in the E

le c tro nic Sig na ture o f the T e sta to r o r the T e sta to r’ s E le c tro nic Sig na ture ma de b y so me o the r individua l in the T e sta to r’ s Co nsc io us Pre se nc e a nd b y the T e sta to r’ s dire c tio n;

  • (3) Must c o nta in the E

le c tro nic Sig na ture s o f a t le a st two (2) pe rso ns, e a c h o f who m we re (i) physic a lly pre se nt with the T e sta to r whe n the T e sta to r e le c tro nic a lly sig ne d the will, a c kno wle dg e d the T e sta to r’ s sig na ture , o r a c kno wle dg e d the Will, a nd (ii) e le c tro nic a lly sig ne d the Will within a re a so na b le time a fte r tha t pe rso n witne sse d the T e sta to r sig ning the Will, a c kno wle dg ing the T e sta to r’ s sig na ture , o r a c kno wle dg ing the Will.

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • E

le c tr

  • nic Wills; R

e quir e me nts; Inte r pr e tation 14-2518(A), c ont’d.

  • (4) Must sta te the da te tha t the T

e stato r a nd E a c h o f the Witne sse s e le c tro nic a lly sig ne d the will (No te 14-2523(B)(1) ? ? ); a nd,

  • (5) Must “c o nta in” a c o py o f a g o ve rnme nt-issue d ide ntific a tio n c a rd o f

the te stato r.

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SLIDE 20

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 20

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • E

le c tr

  • nic Wills; R

e quir e me nts; Inte r pr e tation 14-2518(B) and (C):

  • (B) Que stio ns o f fo rc e , e ffe c t, va lidity a nd inte rpre tatio n o f a n E

le c tro nic Will must b e de te rmine d in the sa me ma nne r a s a q ue stio n re g a rding a Pa pe r Will.

  • (C) Do e s no t a pply to T

rusts, e xc e pt te stame nta ry trust(s) c re a te d in a n E le c tro nic Will.

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Se lf-Pr
  • ve d E

le c tr

  • nic Wills 14-2519:
  • I

n a dditio n to the ma g ic la ng ua g e re q uire me nts o f 14-2504,

  • Co nta in the e le c tro nic sig na ture a nd e le c tro nic se a l o f a No ta ry Pub lic

pla c e d o n the Will in a c c o rda nc e with a pplic a b le la w (A.R.S. § 41-351 e t se q .);

  • T

he E le c tro nic Will de sig na te s a q ua lifie d c usto dia n to ma inta in c usto dy o f the E le c tro nic Will; a nd,

  • Be fo re b e ing o ffe re d to pro b a te , the E

le c tro nic Will must ha ve b e e n in the c usto dy o f a Qua lifie d Custo dia n a t a ll time s (i.e . no se lf-pro ve d “fo und” wills c e rtifie d unde r 14-2523(B)).

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SLIDE 21

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 21

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Qualifie d Custodian 14-2520:
  • Ma y no t b e re la te d to the te stato r b y b lo o d, ma rria g e , o r a do ptio n;
  • Ma y no t b e a de vise e unde r the E

le c tro nic Will o r re la te d b y b lo o d, ma rria g e o r a do ptio n to a de vise e unde r the E le c tro nic Will;

  • Sha ll “c o nsiste ntly e mplo y a nd sto re E

le c tro nic Re c o rds o f E le c tro nic Wills in a syste m tha t pro te c ts E le c tro nic Re c o rds fro m de struc tio n, a lte ratio n o r una utho rize d a c c e ss a nd de te c ts a ny c ha ng e to a n e le c tro nic re c o rd”;

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Qualifie d Custodian 14-2520, c ont’d:
  • Must sto re in the E

le c tro nic Re c o rd o f a n E le c tro nic Will e a c h o f:

  • (a ) A pho to g ra ph o r o the r visua l re c o rd o f the te sta to r a nd the a tte sting witne sse s tha t

wa s ta ke n c o nte mpo ra ne o usly with the e xe c utio n o f the E le c tro nic Will.

  • (b ) Visua l re c o rd c o pie s o f a ny do c ume nts ta ke n c o nte mpo ra ne o usly with the

e xe c utio n o f the E le c tro nic Will tha t pro vide s e vide nc e o f the ide ntitie s o f the te sta to r a nd the witne sse s, inc luding do c ume nta tio n o f the me tho ds o f ide ntific atio n use d.

  • (c ) An “a udio a nd vide o ” re c o rding o f the te sta to r, a tte nding witne sse s, a nd no ta ry

pub lic (a s a pplic a ble ) ta ke n a t the time the te sta to r, e a c h a tte nding witne ss a nd no ta ry pla c e d the ir sig na ture o n the E le c tro nic Will.

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SLIDE 22

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 22

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Qualifie d Custodian 14-2520, c ont’d:
  • Must b e pre pa re d to te stify (a nd ma y b e c a lle d b y a n inte re ste d pa rty to

te stify) to the Co urt “he a ring a ma tte r invo lving a n E le c tro nic Will tha t wa s c urre ntly o r pre vio usly sto re d b y the Qua lifie d Custo dia n” re g a rding the ma inte na nc e , sto ra g e a nd pro duc tio n o f E le c tro nic Wills.

