With New York state “on pause” for the foreseeable future, many practitioners are coming up with creative ways to service their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining safe “social distancing” protocols and ensuring the health of our colleagues and clients. Our ability to service our clients, particularly in the trusts and estates field, is even more significant now that New Yorkers and individuals across the world are faced with uncertainty about their health, finances, and their ability to provide for their families.

As nearly all practitioners will know, pursuant to the Administrative Order of the Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts Lawrence K. Marks, dated March 22, 2020, the New York state court system has closed many of its functions, and no new filings shall be accepted except in matters deemed “essential,” the definition of which varies by court and practice area. On April 13, 2020, Judge Marks expanded the court system’s operations to allow for “virtual” access to courts in existing matters, including the ability to conduct conferences and hearings by Skype or telephone. Courts have also been authorized to move pending matters forward by deciding pending motions.