Governor Cuomo Relaxes Legal Requirements for Executing Will and Other Planning Documents

Executing a Will requires certain formalities, including witnessing, which under normal circumstances may seem burdensome. The social distancing and quarantine requirements imposed during the COVID-
19 outbreak have made satisfying these legal requirements even more daunting. Recognizing the need to enable people put at risk by the virus to make Wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies and
appointments of agent to control disposition of remains, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order
202.14 in part to established procedures for witnessing these documents using audio-video technology.
These procedures may be used through May 7, 2020 and supplement and extend until that date similar
procedures allowing notarizations to be performed using audio-video technology.

We are available to help with your estate planning needs during the outbreak.

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Questions regarding matters discussed in this publication may be directed to the author, to any
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cperusse@pavialaw.com

Karin J. Lundell
+1 (212) 508-2330
klundell@pavialaw.com

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