(815) 726-4311
  • History
  • Attorneys
    • James C. Byrne
    • John M. Spesia
    • Christian G. Spesia
    • Jeffrey S. Taylor
    • Michael R. Stiff
    • Bradley S. McCann
    • Jacob E. Gancarczyk
    • Michael A. Santschi
    • E. Kent Ayers
    • Thomas M. Ewert
    • Kent F. Slater
    • Jonathan W. Powell
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Eminent Domain
    • Employment & Civil Rights
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Business & Tax Planning
    • Real Estate & Zoning
    • Energy & Utilities
    • School Law
    • Municipal Law
    • Estates, Wills & Trusts
    • Appellate Practice
  • News & Cases
  • Testimonials
  • Philanthropy
  • Contact
  • Home
You are here: Home / Estates, Wills & Trusts / Witnesses In The Era Of Covid-19; Signing Important Documents During Social-Distancing

Witnesses In The Era Of Covid-19; Signing Important Documents During Social-Distancing

May 8, 2020

Photo of man on video conference with witnesses to sign documents

Executive Order From Governor Pritzker on Witnesses During Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation

On March 26, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-14 in response to Covid-19 (Covid-19 Executive Order No. 12). This Order relaxes some of the in-person interaction and requirements related to services of witnesses so that residents of Illinois can continue to make critical personal and business decisions and finalize planning documents.

Section 2 of the Order relates to any act of witnessing required by Illinois law and allows such witnessing to be completed remotely by two-way audio-video communication technology. Witnessing requires ten additional items to be met for the witnessing, and therefore the documents, to be valid. These items are as follows:

  • The two-way audio-video communication technology must allow for direct, contemporaneous interaction between the Client and the witness(es) by sight and sound;
  • The two-way audio-video communication technology must be (i) recorded and (ii) preserved by the Client or the Client’s designee for a period of at least (3) three years;
  • Client must attest to being physically located in Illinois during the communication;
  • Witness(es) must attest to being physically located in Illinois during the communication;
  • Client must affirmatively state on the communication what document the Client is signing;
  • Each page of the document being witnessed must be shown to the witness on the communication in a means clearly legible to the witness(es) and each page initialed by Client in the presence of the witness(es);
  • Act of signing by the Client must be captured sufficiently up close on the communication for the witness(es) to observe;
  • Client must transmit by fax or electronic means a legible copy of the entire signed document directly to the witness(es) no later than the day after the document is signed;
  • Witness(es) must sign the transmitted copy of the document as a witness(es) and transmit the signed copy of the document back via fax or electronic means to the signatory within 24 hours of receipt; and
  • If necessary, the witness(es) may sign the original signed document as of the date of the original execution by the Client provided that the witness(es) receive the original signed document together with the electronically witnessed copy with thirty (30) days from the date of remote witnessing.

If you would like more information on this new Executive Order, please contact Bradley S. McCann.

Filed Under: Estates, Wills & Trusts, News & Cases Tagged With: Bradley s. McCann, COVID-19, estate planning, estates, executive order, Governor Pritzker, Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, Spesia & Taylor, wills and trusts, witnesses

Schedule a Consultation:

Contact us today to set up a time to speak with a Spesia & Taylor professional about your legal needs. CLICK HERE!

Featured News:

Spesia & Taylor Donates to the Spanish Community Center Food Pantry

Spesia & Taylor has stepped in to help the Spanish Center of Joliet with a donation to its food pantry. According to Veronica Gloria, Executive ... Read More

Spesia & Taylor and Attorney Brad McCann are Open for Business to Meet Your Trust, Estate, and Corporate Needs

All of us have been adjusting how we live our lives or how we conduct business in light of Covid-19. As Governor Pritzker makes changes to what is ... Read More

Witnesses In The Era Of Covid-19; Signing Important Documents During Social-Distancing

Executive Order From Governor Pritzker on Witnesses During Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation On March 26, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued Executive ... Read More

The COVID-19 CARES Act; How It Effects Your Financials And 2020 Taxes

Summary Of Tax And Financial Factors Of The CARES Act The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act was signed into law on March 27, ... Read More

COVID-19 Update – Spesia & Taylor is Open for Business

During these unprecedented times, Spesia & Taylor remains committed to providing legal services while protecting the health and safety not only of ... Read More

1415 Black Road
Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 726-4311
Fax: (815) 846-2410

Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Sitemap

footer-logo-1footer-logo-3footer-logo-4


© Copyright 2018 Spesia & Taylor Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Design by MoatzArt