We Are Here For You! In the wake of current healthcare events we are here for you. We have had an increase in requests for wills and estate planning documents. We have and will continue to have extended hours on nights and weekends to serve our clients. Let us know if we can be of service to you and your family. Call 704-749-9244 or online at mcelderlaw.com.
So, I don’t know if you’ve seen the news lately. If you haven’t, allow me to save you some time flipping through channels by telling you that our economy has had better days. The recent outbreak/pandemic of COVID-19 has caused quite a bit of economic turmoil that may extend beyond the pandemic itself. The question for many people, including our clients is: how can we best survive this crisis?
Don’t Pull Out
Many folks react to an economic downturn by pulling their money out of their accounts that may be subject to risk as the economy falls. This is a valid reaction and quite understandable. However, this is ultimately a bad choice on a micro and macro level.
On a macro level, if everyone pulls their money out of the market, then the economy will grind to a screeching halt. The economy functions based on the flow of money running through it. If we take all of the money out, then the economy cannot function. This is what happened in the Great Depression. People pulled their money out of banks and stashed them in their mattresses. It wasn’t until President Roosevelt, in one of his fireside chats, encouraged citizens to deposit their cash back into the banks, that the economy began to slowly recover.
On a micro level, if the individual pulls their money out of the market then they lose the chance to either recover what they’ve lost or to take advantage of deals. Now, this does not mean that you should just keep your money where it is, just don’t pull out of the market. In other words, it is perfectly advisable to restructure your portfolio to both protect your downside and take advantage of deals.
Speaking of deals, your money has more buying power in a down market. As the old saying goes, “when there’s blood in the street, it’s time to buy.” Many people get excited at the prospect of a down economy. Good stocks that were, in the past, too expensive to buy are now available at a lower price. It’s important to keep this in mind when evaluating your crisis investment strategy.
Ultimately, it’s important to keep your money in the market. Restructure to best protect yourself and earn more. But, don’t pull out.
Keep Planning
Economic instability means uncertainty. Uncertainty is something that is extremely hard to cope with. In fact, the only way to manage uncertainty is to plan. Planning mitigates uncertainty by helping you gain control over the things within your power. It also helps you to gain some peace of mind, something that cannot be understated. Positivity and security in a time of crisis is not only empowering but necessary to make solid and productive choices.
So, how should you plan? Step one is to meet with professionals and get a game plan in order. This means you should be talking to your financial planner and your attorney. Your financial planner is going to help you make the best decisions with regard to your retirement accounts and investment accounts in light of the economic downturn.
Your attorney is going to help you protect yourself, your family, and your assets by ensuring that your estate plan is solid.
Bulletproofing your Estate Plan
Estate planning is not a one and done deal. It is an ever-evolving strategic blueprint for your future. When things happen that change the way your future may look, it’s important to adjust the blueprint. Economic strive is a pretty good example of a change to one’s future. However, it would be nice to have an estate plan that can withstand a tumultuous future. We call this a bulletproof estate plan.
So, how do you make sure your estate plan is not just solid but bullet proof? First you need to make sure you lay a solid foundation with your foundational documents. Your foundational documents are your General Durable Power of Attorney, your Healthcare Power of Attorney, your Living Will, and your Last Will and Testament. These documents are essential to any estate plan. However, just having these documents in place does not mean you’re bulletproof. These documents in of themselves need to be bulletproof.
In other words, these documents need to be specific, they need to include the proper terms and powers, and, most importantly, they need to anticipate possible future contingencies—like an economic downturn.
The second and last step is further planning. Once you’ve laid your foundation, it is important to ensure that you have a plan in place to use the tools i.e. the foundational documents, you have at your disposal. Maybe that includes more tools to protect assets like trusts or a Ladybird Deed. Maybe it includes making sure you have the ability to pay for long-term care. Either way, further planning is essential to ensure that your estate plan can withstand anything the future throws at you.
