Resources
Estate Planning Weekly COVID-19 Update – 05.19.20
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.
Dear Clients and Friends:
While many of us are working remotely at present, we are also collaborating to implement creative and resourceful solutions to meet the needs of our clients in this uniquely challenging time.
We are doing planning consultations, document signings, care coordination, drafting of documents, and all related work—in sum, all the types of work we usually do. We have generally moved most meetings to either Zoom video conference or audio conference calls. In person document signings at our office are generally being done abiding carefully by social distancing protocols. Moreover, the governors of Tennessee and Georgia have signed executive orders which enable “virtual document signings” for a limited period of time.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist you with your elder law, special needs planning, or estate planning needs.
— Dana, Greg, and your Chambliss team
Featured Article
What Do Cheer Tryouts and Remote Witnessing-Notarization Have in Common?
By: David Hunter
Sarah Hunter cheering for the Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers
Whether practicing her cheers on our backyard tumble track or with her competitive cheer team at Integrity Elite All Stars (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic), lifting our spirits at football and basketball games with the Boyd-Buchanan School cheerleading squad, or watching cheer competitions on Flo TV – my daughter, Sarah, is an aficionado of all things cheerleading.
This week Sarah has been focused on tryouts for the Boyd-Buchanan School 2020-2021 Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Although Sarah and her friends normally would experience the joys and disappointments of cheer tryouts together at school, this week’s tryouts took place via video submission.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused all of us to live our lives in ways never before contemplated. In the not-too-distant past, I would meet face-to-face with clients to explain and execute estate planning documents. Instead of those face-to-face meetings I used to enjoy, I have had to adapt my practice by sharpening my teleconferencing and videoconferencing skills.
On May 12, 2020, Gov. Bill Lee issued Executive Order No. 37, which extends the temporary suspension of the requirement for “in person” witnessing and notarization of certain documents including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and deeds, previously provided under Executive Order No. 26, which we discussed here. Executive Order No. 37 permits remote witnessing and notarizing in Tennessee through June 29, 2020. Our prior update discusses the procedures which must be followed when witnessing and notarizing documents remotely…
COVID-19 Resources
Pandemic Relief: Retirement Account Owners Do Not Have to Take Required Distributions in 2020
Retirement account owners, many of whose retirement balances have been pummeled by a stock market drop due to the coronavirus pandemic, do not have to take mandatory withdrawals this year.
Also Check Out…
CDC and Alzheimer’s Association Livecast Series on COVID-19 and Dementia
COVID-19 and dementia present unique considerations for public health professionals in a variety of different settings. The livecast series focuses on three settings: Homes and Community-Based Settings, Emergency Departments and Hospitals, and Long-term Care Facilities. Click here for Tips for Public Health Community from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Advance Directives for Health Care – Make Your Wishes Known
People have a right to make their own health care decisions. Advance Directives for Health Care (ADHC) can help people communicate their treatment choices if there comes a time when they can’t tell what they want.
He’s a Doctor, a Heart Disease Survivor – and a COVID-19 Patient
“Putting a face on this illness and sharing my experiences gives people a greater sense of knowledge and maybe less fear,” he said. “I don’t want anyone overwhelmed by the unknown.” Read this remarkable story by the American Heart Association.
Retirees, Isolated by Virus, Become DJs for New Radio Hour
The 60-minute show began airing last month, starting with quarantined retirees in middle Tennessee. It has since taken off, as much of the production side as among listeners, with seniors in assisted-living facilities in Georgia, Alabama, and others jumping at the chance to be a DJ after being secluded because of strict social distancing rules. Read this inspiring U.S. News article.
Top 15 Sources of Plant-Based Protein
As meat packaging plants are adjusting with the impact of COVID-19 and many grocery stores are limiting certain purchases, here are some plant-based protein options to consider from Medical News Today.
- Tofu, tempeh, and edamame
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Spirulina
- Quinoa
Click here for the full list and details.
Coping With COVID-19
How Danielle Copes with COVID-19
Danielle works in the office at Liberty Tower on a Saturday, as our firm promotes many forms of social distancing.
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.
