MARS — Before the coronavirus pandemic, it was customary for clients to go to companies to conduct business.

Now, some companies are taking business to their clients. Or at least, meeting them in the parking lot.

Sechler Law Firm in Mars helped clients tie up loose ends Friday by offering “drive-through” signature services.

“We're just bringing the signature pages to the car,” said Tim Sechler, who runs the estate planning practice.

Chris Mills of Cabot accompanied her octogenarian parents Friday to get papers signed.

“They had begun this process before the whole COVID-19,” Mills said. “We wanted to make sure (this) was something that would not put them at risk.”

For Mills, the drive-by signing was a matter of rolling down a window. Her parents had their signatures witnessed and notarized from the safety of Mills' backseat.

Having the chance to complete documentation they started in April allowed them to move forward with their lives.

“Things just don't stop because this is happening,” Mills said. “There was this necessity to get this over.”

Because Sechler's firm deals in end-of-life planning like estate and will law, it was granted a waiver by the state to remain open during the stay-at-home order.

Employees work from home most days. But starting this month, Sechler plans to offer signature services in-person on Fridays to make up for time lost in March and April.

Clients will be prepped for their appointments via Zoom or phone and told what to bring for their signing session. Two witnesses and a notary will be present to complete the documentation process.

Friday was a test run.

How it works

“I think a lot of us are going to have some new skills,” Sechler said.

Before participating in the drive-through signing session, Mills' parents were educated on the process. Sechler shared instructional videos that went over the documents they had prepared. A lawyer called the couple to discuss the procedure.

Mills listened in to offer extra guidance, if necessary. She said her father is hard of hearing and was concerned he wouldn't be able to understand the documentation process.

By the time her parents signed before witnesses Friday, Mills said the family knew exactly what was happening.

“Options were given to us,” Mills said. “They made everything very, very clear-cut.”

Sechler said though it was difficult to get some virtual options launched for some clients, his firm has been able to provide recorded workshops and free downloadable documents.

He's found many people who weren't able to attend workshops now have the time to attend online. Young couples with families especially seem to be interested in end-of-life planning.

“I think everybody's ... sort of contemplating their mortality,” Sechler said.

Will the firm's virtual approach come to an end when the pandemic does?

“We would prefer to be face-to-face,” Sechler said. “But I think it's going to be at least an option.”

Sechler said at times like these, families and friends need to look out for each other as citizens.

“You next need to take care of your business,” Sechler said. “And take care of your community.”

A helping hand

After he was done helping clients Friday, Sechler embarked on another project: distributing 500 bottles of hand sanitizer from Faber Distilling Co. to nursing homes across the county.

Sechler was able to secure a pallet of sanitizer through a beer distributor in Robinson.

“It was just an opportunity that I was provided with,” Sechler said. “We're just trying to be community-conscious.”

Sechler said he's had clients in every nursing home in Butler County. Nursing home staff have helped him reach those who aren't easily accessible.

Being able to help residents and residential staff now is important to Sechler. He'll be distributing sanitizer until he runs out.

As someone who has helped her parents take care of themselves during the pandemic, Mills has faced challenges. But when it came to legal business, she said Sechler offered plenty of help.

Postponed plans aside, Mills believes the law firm has made an effort to reach clients.

“It was very understandable,” Mills said. “They did everything they could.”

“I think we're going to look back on this time and say, 'Look how people pulled together,'” Sechler said. “So far, it's been great.”