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
Many tasks that were relatively easy to accomplish became nearly impossible during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while much of everyday life has returned to “normal,” some modifications to accommodate social...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
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
(Original Article dated April 14, 2020) - UPDATE: By Executive Order 202.72 dated November 3, 2020, Governor Cuomo has further extended his prior orders permitting the use of audio-visual technology for notarization and...more
Remote executions of estate planning documents are again allowed in Michigan through December 31, 2020. On November 5, 2020, Michigan’s Governor signed 2020 PA 246, allowing remote witnessing, and 2020 PA 249, allowing...more
Electronic signatures have soared in popularity as a result of social distancing measures related to COVID-19. While such signatures are generally accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Wilson...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
UPDATE: By Order 202.48 dated July 6, 2020, the Governor has further extended prior orders permitting the use of audio-visual technology for notarization and witnessing, as provided below, through August 5, 2020....more
UPDATE: By an order dated June 6, 2020, the use of audio-visual technology for notarization and witnessing as provided below is permitted until July 6, 2020. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, certain states are adjusting rules by...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
UPDATE: By an order dated May 28, 2020, the use of audio-visual technology for notarization and witnessing as provided below is permitted until June 27, 2020....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