The current pandemic has taken a toll on many businesses, but some lawyers are busier than ever – drafting wills. Signing must be witnessed, in person, by two people, but one barrister has found a way around that problem.
Doris Gelbman has practiced elder law for 15 years, and business has never been so good.
“And it is not just me,” she says, “I have a number of colleagues all across the state who are reporting the same thing.”
She confers with clients by phone and video platforms like Zoom, but the law requires two witnesses and a notary when a will is signed, so Gelbman scrubs her hands, dons a face mask and gloves to meet clients in the parking lot with witnesses and a notary in tow.
“We have a clipboard which we sanitize between each will signing and pens that we provide that are individually wrapped.”
She also suggests other important documents during this pandemic.
“I’m much more concerned about powers of attorney and more importantly an advanced medical directive. If you should find yourself on a respirator with no one to speak for you, that’s a really terrible situation to be in,” she explains.
Last week, Gelbman says, she delivered four legally binding wills in a single day, and today she’ll present three more for signing.
