Check out our September/October newsletter!
Main Street Monthly 905 Old Cherokee Road, Lexington, SC 29072 • P: 803-358-7214 • www.strattonreynolds.com
SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2022
Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Britney Spears
Abuses Highlight Celebrity Case
The world of pop princess Britney Spears seems far removed from most people’s everyday lives. But the ending of her 13-year guardianship and conservatorship has brought public scrutiny to this area of law and possible abuses many were not aware of.
Britney Spears’ family instituted a conservatorship because of decisions she was making, especially concerning her finances. Her father was appointed conservator, and a multinational team of people managed her assets and controlled decisions such as where she could live, her medical care, and even her cellphone usage. Because she was so well-known and still constantly in the public eye, this case brought to light some potential issues with the system that few people were aware of. What are some of the abuses the Britney Spears case brought to light? In Spears’ case, she was not allowed to attend hearings on her conservatorship, nor was she allowed to hire an attorney to represent her. She was also not permitted to use her own money to cover legal expenses, despite the fact her father spent an estimated $30,000 on legal fees, according to The New Yorker. According to CNBC, Jamie Spears may have taken more than $6 million from Britney during the course of his conservatorship. How could a similar case be prevented in South Carolina? Keep in mind, Spears’ case was in California, which has different laws and court processes than South Carolina. However, the case was a scary one for many people because there are quite a few similarities in how these procedures are handled between the states. Over 40 states have adopted the Uniform Adult Guardianship Act, also known as
the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act (UAGPPJA). To prevent something like this from happening in South Carolina, we recommend our clients prepare financial powers of attorney in advance, which allows them to also nominate who would serve in case they could not make financial decisions for themselves. We also like to have serious discussions with proposed guardians and conservators to identify appropriate rights for the individual to retain, even if they are found incapacitated. We can help. Most people truly want what is best for their family members. There is the option of full guardianship or conservatorship, but sometimes these are not what is needed. There may be a solution as unique as your loved one and your family situation. Guardianships can be tailored to fit specific needs depending on what your loved one needs. We may see state laws change in the aftermath of Spears’ case and the publicity surrounding it. If you are concerned about a loved one who is facing challenges with managing their life and their finances, we can help you explore options and help you navigate this changing area of the law. We listen carefully to the challenges you are facing, and we can help you craft a solution that fits your family’s one-of-a-kind situation.
What are guardianships and conservatorships?
Both guardianships and conservatorships require the court to find the person who is the subject of the action mentally incompetent and thus unable to manage their own affairs. A guardianship is the court proceeding in which someone is named to make medical and placement decisions for an incapacitated person, such as how and where they will be cared for, what medical treatment they will receive, and other very important decisions. A conservatorship is a court proceeding in which someone is tasked with managing all of the incapacitated person’s assets. While the guardian and conservator can be the same person, they do not need to be. What are some of the reasons for a guardianship/conservatorship? It is critical for an incapacitated person to have someone help them with placement and financial decisions. The guardianship and conservatorship processes are meant to have checks and balances and court reviews to ensure the incapacitated person is placed in a safe environment and has their assets protected so no one can take advantage of them.
–Chasity
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CREATE CUTE FALL DECORATIONS
Without Breaking the Bank
You don’t need high-end and expensive decorations to spice up your house this fall. You can make your own from things you may already have inside or around your home! Here are four DIY decorations you and your family can make this month. Autumn Leaf Mason Jars All you need are five things — Mason jars, leaves, glue, sponges, and tea lights. You can purchase fake autumn leaves at your local craft store or go outside and pick some of your favorites. After you lay out your jars, apply glue onto the jar and spread it with a sponge. Next, place your leaves onto the jar and let the glue dry. Finally, set a candle inside the jar, giving you beautiful ambient lighting for the season. Glitter Acorns Use these glitter acorns anywhere in your home to add a festive feel. Once you have several handfuls of acorns, you can either dip the entire acorn in glue and then add glitter to it, or you can apply glue to only the top and add glitter for a more rustic look. You can place this decoration in a Mason jar or any clear cup so the glitter of the acorns stands out. Chalkboard Pumpkins If you want to create a welcome sign that isn’t a rug or a wreath, try a chalkboard pumpkin! All you need are a few pumpkins of various sizes, chalkboard paint, and chalk. Paint your pumpkin with chalkboard paint, and once it dries, you can decorate and write
anything you want on it. This idea is festive for the entire fall season since you can write and draw items for any holiday. Apple Candle Holders Carve about 1 inch into an apple, making room to place a tea light in the center. Once the candle is secured inside the apple, you’ll have an apple-scented candle! Use red and green apples for a diverse look, and please don’t leave candles burning unattended. Creating your own fall decorations from items you already have in your home or from outside, is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. So, get crafty this season! The ideas and designs you can create are endless.
