I continue to receive numerous enquiries for me to prepare and witness the signing of Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian.
Even though during the COVID-19 pandemic it is safer not to conduct face-to-face meetings, as previously indicated, there is another way to deal with the situation.
As from 22 April 2020 the Electronic Transactions Amendment (COVID-19 Witnessing of Documents) Regulation 2020 allows the signing of certain documents to be witnessed by audio visual means (such as Zoom or FaceTime) including those documents mentioned above as well as deeds, agreements, affidavits and statutory declarations.
Although this arrangement was originally due to expire on 26 September 2020, legislation is being introduced into the NSW Parliament to extend it until the end of 2021. Hopefully, the coronavirus will be long gone by then!
September 2020