Who Can Witness a Power of Attorney Signature?
The requirement to be physically present is absolute. A signature cannot be witnessed online via a video call like Zoom or FaceTime, or even through a window.
Rachel joined Walker Foster’s Ilkley office in March 2008 as a legal secretary, working in the firm’s Private Client department. Rachel’s potential was spotted very early on and she was quickly promoted to become a Wills & Probate Clerk where she assisted the firm’s head of Private Client.

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Rachel HansonSenior Wills and Probate ExecutiveIn 2012 Rachel became responsible for her own caseload including Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection. Rachel is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and is currently undertaking studies which will make her a Chartered Legal Executive.
Rachel is very well known in the local business community and has strong relationships with IFAs, accountants and estate agents. Rachel sits on the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee which is dedicated to providing support and raising funds for charities and local community projects. Rachel has coordinated events such as the firm’s sponsored walk for the Alzheimer’s Society and the firm’s past participation in Free Wills days with proceeds going to charities such as Manorlands Hospice, Will Aid and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Rachel arranged for the firm to sponsor Ilkley Town AFC to help the football club to raise funds to build a 3G pitch which will benefit the town’s schools and sports clubs.
Rachel enjoys public speaking and is confident in delivering presentations in her specialist field of Wills, Probate and Powers of Attorney.
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys practising yoga and walking in the countryside. She loves being out in nature and enjoys gardening and visiting gardens. She is a self-confessed Francophile and really looks forward to planning and spending her holidays exploring as many regions of France as she can. She has also been learning to speak French for the last couple of years. Rachel also loves spending time with her family and friends, socialising and drinking cocktails!
The requirement to be physically present is absolute. A signature cannot be witnessed online via a video call like Zoom or FaceTime, or even through a window.
A power of attorney does not continue after death. When the donor dies, the authority granted to the attorney ends immediately. There is no grace period, and the attorney stops acting from the point of the donor’s death.
If you are thinking about ending a power of attorney, one of the first questions is often about cost. The answer will depend on factors such as your circumstances and whether you need support with the process.
There is no single statutory definition for executor misconduct in England and Wales. Instead, it is understood as a breach of the fiduciary duty owed to the estate.


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