URGENT UPDATE – COVID 19 and Video Witnessing
SIGNING LEGAL DOCUMENTS VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING
On the 22 April 2020, the Electronic Transactions Amendment (COVID019 Witnessing of Documents) Regulation 2020 was published. In a media release regarding the Amendment, the Attorney General Mark Speakman confirmed that this will allow for the temporary use of video conferencing technology including Zoom, Skype and Facetime to witness important legal documents.
The approval of the amendment to the legislation now means that video witnessing is a valid way to execute legal documents. As a result, we are now able to take instructions from you via telephone and then facilitate the execution of your legal documents via a video conference using applications such as Zoom and Facetime – applications which are freely available and easy to use.
This means that although you may not physically attend our office to have your Will, Powers of Attorney and Appointment of Enduring Guardians signed and witnessed, these documents are still legally valid.
In relation to administering the Estate of a loved one who has passed away, the effect will be similar. We will attend to preparation of all the necessary documents and provide them to you for execution via a video conference.
Of course, we are still able to facilitate face-to-face appointments whilst adhering to all health advice. We are also aware that clients may feel more comfortable with finalising their legal documents, whether it be for their own Will or signing an application for a Grant of Probate, from their own home without having to come into contact with anyone during this COVID-19 health crisis.
To discuss your Estate queries, please contact our Estate Planning Department on 02 4626 5077 or via email at kwolthers@marsdens.net.au.
The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only. This publication does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Specific legal advice should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