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Qualifie d Custodian - T

r ansition 14-2521

  • Qua lifie d Custo dia n must a g re e to se rve b y e xe c uting a

“writte n sta te me nt a ffirma tive ly a g re e ing to se rve ” b e fo re the y ma y se rve .

  • Re sig na tio n:
  • (A) I

f a suc c e sso r c usto dia n is not de sig na te d, the n must de live r to the te sta to r (i) a thirty-da y writte n no tic e o f c e a sing to se rve ; a nd (ii) the Ce rtifie d Pa pe r Orig inal o f the E le c tro nic Will a nd (iii) “a ll re c o rds c o nc e rning the E le c tro nic Will.” (No te : “re c o rds” no t de fine d… do the y me a n “E le c tro nic Re c o rds”? )

  • (B) I

f a suc c e sso r is de signate d, the n …

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SLIDE 23

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 23

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Qualifie d Custodian - T

r ansition 14-2521

  • Re sig na tio n:
  • (B) I

f a suc c e sso r is de signate d, the n,

  • (i) thirty da y writte n no tic e to the te sta to r a nd the suc c e sso r

Qua lifie d Custo dia n;

  • (ii) to the suc c e sso r Qua lifie d Custo dia n, the “E

le c tro nic Re c o rd”

  • f the E

le c tro nic Will (b ut no t “a ll” E le c tro nic Re c o rds? );

  • (iii) to the suc c e sso r Qua lifie d Custo dia n a n a ffida vit whic h sta te s

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Qualifie d Custodian - T

r ansition 14-2521

  • Re sig na tio n:
  • (iii) to the suc c e sso r Qua lifie d Custo dia n a n a ffida vit whic h sta te s:
  • (a ) tha t the pe rso n is a Qua lifie d Custo dia n in this sta te a nd wa s de sig na te d b y the

te sta to r o r b y a no the r Qua lifie d Custo dia n;

  • (b ) tha t a n e le c tro nic re c o rd wa s c re a te d a t the time the te sta to r e xe c ute d the

E le c tro nic Will;

  • (c ) tha t the E

le c tro nic Re c o rd ha s b e e n in the c usto dy o f o ne o r mo re Qua lifie d Custo dia ns sinc e the e xe c utio n o f the E le c tro nic Will a nd ha s no t b e e n a lte re d sinc e it wa s c re a te d; a nd,

  • (d) the ide ntity o f a ll Qua lifie d Custo dia ns who ha ve ha d c usto dy o f the E

le c tro nic Re c o rd sinc e the e xe c utio n o f the E le c tro nic Will.

  • A pe rso n pre pa ring this a ffida vit ma y re ly o n pre vio us a ffida vits so lo ng a s a ll

a ffida vits a re pro vide d to the suc c e sso r Qua lifie d Custo dia n.

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SLIDE 24

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 24

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Qualifie d Custodian - T

r ansition 14-2521

  • Appo intme nt b y T

e sta to r:

  • T

e sta to r ma y a ppo int a suc c e sso r Qua lifie d Custo dia n “in a writing e xe c ute d with the sa me fo rma litie s re q uire d fo r the e xe c utio n o f a n E le c tro nic Will ….”

  • Suc c e sso r Qua lifie d Custo dia n must the n e xe c ute the writte n

sta te me nt a ffirma tive ly a g re e ing to se rve .

  • Upo n c o mplia nc e , the prio r Qua lifie d Custo dia n c e a se s to se rve , a nd

must pro vide the suc c e sso r with b o th the E le c tro nic Re c o rd a nd the re q uire d a ffida vit (c ha in o f c usto dy).

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • E

le c tr

  • nic R

e c or d; Ac c ess; De str uc tion 14-2522

  • T

he Qua lifie d Custo dia n ma y o nly pro vide a c c e ss to o r info rma tio n a b o ut the E le c tro nic Will to :

  • (1) the T

e sta to r, o r a no the r pe rso n a s dire c te d b y the writte n instruc tio ns o f the T e sta to r;

  • (2) Afte r T

e stato r’ s de a th, the no mina te d Pe rso na l Re pre se ntative o r a ny inte re ste d pe rso n.

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SLIDE 25

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 25

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • E

le c tr

  • nic R

e c or d; Ac c e ss; De str uc tion 14-2522

  • T

he E le c tro nic Re c o rd ma y b e de stro ye d

  • One hundre d (100) ye a rs a fte r the T

e sta to r’ s de a th.

  • F

ive (5) ye a rs a fte r the T e sta to r’ s la st will is a dmitte d to pro b a te a nd “a ll a ppe lla te o ppo rtunitie s ha ve b e e n e xha uste d.”

  • T

e sta to r ma y dire c t the Qua lifie d Custo dia n to “c a nc e l, re nde r unre a da b le o r o b lite ra te ” the E le c tro nic Re c o rd if the T e sta to r so dire c ts in a writing e xe c ute d with the sa me fo rma litie s re q uire d fo r the e xe c utio n o f a n E le c tro nic Will.

