Hidden Gifts from COVID

hidden gifts from covid

The COVID Pandemic caused massive disruption and pain throughout the world. The effects are still being felt, and will continue for a long time.

But from a certain point of view, the crisis of COVID created opportunities that might not otherwise have arisen, or at least not as quickly.

Consider these activities, using a Then > Now perspective:

Cinema > Streaming Services
Business Travel > Video Conferencing
Commuting > WFH
Funerals > Low Cost Cremations with no Public Services
Dining Out > Home Deliveries
Live Music > Music Streaming, Spotify
Use of Cash (and Cheques) > Online Banking
Closure of Bank Branches > Online Banking

I am not suggesting that all of these developments are necessarily good news or bad news. But it cannot be doubted that the pandemic created or greatly accelerated the adaptation and adoption of multiple innovations that have made our lives more efficient and easier in the long run.

Entire businesses and industries have had to realign with new priorities to cope with the changed reality.

Take Australia Post for example. 5-10 years ago the media was filled with predictions of its demise. No-one was sending Christmas cards or ‘snail-mail’ anymore. Businesses were going online and finding cheaper ways to communicate with customers. The end was nigh for the postie.

Now look at them. The pandemic caused a huge surge in online shopping. It’s so convenient. It avoids queues and traffic and parking. But somebody has to deliver all those parcels. So now AusPost posties deliver more than just mail, and their future has never looked brighter.

There have been changes in the area of Wills and Estates too. When the entire world suffered lockdowns, we all realised simultaneously that funerals were not compulsory. Until then nobody seemed to question this, and we all sort of went-along with the vague expectation that this is what you had to do.

Once we were prevented from holding or attending funerals during COVID lockdowns, it triggered a major trend where now the number, size and cost of funeral services has greatly diminished. Many families now perform a simple cremation with no public service and no ‘death notice’ in the paper. The cost savings are huge.

COVID saw the massive rise in use of videoconferencing to stay connected. Business travel is still less nowadays because so much of it has been revealed to be unnecessary and inefficient. Why travel to Sydney for a full-day conference when it can be so conveniently and easily accommodated by remote videoconference, often in half the time, and a tenth of the cost?

Similarly, when lockdowns prevented people from accessing legal advice, videoconferencing became an approved way for lawyers and clients to connect. This made access-to-justice far more available, especially for people living in rural, regional and remote areas.

Genders and Partners are the oldest law firm n South Australia, established in 1848. We specialise in Trusts, Wills and Estates. However, being 177 years old doesn’t mean that we are old-fashioned when it comes to legal best-practice and modern business methods. We offer a variety of modern ways to make it easy for you to take advice and give instructions, including:

video-conference options, including some fixed-fee;
Secure online webforms to gather data;
eSignatures to sign most legal documents;
emails, texts and phone for most communications.

If you would like further advice about estate planning or administering an estate, contact our friendly team.

When it comes to Trust, Wills, Probate, Deceased Estates, asset protection & estate planning in Australia, you can trust the oldest law firm in South Australia, Genders & Partners to guide you through the tough decisions you must make for your family’s future care and welfare.

If you have any questions, or would like further information, please email us. Would you like a quick phone call to discuss? Feel free email us or use this link and book a timeslot for a free 15-minute phone consultation on my schedule: https://calendly.com/genders

We can help you to protect yourself and your family. We look forward to being of service.

Want to find out more?

More Estate Administration Resources

All these and many more Probate and estate topics are available for discussion with the oldest law firm in South Australia.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this document is intended as general information only and has been prepared without taking into account the needs, objectives or financial information of any particular person.

Prior to making any decision, you should assess whether the information is appropriate to your particular needs, objectives and financial circumstances.

While Genders and Partners has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this information, subsequent changes in circumstances (including legislative change) may occur at any time and may impact on the accuracy of this information.