While it may seem many Canadians are rushing to prepare wills amid the uncertainty of COVID-19, it would seem that trend has not been seen in Greater Sudbury.
Toronto-based online service Willful reported earlier this month it had seen a 620-per-cent increase in sales and a 450-per-cent increase in traffic.
Here in Sudbury, the law firm of Moutsatsos Laakso Alexander LLP (MLA Law) said when COVID-19 first emerged in the Nickel City, they actually saw a decrease in the number of people drafting wills.
“There was an initial decrease in the number of clients calling for wills and power of attorney, but those numbers are now going back up,” said Sophie Moutsatsos, an associate at MLA Law.
She said the decrease was likely due to the fact people weren’t leaving their homes because of the measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Business across the board dropped,” she said. “There is a lot of uncertainty, and there were rules in place that required people to be there in person to witness the will.”
That has changed, though.
On April 7, the Lieutenant Governor in Council made an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protect Act that allows for the virtual witnessing of wills and powers of attorney.
“Lawyers want to be able to help their clients, but we don’t want to not follow the legislation and rules currently in place, and the Law Society recognized the predicament we were in,” said Moutstatos.
The change is in effect only during the declared emergency. Clients, new and existing, can arrange to have their wills and powers of attorney witnessed through the use of video conferencing technology.
“The pandemic has changed our lives and ways of doing business, and MLA Law has been quick to adapt,” said Linda Laakso, partner at MLA Law. “In addition to the video conferencing, we have enhanced protections in office for those of our clients who do not have easy access to technology, including masks for our staff and a sneeze guard shield for clients.”
“We are also deeply appreciative to those working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. To show our support, all health-care workers, police officers, firefighters and paramedics will receive a 25-per-cent discount on their wills and powers of attorney through to May 29.”
In addition to the changes adopted with respect to wills and powers of attorney, MLA Law has adapted for all practice groups to work remotely, including the business law, mining law, and real estate law practices. Clients seeking to draft shareholders agreements, restructure their corporation or purchase a home can meet with a lawyer over video conference.
