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“Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.” –Unknown
I’ve been involved in thousands of inheritance situations (yes, thousands – that makes me feel old ). If you have ever received an inheritance, you will no doubt identify with an old quote comparing it to a “tiger left on your doorstep.” It’s intriguing and beautiful, but it can tear some people apart. To that end, people regularly ask me: “Will my children squander their inheritance?” You might say, “I’m gone, I don’t care ...” But most of you do care, and you want your loved ones to use their inheritance wisely. Here are some common issues we deal with.
3. What if my daughter has substance abuse issues? It’s a painful situation. Your daughter is battling alcohol or drugs. She has shown signs of recovery, but you’re not sure whether she will stay on that path. I can tell you in no uncertain terms that leaving an inheritance to someone struggling with substance abuse can be deadly. Can you protect your daughter from using her inheritance to enable her substance abuse? Again, the answer is “yes.” 4. I have a disabled son and am worried about his future. If you have a disabled child, you have plenty of daily challenges. Even with those challenges, you must pause to consider what will happen after you’re gone. If your son is receiving government benefits (for example, SSI or Medicaid), those benefits will be terminated when he receives an inheritance. Can you protect a disabled child from losing government benefits? I’m sure you are starting to see a pattern here — the answer is “yes.” In each of these scenarios, a special trust is used to ensure that instead of causing problems, the inheritance is used for constructive purposes — education, protection, treatment, or just everyday life, whatever is in harmony with your wishes. Your estate plan should protect you during incapacity and pass on your life savings in the easiest, most efficient, tax-friendly way possible. But your plan must also blend in solutions to these other common problems and specific needs of your beneficiaries. So, ask yourself this question: “Is there a beneficiary in my plan who needs protection?” If so, remember that solving these problems is not automatic — you must be proactive and take steps without dela y to protect your beneficiaries. As the golden sunshine of August starts to stretch into fall, I’ll leave you with my favorite inheritance quote:
1. What if my daughter gets divorced after she receives her inheritance? Your daughter is wonderful, but the man she married is, well, not your favorite. You worry that if your daughter receives an inheritance, her husband will spend it or, even worse, divorce her and take half. Can you protect your daughter from losing her inheritance if she gets divorced? “Yes.” 2. My son has many creditors, and he is bad with money. Does your son have creditors hounding him? Or is he financially immature? If so, the people he owes may snatch the inheritance right out of his hands. Can you protect a beneficiary who has debts or is not good with money? “Yes.”
“I had an inheritance from my father, It was the moon and the sun. And though I roam all over the world, The spending of it’s never done.” –Ernest Hemingway, “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
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SUMMER TIPS FOR INSECT-FREE FUN! Don’t Let the Bugs Bite
Choose your outdoor time wisely. Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and late evening, so avoid going outside during dawn or dusk if possible. Use insect repellents. One of the most effective ways to keep bugs from biting is to use some form of bug repellent. Today, many people opt for non-spray repellent alternatives like repellent patches, wristbands, or clip-ons, many of which work great. The type of repellent isn’t as important as whether it contains one of these main ingredients: • Lemon-eucalyptus oil • Citronella oil (combined with thyme for ticks) • Picaridin • Diethyltoluamide (DEET) Get rid of any standing water near your house. Mosquitoes use stagnant water to lay their eggs, so any filled buckets, partially filled kiddie pools, broken fountains, or even discarded toys that have collected water can all attract mosquitoes to your yard. Routinely check your yard and dump out any water you find.
August is the last full month of summer, which means bugs are at their pesky peak. If you and your family love to get outside in the summertime, protecting your family from bug bites is about more than their itchy aftermath. Bugs can carry many diseases that put you, your family, and your pets at risk. For example, mosquitoes and ticks can transmit the West Nile virus, while ticks can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and much more — including causing alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. So if you and your family find yourselves outside this summer, here are some tips to keep those creepy-crawlies at bay. Cover up! One of the most straightforward ways to ensure no one gets bitten by a bug is to cover any exposed skin when outside. If you can, wear long-sleeved shirts, full-length pants, tall socks, and closed-toe shoes, especially when hiking or camping. And if you can, tuck your pants into your socks or shoes to prohibit anything from crawling up your legs.
