As the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, attorneys nationwide saw a surge in individuals looking to put their affairs in order—underscoring the growing awareness of estate planning as a critical life tool, not just an end-of-life measure.
Eido Walny, founder of Walny Legal Group LLC, shared his insights in an article by Realtor.com, addressing the urgency and realities of estate planning during a global health crisis.
“Since the COVID-19 outbreak, we have experienced a 30% increase in calls from people wanting us to draft powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, and wills,” Walny explained.
“In the event of an emergency, we can get documents done in 48 hours,” he added. “That’s one heck of a rush job, however, and would require skipping over a lot of other people in the process. As a result, clients who ask for that kind of turnaround should expect to offer all the cooperation that is asked of them and also to pay a hefty premium for the service. But it can be done.”
He also emphasized the lasting value of proper planning: “Don’t wait. Get the planning process started now. Estate planning is not death planning—these documents will help you during life, during illness, and also in death. Hopefully this crisis will pass, and when it does, these documents will continue to be valuable, unlike the 1,200 rolls of toilet paper hidden in the basement.”
The article contrasts the pros and cons of online estate planning platforms with working directly with attorneys, highlighting the need for properly executed, state-compliant documents and expert guidance in more complex cases.
Full article available at:
Realtor.com – “COVID-19 Gives a Boost to Estate Planning: How You Can Get a Will Done—and Fast”
Source: Realtor.com