Details About Upcoming Virtual Client Refresher Course & Recent Legal Updates

Please join us on May 20 for an online Refresher Course. 

This virtual session is geared for clients, family members, guests of clients, and successor trustees to your estate plan – simply join us from the comfort of home, on any device! 

It’s a good time to think back and note any changes in your own family and/or your assets, and the effect those changes might have on your estate plan. 

We will inform you of recent relevant changes in the law that have impacted your estate plan, and will review the roles and responsibilities in your plan. 

You’re welcome to forward this message and invite guests or your successor trustee(s) to join the webinar. Doing so will help prepare them for their future role and responsibilities. 

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Recent Legal Updates 

You have probably received many emails from businesses telling you about the steps they are taking in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March, we have been doing our part to help ensure the common space is safe, including frequent sanitizing of the office, maintaining social distancing, not sharing pens or other items, and complying with local and state requirements and recommendations. Many of our staff work from home. 

We are still welcoming clients. When a face-to-face meeting is not necessary, we offer consultations by telephone or video conference (FaceTime or Zoom). 

In fact, even when estate planning documents need to be signed and witnessed and/or notarized, we have various protocols in place to ensure proper execution,  including remote signings via FaceTime or Zoom and “curbside” signings where you can stay in your car. 

 A Few Things to Consider… 

• In April, the Supreme Court of several states, including South Dakota, enacted emergency orders allowing remote notarization and witnessing of documents, such as Wills. 

• There have been significant updates to the law regarding retirement accounts due to the passage of the SECURE ACT in late 2019 and now the CARES Act, including individual tax rebates, temporary waiver of Required Minimum Distributions from IRAs, waiver of penalties for coronavirus related distributions, Pension Plan loans, and more. 

• During such turbulent times, are the people you have designated to make decisions for you still the ones you want in charge? It may be necessary to update your Health Care Power of Attorney, or who you have designated as your successor Trustee. 

Encourage your children aged 18 or older to execute their own Health Care Power of Attorney, HIPAA release, and Property Power of Attorney. 

Sometimes life challenges create opportunities. If you have been procrastinating about addressing your estate planning needs, you have the opportunity to create peace of mind for you and your family during these difficult times. We are committed to assisting you in any way we can. Please contact our office to get started or to have your questions answered.

Thank you and know that you and your family are in our prayers.