Just when you adapt to the new normal, New Jersey changes the rules again. The day after I completed an outdoor will signing, Governor Murphy signed into law allowing remote notarizations. In order to have a self-proving will, meaning that no witnesses would have to appear in Probate court, you need to have two witnesses sign the document and have it notarized. These usually has to be done in person with the four individuals. Now, because of the pandemic, this signing can be done remotely as long as the signing is recorded. On Monday, I, along with two witnesses, watched my client sign their will via an online meeting services. I recorded it. They then sent the documents to me where I had the two witnesses sign it and then I signed it and mailed it back to them. This is a very convenient way to handle estate planning needs during this difficult time.
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