Legacy Giving Spring 2020 Newsletter

Remote Witnessing of Wills and Powers of Attorney in Ontario

Written By: Rene Larson, H.B.A., J.D., Larson Lawyers

The Government of Ontario issued an Emergency Order (O.Reg.129/20) on April 7, 2020 allowing remote or “virtual” witnessing of Wills and Powers of Attorney during the COVID-19 emergency.
Under normal circumstances, in order for Wills and Powers of Attorney to be valid in Ontario, they must be signed by the testator/grantor in the physical presence of two adult witnesses. As a result of COVID-19 and the social distancing guidelines, witnesses being in “the presence of” the testator/grantor is no longer recommended for health and safety reasons.

Read the full article in the Legacy Giving Spring 2020 Newsletter (.PDF)