Resources
Estate Planning Weekly COVID-19 Update – 09.09.20
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.
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
Join Us on October 7 for an Estate Planning Webinar
Exploring Solutions to Address Potential Tax Law Changes
The November elections are just around the corner, and possible big changes in federal estate and gift tax exemptions and options continue to be on the horizon. In this timely webinar, Dana Perry and Greg Willett will discuss proposed changes to estate tax laws, planning steps to take prior to any change of law, as well as answer your questions. We’ll touch on a few potential solutions including the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT) and dynasty trusts.
Event Details
Date: October 7, 2020
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Registration is required for access to the virtual event on October 7, 2020.
Featured Article
How to Manage Downsizing and Decluttering
By: Rebecca Miller
During the pandemic, accomplishing everything from home has become the norm, and it sometimes seems that life outside the house has been canceled. All these months of being at home have given me a lot of opportunities to observe and evaluate my home environment, and I’ve decided I have too much stuff. In particular, I have too many things I don’t need or use.
Dösädning, aka Death Cleaning
Around middle age, some Swedish people follow a cultural tradition called dösädning, or “death cleaning.” They start downsizing their belongings and giving them to family and friends so that their relatives will not be left with the burden of sorting out their personal items when they die. This idea really appeals to me. I already realize that I need to pare down my possessions, and I hate the thought of leaving that chore to someone else. By doing this, I can decide who should have certain possessions and see them enjoyed, while also having a less cluttered home.
Right now I feel overwhelmed by my possessions and want to take action. I feel the need to do a dösädning to simplify, control my chaos, and promote peace in my home. Others may need to downsize or clear an entire house for a whole host of reasons, like a divorce, an empty nest, a move to assisted living, or a death.
Game Plan for Dealing With Your “Stuff”
Dealing with the “stuff” in your house or someone else’s may seem like a daunting task and can also be emotionally difficult. We all need a game plan! Whether you’re decluttering and organizing your own home, downsizing, or clearing a loved one’s home after death, these tips can help you tackle that (seemingly overwhelming) task. If you are cleaning out the home of a deceased loved one, you should look at the deceased’s will or identify the heirs if there is no will. It may be a good idea to get advice from a lawyer about how to handle the property.
Click Read More to see the 7 steps for decluttering/downsizing a home.
Estate Planning Resources
Can You Transfer Your Medicare and Medicaid Plans When You Move to Another State?
If you plan to move states, can you take your Medicare or Medicaid plans with you? The answer depends on whether you have original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid…
New Online Calculator Helps Parents Gauge How Much to Leave for a Child with Special Needs
Among the challenges of raising a child with special needs is figuring out how to provide for that child once you’re gone. If the child will never be able to earn a living, how can you determine how much of your own money to set aside for her care and support, and for the rest of her life…
Also Check Out…
Mayor Coppinger Extends Hamilton County Mask Mandate as Coronavirus Continues to Spread
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger renewed a countywide mask mandate on Thursday through October 8, backed by members of the local medical and business community. The mandate, initially put into place in July, was set to expire on September 8, but was extended by 30 days in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Click here to read more.
With Adult Children Home, Now’s the Time: Talk About Your Money
Riding out the pandemic with family presents the perfect chance to lay it all out: priorities, account balances, end-of-life directives. Click here to read more.
CDC Issues Sweeping Temporary Halt on Evictions Nationwide Amid Pandemic
The new eviction ban is being enacted through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal is to stem the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, which the agency says in its order “presents a historic threat to public health.” Read more on NPR.org, or check out our real estate client update on chamblisslaw.com.
Inexpensive Steroids Reduce Deaths of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients, WHO Analysis Confirms
The use of inexpensive, readily available steroid drugs to treat people hospitalized with COVID-19 reduced the risk of death by one-third, according to an analysis encompassing seven different clinical trials conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Corticosteroids are the first, and so far only, therapy shown to improve the odds of survival for critically ill patients with COVID-19. Click here to read more.
FEMA to Stop Paying for Certain PPE for Schools and Elections Agencies
Much of the basic emergency supplies that schools, elections agencies, and other local offices need for COVID prevention will no longer be covered by FEMA under a new policy announced Tuesday. The interim policy, which goes into effect September 15, follows what local officials from around the country have said they were told in recent calls with FEMA: that many of the masks, respirators, and sanitizing supplies will only be covered for reimbursement when used specifically for emergency response. Click here to read more..
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and His Family Recover from the Coronavirus
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed Wednesday that he, his wife, and two of his daughters tested positive for COVID-19 but are no longer contagious and are “stronger and healthier” now. The actor filmed a message for his fans on Instagram, updating them on their conditions and warning people to be disciplined about wearing masks and practicing social distancing with everyone, including close friends and family. Click here to read more.
Coping With COVID-19
Listening to Global Woodland Sounds Is Now a Click Away
If you are looking for a way to experience nature, a group in the United Kingdom has collected woodland sounds from around the world into one unique map.
Wild Rumpus, a group that produces outdoor arts events, organizes a three-day festival in central England every July. It’s a celebration of human connection to trees through music, art, and other creative ideas.
Since organizers canceled the festival due to the coronavirus, they came together to think of a unique way to celebrate nature.
Explore #SoundsOfTheForest, listen to the clips, and be transported to forests and woodlands all across the globe. The map will continue to grow.
Source: CNN
Just in Time! DOL Answers School Leave Questions
The Department of Labor once again updated its frequently asked questions concerning leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This time, the updates answer the burning questions that parents (and their employers) have concerning hybrid school attendance, remote learning, and an employee’s eligibility to take paid leave under the FFCRA…
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.
