Coronavirus: Can I still make a Will?

Coronavirus has swept the nation meaning individuals and businesses alike have had to quickly adapt to the changing guidance issued by the UK government in the efforts to tackle the spread of what Boris Johnson has called "the biggest threat this country has faced for decades".

Among reports of the pandemic, there has also been a reported jump in the number of requests for the drafting of Wills and Powers of Attorney, with Ian Bond TEP, chair of the Law Society's wills and equity committee, recently announcing an increase in enquiries of this nature of 30%.

In light of the Prime Minister’s strict new measures of 23 March 2020 and the overwhelming concern to minimise the amount of time spent out of the home, what does it mean for those wishing to review or make a Will in the time of coronavirus?

Any delay in drafting or reviewing a Will during a time where the country is facing a "moment of national emergency” is clearly undesirable, especially for elderly clients or those who otherwise fall within the high-risk category.

Fortunately, in line with the recent STEP recommendation, practitioners are still able to carry out client requests, providing meetings to take instructions via telephone and videoconferencing.

What does this mean at Boyes Turner?

Here at Boyes Turner, we want to reassure our clients that while coronavirus continues to cause disruption and challenges for many, we are providing the same high level of service to suit our clients’ changing needs.

Our team has taken advantage of Boyes Turner’s investment in technology to enable us to work remotely over the coming weeks, meaning it is "business as usual". We can see clients using conference or video calling, with uninterrupted access to telephone and email facilities.

We are here to provide some much needed reassurance and continuity in what are uncertain times, while ensuring we play our part in preventing the spread of the virus and protecting the welfare of our clients.