Lastly, be sure to thoroughly check for bugs on both your family and your pets before ever setting foot inside!
S’mores, and tents, and campfires, oh my!
On Aug. 5, we celebrate Campfire Day, when the weather is warm and it’s peak camping season. It’s the perfect time to grab your friends and family and head out in the wilderness under the stars for a night or two. Michigan has some of the best campgrounds and natural spots to escape the hustle, connect with family and friends, and enjoy the great outdoors. Here are some of the best camping locations in the state! Tahquamenon Falls State Park
the park has tons to do while camping. You can choose your camping style: modern, rustic, or yurt! Wilderness State Park
Wilderness State Park has over 10,500 acres of campground to enjoy and explore that back up to 26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Whether you enjoy biking, hiking, or
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is home to one of the largest (and most beautiful) waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. The park features over 40 hiking trails, 13 lakes, and tons of wildlife, including coyotes, bears, bald eagles, deer, and foxes. The park has seven campgrounds for guests to enjoy and explore. Porcupine Mountains State Park The Porcupine Mountains, also known as the “Porkies,” are located in the Western Upper Peninsula and span over 60,000 acres. With tons of waterfalls, hiking trails, and sights to explore,
fishing, this park offers it all!
Lakeport State Park With 250 campsites, Lakeport State Park has many activities to keep you busy outdoors. This park is right on Lake Huron and offers gorgeous views, no matter where you choose to explore in the park. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore If you enjoy exploring the sand dunes, this is the spot for you! You can take a guided tour or explore these giant majesties on your own! While camping, you can enjoy swimming, hiking, or fishing. It’s a great place to explore nature and have fun.
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Regain Your MOJO
Solution on Pg. 4
Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Checkup. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com.
How to Recharge Your Batteries
We all have emotional batteries, but what happens when they run out of juice? Sometimes, everyday life can leave us feeling like we are running on empty. While it’s natural to feel drained and excited for bed at the end of the day, feeling that way all day isn’t healthy. Here are some ways to naturally recharge your batteries and reenergize your mind and body. Get Moving While plopping on the couch in front of the television is tempting when you’re feeling burnt out, incorporating physical activity is better. Movement and stretching helps get your blood pumping and clears your mind. By moving your muscles, you are helping your body feel good, boosting your mood. Embrace Your Creative Side Nourishing your creative outlet is a great way to combat stress and burnout. The next time you feel like you need to reboot, start a new and exciting project, rekindle an old hobby, or sit down with a paintbrush and a canvas and surprise yourself with what you can do. Rest Up While it seems obvious that burnout is a sign of lack of sleep, many people still forget that experts recommend about eight hours of uninterrupted, quality sleep each night. When you get less than six hours of sleep, your body can be at risk of crashing midday or needing a recharge. Don’t forget that it’s essential to allow your body and mind time to rest between sleeping and activity. This can be through naps, breaks from work, relaxing, or giving yourself some downtime before jumping to the next activity on your list.
• Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law
Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com. • Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We have grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the field of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
Don’t let burnout take over! With these tactics, you’ll have a great defense against feeling run down midday or needing a three-hour nap!
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150 915 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 6 Howell, Michigan 48843
What’s Inside? 1
Questions to Ask Before You Leave an Inheritance
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Keep Those Pesky Pests Away!
Life Is Better While Camping
Avoid Burnout by Recharging Your Batteries
Helpful Resources
A Guardian Angel Covered in Fur
We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named Willow recently proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time.
watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late. Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their
For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their
blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood
sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action. Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep
“Moggy Marvels” category. If Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat” magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of goodies and her owner safely by her side.
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