Our Will service for you during Coronavirus

It’s “business as usual” at Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors but with even more ways of getting in touch with us and meeting with us to make or update your Will.

Covid 19 has brought about an increase in the number of people wishing to update their Wills or make a new Will. Face to face meetings have not been possible and even now with the easing of lockdown many of our clients still prefer not to meet in person. So in these changing times we have changed how we deliver our services too. We can ‘meet’ with you by videocall using platforms such as Zoom, Facetime, Skype or MS Teams, we can arrange a telephone appointment or indeed the traditional face to face appointment.

Many of our clients have chosen to make Wills using videocalls facilities because it is easy, quick, safe and all from the comfort of your living room.

It is simple and very easy to access just by clicking on a link that we send to your email address. You do not need to sign up to anything. We are flexible to your needs so we can set up a meeting during or after working hours. During the videocall we will discuss your Will requirements, advise you of the options and discuss inheritance tax with you. We will take all details we would normally take in a face to face meeting. We can arrange follow up videocalls to ensure that everything is prepared in accordance with your wishes and discus the Wills signing with you.

Until recently, under the Wills Act 1837, a Will was not valid unless it was signed by the testator in the presence of two independent witnesses who also then sign the Will to confirm that they witnessed the signing. On 25th July 2020 the Ministry of Justice announced new rules allowing Wills to be witnessed remotely by videocall in England and Wales. The new rules will be backdated to 31 January 2020 for an initial term until 31 January 2022. This means that you do not need to worry about coming into the office to sign the Will because we can arrange a videocall signing.

The government has also updated its guidance on client verification which used to be face to face, to videocall also.
The world has changed, the government has updated its guidance and rules and we have adapted to the changing needs of our clients. Traditional legal services delivered in a modern way directly into your living room.

If you have been thinking about making or updating your Will but have been worried about having to ‘go’ to se the Solicitor, no need to delay any longer. Call Ivone Joaquim on 01908 689337 and make a videocall appointment.

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Ivone Joaquim | Legal Executive

Private Client Services