Coronavirus is all over the news, right!?  You can’t pick up a newspaper or look at your favorite website without seeing something about Coronavirus. I even heard something this morning while listening to ESPN sports radio.  They were talking about all the people wearing face masks in the airport yesterday. The one host, on this national radio show, said how the number of face masks was “up substantially” from last time she flew.  I flew two days ago and saw one person with a facemask. I suppose my airport experience and this radio host’s experience are just our individual experiences but to go on a national radio show and make it sound like it’s a known thing, that all these people are wearing face masks, is poor reporting at best. However, I am already so far off what I wanted to talk about today. This website is dedicated to the California probate process so therefore I want to talk about Coronavirus and the California probate process so here it goes….

Ok, one more side note, there is a ton of valuable Coronavirus info on this government website right here. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)  I will provide some highlights down below as I think everybody needs to remember that information and keep it in mind as we go through our day to day life. Such as WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY!

Ok, back to my point… how bad could Coronavirus get in the US?  How bad is it likely to get?  I would be making up numbers if I started guessing what could happen but let’s look at things from the California probate process perspective….  If you have been delaying getting your California living trust done, and especially if you are in a high risk group, GET YOUR TRUST DONE ASAP!  Don’t delay anymore. Use the Coronavirus as a wake-up call to you to get your affairs in order! Our firm can help you get your trust done quickly!  Properly established and funded living trusts should avoid the need for your loved ones to go through the California probate process.

What about the people that fail to get their affairs in order and pass away from the Coronavirus!?  Let’s be honest with each other… this is likely going to happen.  It’s likely going to happen all over the United States and likely to happen right here in California.  You may or may not know somebody who will die from this disease but it’s certainly possible. If you do, and you are in a position to help take care of their affairs, after death, let’s talk about it.

As I type this, we are all going to the office as normal but if things get bad we might be doing a lot of remote work.  I personally specialize in this as I have clients throughout the United States who lost a loved one in California and thus I specialize at working via email, fax, US mail, FedEx and even the old telephone!  I also work extremely efficiently as I find that most people want to get the probate done as quickly as they can and they can’t get it done without getting it started!  This is how I work so even if we get to a point that people are staying home I will be getting as much work done as possible and can help you navigate the probate process.  There are many clients that I have never met face to face and if we are on quarantine, because of the Coronavirus, it will be no different for me.

I hope what I have typed above turns out to be unnecessary talk. However, if it’s not I am here to help efficiently and with minimal, or even no, face to face meetings.  We can do this!  Let me help you navigate the California probate process.  -John Palley

P.S. Here are those great REMINDERS FROM THE CDC WEBSITE:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to  others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.