Dear Clients and Friends:
I first wanted to extend our warm wishes of safety and health to you and your loved ones. Please see our posts on our website and Facebook for informational updates on developments as it relates to estates, estate planning and the courts.
Initially, please be assured we are continuing to serve our clients with estate and trust planning, elder law and probate legal services, despite the recent developments. Now more than ever we strive to provide our clients with peace of mind in uncertain times. Although we continue to serve current and new clients, we are cognizant that the situation is going to require changes in our normal practices for the health and safety of everyone. This is to provide some details on some of those changes.
Until it is safe to do so, there will be no more in-person meetings (other than signings discussed below). Those meetings will be replaced with either telephone conferences or Skype or Zoom meetings. To take advantage of Skype or Zoom, we will send you an invitation in advance of the meeting. Our office staff is available to help you by telephone to navigate the requirements for video conferencing.
Office conferences will be necessary for Trust and Will signings due to execution formalities and notary requirements. We are implementing new protocols for these meetings. Only essential parties should come to the meeting. Other non-essential people will either not come in or can wait in the car. We have a large conference room, so everyone will be able to keep a safe distance during the entirety of the meeting. We encourage clients to bring their own pens and to wash hands before the meeting. Obviously, anyone who is currently exhibiting cold or flu symptoms prior to the meeting should reschedule for a meeting at least 14 days later. In certain situations, a Notary Public may be able to go to your house to avoid you having to leave your home.
Regarding court matters, the courts are closed as of March 17th for all non-emergency applications. The duration of this closure is unknown at present. We will be able to prepare files in anticipation for filing once the court’s re-open. Certain cases are exempt from the closure including certain guardianship and emergency applications.
If you have any questions about how these protocols affect your particular situation, feel free to contact the office. Rest assure we will do our best to formulate a solution that meets your needs and is safe for everyone.
Very truly yours,
James G. Yastion, Esq.