Conclusion
Economic downturn does not have to mean you lose everything. With a solid plan in place, you can weather any storm. Ask us how you can ensure that your estate plan is bullet proof. Call us at (704) 249-7040 or visit us on the web at www.mcelderlaw.com.
Regards,
Brenton S. Begley
Elder Law Attorney
McIntyre Elder Law
“We help seniors maintain their lifestyle and preserve their legacies.”
Phone: 704-259-7040
Fax: 866-908-1278PO Box 165
Shelby, NC 28151-0165
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FIRM:
As we near what seems to be the peak of the outbreak in this country, there’s a few things to keep in mind. This virus affects the most vulnerable people in our nation. The infirm, those without access to medical care/ supplies, and the elderly. We want to remind everyone that while it is important to take care of your family, it is likewise important to take care of your neighbor. You can help by making sure those who are most vulnerable in your community have access to the essentials.
Fear and panic has stunned this great nation for the last couple of weeks. But we have always persevered. We will likewise make it through this outbreak. What we ultimately need is to not literally but proverbially pull together as a community and take the proper precaution to not only stop the spread of the virus but to also prevent hardship from befalling those who may be susceptible to it.
If you have a loved one who may fall within this vulnerable person category, please make sure they are safe and adequately prepared.
We at McIntyre Elder law are here for you. If you need help call 704-749-9244 or visit us online at: mcelderlaw.com.
Elder Law Attorney Greg McIntyre puts on a FULL FREE LIVE SEMINAR entitled “Plan While You Can”. In these uncertain times it is important to ensure your estate plan can withstand any emergency. You need to know your rights and know the pitfalls. Enjoy! For any questions or to schedule a consultation call: 704-749-9244. Thank You and Happy Planning!
Book Your Appointment Today!
Greg McIntyre Elder Law Attorney
written by:
Greg McIntyre
Elder Law Attorney
704-749-9244
greg@mcelderlaw.com
SPECIAL!!! Elder Law Report: Coronavirus. Greg & Hayden hash out the issues of the day with this State of Emergency. Hayden has some tips for seniors to stay safe and they discuss estate plans and quarantines. Learn more: 704-749-9244 or online at mcelderlaw.com.
In a world of chaos and corona virus and the 24 hour news cycle we are on a Merry-Go-Round of fear and anxiety. When we stay that way we are being controlled. How do we take control and not be controlled? How do we find peace of mind in trying times? Pause, get off the merry-go-round, look around you. What do you have to be thankful for? Start by taking inventory, setting goals and making a plan. Important information out out on this Today Show appearance. Learn more: 704-749-9244 or online at mcelderlaw.com.
Speaker 1:
You know, so a lot of people are a bit anxious these days, whether it’s news about the Coronavirus or the economy. We worry about things that we don’t have control over.
Speaker 2:
That’s why our next guest says you should take control of the things that you can, like estate planning. Welcome Greg McIntyre with McIntyre Elder Law. Hello and welcome to the show. How are you doing, sir?
Greg McIntyre:
I’m doing great.
Speaker 2:
Good.
Greg McIntyre:
Thank you for having me. Thank you very much for having me.
Speaker 1:
We’re going to talk about a couple of things.
Greg McIntyre:
Sure.
Speaker 1:
Let’s start with this though, Greg. You know, one way people can take control of their future is with an estate plan. How do we get started with that?
Greg McIntyre:
Sure. I just find when there’s anxiety out there or things are out of control, I want to find something that I can understand and control and one thing that we help with is estate planning and elder law. So getting that estate plan in place, making sure we plan for the future, that no matter what happens, we have peace of mind. We know what’s going to happen with our family, with our assets, with our money, with our property. Could be assigning someone to take care of, in this current environment, healthcare.
Speaker 1:
Yeah.
