Cut Red Tape: New Laws Ease Notary, Wills Processes in Virgin Islands

Three recent bills pushed by AARP Virgin Islands were signed into law by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (D), providing easier access to estate-planning services and seeking to make streets and sidewalks safer.

 The first allows residents to prepare and sign wills electronically while providing additional security and prevention of fraud and abuse. The second modernizes the law so that legal documents can be notarized and witnessed remotely. The third creates a “complete streets policy” to make travel methods more accessible.

State Sen. Steven Payne Sr. (D-at large) says the third measure should help the government and private citizens better collaborate to improve the islands’ transportation infrastructure.

According to a 2016 U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health study, 89 percent of street length in the territory has no sidewalks, 47 percent has no lighting, and 78 percent of streets have no walkable destinations such as shops.