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October 2022
ESTATE PLANNING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY Why Everyone Needs a Will Halloween is rapidly approaching and many people will take this opportunity to tackle their fears. One of the most common fears that we share as Americans can’t be found within the halls of a haunted house or creeping around the paths of corn mazes though. It’s our own mortality. Nobody likes thinking about the possibility of death, but the simple truth of the matter is that people pass away every day. That’s why it’s important to have an estate plan in place to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of in the instance that you pass away unexpectedly. It doesn’t matter if you’re relatively healthy or have few physical assets — drafting a will is imperative, especially if you pass away unexpectedly. When you die without a will, you leave important decisions and choices up to your local court and the state’s laws which could prove to be detrimental to your family’s well-being. I’ve helped many individuals with their estate planning and know firsthand how essential it is to have an estate plan. So, I’ve gathered three of the most important reasons to have an estate plan. Provides Peace of Mind Without a will or estate plan in place, your family will need to attend probate court to figure out who receives which assets. Without a will, the court has to name someone to oversee your estate. This could prove to be someone who doesn’t necessarily have your family’s best interests in mind. With a will, you can name someone as the executor of your estate and lay out how your assets will be divided. It will help save your family time, money, and stress while providing them with ample time to grieve. Additionally, you won’t have to stress about what happens when you pass away because everything will be well prepared for your family. Decides Who Will Take Care of Your Pets, Assets, and Children If you’re a parent, you can use your will to determine who will become the guardian of your children. Without a will, the court may
appoint a guardian who you don’t want raising your kids. When you put together your estate plan, you can decide the best solution for your children. You can even set up a trust to ensure that your children have money set aside for them as they grow older. Additionally, pets are seen as property by the law so you need to appoint someone to become their caretaker in your will. And you can’t leave your house to your pet so you need to name who takes ownership of your house in your will as well. If you have family heirlooms, you can determine who receives ownership of them as well as any other prized possessions you may own. Reduces Estate Taxes When you pass without an estate plan in place, your estate is subject to significant state and federal taxes. This can take a huge chunk of money out of what you were planning to leave to your spouse or heirs. When you put together an estate plan, you can set up trusts to mitigate these taxes. There are other strategies that we use in addition to trusts to help make estate and inheritance taxes less burdensome. Creating a will does not have to be a scary or stressful experience. If anything, it will give you and your family peace in knowing that they will be taken care of if anything happens. If you’ve been thinking
about creating an estate plan or need to update yours, give us a call today. We’d be glad to help with any questions or concerns you may have and will help you gain peace of mind for the future.
Please call us at 801-405-7827 to see how we can help you!
–Josh Green
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It’s World Teachers’ Day!
3 Ways to Show Gratitude
Teachers have impacted you and your children’s lives in more ways than one. Maybe they inspired you to take a certain career path, always understood you, or were there for you or your child when it was needed. Teachers have a demanding job, so in honor of World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5, let’s take some time to appreciate them. Here are three ways to show your gratitude this month. Donate school supplies. Some teachers spend personal funds to purchase school supplies for their classrooms. This expense can become costly, especially if they provide for multiple students. Donate unused notebooks, pencils, pens, or other school supplies to a teacher. Some teachers even have wish lists available if you want to purchase new items for their classrooms. They will appreciate your kindness, and the children who need these supplies will also be grateful. Write thank-you letters. If you had a teacher who impacted your life, or if your child has a favorite teacher, write them a thank-you note. Handwritten notes are more meaningful than ones you buy at the store. It shows you put in time and effort to create something specifically for them. You can write about a favorite memory you had with them or the ways they’ve inspired you. If you’re feeling extra generous, add a gift card to the note! A small message can go a long way in turning someone’s day around.
Volunteer when you can. In addition to teaching in the classroom, teachers need to chaperone students during field trips, recess, lunch, and standardized tests. Contact your child’s school and see when they need volunteers to help with these activities. Teachers will greatly appreciate it because they will have a chance to take a break or organize their materials for the next class. Even if it’s just for the day or a few hours, teachers will appreciate the extra assistance. Teachers play a vital role in preparing our children for the real world. They teach them vital social skills and problem-solving strategies that will assist them as they age. So, let’s take some time to show appreciation for their dedication to our children.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT Why We Should Live for Today
careful. The solution is to exist in the present moment as much as possible and enjoy the good things around us while we have them. Studies show that living this way makes people happier, healthier, and more likely to form strong relationships. But how do you even get started? The process requires a different way of thinking called mindfulness. Mindfulness is about focusing on what is happening in the present moment — not that work deadline, the movie you just watched, what’s for dinner, or the kids’ extracurricular schedule. It takes practice, and many people use meditation or breathing to help. When mindful, we concentrate on what others say and become more fully present. We also start to notice the small things we usually overlook: the cool breeze on our skin, the sound of the birds, the feel of a sweater, or the sight of our loved ones smiling. Our lives become fuller. And our stress decreases because we’re not clinging to things beyond our command. No one ever stops worrying entirely, and some planning is necessary to live a successful life. But too much can leave us with no energy or time to enjoy it. John Lennon once sang, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Start living in the present so you don’t blink and miss yours.