Greg McIntyre:
You know, who do we want to appoint to make our important healthcare decisions. I’ve discussed before, I have six children. How long do you think that it would take them to reach a conclusion of what healthcare procedure I needed? I would be laying there just waiting, right, for them to make that decision.
Greg McIntyre:
They’d start fighting. They’d split off into groups. I want to appoint somebody. I want to be selfish and appoint somebody to make healthcare decisions for me. That’s really important in the current environment.
Speaker 2:
So why should people protect their estates?
Greg McIntyre:
Well, I think because they deserve it. I’ve worked really, really hard for what I’ve acquired so far. My family’s worked very hard to eke out a living, to buy a house, to get retirement and people deserve, the American people, the people in North Carolina, deserve to be able to preserve those assets and pass them onto their children, to their grandchildren, to help their families.
Speaker 1:
Just a moment ago before we came on the air with you, Greg, you were talking about how news of the Coronavirus has affected some of what you do, some of your work right now.
Greg McIntyre:
Oh, sure. I’m worried a little bit, but only because nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities and rightly so, have started locking down. They’ve started not letting people out and not letting residents out, not letting family members or professionals in.
Greg McIntyre:
So what if I am in a nursing home? What if I’m in a hospital and I’m perfectly competent and I want to put in place some powers of attorney. I want to appoint my wife to be able to go out there and handle my business for me or move some money over from an account that only I’m on, or real estate, something, do anything for us. Pay the bills, you know, whatever needs to be done.
Greg McIntyre:
But I can’t get my attorney in. I can’t get a notary to come in to actually physically look at my signature and notarize. There’s not an electronic option right now out there. So you know, how am I going to get it done? I think it restricts people from getting anything like that done if you get in that situation.
Greg McIntyre:
So I want to alert people to that and just say we’re here. We’re here. If you need help with estate planning, protecting assets, putting in place important people to make healthcare, financial decisions, protect, avoid probate with trust. We’re here. We’re here to help.
Speaker 1:
So what can people expect in a meeting with you and your firm?
Greg McIntyre:
Sure. You know, just like sitting down with a family at the kitchen table and solving problems, getting everything on the table, thinking about how to solve problems. We do the same thing at the conference table. We sit down, take inventory, help people set their goals and then use legal tools and experience to help them achieve those goals and accomplish those goals. So it’s pretty, it’s not, I don’t want to make it more complicated than it is. So, yeah.
Speaker 1:
Well, Greg wrote a book to help people with estate planning. The book is called Saving the Farm. Saving the Farm, a practical guide to the legal maze of aging in America. Very quickly Greg, how can viewers get a copy?
Greg McIntyre:
Go to mcelderlaw.com/savingthefarm. You’ll get that free ebook and audio book on how to protect your hard earned money and property. Also, it will sign you up for our eNewsletter, which will keep you up to date with current developments in estate planning and elder law.
Speaker 1:
If you want, you can also call the office at (704) 749-9244, (704) 749-9244. Greg, thank you so much for your time.
Book Your Appointment Today!
Greg McIntyre Elder Law Attorney
written by:
Greg McIntyre
Elder Law Attorney
704-749-9244
greg@mcelderlaw.com
In this State of Emergency it is important we focus on the ones we love and what we can control.
Lots of things are going on right now. The governor of North Carolina just announced that all public schools will be closing for two weeks. Also, all communal living healthcare facilities (nursing homes and assisted living facilities) have been closed to visitors which means family members, attorneys, notaries, and witnesses. What do we do and how do we deal with and cope with this situation? I am not one to sit back and simply do nothing. You shouldn’t either.
So, how do you take control? How do you get a sense of control and sanity In this surreal situation? This is literally like something out of a movie. Many of these decisions are above our pay-grade and totally out of our control so let’s focus on the things we can control. Let’s get off of the merry-go-round of 24 hours of bad news and reports and let’s focus on some things that makes sense to us. Take this time to spend some much needed time with your family. That is exactly what I’m going to do. Take this time to focus on love and happiness and leave behind the anxiety and depression being peddled on every television channel.
