Our Promise to You During COVID-19/Coronavirus:
At Garofalo Law Group, the health and safety of our clients, team members, and friends are top of mind during this unprecedented time.
As estate planning and elder law attorneys, our practice is dedicated to serving our most vulnerable citizens. This includes seniors, those who are ill, disabled, experiencing mental health challenges, and children with special needs.
The uncertainty around the pandemic has many people with immune system challenges concerned about exposure to the virus. Everyone at our firm is committed to ensuring everyone’s safety and making it easy and accessible for our community to get their estate planning documents in place.
Here are the precautionary steps we’ve put in place to continue to operate safely and effectively during this time:
AT OUR OFFICE
- Team training on current recommendations for preventative health and safety has been completed with all team members to ensure they are well-versed and adherent to best practices.
- There is now a hand sanitizer station next to the elevators.
- The cleaning crew is frequently sanitizing high volume areas such as door knobs, conference room tables, and communal spaces after every client meeting.
- Team members who are not well, are required to stay home.
- We are keeping our distance to show you we care. We will greet you with a wave but sadly, will no longer offer handshakes and hugs during this time.
- Our office is poised to adapt quickly to any guidance or requests from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our local health departments.
VIRTUAL OPTIONS
We are hearing from many people who simply want to explore creating a will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive, etc.—just in case— but need more flexible options for doing so.
- Thanks to technology, we have flexible options to meet with you or your family virtually. If you’re concerned about your exposure to the virus and prefer to meet virtually, you may opt to have your consultation or review meeting via video call.
- We are putting steps in place to offer Wills & Trusts Seminars from the safety of home, so our community can continue to stay informed about their estate planning and incapacity options. For many, our educational webinars are the first step to creating their estate plan.
We also ask for your assistance to ensure the safety of others. If you are sick or symptomatic, please stay home. Per the CDC, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspect you may have it, you should avoid public spaces and see your doctor. As a result, we can meet with you virtually, if needed.
IS YOUR BASIC ESTATE PLANNING IS DONE AND UP-TO-DATE?
Everyone should have the below three basic documents, regardless of their wealth or health:
- Healthcare Power of Attorney. Allows your agent to make medical decisions for you (in consultation with your physicians) if you were unable to make those decisions for yourself.
- Power of Attorney for Property. Allows your agent to pay your bills and make other time-sensitive decisions during a period of your incapacity.
- HIPAA Power. Authorizes those you designate to access your protected health information.
We are communicating regularly with our team to keep them informed and to ensure their safety and yours. Thank you for believing in our mission and continuing to be a client and friend of the firm. Our thoughts remain with those being hit hardest during this time.
Garofalo Law Group remains committed to your health, happiness and legacy.