Will Aid: Writing your Will during a global pandemic needn’t be as difficult as you may think
Rhian Rees from Robertsons Solicitors tell us why writing your Will during this year’s Will Aid month is no different to any other year regardless, of the pandemic.
It is commonly recognised that in the UK a Will needs to be witnessed by two individuals which is a problem during a pandemic that necessitates social distancing. However, a recent change to the Act governing Will writing has enabled law firms and Will writers to continue working throughout 2020.
Until recently, the Wills Act 1837 has stated that a Will must be executed in the presence of two independent witnesses. For those shielding, in self-isolation or local lockdowns, the process of executing their Will has been a challenge however the change to the Act has enabled those affected to complete the process of putting their Will in place.
“The amendment now permits the use of electronic communications to enable Wills to be witnessed. This includes the likes of Zoom, Facetime and Skype, all of which the majority of us have become increasingly familiar since the onset of the pandemic,” said Rhian Rees, Head of Wills, Probate and Trusts at Robertsons Solicitors,
“The amendment to the Act has been backdated to January 2020 when the first case of Covid-19 was recorded and will remain in place until 31st January 2022 or whenever necessary. There are certain exceptions to this, for example where a Grant of Probate has already been applied for. We encourage the use of electronic communication for those clients who do not wish to attend at our offices to execute their Will but as our offices are fully compliant with the rules on social distancing we are also happy to see clients in person at a prearranged appointment at our offices.”
The number of witnesses has not changed. Wills will still need to be signed by the Will writer in front of two independent witnesses who both witness the will at the same time as the Will writer and each other.
Robertsons Solicitors are one of many legal firms taking part in the Will Aid initiative during November. Established in 1988, the initiative has raised over £21 million for charities by working in partnership with law firms who write a basic Will in return for a suggested contribution to Will Aid which supports several UK charities including Action Aid, Age UK, British Red Cross, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, SightSavers and Trocaire.