I have a confession to make. I slept late this morning. I was awakened by some of my children who were playing. My wife and I got up, fixed breakfast and the entire family sat and stood around the bar in the kitchen, ate and laughed and talked. What a great and amazing thing love and family are. It was the perfect start to a Saturday morning. I wish every day could start that relaxed with good food family and love. I don’t know if I will contract the coronavirus. I don’t know what the future holds. I may have a heart attack or get hit by car tomorrow. But, it is important for me to be prepared. Last summer my wife demanded that we revise our family’s estate plan. Brenton Begley, another attorney in our firm, did a great job sitting down and listening to our concerns, helping us take inventory of what we have and the loved ones in our lives, and presenting legal tools and options available to us to allow us to achieve our goals. We had a renewed sense of peace after our firm drafted and we signed our new estate plans.
Will our estate planning hold up today?
Right now if I did get the coronavirus and I was placed in quarantine my wife and children could still have peace of mind that I had given my wife the ability to operate all of our finances and real estate through a general durable power of attorney. At least in quarantine I would know that I had put in place a professional plan that allowed my family to continue and function on without me. If I did not already have that in place then there would be no way under the current state of emergency that my wife would be allowed in to see me. My attorney would not be allowed in to see me. My attorney could not bring witnesses or notaries in to see me. My ability to do any planning, appoint agents, or protect assets would be impossible. I want people to understand the current state of emergency and how it impacts them should, heaven forbid, they be quarantined.
Will YOUR estate planning hold up today?
We are certainly here to help you and your family during this trying time. Please let us know if you need anything. Call: 704–749-9244 or online at mcelderlaw.com.
Book Your Appointment Today!
Greg McIntyre Elder Law Attorney
written by:
Greg McIntyre
Elder Law Attorney
704-749-9244
greg@mcelderlaw.com
Here is my call for a change in the law: let’s make virtual signings a reality.
I have mentioned time and time again how our nation fails to keep up with the need of our aging population. One of the best innovations of the twenty first century is the ability to do most anything virtually. However, our government—state and federal—has been slow to integrate the virtual world into the law.
Case in point is document execution. As an estate planning and elder law attorney, much of what I do requires the proper execution of legal documents e.g. wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. These documents must be executed in a very particular and specific manner; otherwise, they are rendered invalid. Specifically, most of these documents need to be witnessed and all of them need to be notarized.
Here’s the kicker, the witnesses and notary must be present during the signing for the execution to be deemed proper under the law. Thus, neither the witnessing nor the notarization may be done virtually.
So, what if the principal (the person signing the documents) has an infectious disease or communicable sickness? We can’t expect witnesses or notaries to be willing to be present in the same room with an individual who may get them sick. If you want to avoid risk, you essentially need to let the documents go unexecuted. This should not be the case. Sick people have rights too.
Furthermore, what if the principal is bed bound? Maybe they’re in the hospital or in some type of long-term care facility. We routinely travel to these individuals to assist in the execution of the documents that we create. However, it could be done much faster and much more efficiently.
Virtual signings need to become a reality. Not only for the sake of the sick, but also because it’s practical. We have a slew of options that allow individuals to be virtually present at signings and experience the execution of the documents as if they were physically present. This would save money, time, travel, and just simply be more efficient. You would also have the opportunity to record the virtual signing, something that would curb quite a bit of litigation.
As a firm, McIntyre Elder Law stays on the cutting edge. We attempt to provide our clients with as many options as possible to make their estate planning process as simple and easy as possible. If you are concerned about communicable sickness or if you or your love one is unable to travel, we are more than happy to meet in person, over the phone, or virtually. Don’t let the lack of innovation in the law or fear of travel prevent you from protecting your assets and planning for the future. Give us a call (704) 259-7040 or visit our website at www.mcelderlaw.com.