We can’t change the past, nor can we predict or guarantee the future. In the end, all we have is the present, yet most of us live our lives ignoring its many possibilities. It’s easy to tune out the life around you, especially if you do many of the same things every day. Taking care of the kids, commuting, working, and running errands
can blur together. Just as bad, when life isn’t going the way we want, it’s easy to fantasize about how things “should” be or how they once were. When we live busy or stressful lives, worrying or planning can also make us feel more in control. The problem with these strategies is that they don’t change anything. They help us discount the only thing
we can control: what we do now. Life can pass you by that way if you’re not
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GET OUT OF THE (HAUNTED) HOUSE With These 3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions
situations. Now is your chance to prove it. There are zombie paintball courses throughout the country, and they can be a great time for everyone involved. You’ll step aboard a bus or trailer outfitted with paintball guns and proceed along a course full of zombies and creatures. Before long, your friends and family will get into the competitive spirit to see who can hit the most targets. Haunted Corn Maze Haunted houses are great if you’re trying to experience some jump scares. But if you want to get the haunted house experience in an outdoor setting, you should check out a haunted corn maze. You’ll hear screams coming from all around to help amp up the fear. It’s also a great way to get some exercise! Haunted Hayride So, what if you want the best of both worlds? You may want to feel scared without walking through a maze or using a paintball gun. That’s where haunted hayrides come in. On a haunted hayride, you’ll hop aboard a platform that’s being towed by a tractor or truck as they take you through a dark forest and possibly some barns. Performers will be woven throughout to provide scares at the perfect moments. It’s a great way to get the classic Halloween experience without having to walk through a house or maze.
Halloween is just around the corner. You’ll soon have trick-or-treaters approaching your door requesting a healthy share of candy. Before then, you may want to go out and feel the thrills of the season yourself, but maybe you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy the cramped spaces of haunted houses. You don’t have to step indoors to experience a spooky attraction though. There are plenty of outdoor Halloween attractions to check out, and below are three of the most thrilling. Zombie Paintball We’ve all watched a scary movie and thought we could do better than some of the characters in these extreme TAKE A BREAK
PUMPKIN PIE PARFAITS
Inspired by Kenarry.com
Ingredients
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg • 1/8 tsp ground cloves • 1 cup vanilla sandwich cookies • 8 oz whipped topping
• 3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix • 2 cups cold milk • 15-oz can pumpkin purée • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. 2. In a blender or food processor, crush vanilla sandwich cookies into crumbs. 3. In small jars or glasses, place cookie crumbs on bottom, then pumpkin mixture, then whipped topping. Repeat these layers twice and end with cookie crumbs. 4. Chill until ready to serve!
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6900 S. 900 E. #250 Midvale, UT 84047 801-405-7827 www.ggutah.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Why You Should Make an Estate Plan Today
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3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions Guaranteed to Spook Pumpkin Pie Parfaits It’s World Teachers’ Day! Taking Each Moment as It Comes
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Age Is Just a Number
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THE MAN WHO FELT 20 YEARS YOUNGER
Wanted to Legally Change His Age
many problems such as the many rights and duties related to age, such as voting, attending school, military obligations, and pension. Although Ratelband has the freedom to feel 20 years younger, mentally and physically, he cannot legally change his age because of the legal and societal implications that would follow, the court added.
We’ve all heard about people legally changing their name or gender, but have you ever heard about someone trying to change their legal age? In 2018, a 69-year-old Dutch man named Emile Ratelband petitioned a court for permission to change his age. He wanted to alter the year he was born on his birth certificate by 20 years so he could be 49 years old. So, how did this case end? Let’s find out. What was his reasoning? Ratelband wanted to change his age because he argued that he felt 20 years younger. He said his doctors told him that he had the body of a younger man, and his health was far better than most men his age. He alleged that he experienced age discrimination because, being 69, he is limited in what he can do. If he were 49, he could buy a house and car and work more hours, and his chances on the dating app Tinder would improve if he were younger. What was the court’s decision? Ratelband’s argument did not convince the district court in the Dutch city of Arnhem. The court said there was no evidence that Ratelband had experienced age discrimination. It stated that, unlike legally changing your name or gender, changing your age causes
The district court rejected Ratelband’s request, but he plans to appeal.
In the Netherlands, the public doesn’t take Ratelband’s claims seriously. They even make fun of his international exposure and willingness to provide interviews worldwide to justify his wishes. So what do you think of this legal case? Is age just a number? Let us know your thoughts!
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