Blackhurst Budd Solicitors have reported a significant increase in the demand for wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney over the last three weeks.
There have been challenges to ensure that the wills are executed correctly whilst still following social distancing rules, which has led to a number of unusual practices such witnessing the signing of Wills through a window at the client’s home.
There have been calls for the Government to make writing wills easier during the Covid-19 crisis and the Ministry of Justice could temporarily relax rules on two witnesses being present. Scottish Law has already been amended to allow video conference facilities to assist in witnessing a testator signing their Will.
Ian Bentley, Director and Head of Private Client Services at Blackhurst Budd commented:
“Whilst further clarification is expected from the Ministry of Justice, the Solicitors Regulation Authority released guidance on the 2nd of April stating that video supervision of witnesses signing Wills should be possible, for example in the case of people in a care home.
Only last month an online poll showed that the number one reason people did not have a Will was simply that they hadn’t got round to it. Concerns over the Coronavirus and an increased amount of time people have on their hands due to lockdown has resulted a large number of enquiries from new and existing clients.”
For advice on Wills, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney please call 01253 629300.