Regards,
Brenton S. Begley
Elder Law Attorney
McIntyre Elder Law
“We help seniors maintain their lifestyle and preserve their legacies.”
Phone: 704-259-7040
Fax: 866-908-1278
PO Box 165
Shelby, NC 28151-0165
ALERT!!! Nursing Homes and Hospitals are starting to lock their doors! They are starting to confine people and deny access to family and professionals. What this means for your estate plan and options RIGHT NOW! Learn more: 704-749-9244 or online at mcelderlaw.com.
Hi, this is Greg McIntyre with McIntyre Elder Law, helping seniors protect their assets and legacies. And I have an alert for you. Hospitals, nursing homes are quarantining people. They’re locking people in and keeping family members out. Why should you be concerned about that or care? And I’m sure it’s for a great reason and it’s for this coronavirus so it doesn’t spread, and that’s certainly admirable, however, you need to know how that affects your rights. And here’s how it affects your rights. If you haven’t gotten in place estate planning documents, health care powers of attorneys, general durable powers of attorney so someone else can handle your healthcare and your financial affairs, you haven’t put in place wills or put in place trusts or other ways to avoid probate, that could be problematic because when you’re quarantined, how am I going to come in or how are you going to come to us? Or how is any estate planning attorney going to come in or Elder Law attorney? It’s going to cause a real problem and a bind where you’re really not able to exercise your rights to put in place estate plans and name agents, things like that.
And I don’t think right now in current law, we have the ability to deal with that. Some states have in place electronic notaries and witnesses. North Carolina does not. If we have to have a notary to sign, to witness a signature on a will, which requires two witnesses and a notary, or the general durable power of attorney, which requires a notary only, or a healthcare power of attorney, which requires two witnesses and a notary, or a trust that need to be notarized, they literally have to see that signature line of sight and be there and stamp it right then. That’s how the statute reads and that’s how through conversations with the NC secretary of state that I’ve had, that’s how they interpret it.
I think we need to step up. I think there’s a need out there to have electronic notaries, which some States allow, and witnesses to catch up with the times that allow for that to have a PDF document where you can electronically sign, the witnesses can sign, and a notary consigned. Even if we need to have some type of electronic window there so we can see through Skype or we can see through FaceTime or a Google hangout, so that notaries and witnesses can see. That’s fine for me if they see that signature that I don’t see a difference there in that. Hey, I can transfer every dollar that I had to you right now today without leaving my office, without leaving my home right on the computer. I can buy a car online, I can buy a house online, but I can’t have a notary see something, see me sign electronically and electronically notarize? I think that’s a failure. I think we need in an age of communicable diseases, 24 hour news cycles, I think we need to catch up electronically and be able to electronically sign documents.
So I’m letting you know the state of events right now. Right now that is not allowed. That means you would be literally prevented from putting in place estate planning documents if you don’t have them already. We’re here for you if you need the help. I’m Greg McIntyre of McIntyre Elder Law with this elder wall alert. My number is (704) 749-9244 or you can contact us online mcelderlaw.com. Sign up for our e-news letter, the Elder Law Report, where we’re going to keep giving you great information like this about estate planning and elder law. Thanks. Have a good day. Be safe.
Book Your Appointment Today!
Greg McIntyre Elder Law Attorney
written by:
Greg McIntyre
Elder Law Attorney
704-749-9244
greg@mcelderlaw.com
Brenton and Greg “DO NOT” want to talk about the Corona Virus or contribute to fears. In this episode of the Elder Law Report they take on this important topic in a practical way.
Greg:
Okay. So we’re recording. Hey Britton.
Britton:
Hey man, how are you doing?
Greg:
I’m good man. I’m good. I’m trying to figure out how we’re going to dive into our topic today. I’ve really been talking about, or thinking about, that I don’t want to profit off the coronavirus.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
I do not want to contribute to the mass hysteria and fear that is already out there about the coronavirus, or it’s politicization. My wife and I’ve really been talking about this back and forth for the last few days, or the last couple of weeks really. Her position, I just talked to her on the phone a little bit ago, is that, “Look, just let people know you’re there for them.”
