Rep. Stevens files bill in North Carolina House to establish electronic wills framework

A new bill filed by State Rep. Stevens seeks to establish rules for electronic wills and update statutes on trusts, probate, and surviving family members’ allowances, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 377 on March 11 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Changes to Estates and Trusts Statutes.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill introduces the North Carolina Uniform Electronic Wills Act, which provides a framework for the creation, execution, and revocation of electronic wills. It includes provisions for making electronic wills self-proved, converting attested written wills to electronic formats, and probating certified paper copies of electronic wills. The bill also updates elective share statutes, changing the valuation of trust interests, and introduces new procedures for filing claims. In trust administration, the bill specifies the process for contesting revocable trusts and handling potential litigation. Changes are also made to the year’s allowance statutes, clarifying the allowance process for surviving spouses and children. The act takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, with its rules applying to relevant documents and proceedings from that date forward.

Stevens proposed another seven bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Stevens graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1981 with a BS and again in 1986 from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law with a JD.

Stevens, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 90th House district, replacing previous state representative Jim Harrell.