Winsor Law Group Blog

By: Matthew K Palfreyman, Esq.

            For many the pandemic has taken far too much.  How ironic that a flu virus should expose so much underlying fragility in the American way of life.   The virus, on its own, claims significantly less victims as an infectious disease, but when coupled with chronic health conditions, which so many Americans have, maintain, or worse have tolerated or neglected, it presents a clear and present danger to the public health.  Now, as we near the virus’ dark anniversary, week after week it continues to expose all the overlooked weaknesses in our systems and planning.

The list is almost too large; even a true optimist loses confidence and begins to fundamentally question everything about who we are as a nation, how we function, and what measures are needed for us to survive.   This pandemic is an economic exposé on the resilience of our sectors in emergency response, government services, retail, food services, transportation, tourism, political systems, and domestic habitats.  Collectively we knew and believed that there was food in the pantry, but we only now appreciated that much of the food was expired, or expiring, and what is worse is that the emergency is far from over. 

            For 2021, ignorance, as an effective excuse, has for the most part died like the hand-shake; apathetic human nature is the next enemy.  So while it is time for a new batch of true leaders in industry and government to be born out of this once-in-a-century transformation event, our families and our workplaces can and should start to build new foundations designed with adaptation in mind.

A will, trust, or powers of attorney can jumpstart an overall family-plan, which is just as important.  The biggest question we all need to seek to answer: what happens if a decision-maker, can no longer make decisions?  Then start a new plan with a focus on the home and personal finances. Gather resources, including monetary, tangible, digital, and most importantly information resources.  Put it all together in a tangible, simple outline, covering important topics beyond just emergency contacts and passwords, things like mapping out processes, identifying recurring deadlines, and a short and long-term disability event plan. 

Next, protect and insure health, life, incomes, and property, probably in that order depending on family circumstances.  

Lastly, if I have one new year’s wish for our community it is for us to once again do and say things to one another that add to the foundation that the new plan relies on, and that we, at the same time, avoid doing and try not to say things that detract from that same foundation.  There is no form of victory more hollow than being the last man or woman standing because there is no real joy or celebration without company to share it with. 

*The information provided in this article is of a general nature and reflects only the opinion of the author at the time it was drafted. It is not intended as definitive legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and you should not act upon it without seeking independent legal counsel.