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
I’m here for you.
Britton:
Yeah. I think that it’s easy for a lot of people, and they fall into that groove. A lot of businesses, even the news, to profit off of fear. Right?
Greg:
Right.
Britton:
I don’t like that business model because not only is it temporary, right, you get temporary benefit from it. But, the main thing is, it’s not a trusted way to go. Right? And really, we’re in a position where we want trust from our clients. That’s the biggest thing that we could give our client, is trusted relationship, and I don’t think you get that by scaring people.
Greg:
It’s hard to talk about because, I don’t want to belittle the fact that people have died from this thing.
Britton:
Right.
Greg:
And that is real.
Britton:
It is real.
Greg:
But I also want to look at it in perspective of heart disease, which is the number one killer in the US.
Britton:
Right.
Greg:
Or the flu.
Britton:
It’s like KFC, they just made a sandwich made out of two donuts and piece of fried chicken, and heart disease is killing way more people than any epidemic.
Greg:
Yeah, but you don’t see the news condemning and putting out a global warning about the donut fried chicken sandwich.
Britton:
Yeah. Or the bag of bacon you can get from Dunkin’ Donuts.
Greg:
How many people a year does heart disease kill?
Britton:
I don’t know. A lot of people.
Greg:
Anybody know?
Britton:
It’s like the number one killer. I think you already said that. But yeah, it’s huge.
Greg:
It’s the number one killer, so I just want to keep in perspective that this thing has… Certainly we have the power to not spread anything, but what are we going to do? Are we just going to stop all contact? I mean I feel like now we have the power to know what’s going on around the globe 24 hours a day. A lot of our clients are in an age bracket where they’re vulnerable to the flu.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
Which killed more people a year than coronavirus has, so far.
Britton:
Right.
Greg:
They’re vulnerable to perhaps this strain of the coronavirus. Which I understand is not, it’s just another strain of already flu and cold type viruses that are out there.
Britton:
Yeah. For respiratory infection.
Greg:
But also, I think have a tough attitude that I have lived through polio. My father-in-law said that to my wife. “I lived through Polio. We’ve been through wars. This is ridiculous and it’s nothing.” Right? That’s his attitude, right.
Britton:
I think the best thing to do is what we’ve already done, is take precautions. Make sure that individuals are informed about the importance of cleanliness. Make sure our offices are disinfected, are clean. Making sure employees obviously, are doing [inaudible 00:04:37] disinfected. Doing their part and making sure they wash their hands, that sort of thing. I think short of that-
Greg:
That’s what I tell my kids to do every day anyway.
Britton:
Yeah, exactly. I mean, that should be done anyway. It really should be.
Greg:
Yeah.
Britton:
I like to think that we do that already. I don’t think it’s an extra precaution to say, “Wash your hands when you go to the bathroom.” Right? It should be done already. I think that if you’re being cautious, that’s a good thing, right? It’s a good thing to be cautious to make sure that if you’re a vulnerable individual, that you don’t catch something that is unnecessary. Right? I mean, it could be prevented. However, at the same time, I think there’s something to be said about living your life and not living in fear.
Greg:
Guess how many people per year, heart disease kills, worldwide.
Britton:
I don’t know.
Greg:
17.6 million deaths in 2016, from heart disease globally.
Britton:
Wow.
Greg:
Those are huge numbers. Those are real numbers.
Britton:
Yep.
Greg:
I don’t see everybody jumping up and down about it. Trying to ruin the economy and everything else.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
I think that needs to be said. I mean how about use some common sense?
Britton:
Yeah. I mean, you don’t see Oreo cookie sales go down when people talk about heart disease.
