Making a Will during Covid 19
Since the Covid-19 pandemic we have seen a large number of advertisements on social media for cheap Will writing. This level of advertising is raising huge concerns – now more than ever it is important to be attentive when making or updating a Will to ensure that it will be valid.
Our concerns for people making a Will during Covid-19 include the validity of the Will and the safety of people’s ID when disclosing personal details online. Kidd Rapinet urges people to take extreme caution when instructing any online firm – please do your due diligence and check the company on companies’ house and look for testimonials/recommendations from independent sources. If a deal looks too good to be true – it probably is. Please walk away and contact a reputable solicitor in your area. Many solicitors, including Kidd Rapinet, offer free advice. Please do not take any risks.
Currently, for a Will to be valid it must be signed by two witnesses present at the same time – the witnesses must be independent and not related to the person to whom the Will applies. The ministry of justice (MOJ) is looking into temporary relaxation of the rules given the current social distancing measures but, at the time of writing, there has been no change to the law.
We recommend before a video conference call with your solicitor that you prepare as much information as you can. Think about and write down the questions you would like to ask, prepare a list of your assets (this can be property, jewellery, art etc) and your finances – think about people you would like to benefit (beneficiary/ies) and who you would like to appoint to manage this for you (executor/s). Please see our FREE 8 step guide to creating a Will to help you.
We are currently taking instructions via video conferencing, drafting Wills and sending them via email or post (email is preferred). We can then go through the Will to agree or make any necessary amendments or changes and email/post for signature.
There are a number of ideas online for signing Wills including ringing neighbours and asking them to stand in their gardens (2 metres apart) – each watching the other sign the document but to be certain on validity, please call us and we can discuss with you suitable ways to have your Will signed and witnessed.
This article was brought to you by our Wills and Probate solicitors at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors High Wycombe. You can speak to any of our Wills, LPA and Probate lawyers across our other offices in Aylesbury, Canary Wharf, High Wycombe Maidenhead or Slough, using the form provided. Please use the links provided to find more information on Wills and Probate, Wills and Probate Disputes and Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and for Finances
These materials and content have been prepared for the benefit of their viewers/readers. They are intended for marketing purposes only and are of a general nature and do not constitute legal advice applicable to any particular facts or circumstances. Kidd Rapinet LLP and/or the author(s) accept no duty of care, responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which you or any third party may suffer as a result of any reliance or use by you or them of these marketing materials and content, except to the extent it is not legally possible to exclude such liability. If you require legal advice on your own situation, please contact us so we can discuss how we may assist.