Signing a will in Florida

Quick answer

• Who can make a will? A person of sound mind who is 18 or older, or an emancipated minor. Will Florida's service is limited to adults 18+. §732.501.
• Ordinary signing: A written will needs a signature at the end, by the testator or another person in their presence and at their direction. The testator signs or acknowledges the signature before at least two witnesses, who sign in the presence of the testator and each other. §732.502.
• Notary vs. self-proof: Ordinary execution does not require notarization. A separate self-proving acknowledgment and witness affidavits before an authorized officer help establish execution in probate; they do not replace witnesses or guarantee validity. §732.503.
• Electronic wills: Additional rules apply. Remote witnessing requires a compliant, notary-supervised process; electronic self-proof also requires qualified custody. An e-signature alone is insufficient. §732.522 and §732.523.

Quick answer sources checked September 27, 2026. See the explanations and exceptions below.

Four terms that are easy to confuse

Understanding these differences helps you evaluate a service's promise. Ask whether its quoted price covers drafting alone, help with execution, a self-proving affidavit, or all of those items.

Ordinary will signing and witnesses

Under Florida's ordinary rules, the testator signs at the end of a written will, or another person signs the testator's name there in their presence and at their direction. The testator's signing or acknowledgment must occur before at least two attesting witnesses. Those witnesses sign in the presence of the testator and each other. Florida Statutes §732.502.

Do not circulate the same document for separate signatures and assume that gathering every name is enough. The timing and presence requirements are part of the process. If a signer cannot physically sign or another accommodation is needed, get instructions suited to that situation before the appointment.

A notary does not replace witnesses

Ordinary will execution under §732.502 does not list notarization as a substitute for witness participation. The familiar notarized attachment is usually associated with self-proof.

Under §732.503, an otherwise properly executed will can be made self-proved through the testator's acknowledgment and the witnesses' affidavits before an officer authorized to administer oaths. This may be done at execution or later as the statute permits. Florida Statutes §732.503.

Self-proof concerns proving the will's execution. It does not certify that each gift is legally effective, prevent all challenges, or establish that the document is right for you.

Online preparation is different from electronic execution

You can prepare text on a website and still use an ordinary paper execution process. Conversely, a legally compliant electronic-will process involves more than uploading a prepared PDF.

Florida's electronic-will statute permits electronic signatures and specifies conditions for remote presence, including supervision by a notary, authentication, and compliance with the remote witnessing rules. Florida Statutes §732.522.

Ask a prospective provider exactly which Florida process it supplies. “E-sign supported” is a software feature description, not a complete answer about will execution.

Remote witnessing has additional safeguards

Florida's remote witnessing provisions address identity verification, witness location, recorded questions, and situations requiring physical witnesses. When fewer than two witnesses are physically present, specified screening answers can require physical witnessing, and special restrictions protect vulnerable adults. Florida Statutes §117.285.

Do not try to work around a screening question or coach another person to answer differently. A provider's inability to complete a remote process may mean a different arrangement is needed. Seek appropriate professional assistance.

Self-proved electronic wills involve qualified custody

For an electronic will to be self-proved, §732.523 requires more than the electronic signature record. It includes the required acknowledgment and affidavits, designation of a qualified custodian, continuous qualified custody before probate, and a sworn custodian certification concerning custody and alteration. Florida Statutes §732.523.

That is a specific self-proof requirement. It should not be simplified into “all digital wills only need cloud storage,” or confused with the storage of an ordinary draft. Ask a provider who the qualified custodian is and what obligations and fees apply.

Questions to ask before paying for signing

1. Is this process specifically designed for Florida will execution?
2. Is the document being signed on paper or as an electronic will?
3. Who arranges and verifies the witnesses and notary?
4. What happens if remote witnessing is not appropriate?
5. Is self-proof included, and how are its requirements handled?
6. If qualified custody is involved, who supplies it and what happens if that provider closes?
7. Which charges are one-time, which recur, and what records will you receive?

A clear provider should be able to describe its service boundaries. A vague assurance that a document is “legally binding online” is not enough information to compare processes.

After execution

Keep track of the original document or applicable electronic record and make sure an appropriate person knows how to locate it. Florida's will-production statute includes a post-death deposit obligation for the custodian. Florida Statutes §732.901.

Do not assume a later edit to your download changes an already executed will. Ask about the proper update process before making changes.

How signing relates to the Will Florida plan

The Will Florida $49 plan concerns preparation of one will draft. It does not include signing, notarization, witnessing, or custody. Arrange the applicable signing process separately with a provider whose scope and Florida-specific process you understand.

See what draft preparation includes, review Florida will requirements, or return to all guides.