In June, we discussed the risk of the work arounds some solicitors were trying to use when having wills signed. 

After petitioning to government, the Law Society has convinced the government to allow remote witnessing over a video link for the time being. The government has released guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/video-witnessed-wills-to-be-made-legal-during-coronavirus-pandemic to safeguard against fraud. 

This will be applied retrospectively to January 2020 for wills which have been witnessed in accordance with the guidance and will last for 2 years.

The Law Society has also encouraged the government to make wider reforms of the Wills Act to bring it into the 21st Century.

Whilst the government has provided guidance for remote witnesses over video-link, other work arounds may still be risky routes to take if you wish to update your will during the COVID-19 pandemic. Work arounds which have not been approved by the government could lead to more will disputes in the future and you should take further advice if you believe your will has been invalidly witnessed. 

If you would like information about disputing a will, probate disputes or inheritance disputes, please call 01902 424927 and ask to speak to one of our specialist contentious probate lawyers. Alternatively, please e-mail us at contentiousprobate@georgegreen.co.uk providing a brief summary of the issues you wish to discuss with us, along with your contact details.

We have a dedicated practice team of contentious probate solicitors, covering all areas of the UK (with offices near Birmingham and in Wolverhampton) who are experienced in dealing with all types of contentious probate matters, including challenging a will and estate disputes.

We also have a team of probate lawyers who can assist if you wish to review you current will or to make a will for the first time.

We offer a free initial free telephone consultation for contentious probate disputes and we can sometimes act for clients who want to contest a will or commence an inheritance dispute/probate dispute on a no win no fee basis.