Estate Planning During Coronavirus
One cannot help but be mindful of important end-of-life decisions during this difficult time in our nation. Everywhere one looks, there is apprehension and concern related to the ongoing pandemic. In these trying times, it is natural to contemplate difficult topics such as who will look after our well-being or who will manage our estates should the need arise.
In Michigan, until last week, social distancing rules made answering those questions, and more importantly, executing proper estate planning documents to effectuate our plans, difficult if not entirely impossible.
However, with the issuance of Executive Order 2020-41 on April 8, 2020, Michigan has enacted rules that will facilitate the creation and execution of those crucial legal documents and estate plans. The executive order allows Michigan attorneys, such as the attorneys at Foster Swift Collins and Smith PC, the ability to execute important estate planning documents to give you the peace of mind that your affairs are in order.
The implementation of the Executive Order means that important documents such as Healthcare Power of Attorney, Financial Power of Attorney, Last Will and Testaments, can now be executed remotely and/or electronically. Additionally, important updates to existing documents can be executed. However, while the executive order does relax rules, there are still strict guidelines to adhere to in order to ensure that the documents are properly executed.
This article is meant for general information purposes only and is NOT LEGAL ADVICE. If you have questions about how this article may apply to you or if you or your loved ones are interested in possibly executing important legal documents, please contact a Foster Swift attorney.
Categories: Elder Law, Estate Planning
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Survivor's Checklist:
Due to the shock of the death of a spouse or a loved one, the steps of what needs to be done first can be an overwhelming process for the survivor(s). To aid in the breakdown and to act as a tool amidst the emotional days ahead, estate planning Jonathan "Jay" David has assembled a "Survivor's Checklist" of some of the important things that need to be addressed when a spouse or loved one dies.
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024):
Below is a comprehensive guide of resources for older adults living alone, empowering them to thrive independently and access essential services. This guide was created and provided with permission by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).
Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2024) (ncoa.org)
Elder Organizer Tool:
Foster Swift has created a free ‘Elder Organizer’ digital notebook to provide seniors and their caretakers with a toolkit that helps organize doctors’ appointments, medications, and more that can be shared online. The tools below are also available on the Elder Law Resources page.
*For those trying to access these links by smartphone, it is best practice to copy/open the link in a separate tab and download the free Google Sheets app from Google Play or the Apple Store.
COVID-19 Checklist:
For adult children responsible for their elderly parents and other senior caretakers concerned about protecting loved ones as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, below is a free downloadable checklist of steps to follow to prepare for any possible COVID-19-related illnesses among the most-vulnerable.
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E-book Covers Estate Planning Essentials
Engaging in estate planning, while essential, is often emotional and generates many questions. How do I protect my spouse and my children if something happens to me? What happens if I become disabled before I pass on? Who will take care of my pet after I'm gone? How do I pass my business on to my children? These questions and more are addressed in Jonathan David’s recently updated e-book, “Estate Planning: You Have to Start in Order to Finish.”
Need Help Planning?
For more tools, visit our Elder Law Resource page for additional content. Click here to view/download the Foster Swift estate planning brochure to see what our experienced team of attorneys can do for you.