Resources
Estate Planning Weekly COVID-19 Update – 07.22.20
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.
4th Annual Embrace Aging Forum – Spring 2021
Boomers Are Shaking up the World of Senior Living: the annual Embrace Aging Forum connects you to community resources and progressive perspectives on all areas of life, including housing and care, relationships, health and wellness, finances, and legal planning
To Our Past Attendees, Sponsors, and Vendors:
We appreciate your patience as we carefully monitor the evolving impact of COVID-19. In an effort to safeguard the health and wellness of our guests, sponsors, and community partners, our Embrace Aging Forum team has made the difficult decision to postpone our annual event until early next spring.
We sincerely thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you and our keynote speaker, Tembi Locke, to our unique event once it is safe to do so. Please continue to check our website and Facebook page for more information.
— Dana, Greg, and your Chambliss team
Featured Article
Looking Beyond the Surface: A Holistic Approach to Special Needs Planning
By: Amy Boulware
2020 will be a year we all remember. I don’t think many will argue about that statement. There are many obvious reasons for this, but at my house, there is one that may not be known to anyone except me. During the time of social distancing and spending more time at home, I decided to start a project that has been hanging over my head for years. I bet many of you have this same project looming – the photo album project.
My husband and I had our children in a time when you took lots of photos using film, had them printed at a photo store, and came home with them in a paper envelope to admire. Every picture in the roll was printed; we didn’t know how to edit or use filters. Some of the photos turned out great, while others were just awful. We have them all just the same.
In the beginning of parenthood, I was great at doing scrapbooks, curating every page. As time and our lives started to speed up, the care with which I handled these photos diminished. Instead of taking time to make beautiful scrapbooks, the photos just ended up in boxes, rarely looked at, but enjoyed when I did get a glimpse of them. My children are now 24 and 28, so you can imagine how many boxes we have. I have thought about tackling this project many times, only to be discouraged by the thought of having no idea how to organize them. I was overwhelmed by the task, so I never got very far. I admit, I started to go down that path again, but this time one thing was different.
While sitting on the floor looking at the piles of pictures and again feeling like I had no idea how to organize them, my husband came into the room and gave me a gift. He said, “Why don’t you just put them into the albums without thinking about the order? Complete one page at a time, and then each page will be a burst of memories that will make us smile. Memories come to us like that. They aren’t organized in neat little scrapbooks.” This was a revelation to me. Not worrying about organization gave me permission to look at each photo and sit in the memory the picture represented.
It was during one of those moments last week that I sat looking at a photo of my daughter and my niece. At first glance, anyone who saw this picture would automatically see the family resemblance in the huge smiles on their faces. They both looked happy and healthy. From the picture, you would never know that each has hidden disabilities that affect their daily lives. My daughter copes with the consequences of a traumatic brain injury, while my niece was born with a significant heart condition that has resulted in five surgeries and numerous procedures to help manage her symptoms…
COVID-19 Resources
Will Medicare Cover a Coronavirus Vaccine?
With the coronavirus pandemic responsible for more than 100,000 deaths and disrupting life across the U.S., the only way for the country to return to normal is an effective vaccine.
5 Ways Your Will Can Become Useless, Or Close to It
Is having an out-of-date will better than having no will at all? While wills do not have expiration dates, certain changes can render them useless.
Transferring Assets to Qualify for Medicaid
Transferring assets to qualify for Medicaid can make you ineligible for benefits for a period of time. Before making any transfers, you need to be aware of the consequences.
Also Check Out…
Be Kind to Those Who Cannot Wear a Mask
This Disability Issues Brief by the Southeast ADA Center and Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University talks about ADA and Face Mask Policies.
Social Security Administration Working to Meet Customers’ Needs During COVID-19
The Social Security Administration (SSA) remains committed to providing uninterrupted benefits and vital services the public relies on, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic. You can call, schedule an appointment, view online resources, and more. Click here to view a PDF with contact information.
First Coronavirus Vaccine Tested in Humans Shows Early Promises
The vaccine, developed by government scientists and Moderna, a biotech company, appeared safe and provoked an immune response in 45 people in a study. Learn more in this The New York Times article.
Are You Wearing Your Face Mask Effectively?
Even the cloth coverings touted as the best thing since social distancing have instructions. CNN laid them out, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Also, did you know certain stores are requiring face masks? This Wall Street Journal article talks about Walmart and Kroger’s mandate for all U.S. stores.
CDC Recommendations for Staying Safe at Beaches and Pools
Here are some tips for when you head to the water. Tips include social distancing in and out of the water, wearing a cloth face covering when not in the water, washing hands often, and avoiding sharing items if possible.
The COVID Recession Offers a Chance to Save Money
What about funneling your travel, clothing, and restaurant budgets right into your 401(k)? This Bloomberg Opinion article talks about how the pandemic could be a once in a lifetime break in your spending habits and a breakthrough for your saving habits.
Coping With COVID-19
100+ Fun Things to Do at Home Right Now, From Virtual Tours to Animals Cams and More
Travel and Leisure provided tons of fun things to do at home for the entire family during your coronavirus quarantine. Read the article for their at-home ideas including things like:
- Take a virtual trip
- Explore museums, art, theater, and culture
- Get “outside”
- What to eat and drink
- Things to do with your kids
- How to experience Disney
- Games to play
How Sally Copes with COVID-19
Sally Brewer, elder law paralegal, continues to partner with community resources in North Georgia for our clients’ guardianship needs.
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.
