eSignature for Legal Services

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally binding and enforceable in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Europe. Under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (also known as the “E-Sign Act”), eSignatures hold the same legal weight as their handwritten counterparts.

Other countries like Mexico and India have also adopted similar laws that recognize digital signatures as valid, particularly in transactions involving electronic agreements and forms. Doing so will allow you to complete transactions remotely, eliminating the need to commute and sign documents in person.

As a legal professional, you can free yourself from the burden of in-person visits and instead focus on high-value client work.

Using electronic signatures in legal services offers plenty of advantages. For one, it eliminates the need to deliver documents by mail. This way, law firms can reduce the costs associated with printing and courier transport. Additionally, electronic signatures can drastically reduce the time needed to share and execute agreements.

Instead of sending documents back and forth, you can streamline the process by having each party sign virtually. You also do not need to worry about compliance, as digital signatures provide the same level of security as wet signatures. Plus, they hold legal weight, meaning they are just as legally binding and valid as their traditional counterparts.

It depends. While electronic signatures are generally accepted for most instances, some legal documents may require a physical signature to be considered valid. You will have to check with your jurisdiction to determine which forms and agreements need a physical signature and which can be signed electronically.

In countries such as the United States, you can digitally sign almost any documents provided that they do not fall under the following categories:

• Wills
• Testamentary trusts
• Affidavits and sworn statements
• Powers of Attorney
• Deeds
• Marriage licenses

Generally speaking, documents signed via electronic means can have the same legal value as those that were signed by hand.

No. You do not need to install the Fill application or sign up for an account to affix your digital signature to a document. All you need is a request from a trusted source and a secure device with a stable internet connection.

Once you receive the request, simply click the link provided in the message. It will automatically redirect you to a secure page where you can preview the document and proceed with the signature process.

In some cases, you may be asked to confirm your identity before you are allowed to proceed. To do so, simply follow the steps shown in the prompt.

Check out our guide about signer identity verification to learn more about how it works

Yes, but it depends on whether the court finds the signature valid and legally binding. Even if countries like the United States, Canada, and the European Union have laws recognizing an eSignature’s validity, certain criteria must be met to prove their authenticity.For example, a court might require an affidavit from someone who witnessed the document signing. Additionally, the court might require that the signature be associated with a digital certificate that verifies the signer’s identity. These or other proofs, such as digital timestamps and biometric identification, are necessary for a court to recognize an eSignature as legally valid.

Yes, but keep in mind that not all notaries will accept an eSignature, as some may require physical presence before signing. For those who do, the process may be slightly different than traditional in-person signings. For example, signers may be required to provide additional proof to confirm their identities, such as a driver’s license, passport, or any government-issued ID.

The notary will then use video conferencing or other remote methods to witness the document signing in real time. This way, they can ensure that the signer is indeed the one executing the document and not someone else. After this, the notary will use an electronic notarization seal to make the document legal.

Electronic signature platforms are becoming increasingly popular in law firms. Thus, it is only befitting to choose a cost-effective, secure, and reliable document signing solution. With Fill, you get a comprehensive set of features that can help streamline your firm’s operations.

Suitable for law firms of any size, our platform offers everything you need to manage a wide range of document-related processes. Whether it’s client onboarding, draft creation, or signature collection, you can rely on our cloud-based service to get the job done.

With affordable subscriptions starting at $9.99 per month, give your law firm the edge it needs to thrive in today’s competitive legal market.