Many of us are not quite as busy right now with daily routines and tasks as we were before the Coronavirus outbreak. Maybe this extra time has given you some space to think about some things you need to do but have been putting off. Maybe, given the current global health crisis, creating an estate plan is something that’s been on your mind. This is a great time to create an estate plan and we can help. Over the last several weeks we have been helping busy professionals who are not quite so busy at the moment put together an estate plan.
For most of our clients a good estate plan consists of three important documents: an Advance Directive for Health Care, a Durable Power of Attorney, and a Will. The Advance Directive for Health Care enables you too choose the person you want to make health care decisions for you while you are living but unable to communicate. It also enables you to express your personal preference about other, more specific, care issues. The Durable Power of Attorney is the document that enables you to choose the person you want to make financial decisions for you if you are unable. This document also allows you to provide instructions and limitations on how those decisions are made.
Social distancing guidelines and shelter-in place directives have required us to change our usual procedures for helping clients. However, we can still help you, safely and responsibly, create an estate plan now. We can handle client meetings and document reviews by phone or video. You can sign your documents with a “drive-up” signing. This means you come to our office to sign your documents but you stay in your car the entire time. Staff members will watch you sign and witness your documents but will do so at a safe physical distance from you and each other.
On Thursday, April 9th, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed an Executive Order regarding Remote Notarization and Witnessing documents. This Executive Order authorized remote witnessing and notarizing documents in certain limited situations. We are currently reviewing the Order and participating in discussions with other Georgia attorneys about best practices to help our clients during the Coronavirus outbreak.
If you need to create an estate plan we can help. Call us at 770-854-0688.
