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Essential Documents: Preparing for COVID-19

March 25, 2020

Eldridge D. Dodson, Trusts and Estate Attorney

Ward and Smith, P.A.

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In this unprecedented and uncertain time, health experts are providing us with the facts about COVID-19. 

Being well-informed enables us to know what measures to take in avoiding exposure to COVID-19 – starting with the most basic advice to "wash your hands!" 

Our trusts and estates team also often find ourselves helping people prepare for the worst.  Our most basic advice is that everyone over the age of 18 should have in place three essential documents:  

1. a health care power of attorney that names someone as your agent to make your medical decisions if you are unable to make them
2. a HIPAA authorization that allows the agent named under your health care power of attorney to have access to your medical records
3. a durable power of attorney that appoints an agent to handle your financial decisions so that someone can pay your bills and manage your assets if you are unable to do so 

Regardless of your age or net worth, please make sure you and your family have these documents in place.  Hopefully, you will not need them, but if you become ill, these basic documents will allow someone to step in and care for you immediately. 

Our estate planning team is available to help you even during this time where the health experts ask us all to stay at home.  We are conducting meetings by phone and video conference, and are available to help.

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© 2020 Ward and Smith, P.A. For further information regarding the issues described above, please contact Eldridge D. Dodson.

This article is not intended to give, and should not be relied upon for, legal advice in any particular circumstance or fact situation. No action should be taken in reliance upon the information contained in this article without obtaining the advice of an attorney.