Interview with Lisa Grayson - Digital Planning Podcast
Global Evolution of Electronic Wills and COVID-19
It’s Christmas come early in Virginia this year. As of July 1, 2024, attorneys in Virginia can officially (and permanently!) use electronic signatures to sign pleadings in Virginia’s state courts. It only took twenty-plus...more
In 2020, North Carolina passed a temporary law authorizing Emergency Video Notarization (“EVN”) to alleviate the requirement that notaries be in the physical presence of signers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This law was set...more
Prior to the enactment of the temporary Emergency Video Notarization law in 2020, all notaries were required to be in the physical presence of signers—even during electronic notarization. The physical presence requirement of...more
Digital technologies are paving the way for more convenient and efficient transactions. Paper documents and wet-ink signatures are being replaced by their electronic equivalents, and “in-person” appearances can now be...more
E-Signatures and Remote Online Notarization: The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (“UETA”) proposed by the Uniform Law Commission (“ULC”) in 1999 presented ways for states to effectuate electronic signatures with the...more
Given the increase in virtual working environments due to COVID-19, many lenders are exploring electronic notarization, remote online notarization (RON), and even electronic signatures. While the pandemic may have spurred...more
This afternoon, the Treasury Department issued Notice 2020-42, ending the uncertainty surrounding spousal consents to retirement plan distributions and loans in the socially distanced COVID-19 world. As plan administrators...more
States are rapidly adapting to social distancing in their approaches to remote notarization. The below chart tracks the steps, special conditions, and considerations on a state-by-state basis. The chart lists states...more
Although the legal world is increasingly (and somewhat reluctantly) relying on electronic documentation, pen-to-paper signatures remain an important part of documenting key business and life decisions and milestones. At least...more
Unusual times call for unusual measures. On May 4, 2020, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Session Law 2020-3 to relax the legal requirements associated with the execution of estate planning and other legal...more
During the healthcare crisis caused by COVID-19, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have temporarily suspended their requirement that notaries be physically present at the execution of certain estate planning documents. For many...more
Notarization and recording are key step in closing transactions, but since the outbreak of COVID-19, these often overlooked components have gained renewed attention due to the difficulty of traditional recording and...more
In light of the recent social distancing guidelines, parties are searching for alternative methods of doing business and closing transactions while avoiding face-to-face interaction. As a result, the issue of electronic...more
With COVID-19 social-distancing and stay at home orders, millions of Americans have been forced to adapt and find new ways to transact business. While people are generally familiar with receiving documents by email for review...more
Companies are searching alternative ways to have a wide range of documents (internal and external) signed safely under the new safe-distance rules and while dispersed. Join Locke Lord for a complimentary 60-minute webinar...more
At least 43 states have now, by statute or executive order, authorized notaries in their states to conduct remote online notarizations (RONs) on either a permanent or a temporary/emergency basis, with a substantial number of...more
Estate planning is more important than ever as COVID-19 continues its spread. Creating a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care will enable you to set forth your health care desires and enable you to designate the person...more
On April 6, 2020, McGuireWoods issued an alert analyzing issues facing attorneys, clients and notaries in the execution of documents during a global pandemic. The alert also provided a summary of state legislation and...more
Originally published on March 26, 2020 - To slow or stop the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus, federal, state and local authorities and health organizations across the world are strongly advising, and in many cases...more
On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, Governor Janet Mills issued an Executive Order suspending the requirement that a person whose oath is being taken be physically present at the same location as the notary public and any witnesses,...more
Pennsylvania. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, and pending the passage of Senate Bill 1092, or an amendment to H.B. 1564 to allow remote notarization of documents, the Pennsylvania Department of State has issued a temporary and...more
While a majority of state governors have issued executive orders mandating closure of all non-essential businesses, life does go on, and for many, that means conducting business and taking care of essential personal planning...more