The answer to the question posed is that you are currently able to sign and have witnessed several legal documents, without the need for a physical presence, including Wills, Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney. The NSW Government introduced a temporary regulation earlier this year in response to the social distancing requirements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The regulation is designed to reduce the need for face-to-face contact by permitting a signature to be witnessed by audio-visual links such as Zoom or Skype.
A person witnessing a legal document being signed by such a link must see the signing in real-time and confirm this by signing the document or a copy. The witness must then endorse the document, or a copy, with a statement which specifies the method of witnessing and that it was done so in accordance with the new regulation.
Understandably, clients may be anxious about their estate planning in the current uncertain times. You may have been reluctant to meet in order to execute documents. These new arrangements allow for remote witnessing, overcoming the difficulties that physical distancing poses for the witnessing and attestation of legal documents. At Szabo & Associates, we can assist you in putting these documents in place remotely if you wish while ensuring that they are valid and enforceable.
Contact our Wills Lawyers in Sydney, NSW
The specialist lawyers at Szabo & Associates Solicitors can advise you on all aspects relating to Wills and estate planning. Please call us on {{CONTACT_NUMBER}} or fill in the online contact form.