Downs Law Firm Laurel, MD

Coronavirus Challenges

business succession planning
The Coronavirus pandemic has caused necessary changes and adjustments to day-to-day life, and likewise to our business. We are open and are more available through on-line resources.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Mike Tyson – “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”.
We have all been effectively punched in the mouth, Right? We are on our feet and Open for Business, sort of.
To stay effective and operating, we have implemented several changes for the safety of our clients, staff, and attorneys. At the Downs Law Firm,  dramatic changes adjusting to the coronavirus outbreak. We have been challenged by day to day stunning revelations, from canceled school and sporting events, online classes,  worship services. Practices and procedures that yesterday might have seemed excessive are today’s non-optional requirements for your safety.

First, we are ready and able to have video conference meetings with you to create or update your planning. The technology we are using is the ZOOM and can be used easily on a tablet, desktop computer or smartphone. I appreciate that the adjustment to video conferences can be cumbersome at first. However, given current circumstances, with many doctors adopting the same guidelines, learning to have effective video conferences has become a life skill that we all need to master.

Second, until the spreading of disease is under control, we will not be having in-person meetings at our office except to sign documents that require a notary and witnesses. We can review your documents with you during a video conference.

Third, we are implementing changes to our document signing process to keep the face-to-face portions of our signing meetings to a minimum.

We are holding webinars and creating online resources to assist with estate planning during this crucial time. We now have webinars available to you on the events tab of our website: “What to Tell Your Executor”  and “The SECURE Act and Your IRA”.

Finally, most of our employees are working at home. We are implementing new ways to communicate with each other and you effectively.

Our mission as a firm has always been to assist you with making good sound plans during times of uncertainty. These modifications to our working systems are made so that we can practice what we preach: Plan for the most difficult of uncertain times.

We are here to assist to do the same, by creating, updating and revisiting your decisions as needed. We are thinking of you and your loved ones and want you to know that our support and assistance is only a phone call away. We are confident that the better angels of our nature will arise and we will get through this difficult time with resilience, optimism, good planning, and teamwork.

Thank you for entrusting us with that responsibility.

One Step You Should Take

If you have not done so already, scan your Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney, and forward them to your Healthcare Agents. Then call them, or better yet video conference them, to discuss what you want and don’t want. If you don’t have a scanner, email us with a request for your healthcare documents. If we have a scan available we will forward it to you.

 

Find Us Online

Building wealth is only part of the job. Protecting wealth for your loved ones and yourself is equally important. Through estate planning, business planning, and asset protection, our firm will help you protect everything you love — family, friends and favorite charities. For more information be sure to visit our web site where you will have access to our blog, events schedule, and a complimentary newsletter subscription!