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December 2024/January 2025
Reflect, Celebrate, and Plan Celebrate Your Progress and Gear Up for the New Year
As we approach the end of the year, it’s always a good idea to take a little time to reflect on all our accomplishments from the past 12 months. Whether you set some New Year’s resolutions back in January or continued to set and meet new plans throughout each month, we all did something that we should be proud of this year. Most days, we feel so busy that we don’t have time to reflect on the progress we made in that moment, which is why it’s so important to make time for reflection so you can feel accomplished and proud of yourself. Maybe you lost a few pounds after changing your diet and going to the gym regularly, or perhaps you set aside more time to spend with your loved ones; now is the time to celebrate it! If you still haven’t found success with your goals or plans, there’s still time to make some changes and accomplish whatever you set your mind to. If you found that the original goal you set for yourself was too ambitious, pivot into something more obtainable. Start small and build up from there. Let’s say you wanted to lose a certain amount of weight before the new year arrived. Instead of focusing on losing weight, make an actionable and achievable plan, like, “I will go to the gym a couple of times each week,” or “I’ll adjust my diet so that I don’t eat over the recommended daily
amount of sugar.” In the grand scheme of things, your goal is still to lose weight or get in better physical shape, but by making actionable plans, you have a much better chance of accomplishing them. For those who want to spend more time with loved ones, there’s no better time than the holiday season to turn your goals into reality. Go out of your way to invite people over on the weekend or make plans to see your extended family during the holiday season. This is your chance to make new family traditions that will stand the test of time. Doing so will not only make your holiday celebrations more enjoyable, but it will also strengthen your family bonds. Once you bring your plan to fruition and celebrate your accomplishments, it’s time to plan for next year. We’re constantly growing and learning new skills, but if we don’t set goals and plans, we can stagnate in our personal growth. Before you can implement new plans, you need to take a few moments to determine what you want to accomplish in the coming year. Start by listing your priorities and determining which should be your primary focus for the upcoming year. It might be your family, career, hobbies, education, or other important aspect of your life. From there, you should determine how you want to improve in that area. Give yourself ample time to figure this out. If you decide on a goal or plan you aren’t fully committed to, you will not make any progress.
To those still working on their plans for 2024, don’t lose hope; there is still time to accomplish whatever you put your mind to!
To all who make plans and goals for 2025, stay the course. With dedication and effort, anything is possible!
–Melanie M. Lee
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7 ESTATE PLANNING ANSWERS EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW Clear Answers to Common Questions
When it comes to estate planning, endless questions seem to have countless different answers. Before a migraine emerges, let’s cover the top seven most commonly asked estate planning questions to settle the score. Don’t worry; even the most legal jargon-averse can appreciate this quick guide! 1. Can I put a rental property inside a trust? Yes, and it’s a great idea! Placing your rental property in a trust protects it from going through probate and keeps things running smoothly for your beneficiaries. It can provide them with a steady income stream without the hassles of court proceedings. 2. Can I prevent my spouse from giving my assets to a new partner if they remarry? Absolutely! To safeguard your assets, you can set up a specific type of trust to prevent this, like a Family Wealth Trust. This ensures your assets are used as intended, even if your surviving spouse remarries. Clear documentation and legal guidance are crucial here to ensure everyone understands the stipulations you want. 3. Should I put my kids on the deed to my house? No, this can lead to unexpected complications, such as tax issues or financial vulnerabilities (like your child’s creditors claiming a stake). Instead, consider using a trust. It’s a safer mechanism that allows you to control how and when your house passes to heirs without exposing it to risks.
4. What happens to my kids if I die without an estate plan? Without an estate plan, the state takes over, and a judge decides who will care for your children without your input. You must create a will or set up a guardianship to ensure your children are cared for according to your wishes, not the court’s. 5. If my home has a mortgage, can I still put it into a trust? Yes, you can! Moving a mortgaged home into a trust is common and doesn’t interfere with your mortgage terms. This approach helps facilitate a smoother transfer to your heirs without probate. 6. How often should I update my estate plan? It’s wise to review your estate plan every 3–5 years or after any significant life event, such as a marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant financial change. This ensures your plan remains aligned with your current circumstances and wishes. 7. What’s the difference between a will and a trust? A will sets out your wishes for after you die and goes through probate, which can be a lengthy public process. A trust, however, takes effect immediately upon creation, offers more privacy, and bypasses probate, allowing for a quicker transfer of assets. Armed with these answers, you’re better equipped to make informed decisions about your estate. Remember, the best approach often involves consulting with an estate planning attorney to tailor a plan that fits your needs and gives you peace of mind.
“Remember, the best approach often involves consulting with an estate planning attorney to tailor a plan that fits your needs and gives you peace of mind.”
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A Legend Worth Its Weight in Bacon
TAKE A BREAK CARDINAL
The Fascinating Tale of the Pig-Faced Lady
COCOA FROSTY GARLAND GENEROSITY MENORAH MITTENS PEPPERMINT PINECONES SNUGGLE UNITY YULE
Ready for a tale that really brings home the bacon? Legends dating back to the 1700s tell the story of women who were a mix of beauty and beast — pig-faced ladies! Myths about noblewomen with hog heads lasted in France, Holland, and Britain for hundreds of years. These glamorous piglets were said to roam the city streets, take carriage rides through town, and show up at fancy parties or homes to beg for money. Let’s ham it up royally and take a porky peek at the pig-faced ladies Londoners talked about for centuries. One of the earliest tales starring a woman with a boarish face was in the 17th century. A pregnant Dutch housewife reportedly had a visit from a mysterious poor woman begging for money for her children. The housewife turned her away, and the cast-off beggar cursed her unborn child to be born with a pig’s face. Stories that followed had similar themes of women cursed to look like pigs. Our swine superstar was launched into legendary status in the summer of 1815 when Londoners were celebrating the recent victory of Britain over Napoleon and France. As people packed the streets, a horse-drawn carriage caught their attention. The passenger was none other than the pig-faced lady. Rumors and interest around the event spread, and London’s growing newspaper industry took the story and ran with it.
CHICKEN CAPRESE SALAD Inspired by EatingWell.com
In the following years, the masses sought proof of these pig-faced women. One woman put out an ad in the paper offering to provide care for a woman with the affliction. Another paper ran a request from a man with a marriage proposal for the elusive “baconess.” The famous author Charles Dickens even referred to her in a book he wrote in 1861. Chances are that people born with physical
Ingredients
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 tsp ground pepper • 2 1/2 tsp honey • 3/4 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 (8-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced • 8 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce • 1 lb grape tomatoes, halved • 1 (8-oz) container fresh small mozzarella cheese balls in water, drained • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
Directions 1. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer 6 tbsp of mixture to a smaller bowl and whisk in honey; set aside. 2. To mixture in the medium bowl, add 1/2 tsp salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add chicken; toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Coat a grill pan with oil. Over medium heat, add chicken and cook until grill marks appear on each side, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let stand for 5 minutes. 4. