As we continue to operate under the executive order limiting our face-to-face meetings to emergencies, we thought it might be helpful share our procedure for conducting regular business.

First, we are meeting our potential clients via video conference to begin the planning process. (telephone conference as a back-up). In short, we need to learn about you, about your assets and how you own them, how you’d like to use your assets now and in retirement, and how you’d like to distribute things after you pass away. During this first meeting we also discuss our fees and payment options.

Second, we will draft documents that address your planning objectives. We then send these to you in PDF via email so you can review them and comment on them.

Third, we will revise your plan documents as needed.

Fourth, we will conduct your signing conference. Under Michigan law, this is the only part of the process that must be done in person. Our current in-person signing options are:

1. Office Conference. Conduct the signing conference at our office using social distancing practices (click link for details);  
2. Drive-Up Signing. Conduct a drive-up signing outside our office (which I don’t recommend for a complete set of plans such as you will need); or
3. Postpone Conference. Delay the signing of documents until we are cleared to resume non-emergency work.  

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Please call us at (734) 475-2100 to arrange a video conference to discuss your planning needs.

​Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued Executive Order 2020-20, which requires, among other steps, that employers cease in person non-essential business through April 13, 2020.

We posted an update to our office policies that addresses today's order. You can read that here.
 
The executive order allows critical infrastructure workers to continue to provide services necessary to life. The order defines the critical infrastructure workers as those defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. These federal guidelines list critical infrastructure workers by sectors.
 
How are elder care law attorneys part of the critical infrastructure workforce?
 
We provide legal services that require us to assist clients in the following sectors identified as critical infrastructure of our nation. 
 
In the Healthcare sector, we: 

• Assist our clients in gaining admission or discharge from hospitals, mental health facilities, and nursing homes; and

 

• Assist our clients with putting in place, interpreting, and removing medical advance directives, DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDERS, and Physicians’ Orders for Scope of Treatment (MI-POST or POST).

 
In the Public Safety sector, we: 

• Assist clients who are subject to law enforcement or other government actions that might limit our clients’ freedom of movement due to their cognitive function or mental health condition.

 
In the Financial Services sector, we: 

• Assist clients in accessing money and other assets; 

 

• Assist clients in avoiding or defending themselves from fraud and other crimes against vulnerable persons.

 
As we continue to do our work, we know that some legal services and court hearings can be safely postponed until the corona pandemic abates. We can even provide certain necessary services by phone, video conference, and email. But be assured that when needed, we will continue to deliver legal services to our clients in person.

Please comment with your questions. 

Bill Lamb, 
Chelsea, Michigan
Washtenaw County 
​March 23, 2020

Scheduled Office Appointments 


We are continuing to hold scheduled appointments with clients. If you would prefer, we can hold 'virtual' meeting with you via Skype or telephone.

To review, a number of factors informed our decision to keep our office open.

First, beginning last week we upgraded our cleaning and disinfecting procedures in the office. In addition, given the relatively low frequency of client visits, we feel it is appropriate to hold meetings as needed.

Our staff and families are practicing social distancing. No one within our group has symptoms that are consistent with the coronavirus.


Executive Order Restricting Nursing Home and Care Facility Visits

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order this past Saturday, March 14, 2020 restricting visits to nursing homes, assisted living homes, congregate care facilities for developmentally disabled. As an attorney, I can make a visit if it is necessary to carry out the client's legal business. For the full text, click here. You can also read a slightly shorter version here on our website.

The CMS Has Revised its Coronavirus policy for Nursing Home Entry


Click here to read the guideline from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

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Courts and Register of Deeds Closed 


Our courts and county register of deeds (where we record real estate transactions connected with our estate planning and asset protection work) have announced closures.

The Washtenaw County courts are closed today, March 16th. We are waiting for word about schedule changes beyond today. We have learned that 'non-essential county offices are closed through April 5th. Click here to read the county administrator's announcement. At this writing we still need to learn more about which parts of our court work will be considered essential.

The Wayne County Probate Court is closed through March 27th except for emergency filings. Click here for details.

The Washtenaw County Register of Deeds has closed its public counter effective today. That means we will not be able to do in-person recording of deeds.


Nursing and Assisted Living Visits


We will visit clients as needed. Legal meetings are, of course, important. That said, we will limit visits to those that are necessary. If you have a question or concern, please call us and we will discuss the situation and evaluate whether we can handle your legal issue with other than an in-person visit.


Please call us if you have questions

We will continue to update you. Please be safe - wash your hands, practice social distancing, and purchase the toilet paper you need <smile>. 

Please contact us at (734) 475-2100 if you have any questions.
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