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Ce r

tifie d Pape r Or iginal of E le c tr

  • nic Will 14-2523
  • T

wo a lte rna tive s: Pro pe rly c usto die d o r “fo und.”

  • Whe re the E

le c tro nic Will ha s “a lwa ys b e e n in the c usto dy o f a Qua lifie d Custo dia n,” the n the Qua lifie d Custo dia n ma y c re a te a pa pe r o rig ina l with a n a ffida vit tha t sta te s:

  • (1) T

ha t the Qua lifie d Custo dia n wa s e lig ib le to a c t e ithe r b y de sig na tio n b y the T e sta to r o r b y a prio r c usto dia n;

  • (2) T

ha t a n E le c tro nic Re c o rd wa s c re a te d whe n the T e sta to r c re a te d the E le c tro nic Will;

  • (3) T

ha t the E le c tro nic Re c o rd ha s b e e n in the c usto dy o f o ne o r mo re Qua lifie d Custo dia ns sinc e the e xe c utio n a nd ha s no t b e e n a lte re d;

  • (4) Ide ntifying a ll prio r c usto dia ns who ha ve ha d po sse ssio n o f the E

le c tro nic Re c o rd;

  • (5) T

ha t the Ce rtifie d Pa pe r Orig ina l is a “true , c o rre c t a nd c o mple te ta ng ib le ma nife sta tio n o f the E le c tro nic Will”;

  • (6) T

ha t the re c o rds de sc ribe d in 14-2520(4) – a udio visua l e vide nc e o f e xe c utio n b y T e sta to r a nd witne sse s, a nd pro o f o f ide ntitie s o f witne sse s – a re in the po sse ssio n o f the Qua lifie d Custo dia n.

slide-26
SLIDE 26

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 26

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Ce r

tifie d Pape r Or iginal of E le c tr

  • nic Will 14-2523
  • Whe re the E

le c tro nic Will ha s NOT a lwa ys b e e n in the c usto dy o f a Qua lifie d Custo dia n, the n the “pe rso n who disc o ve re d the E le c tro nic Will” a nd the “pe rso n who re duc e d the E le c tro nic Will to the Ce rtifie d Pa pe r Orig ina l” must e a c h sta te in a n a ffida vit “to the b e st o f e a c h pe rso n’ s kno wle dg e ”

  • (1) Whe n the E

le c tro nic Will wa s c re a te d, if no t indic a te d in the E le c tro nic Will;

  • (2) Whe n, ho w a nd b y who m the E

le c tro nic Will wa s disc o ve re d;

  • (3) T

he ide ntity o f e a c h pe rso n who ha s ha d a c c e ss to the E le c tro nic Will;

  • (4) T

he me tho d in whic h the E le c tro nic Will wa s sto re d a nd the sa fe g ua rds in pla c e to pre ve nt a lte ra tio ns to the E le c tro nic Will;

  • (5) Whe the r the E

le c tro nic Will ha s b e e n a lte re d sinc e its e xe c utio n;

  • (6) T

ha t the Ce rtifie d Pa pe r Orig ina l is a “true , c o rre c t a nd c o mple te ta ng ib le ma nife sta tio n o f the E le c tro nic Will.

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • F
  • r

mal T e stac y Pr

  • c e e dings 14-3402
  • Sub pa ra g ra ph (A)(3) mo difie d to a llo w fo r the “o rig ina l will”

to b e re pla c e d b y a “Ce rtifie d Pa pe r Orig ina l” (b ut do e s tha t inc lude the “a nc illa ry” a ffida vit(s)? )

  • Small E

state Affidavits 14-3971

  • Co lle c tio n o f re a l pro pe rty ((E

)(4)) re q uire s the “o rig ina l will” to a c c o mpa ny the a ffida vit. T his c a n no w b e a c c o mplishe d with a Ce rtifie d Pa pe r Orig ina l. (But wha t a b o ut the a nc illa ry a ffida vits? )

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SLIDE 27

Southern Arizona Estate Planning Council 9/12/2018 27

HB2656: E le c tro nic wills a nd (te sta me nta ry) trusts

  • Are a s o f c o nc e rn e xpre sse d b y pra c titio ne rs:
  • E

nsuring tha t the do c ume nt re ma ins una lte re d – dig ita l fo rma t (ve rsus ta ng ib le pa pe r fo rma t) le nds itse lf mo re re a dily to dig ita l a lte ra tio n.

  • E

nsuring tha t the T e sta to r ac tually sig ne d the do c ume nt o r inte nde d to e xe c ute the do c ume nt a s his/ he r L a st Will a nd T e sta me nt.

  • Pre se rving the dig ita l re c o rds to c o mply with e xe c utio n sta nda rds.
  • Allo wing fo r a n e le c tro nic ho lo g ra phic will tha t is b e re ft o f witne sse s (fixe d).
  • Re vo c a tio n: De struc tio n o f the c o mpute r ho lding the will?