On March 30, Governor Ralph Northam joined other state governors in signing a temporary stay-at-home order for the Commonwealth of Virginia, through June 10, to fight the spread of COVID-19. Under the order, Virginia residents are not permitted to leave their homes for non-essential purposes, which would include meeting in-person at an attorney’s office to draft or update your estate plans.

Due to the rapid spread of coronavirus, the somber reality is that many people are probably thinking about their will, trusts, powers of attorney, etc. in case they contract COVID-19. However, you don’t have to take the DIY approach. My Legal Case Coach is here to provide legal support for your estate planning needs, all from the comfort of your own home.

How we are supporting clients remotely with their estate plans

During this time you can still get help with your estate planning questions or needs by scheduling a free, live video call with us. We are helping clients by Zoom to get the support they need to get their estate plan created or updated – and can very effectively do so, thanks to today’s technology.

During your free, 30-minute call, we will discuss your estate planning needs and what you’d like to update. This may include:

• Wills – Your Will is an essential estate planning document that details how your executor should distribute your property after death. There are several different types of Wills, and we can help you determine which is the correct one for your estate to ensure a smooth probate process for your loved ones. We can also update your existing Will in the case of a significant life change.
• Trust planning – A trust is an arrangement where one or more people, known as a fiduciary, are assigned to hold property or assets for someone else. We can help you create a testamentary trust (established through your Will) or living trust (established through a signed agreement and funded during your lifetime) to make sure your estate is handled properly.
• Guardianship planning – Guardianship or conservatorship planning is intended to ensure the continued care of your dependents, including young children and older children or adults with special needs. In this case, your estate plan may include signing a Designation of Standby Guardian (think power of attorney for a minor child), seeking to appoint a guardian or conservator, and/or establishing a special needs trust.
• Power of attorney – A power of attorney gives another person the legal authority to make important medical and/or financial decisions if you become incapacitated and are no longer able to provide informed consent. Without these documents, these decisions could be made by a doctor or a court-appointed agent. We can help with your power of attorney documents to ensure that these important decisions are made by someone who will act in the best interest of you and your family, including signing a Designation of Standby Guardian (think power of attorney for a minor child) to protect your children if you become incapacitated.

What if I need more help?

We are committed to serving our clients throughout this pandemic and beyond. During your consultation call, we can discuss scheduling further video meetings with principal attorney Patricia E. Tichenor to ensure that you are satisfied with your updated estate plans and to provide additional guidance on any new issues you might be confronted with as they arise.

Visit our Calendly page to get started and schedule your free Zoom call.