The law office of Andrew Byers remains fully available to meet both my current and prospective clients' needs during the Covid-19 situation. I am having meetings in my office. I can also conduct consultations and virtual meetings by video conferencing. I also remain fully accessible by telephone, email, and via my website (click "Contact Us" above or fill out the form to the right). My office hours continue to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. though telephone and video consultations can also be scheduled after 5:00 p.m.
If it's Not One Thing It's Another
I started my law practice in late 1996, shortly after passing the Michigan bar exam and being admitted as an attorney. Throughout my 24 years of practicing law, there have been other disruptive, external events that posed a challenge, such as the dot-com bubble in 2000, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 (which was preceded by Michigan's "Lost Decade" of challenging economic times starting in 2000). I've pushed through those past challenges with my clients and I will continue to help my clients now.
My experience tells me that regardless of what is happening in the world, life continues and:
- the need to probate or settle an estate or trust does not change;
- the elderly will continue to need nursing home care and need to qualify and apply for Medicaid to help pay for it; and
- due to the threat of the virus, it's more important then ever to have your advance healthcare and financial directives and all your essential estate planning legal instruments in place.
It's Easier Now
Fortunately, due to the technology available to us in these times, meeting the Covid-19 challenge is easier then the past challenges noted above and you don't have to leave your home to get your estate planning, Medicaid planning, or probate/trust settlement done. Also, you don't have to rely on one of those generic, one-size-fits all online service with limited options where you're filling in the blanks without legal counsel. Instead, you can meet virtually, face-to-face with me, Andrew Byers, a licensed Michigan attorney with 24 years of experience. Also, I am comfortable meeting in my office
While I have traditionally conducted my initial consultations in the office, and I continue to do so, I also offer video conferences for those who are more comfortable with that. If you've never done a video conference before, you already have the equipment you need if you have a smartphone like an iPhone or Android, a computer with a webcam and microphone, or a tablet. I use the Zoom video conference application, which is easy and free to use. If you have never used it before, I can help you access Zoom. Also, now is a good time to take 5 to 10 minutes to learn how to use this simple technology so that you can continue to interact with people and businesses during the Covid-19 crisis. I think the crisis will subside, but the world was already shifting to video conferences over the internet before this. The Covid-19 situation is just going to accelerate that and continue to make that the new normal, so you might as well use this situation to learn how to use it now. That way, you can participate too and enjoy the convenience that virtual meetings or video conferencing provides and continue to do so after the crisis.
Keep Living and Moving Forward
Take precautions, but don't let the virus stop you from living. Also don't let it stop you from getting your affairs in order with advance healthcare and financial directives and a Will or Trust because, as this virus has reminded us, we never know when something bad can happen. As such, we have to be prepared by having an incapacity and estate plan in place before we need it. You can take care of this and stay safe at home with a video conference or telephone consultation with me, a licensed Michigan attorney.
Getting started is as simple as giving me a call at (248) 469-4261 or use the contact form to the right to receive a call back from me. As is my usual practice, we'll spend a few minutes getting some background information to make sure I can help you and answering your initial questions. Then we can schedule a more in-depth meeting in the office or video conference over Zoom.