![]() Health Care Directives generally require 2 witnesses. ![]() A Will, for example, generally requires the testator’s signature and two witnesses who sign in the presence of the testator. In Maryland, different estate planning documents require different levels of signing and attestation/certification requirements. Witnesses, Notaries, and Other Document Formalities To the extent the client has internet access, we can simultaneously review documents together in real time. The meetings – initial and follow-up– will be done remotely. Unlike before, however, we will need the client to return it to us prior to our initial meeting instead of bringing it to that meeting. The pre-meeting questionnaire can still be sent electronically or mailed to the client. Our goal is to duplicate the high degree of client contact but operating remotely. The attorney-client interaction continued through the drafting process and we usually oversaw the signing of the final documents. The primary reasons for this procedure was (i) so that we understood the client’s concerns and needs fully, (ii) so the client had an opportunity to hear from us various approaches to reaching their goals, and (iii) so that the estate plan that we created would work accomplish its intended purpose. If the new client was not able to come to our office because he or she was in a nursing home or assisted living facility, a lawyer would meet with the new client at the facility to discuss the issues. That meeting was in our office with two lawyers for one to one and a half hours. Our initial client conference was usually in person with only the client or clients present. Prior to our first meeting at our office, we generally would email or mail an initial questionnaire with the initial two pages designed to gauge the new client’s objectives. Our Pre-Coronavirus Procedureīefore the current health emergency, our standard procedure involved a high degree of client contact. Although similar techniques will come into use elsewhere, the methods and techniques discussed here are from a Maryland estates and trusts perspective and may or may not work in other jurisdictions. ![]() We have adopted new approaches to our estate planning services during the coronavirus health emergency. Regardless of your situation, however, there are still significant opportunities to implement effective planning under Maryland law. The “how” and the “what” will depend on the extent of your physical social isolation, the magnitude of the signing formalities required by the document, and your access to audio-visual technology. Effective Estate Planning Can Still Be ImplementedĪlthough we are working remotely, we continue to service existing and new clients, not just giving advice as to the various estate planning options, but we are also able to produce estate planning documents that can be put in place for you now and be effective under current Maryland law despite the restrictions on your freedom of movement and limited social interaction.ĭepending on your circumstances, how that estate planning is accomplished, and the nature of the documents used to effectuate the plan will vary. ![]() Even without this capability, you can accomplish your important estate planning goals while continuing to protect your health. In fact, you can create or revise a Will, a Revocable Trust, a Durable Power of Attorney or a health care directive without leaving your home as long as you have access to audio-video conferencing on a smart phone, tablet or home computer. Whether you are staying at home or otherwise limiting social interaction, you can still engage in meaningful estate planning. For the protection of our existing and new clients, as well as of our lawyers and staff, our physical office is closed to clients/prospective clients and we are working remotely. ![]() The Maryland estates and trusts law firm, Franke Beckett LLC, is no exception. Maryland Estate Planning Guide During the Coronavirus EpidemicĬOVID-19, the coronavirus, has disrupted all our lives, all over the country. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |