Your Legal Needs Matter More Than Ever During Covid-19 — Including Your Estate Plan. We’re Here to Help.
During this unsettling time of the coronavirus Covid-19, all of us at Asset Protection & Elder Law of Georgia share the worries of every individual and family. But above all, we are ensuring that the legal needs of existing and new clients are met during the pandemic. Our attorneys are actively helping with estate planning needs, as well as matters involving probate and trust administration.
We are carefully abiding by all government and medical expert guidelines. We work remotely and use phone consultations whenever possible. We’ve even been creative in resolving issues that arise. If we can help you and your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Why Estate Planning Is Essential Now
An essential task for everyone to complete as soon as possible is making certain that your estate plan has all the necessary documents — and that all those documents are up to date. Covid-19 makes the need for an estate plan apparent in way that none of us has never before experienced.
The grim reality is that the coronavirus creates the risk of incapacity or death for anyone who becomes infected. Your estate plan protects you and your family if either of those distressing possibilities occurs.
No one is unaffected by the risks of Covid-19. While elders and individuals with serious underlying conditions are at the highest risk, anyone of any age can suffer the worst consequences of the virus. Almost daily, there are heartbreaking news stories about families who lost loved ones in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s — and many of those individuals were healthy and had no underlying medical conditions.
The tragic consequences of the coronavirus can strike anyone and any family. While every adult should have an estate plan under any circumstances, it is now more important than ever to make sure your estate plan documents are current.
How to Make Sure That Your Estate Plan Is Complete and Current
These are the documents in a complete estate plan:
- Last Will and Testament
- Trust (for some estates)
- Durable Financial Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive
- HIPPA release form (for access to medical records)
If you have an estate plan, here are the steps to take now:
- Review your estate plan. Make certain that you have all the necessary documents, and that they are up to date.
- Check the beneficiary designations on all your financial accounts, including your life insurance policy, and make sure they are current.
- Review your list of assets and accounts. Update it if necessary.
- Put your estate plan in a safe place. Tell your personal representative and agents under your power of attorney and health care directive where they can find your documents if necessary.
- Contact your estate planning attorney to update documents or if you have questions or concerns.
If you do not have an estate plan in place, contact an experienced estate planning attorney to create one at the earliest possible time.
If You Need Help, Please Reach Out to Us
At Asset Protection & Elder Law of Georgia, we are here to provide any legal help you need. We can assist with estate planning, elder law, probate, trust administration, and other legal matters.
From our Cartersville office, we provide legal services to clients throughout the communities northwest of Atlanta, including in Bartow County, Cobb County, Cherokee County, Gordon County, Floyd County, and Paulding County. Call us at (770) 382-0984 or contact us through our online form.
