Mewies Solicitors have reported a significant increase in the demand for Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney over the last three weeks. Understandably the pandemic has brought Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney to the top of society’s “to-do list.”
All solicitors have faced challenges to ensure that Wills are being executed correctly whilst still following social distancing rules. This has led to a number of unusual practices such witnessing the signing of Wills through a window at the client’s home, and some clients executing their Wills in the car park!
There have been calls for the Government to make executing Wills easier during the Covid-19 crisis and for the Ministry of Justice to temporarily relax rules regarding the requirement of two independent witnesses being present. Scottish Law has already been amended to allow video conference facilities to assist in witnessing a testator signing their Will. So far there have been no such changes to the witnessing requirements in England & Wales, nor any indication that the Government will relax those requirements in the future. Thus, we are inventing new ways to ensure the witnessing requirements are met while at the same time following the rules regarding social distancing.
Please telephone us regarding any questions you may have regarding your historic Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney, or if you wish us to provide us instructions to prepare either for you now, so you can be assured that your affairs are in order come what may.
For advice on Wills, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney please call 01756 799000.