Greg:
No. The stock market didn’t tank because 17.6 million people died of heart disease in 2016.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
I mean, I just want to keep it in perspective. Now I can’t catch heart disease on the bus, or in a plane, or on a cruise ship.
Britton:
Yeah. Well, probably on a cruise ship, they give you free meals. All you can eat.
Greg:
They’re going to give you all you can eat buffets. Right?
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
On a cruise ship. And the coronavirus.
Britton:
It doesn’t help.
Greg:
So.
Britton:
Stress. Man, stress is a big deal too. We’re talking about your diet, but stress is a big deal too. A lot of people stress out. A lot of people will stress out because of [inaudible 00:06:45] about the future. A lot of people stress out because you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. You don’t know what’s going to happen to your family if you’re not around to take care of them. That sort of thing.
Greg:
I mean, I don’t know. I could be taken out by stress-related heart attack, because I’m working so hard to provide for my wife and six kids and our clients, seriously.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
Tomorrow. It could just be my time. I could have some genetic disorder, a defect. I could get hit by a bus while I’m walking across the street in a second.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
Or I can catch the coronavirus at a weak moment in my immune system, or the flu, and that could adversely affect me. I could die. I could die from that. Right?
Britton:
It is certainly amazing. It’s amazing that we stay alive every day with all the things that could kill us. If you think about it.
Greg:
I can’t walk around in fear everyday, that I’m going to actually be a human being that might come in contact with some other human being.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
So, those are my thoughts. How about this? This thing has become political. It’s being kicked around like a little political football. And certainly, let’s not forget that news channels sell commercials-
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
… and need your eyes fixated on their news channel. But let’s also not underestimate this thing’s ability, because I’m not a doctor or infectious disease specialist. I am an attorney in estate planning, an elder law attorney. But if it takes the coronavirus to make you realize that you need to get your affairs in order and your estate plan, so be it. That’s what I’d say.
Britton:
It is.
Greg:
You should have realized that you need to get your affairs in order and your stuff together, so to speak, for yourself and your family, because 17.6 million people died globally of heart disease. Or because simply you’re a human being that’s walking around on planet earth and loves his or her family, and wants to take care of themselves and their family. Anything, I guess my point is, can make you realize that you need to get your affairs in order. It just seems like a really anxious, intense, crazy time out there that people might be [inaudible 00:09:11] and we’d be glad to help.
Britton:
Yeah, I think it’s a reality check for a lot of people. It’s unfortunate that it takes something like this to be a reality check. But, if that’s the thing, that’s what’s going to nudge you in the right direction, then by all means, allow it to. I think that in times like this, where you feel a sense of chaos, that’s really what it is, it’s a sense of chaos. What you want is, you want to look for, okay, well how do I get some measure of control in a chaotic time? I think that’s why people have that type of reality check, is that when you feel things becoming more and more uncertain, then you want to find some level of certainty, right? That’s normal, that’s common. If getting your affairs in order will give you some level of certainty, or some level of control, which it will, then by all means.
Greg:
When things are chaotic, find something that you can control.
Britton:
Right.
Greg:
Focus on the things that you can control. That’s a great point.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
Things are anxious and chaotic. How can I get some peace of mind? Well, I can control what happens if heaven forbid I pass away. I can control that. We can help you control that.
Britton:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
Greg:
That is peace of mind. I hate to tell everybody, and here’s the real news flash out there. We’re all in the same game on planet earth as human beings who are going to die one day.
Britton:
Yeah, right.
Greg:
Breaking news. So you better have your affairs in order, because it doesn’t matter how much you ignore it, it’s coming.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
It might be tomorrow, it might be today, it might be 10 years from now, it might be 50 years from now, depending on your age.
Britton:
If you’re not worried about it, if you don’t have affairs in order, you’re not worried about it, then I would just challenge you to imagine. Take yourself out of the equation, and see what happens to your family. What would happen to your family, Greg, if we just took you out of the equation right now.
