Electronic Witnessing – Flash sale for Wills, Power of Attorney & Probate

This time last year, as a result of our State being thrust into COVID lockdown, the Victorian Government introduced emergency legislation to allow electronic signatures and witnessing of deeds and documents by audiovisual link. To do this the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Electronic Signing and Witnessing) Regulations 2020 (Vic) (“the Regulations”) were enacted which made temporary amendments to the Electronic Transactions (Victoria) Act 2000 (Vic).

Section 41 of the Regulations allowed for, among other things, wills, powers of attorney and probate documents to be electronically signed and witnessed as long as all witnesses were connected to the overseeing practitioner by audio-visual link. Prior to this, a witness to a testator or principal signing these documents were required to be in the physical presence of the signatory whilst they were signing, and to affix their own signature to the same document. Thanks to this emergency legislation our legal services remained largely uninterrupted despite COVID-19 restrictions.

On 26 April 2021, these amendments were permanently legislated in the Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Act 2021 (Vic).

Electronic witnessing is here to stay.

At Focus on Family, we welcome this considerable step towards improving access to justice and the acknowledgment by legislators that how we live and work has changed. We’re thrilled to continue to be able to offer services to all Victorians via videolink.

To mark the occasion, until the end of June 2021, we are offering a 10% discount to all new clients who wish to engage us to prepare wills, power of attorneys or probate applications:

*  $500+GST for wills for married or de facto couples;

* $330+GST for individuals;

* $100+GST per power of attorney; and

* $2000+GST for probate application for simple estates.

Email us at info@focusonfamily.com.au to get the process started, or book in for an Exploratory Call if you want to know if our service is right for you - https://www.focusonfamily.com.au/book-a-consultation

For more information about electronic witnessing visit the Victorian Government’s website: Electronic signing and remote witnessing during coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions | Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria