Five Legal Things You Could Be Doing During Quarantine

Stuck on how to be productive during quarantine? Do you want to be more effective with your time, projects, and family life? Are you concerned about the uncertainty that lies ahead of this pandemic and wondering what you can do now to best prepare for the uncertainty? During this unprecedented time, you need to have a plan and a system in place to execute that plan. Here are some highlights on legal actions you can be taking this quarantine to set yourself up for abundance once this is all over.  

1.START WITH ESTATE PLANNING.

The Murphy Law Firm provides estate planning services for wills, trusts, power of attorneys, and advance medical directives. These documents will use as tools to speak to your wishes in the event of an unforeseen emergency. Do not believe the hype that these are only available to you if you have assets. They are available to anyone who owns something that they want to protect. COVID-19 requires that we thoroughly plan as it does not discriminate based on age, health status, or race. With these tools, your family will know your wishes. Start by making sure your estate plan is in place during this quarantine.

2. CREATE A BLOG/VLOG.  

If you are creative in a particular area a blog or VLOG is a great place to show off your expertise and knowledge. It can also serve as an outlet for having anxiety and depression. Especially about the current state of affairs surrounding COVID-19. Now is not the time to continue to put that great idea on the back burner. If you have a thought, skill, or idea that you are passionate about and have not yet try something new. The quarantine period is the time to start on while you have the downtime.

3. START AN LLC.

The District of Columbia and the State of Maryland have rules in place for establishing a limited liability company (LLC). A limited liability company is the easiest way to structure a business to protect your personal assets and responsibility in the event of a lawsuit. You can think of it as a personal shield of sorts. An LLC can be owned by one or more persons and there are specific forms that are required in establishing one. The Murphy Law Firm offers services to you with the initial document drafting in Maryland and the District of Columbia and will guide you through how that initial process works. Consider starting that business idea you have been putting off for months during this quarantine period.

4. FILE A TRADEMARK.

Protecting your business’s intangible property can be done by way of a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A trademark is a sign, design, or expression which identifies products or services from a specific source. We have assisted several clients in starting the process of filing for and successfully obtaining a trademark. We can assist you with the initial search and application process for filing a trademark during this quarantine.

5. SEPARATION AND CUSTODY AGREEMENT.

Pursuant to a new law in the state of Maryland a parenting tool is a required document when parties disagree about certain aspects of custody. In the initial filing process, we will review this tool and thoroughly explain how it could assist in the long-term plan of a final custody agreement. If you and the other party are amicable and simply want to memorialize an arrangement in writing, there is an option to do so through a parenting plan as well. This agreement no matter the terms is drafted to facilitate visitation and access for both parties and the minor child. Drafting and finalizing a parenting plan is a great thing to do during this quarantine period to avoid having to go through that process when the courts reopen. Check out our latest blog on the specific topic of co-parenting during the pandemic to get started. In addition to the above, parties who wish to divorce with or without children can now do so via an agreement pursuant to the Maryland Mutual consent divorce law. This law requires that if both parties agree on all issues, they can obtain a divorce as long as a separation agreement exists that speaks to all marital property issues and that there is a parenting plan regarding the custody of any minor children. This form of divorce is a great route for persons who are cordial and they should take advantage of starting the drafting process during the quarantine period. The Murphy Law Firm can be of great assistance in initiating and following through with the entire mutual consent divorce process.

To sum up, these are all things that you can spend the quarantine period doing to protect yourself legally. We can’t foresee the future effects of the global pandemic that is COVID-19. But we can take strides to better position ourselves legally. The Murphy Law Firm LLC will guide you on how each of the processes can be facilitated in the State of Maryland or the District of Columbia. Contact Angel Murphy today to schedule a trial strategy meeting at (240) 493-9116. If you are active on social media, like us on Facebook @AMurphyLegal, Follow us on Instagram @AMurphyLegal, and Twitter @AMurphy_Legal