It comes as little surprise that will writing services have been in significant demand during the recent lockdown period due to the coronavirus, but perhaps more surprising is the likely rise in the number of these wills being contested. And with the surge in will-writing not confined just to the elderly, it raises the possibility of more will-related conflict.

As a result of the potential financial difficulties affecting many as a result of reduced incomes or even redundancy due to the virus, people may be more inclined to challenge wills and battle even for small claims.

With the increase in wills that were drawn up, signed, and witnessed through video call, relatives may question how capacity was established, whether undue influence was brought to bear and whether those wills are actually legal given the absence of face to face meetings.

For example, though witnessing the signing of a will through a window is, in itself, legal, there may be questions raised as to who could have been out of view yet in a position to influence the response. And the same goes for witnessing the signing of a will over video call.

Whether a rush of legal challenges ensue, or whether a law legalising video-call wills is to be brought in retrospectively, remains to be seen.