The “new normal” of social distancing and related measures to combat the coronavirus is with us for an indefinite time. Certainly many months, hopefully not many years. Regardless, unlike taxes, we cannot through executive fiat simply postpone estate planning, probate proceedings, administration of estates, guardianships and other important legal matters. Interim measures are needed on the state level to relax the rules related to the signing of wills and other estate planning documents, and to allow for notarization of documents via secure online networks.
And procedures must change at the law firm level too, as we incorporate new processes to promote safety of clients and witnesses, while meeting the legal needs of new and existing clients.
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