Resources
Estate Planning Weekly COVID-19 Update – 03.24.20
This weekly COVID-19 update is brought to you by our Chambliss Estate Planning team. We are sharing articles, legal developments, external resources, and tips for coping during these uncertain times. Each weekly issue will cover various trends of vital interest in the world of estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning. To be added to our email list, please subscribe.
Featured Article
“Failing to Prepare Is Preparing to Fail”
By: Amy Boulware
At 5:30 a.m. my phone started ringing. I am an early riser, but I have to say that I almost never get calls that early in the morning. In fact, that is my quiet time when I drink my coffee, think about my day ahead, and reflect on the things for which I am thankful. When the phone rang, I knew instantly that something had to be wrong; I just didn’t know what. The calls were from friends and family who had already heard the news about the terrible tornado that hit Nashville. Our oldest daughter moved to Nashville last summer and the calls were to check to make sure she was alright. I didn’t know whether she was safe or not. I had not turned on the TV or radio that morning, so I had no idea what they were even talking about. My heart started beating fast, fear entered my heart, and in that moment I didn’t know whether my daughter was OK. It took a few minutes to get ahold of her, but thank goodness the area of town she lives in had not been hit. Other families who received similar phone calls were not as lucky…
COVID-19 Resources
Both IRS Tax-Filing and Tax-Payment Due Dates for 2019 Tax Year Extended to July 15, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has stated that all taxpayers and businesses will have until July 15, 2020, to file and make tax payments for tax year 2019 without interest or penalties…
The Details Employers Need to Know About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The newly enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act fundamentally amends the Family and Medical Leave Act and also enacts the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. The basic result of these two new laws is to provide employees with paid leave for purposes related to the COVID-19 pandemic…
Also Check Out…
FEMA: Coronavirus Rumor Control
The purpose of this FEMA page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
View the latest from the Tennessee Department of Health regarding confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state and more.
Update from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Offices are closed to the public as of March 19. Click here to view the official announcement and details.
CMS Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance on how nursing facilities and government surveyors should respond to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This guidance addresses visitation, admissions, inspections, and other issues. Click here to view the recap from Justice in Aging.
Cybercriminals Targeting Retirement Accounts
Click here to view the training video by ImageQuest.
Coping With COVID-19
A Zen Monk’s Daily Routine
This is the ideal of the daily life of a Buddhist monastic, as described by Thich Nhat Hanh.
- Guard the morning (and start it gently). Train yourself to begin the day with a few gentle breaths and a smile, *before* even getting out of bed (or checking the phone). Make the vow to live every hour of the day deeply, with compassion.
- Savor your tea or coffee, slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the earth revolves. Follow your breathing, relax the body, look out the window, listen to your heartbeat (this is nothing less than meditation).
- Enjoy every step of breakfast-making. Life is made of small moments. There is nowhere to hurry to, nothing to get done. This is it! Enjoy the presence of your loved ones, and the wonder of having enough to eat.
- When you’re ready to work, work. Free yourself from distractions, and cultivate one-pointed mind. But don’t forget to take care of your body while at the computer! Set a bell to sound so you can stretch every 30 minutes or so.
- Take time to walk in mindfulness. If you can go outside and get in touch with nature, wonderful. If you’re indoors, no problem: you can practice slow walking meditation, a powerful way to release tension and anxiety.
- Take a nap after lunch for 20 minutes, or practice deep relaxation (body scan) while lying down. Even just 10 or 15 minutes of releasing tension can set you free and refresh you before you keep working.
- Nourish yourself. Nothing can survive without food. Fear, anxiety and despair may be “fed” by what we read, see and hear. Likewise, our compassion, trust and gratitude can be fed by choosing inspiring books, music, audio & conversations.
- Sweat every day. In our practice centers the monastics do physical exercise or sport every day. It’s essential to circulate our energy, stay healthy, and release tension and feelings that are stored in every cell of our body.
- Reach out to loved ones. Let them know you are there for them. Ask what their deepest hopes and fears are. Write them a love letter. Forgive those who need forgiving. Do not miss this stark opportunity to heal wounded relationships.
Source: Jesse Kornbluth
Free Version of “TIME for Kids”
Time Inc.says that for the first time, it will provide parents at home with a free version of “TIME for Kids,” its 25-year-old school-based publication. The package includes the entire TIME for Kids digital library.
Source: Mike Allen and Axios website
Our Chambliss team continues to monitor legal developments in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact Jim Catanzaro, Justin Furrow, or your relationship attorney if you have questions or need additional information.
