The SMR Legal team is here to assist you with COVID-19 Wills and Estate Planning

During these unprecedented times, it is natural to think about what may happen if we or someone we love was to fall ill, become incapacitated or pass away. Many current and potential clients have reached out to us expressing their desire to create or update their Wills, Power of Attorney or Guardianship.
Our expert team is readily available to assist you every step of the way, from taking initial instructions, to having the documents become legally enforceable. We are currently utilising technology to engage with clients and are able to meet with you to discuss your matter via telephone or video conferencing, as well as email.

Please find below a brief step-by-step guide as to how the process will operate under the current circumstances:

• We will email or post to you a will instruction kit. This will require you to fill out some basic information we require.
• Once we receive your completed will instruction sheet, we will contact you to follow up and also collect any necessary documentation, additional information or verification details. We will also guide you through what your available options are.
• We will then conduct any necessary searches (e.g. title search) to put together the draft.
• We will send you the draft for you to read through.
• You will then let us know if you would like any amendments made to the draft.
• A final draft will be sent and instructions on how to execute the document will be given.
• Once signed off in the presence of witnesses, the process is complete.

With respect to the execution of documents, please note the following:

As the Australian and Victorian Governments move closer towards lockdown, it may become difficult to have clients come to the office to execute documents. We therefore advise that until such time we are committed to offering a safe, sterilised office for clients to enter, on a one-off occasion, in order to sign off on documents. However, if you are not comfortable in doing this, our office is offering an in-person service, at your home, for a fixed added fee. This procedure would be conducted in accordance with social distancing requirements, ensuring the environment is safe for all parties. We ask that if you have questions or concerns regarding this, please get in contact with us so we can discuss your individual circumstances. Particularly for those persons aged 70 and above, we will do our utmost to cater to your unique needs.

If you would like to engage with our services or find out more information about COVID-19 Wills and Estate Planning, please contact our team on (03) 5821 0777.