By now, we are all going a little stir crazy with our social distancing and self-quarantines, but we know it is for good reason. We want to protect ourselves, our families and our communities

We want you to know that here at the Ergood Law Office, we are handling this event with care. But rather than staying focused on the negative, I want to help give you some tools to empower you and your family. One thing that will allow you to rest easier during this time is to make sure you and your loved ones have your estate planning in place. That way, if needed someone can step in and make decisions to keep your family healthy and functioning.

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 and Health Care Power of Attorney. This important part of your estate plan allows someone you have chosen to make medical decisions for you, if you were unable to make them for yourself. It also gives you the opportunity to convey your thoughts and wishes to this person regarding end of life treatment and any restrictions you may have regarding your care.
  • An executed HIPAA power which authorizes those you designate to access your protected health information
  • Financial powers of attorneys, which will allow someone to handle your finances for you, like paying bills, and makes things as easy as possible for your family if you should become sick, and your family does not have to go to court to deal with your finances.

Something to keep in mind if you have children over the age of 18, that you no longer have the parental legal right to make decisions for them or access their health care and financial information. If they do not have the three basic estate planning documents in place; Health Care Power of Attorney, HIPAA, and a Property Power of Attorney in place, you may find yourself in a position, as a parent, where you are unable to make medical decisions, deal with their bills, or learn about their current health status. Now is the perfect time for your adult children to get this done.

OUR TEAM AND OUR CLIENTS

Life always has an interesting way in which it works, and we are always focused on changing, improving and adapting. This current state of affairs has created the opportunity for us to do just that. We are now offering consultations and review meetings by video conference for those who prefer to do so at home.

Estate planning documents need to be physically signed; we can make arrangements for you though to get these very important documents signed properly, even in this difficult time. New Jersey has just adopted a new virtual notary law. My office has also developed some creative plans on how to have you safely execute your documents so that they are witnessed and/or notarized, and we want to assure they are completely executed by you properly.

Sometimes in life a challenge creates an opportunity. If you have been procrastinating about addressing your estate planning needs, you have the opportunity to create peace of mind for you and your family during these difficult times, rather than dealing with the chaos of uncertainty of not knowing how your affairs will be handled.

We are fully prepared and committed to moving you forward towards your goals and help you have peace of mind that your affairs are in order.

Please give us a call to discuss addressing your estate planning concerns- We’ll do everything we can to help.

Thank you for entrusting your lives and legacies to us, we are grateful to do life with all of you.

We will get through this together!

PLEASE MAKE NOTE….OUR NEW ADDRESS IS

5 CROOKED LANE, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08034

OUR TELEPHONE AND FAX #’S WILL REMAIN THE SAME.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN OUR NEW OFFICE!

Sincerely,

Laura L. Ergood, Esq.

The Team at Ergood Law, LLC