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What Do Cheer Tryouts and Remote Witnessing-Notarization Have in Common?
Sarah Hunter cheering for the Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers
Whether practicing her cheers on our backyard tumble track or with her competitive cheer team at Integrity Elite All Stars (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic), lifting our spirits at football and basketball games with the Boyd-Buchanan School cheerleading squad, or watching cheer competitions on Flo TV – my daughter, Sarah, is an aficionado of all things cheerleading.
This week Sarah has been focused on tryouts for the Boyd-Buchanan School 2020-2021 Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Although Sarah and her friends normally would experience the joys and disappointments of cheer tryouts together at school, this week’s tryouts took place via video submission.
Sarah Hunter on top of the pyramid cheering for the Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused all of us to live our lives in ways never before contemplated. In the not-too-distant past, I would meet face-to-face with clients to explain and execute estate planning documents. Instead of those face-to-face meetings I used to enjoy, I have had to adapt my practice by sharpening my teleconferencing and videoconferencing skills.
On May 12, 2020, Gov. Bill Lee issued Executive Order No. 37, which extends the temporary suspension of the requirement for “in person” witnessing and notarization of certain documents including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and deeds, previously provided under Executive Order No. 26, which we discussed here. Executive Order No. 37 permits remote witnessing and notarizing in Tennessee through June 29, 2020. Our prior update discusses the procedures which must be followed when witnessing and notarizing documents remotely.
Just like Sarah had to hone her acting skills for her video submission instead of enjoying the face-to-face interaction of a traditional cheer tryout, attorneys and other professionals have had to adapt their work and use tools such as remote witnessing and notarization in response to the pandemic.
P.S. Sarah found out today that she made the squad.
For more information about Executive Order No. 37, please contact a member of the Chambliss Estate Planning team.
Visit our COVID-19 Insight Center for our latest legislative and legal updates, articles, and resources.
The material in this publication was created as of the date set forth above and is based on laws, court decisions, administrative rulings, and congressional materials that existed at that time, and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinions on specific facts. In some cases, the underlying legal information is changing quickly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and the transmission and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Please contact your legal counsel for advice regarding specific situations.