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attorney and a fighter. I knew he wouldn’t give up, no matter the circumstances; he would continue fighting for what was right. Trust me, I realize that this sounds super corny, but it was exactly what happened. So, that’s what I did. I went back into that courtroom, essentially poured napalm on the room, and lit the proverbial match on the Defendants. I was so passionate that the Judge told me to calm down, but I wasn’t going to calm down. I was going to keep fighting. The Judge even took a 45-minute recess afterward! I knew I had gotten to her. I watched the doubt come over her face after my scathing cross examination of the Defendants, and I could see she began reevaluating the merits of our case. I ultimately lost the case, but as I began packing up to leave the courtroom, more exhausted than I have ever been in my career, a veteran attorney on the opposing side approached me. He congratulated me on a well-fought case and admitted that he didn’t know how the Judge would rule leading up to the closing arguments. I left the courtroom proud that day, carrying a loss and more knowledge than I had ever gained in my career. These cases continue to impact my work to this day. No one wants to fight an uphill battle. These battles are hard, tiring, and terrifying. Who knows what lies ahead, but if we don’t fight, claw, and persevere on our way up the hill, we’ll never get to see what’s on the other side. Oftentimes, the experiences lead to something far greater than the pain we experience in the battle.
MOVING FORWARD 5 STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A LOVED ONE PASSES AWAY The death of a loved one is never easy, but after-life planning can make this process much smoother for the family of those who have passed. Still, there are steps every family must take after a loved one dies. Below is a guide to help you through it. 1. Order the death certificate. You will need proof of death as you begin this process. Ask the funeral home for multiple copies of the death certificate, so you are prepared for any service that asks for it. 2. Cancel subscriptions. From streaming services to the energy that powers your home, you rely on a network of people every day to live, work, and play. Unfortunately, these subscriptions leave your family members with the daunting and often exhausting task of canceling the services you use every day. These calls can be difficult, so lean on family members for help. 3. Be mindful of Social Security checks. If your loved one is an older adult or disabled, they may be receiving regular Society Security checks to supplement their income each month. The Social Security system is sometimes lagged, so it may be weeks before the Social Security office knows your loved one has passed. Hold on to the checks and do not deposit the money. These funds will have to be returned. 4. Meet over your loved one’s will. As a client of Douglass & Runger, we will work with your family to review your deceased loved one’s wishes, take inventory of their assets, and outline other pertinent points in the deceased’s will. We will provide your family with the knowledge they need to move forward. 5. Take time to grieve. The loss of a loved one can feel substantial, but the responsibilities you take on afterward do not have to be time-consuming. A probate attorney can walk you through the entire probate process, from opening an estate to dealing with creditors and closing the estate, so you can focus on mourning the loss of someone special. Honor those feelings as they come. Grieving is necessary for you to move forward. Your family isn’t alone after you pass. Our team at Douglass & Runger can guide your family through the tough decisions and the healing process. Learn more about our probate work and other legal assistance online at DouglassRunger.com.
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." –Robert H. Schiuller INSPIRATION
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