By Alison Arden Besunder, Partner, Goetz Fitzpatrick LLP
I want you to know that we are handling this event with the utmost attention and care. Adding to the surreality of the situation is the fact that estate planning is, at its core, an exercise in advance crisis management. Guided by that core value, rather than focus on the negative, I want to offer some tools to empower you. A measure of control at a time when things seem so out of control. So you can get *ahead* of this challenging situation and handle it all with relative ease, grace, and acceptance, instead of panic.
I believe that problems create opportunities. I also believe that this potential problem may create the opportunity to encourage those of you who have been procrastinating to finally get your planning in place. If you’re feeling anxious about the news, then be proactive and make sure you have an up-to-date, comprehensive estate plan that includes detailed health care directives, financial powers of attorney, and makes things as easy as possible for your family if you should become sick.
If you have college-age children, remember that once they turn 18, you no longer have the parental right to make decisions for them or access their health care and financial information. If your adult children don’t yet have health care directives and powers of attorney in place, now is the perfect time to help them get this planning done. Please call us to discuss how to get started.
In the meantime, it bears repeating the recommendations to prevent infection: wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds (not 19. Not 10. 20). (Here are some songs you can sing while you scrub). For lawyers – recite the Rule Against Perpetuities! Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing—with the crook of your elbow and not your hand— and avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness. In other words, pretty standard stuff.
Here are some less standard things we would ask you to add to your list:
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Please keep in mind that with schools closed, there are a good number of children and older adults who need access to regular, nutritious meals. Please consider increasing or beginning donations to local food pantries.
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Our office remains operational through a mix of remote working and office shifts. Please remember that though we have taken measures to work remotely where needed, many people will still need to go to their jobs in order to pay their bills and may not have adequate childcare while their kids aren’t in school. If you’re in a position to safely help those needing childcare, please do so.
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Check in on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly, and make sure they have enough food, medications, and supplies.
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Small business and (especially) restaurants are now feeling the impact, and soon many won’t be able to support their families. Whenever possible, shop local. Order takeout from your favorite restaurant or stop by your favorite place and buy a gift certificate for future use when things settle down.
What We’re Doing to Protect Our Team and Clients
As is always the case, there is nothing more certain in life than change. That’s why at Goetz Fitzpatrick we’ve always focused on changing, improving, and adapting.
We are prepared to do our work remotely. We can make arrangements for you to sign your documents hand have the notarized via videoconference due to a temporary executive order issued by Governor Cuomo on March 19.
We have adopted a ‘no hand-shaking’ policy. We are cleaning and disinfecting each evening. Upon arriving at the office, each team member is washing his or her hands and disinfecting his or her workstation. All common areas, break rooms, light switches, door handles, etc., are being disinfected each morning and during the day. Client meeting rooms are being disinfected in between each meeting.
Any member of our team who isn’t feeling well is asked to stay home. We can’t do our best work for our clients unless we keep ourselves, each other, and our clients healthy.
We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation very closely, with the safety of our clients and our team as our top priority. We are fully prepared and committed to moving you forward towards your goals and helping you have peace of mind that your affairs are in order.
If you need assistance with something, please call us at (212) 695-8100 or direct dial to Barbara Venegas (212) 584-1139. We’ll do everything we can to help.
We will get through this together, even stronger than before.