Greg:
Oh man. That’s why I have insurance in place to help care for them, and to help pay for their colleges, and take care of Steff.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
Because, I love them. We have our estate plan put together that we did. Britton, you drafted that for us. Thank you.
Britton:
Yep.
Greg:
It gave myself and my wife enormous peace of mind, in the fact that if something happens to either one of us, even if we’re incompetent or incapacitated, that we have things in place. General durable power of attorney, financial powers of attorney, where she can still operate all the finances and property.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
I think it’s a great time to think about those things, as well as healthcare powers of attorney. A healthcare power of attorney can appoint someone to make your important healthcare decisions. It’s important to have someone you trust to be able to do that when you can’t do that yourself, and not let the kids argue over it. You need to be taken care of.
Greg:
Healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, those things are important. Especially those healthcare powers of attorneys right now. Then, putting in place the will and foundational documents. Do we need to look at trust? Those things, that’s getting your affairs in order.
Greg:
Britton, I don’t know if you’ve experienced this, but some people I go into a consult with, you can see the worry on their face. They’re wrecked. Not just because they’re meeting with me and it’s an attorney, it’s intimidating or something. But because they’ve been staying up nights worried about what’s going to happen, or they might be going through something.
Britton:
Yeah.
Greg:
Then to be able to give them solutions and put their mind at ease. You can see it wash away from their face.
Britton:
Oh man, we’re talking about reality checks here. A lot of people have reality checks all the time. Like, oh, we had a scare, we had a cancer scare.
Greg:
Sure.
Britton:
My mom had a mini stroke thing, yes, she’s doing all right, but, we all thought to ourselves, “Oh God, Oh God, what’s going to happen? We can’t make decisions for her either financial or healthcare.” That’s one thing. Right? And what if she were to pass away? God forbid. We don’t know what’s going to happen. Even if you don’t have a big family, family’s fine, you don’t want those things to drag on, and you don’t want assets to be taken by any sort of creditor, when that person passes away. These are all worries that do keep a lot of my clients, before they came in and got their affairs in order, up at night.
Britton:
One of the most rewarding things, we give talks all the time. We talk about our why, and one of the reasons why we do what we do. One of the things I know that keeps us in this area of the law, elder law and estate planning, is that when you see that look of relief on your client [inaudible 00:14:42] it’s amazing. That’s something that you don’t really get any other area of the law, at least not that quick.
Greg:
I agree. I agree. Regardless on your political feelings about the coronavirus, or your feelings on the media coverage of it, regardless of any of that, we are here to help. If you need any estate planning, there’s healthcare powers of attorneys, things put in place, we’re here to help. And here’s how we do that. Number one, we’re going to keep our office as clean as possible. We’re going to wash our hands. We’re also going to offer to be able to come out and visit with you if you need us to. We’re also going to offer phone conferences if we need to, if it gets to that point. We’re also going to offer video conferences by Hangout. Kind of like Britton and I are doing right now, if it gets to that point.
Greg:
We have a plan in place. We’ve already talked about it, about how we would handle this. I hope it doesn’t get to that point, but we’re here for you. You can reach us at (704) 749-9244, or you can research on our website, MCELDERLAW.COM. That’s MCELDERLAW.COM.
Greg:
I love what I do. I’m Greg McIntyre. I know Britton loves what he does. We are estate planning and elder law attorneys, and we’re here to help you. Have a great day. Stay safe. And I hope you stay clear of the coronavirus, and the sandwich that’s made out of fried chicken and donuts. Seriously. It’s way more dangerous.
Britton:
Yeah. Yeah. Please do stay clear of that.
Greg:
Thanks guys. See ya, Britton.
Britton:
Yeah. See ya.
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Greg McIntyre Elder Law Attorney
written by:
Greg McIntyre
Elder Law Attorney
704-749-9244
greg@mcelderlaw.com