A QUICK REMINDER ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES
Just as a reminder to our clients: If you have created a revocable living trust with us in the last couple of years and have seen your property tax rate change on your primary residence, please give us a call. After your home is transferred into your trust, the county often requires the tax exemption forms to be filled out a second time. We are happy to help with filling those out and filing them with the documentation the counties need. Also, remember you will qualify for the homestead exemption the year after you turn 65. This can lead to a significantly reduced
property tax bill. If you believe you may qualify, be sure to contact your county auditor’s office, or feel free to call us with any questions. Keep in mind that a surviving spouse may also qualify for this exemption if their deceased spouse qualified or would have qualified. If you have any questions about any of the above, please give us a call!
–TC, Chasity, and Jeff
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Have you ever sat down to eat a bowl of ice cream, then looked down a minute or two later to notice you only have one bite left? What about reaching your destination in the car and not recalling one thing about the entire trip? With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s tough to be present 100% of the time, but we shouldn’t let our minds go on autopilot. Not only can this be a safety hazard, but it may also impact important relationships and reduce our enjoyment and satisfaction. With busy schedules and long to-do lists, how can we be more mindful? Here are four tips to help you embrace the power of now! Use the power of meditation. You don’t need to meditate for a long time, and it certainly doesn’t require special poses or guidance. But taking just five minutes out of your day to focus on your breathing and clear your mind counts as meditation. It can help you to be more aware, present, and productive, especially in times of stress. Slow down. Try savoring the process of a task, even if it isn’t your favorite thing to do. Paying deliberate attention to your daily actions and activities, like doing the dishes or even folding laundry, promotes healthy focus and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed. Get moving. Incorporating exercise and movement into your daily routine helps you to become aware of your body’s sensations. You’ll be more appreciative of how your body responds to different stimuli and movements, and this trains you to be more aware of yourself. Practice mindful eating. Do you always eat in front of the television or computer? Try eating without distractions, dine in good company, or pay closer attention to flavors and textures of the meal — it’s good for both your body and soul! Embracing the Power of Now 4 Tips for Practicing Mindfulness
We are happy to assist our clients with all of their real estate needs. From new home purchases to refinances, we are eager to assist you, your friends, or your family at either our Lexington office or our Aiken office. If you or someone you know is looking to move in the next couple of months, or wants a lower interest rate with a refinance, please let us know. –Chasity, TC, and Jeff WE DO REAL ESTATE CLOSINGS!
Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
INGREDIENTS
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5 cups of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth 2 cups Arborio rice 2 cups of pumpkin, diced
Pepper, to taste 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin purée
2 tbsp mascarpone cheese
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1/2 yellow onion, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat the oven to 400 F and arrange a rack in the middle. 2. In a 3-quart baking dish, combine broth, rice, diced and puréed pumpkin, and onion. 3. Season with salt and pepper, then stir until evenly combined. 4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until water has been absorbed and rice granules are puffed. 5. Remove from the oven and stir in basil, grated Parmesan cheese, mascarpone cheese, and olive oil.
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Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Britney Spears PAGE 1 4 DIY Fall Decorations PAGE 2 A Quick Reminder About Property Taxes PAGE 2 Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto PAGE 3 4 Tips for Being More Mindful PAGE 3 3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions Guaranteed to Spook PAGE 4 Get Out of the (Haunted) House Inside this Issue
With These 3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions
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 here 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 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.
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