Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
Adopted in 2008, the third week in October is designated as National Estate Planning Awareness Week to bring attention to the importance of estate planning. An often overlooked aspect of financial wellness, according to the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, it is estimated that 56% of Americans do not have an up-to-date estate plan in place.
Estate planning—it is an incredibly important tool and it is not just for the uber wealthy or those thinking about retirement. On the contrary, estate planning is something every adult should do. Estate planning can help you accomplish any number of goals, including appointing guardians for minor children, choosing healthcare agents to make decisions for you should you become ill, minimizing taxes so you can pass more wealth onto your family members, and stating how and to whom you would like to pass your estate on to when you pass away.
After seven-plus months and with little end in sight to the pandemic, adults responsible for their elderly parents and other senior caretakers continue to do their best to protect the most-vulnerable as the threat and uncertainty looms.
On October 6, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ("MDHHS") issued an emergency order (the "MDHHS Order") that retains many of the same requirements that apply to residential care facilities under the previously issued executive orders. As noted in a prior blog post, the Michigan Supreme Court recently held that Governor Whitmer did not have authority after April 30, 2020 to issue or renew any executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the same requirements will continue to apply to residential care facilities under the MDHHS Order. The MDHHS Order became effective immediately, and will remain in effect through October 30, 2020 (and may be renewed through a subsequent order).
