Page 18 - drive a2b may 2020

legal

signing and

witnessing

of wills

Virtual signing and

witnessing of Wills

allowed in NSW, and

soon QLD.

The NSW Government has put the new moves by the NSW & QLD amended in any way before signing
in place temporary regulations Government will offer a short-term it too.
to allow video conferencing solution during this time.
technology such as Skype, Zoom In QLD, witnesses will include:
etc. to be used for the signing Witnesses must see the Will maker - Two colleagues, if you are still
and witnessing of Wills and other signing the Will in real time to attending a workplace outside your
important legal documents. confirm the signature is legitimate, home
Virtual signing and witnessing of and video conferencing technology
Wills will soon be allowed in QLD, will allow them to do so. - Two people you encounter as part
with legislation introduced in A properly witnessed Will would of an allowable activity, such as
Queensland Parliament on 22 April avoid the cost and uncertainty of attending a medical appointment
2020. - Two visitors to your home
someone trying to prove an invalid
Law firms all around Australia Will after ones death. - Two adults in your household,
have seen an increase in inquiries In NSW, the witnesses involved are such as housemates and family
concerning Wills this year, required to endorse the document members (provided they are not
compared to last year, and this may by signing the same document (or beneficiaries of the Will).
very well be a result of the current a copy), and specifying how it was
social distancing rules due to witnessed and that the document Other legal documents that will
COVID-19. also be able to be signed and
was witnessed in accordance with witnessed include deeds, powers of
Restrictions have made it difficult the regulation. Witnesses must also attorney, advance health directives,
for many people to execute Wills in be reasonably satisfied with the appointments of enduring guardian
the presence of two witnesses, so document, confident that it was not and statutory declarations.
18 DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · May 2020