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COVID-19 and paperwork

New regulations issued to allow remote witnessing of wills

Apr 20, 2020 | 11:11 AM

With the current public health emergency, the province is changing its regulations to allow remote witnessing of wills.

The Wills (Public Emergencies) Regulations came into force on April 16 and will permit a will to be signed with remote witnesses, as long as one witness is a lawyer.

“With the current public health emergency, it is impractical and potentially risky for the required people to be in the same room during the signing of a will, particularly for those who may be more vulnerable to the virus,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said. “These Regulations will ensure that wills can be signed remotely, reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.”

Prior to the new regulations, a will must be in writing and signed by the person making the will or someone acting on their behalf. Witnesses sign the will, including the person’s lawyer.

New regulations will allow a person to sign their will, send it back to their lawyer and acknowledge the signature via video remotely from the lawyer and a second witness. The changes do not permit electronic wills or electronic signatures. The will must be in writing and signed in ink.

For more information, click here.

panews@jpbg.ca

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