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In a recent interview, Fred Haiman, attorney and founding partner at Haiman Hogue, PLLC in Frisco, TX, revealed how people can go about getting their affairs in order during the coronavirus pandemic.For more information please visit https://www.haimanhogue.com
When asked for a comment, Haiman said, “The uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 health crisis has forced many Americans to question how they can get their estate plan in place should the worst happen to them. The upside here is that it’s never too late to start estate planning or to finalize a plan. It’s also never too late to get your current plan reviewed by an experienced estate planning attorney”
One little known aspect of estate planning, according to Haiman, is that most of it can be done remotely.
"A lot of people are surprised when they hear this – but the truth of the matter is that much of what goes into planning can be done through clear communication with a trusted lawyer. While we're taking a bit of a breather from the hustle and bustle of our lives, now is a great time to work on drafting, modifying, and finishing an estate plan," he commented.
Haiman was quick to add that most attorneys around the country have started working remotely using email, phone, and video conferencing.
Notarization is another aspect of estate planning that can be done remotely.
When asked to elaborate, Haiman said, “Online notarizations are allowed in the state of Texas with two-way video and audio conferencing, which is a great way to get a will or any other type of document notarized these days.”
“While a last will and testament doesn’t need to be notarized to be recognized as a legal document in Texas, we highly recommend that you do get it notarized. Once notarized, the will becomes ‘self-proving,’ which means that it’ll go through the probate process more quickly after you’ve passed on,” he added. “If you want to prevent probate altogether, putting together a living trust is an excellent option that can help keep the government and courts out of your lives.”
Some aspects of estate planning, such as signing certain documents, cannot be done remotely. However, Haiman mentioned that some lawyers are thinking outside the box to ensure that signings continue to take place during COVID-19.
When asked to elaborate, he said, "Typically speaking, signing documents necessitates that you meet in person at your lawyer's office. This is now out of the question in many areas around the US due to physical distancing measures put in place. Instead, attorneys are using alternative approaches such as drive-up signings or holding the signing at your house to reduce exposure and ease the estate planning process during this time."
“There are also other types of signings that don’t require the physical presence of a lawyer and could be completed with witnesses of your choice. These could be close friends or neighbors who you also know are social distancing. All this is to say that there are options available to you during this unprecedented time,” he said.
According to Haiman, the best thing to do is to contact a qualified estate planning attorney to understand how to move forward in the estate planning process during COVID-19.
Source: http://RecommendedExperts.biz
Contact Info:
Name: Fred Haiman
Email: Send Email
Organization: Haiman Hogue, PLLC
Address: 2595 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 100, Frisco, Texas 75034
Phone: 469- 893-5337
Website: https://www.haimanhogue.com
Source URL: http://RecommendedExperts.biz
Release ID: 88954706
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