COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources For Your Law Practice
This COVID-19 resource page is where you can access all of WealthCounsel’s latest tools, articles, and webinars to help you and your practice navigate this new reality. Check back frequently for the latest resources.
WEBINARS
Please continue to check back for upcoming webinars.
RESOURCES FOR YOUR PRACTICE
Client Meetings Using Video and Document Signings
Thank you to our sister company, ElderCounsel, for sharing this informative video discussion between Heinz J. Brisske, Huck Bouma, PC, and Valerie Peterson, ElderCounsel CEO.
Adapting Your Law Practice in Light of COVID-1 Checklist
As COVID-19 spreads, anxiety is high and uncertainty prevails. If you are looking for some practical and proactive ways to help your practice weather the storm then download our checklist.
Call Script Urging Representatives to Allow Remote Notarization and Witnessing
Use this script to call your state and local representatives to urge the prompt issuance of an executive order, emergency proclamation, or similar order appropriate for your state, allowing for the remote notarization and witnessing of legal documents.
RESOURCES FOR YOUR CLIENTS
2021 Tax Filing Cheat Sheet
Due to the coronavirus and the subsequent passage of legislation such as the CARES Act and The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act, taxpayers and small business owners will be wondering how these laws will affect the filing of their tax returns.
2020 Tax Filing Cheat Sheet (Business Owners)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered taxpayers a 90-day reprieve on paying their income taxes. Attorneys can use this customizable content to communicate the delayed tax deadline to their estate planning and business-owning clients.
BLOG POSTS AND ARTICLES
COVID-19 Relief Updates for Small Businesses
Although some states have eased COVID-related restrictions on small businesses, many businesses are still struggling. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) continue to issue guidance for small businesses that seek to benefit from the COVID-relief legislation passed in 2020. In addition, the American Rescue Plan Act, the new stimulus legislation signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, provides additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as well as aid for certain business sectors that have been particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 Relief Bill: What Business Owners Need to Know Heading into 2021
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act). Included among the Act’s nearly 5,600 pages are provisions related to COVID-19 pandemic relief. Key tax provisions include: (1) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) updates, including the allowance of deductions for qualified expenses paid for with PPP loan proceeds that are subsequently forgiven, the extension of the program, the introduction of “second draw” PPP loans, and the expansion of eligible expenses for which PPP loan proceeds can be spent; (2) the extension of paid sick and family leave and family credits for wages paid through March 31, 2021; and (3) the extension of the employee retention credit under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act through June 30, 2021.
Understanding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Does it Apply to Your Law Practice?
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was passed. The Act has two important new laws for employees, intended to provide relief as most people’s lives have been impacted in some way by COVID-19: (1) the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act; and (2) the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. FFCRA also offers tax credits and exemptions designed to protect the viability of businesses during a time of economic stress.
COVID-19: The Impact on Small Businesses
Small businesses continue to struggle economically in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorneys have an opportunity to help their small business clients explore all options for relief to remain viable despite virus-related business interruptions. Read our article to learn what steps businesses can take to mitigate the impact of the virus.
COVID-19 Prompts Fed to Delay Tax Filing and Payment Deadline
The 2020 tax season is underway, but millions of Americans have yet to start preparing their tax returns. Earlier this week, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered taxpayers a 90-day reprieve on paying their income taxes. As of Friday, March 20, the deadline to file tax returns has also been extended by three months.
Paycheck Protection Program Application
The Paycheck Protection Program was created to encourage employers to retain employees during this pandemic by providing financial assistance for operational costs like payroll, mortgage interest payments, rent, and utility payments. Read about the new Program and download the application.
COMMUNITY ACTION UPDATES
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that one of the biggest challenges facing WealthCounsel members, and estate planning attorneys as a whole, is navigating the process of signing legal documents.
Working together, WealthCounsel and the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section of the American Bar Association are reaching out to governors and state legislatures to encourage them to consider remote notarization and witnessing solutions that every attorney and law firm can deploy without a lot of cost or overhead. Jointly, we hope to deliver a model letter and supporting materials to leaders across the country tomorrow.
Once the letter and supporting materials are delivered, we will post a copy on this site and share a sample call-in script for you to use if you wish to contact your local representatives to support remote notarization and witnessing.