BREAKING NEWS: Remotely Sign Your Illinois Estate Planning Documents

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker entered Executive Order 2020-14 on March 26, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic allowing for documents to be temporarily virtually witnessed using video. Campbell Long has already put procedures in place to comply with the Order and start hosting signing ceremonies remotely using Skype and Zoom.

We are all thrilled that accommodations are being made that will allow clients to get their estate planning documents signed safely from their own homes.

While some states have allowed for electronic Wills for some time, Illinois does not. The Illinois Probate Act requires a Will to be signed in the presence of two witnesses. The requirement for the testator to be “in the presence of” the witnesses created a difficult dilemma with the current pandemic restricting people to their homes. This Order temporarily broadens the requirement. Section 4 of the Order specifically applies to Last Will and Testaments, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney. This is a big move in a critical time.

If you are interested in learning more about this new procedure, please reach out to us for more information by e-mailing assistant@CLCounsel.com or calling 866-566-9494. As always, we are here to help.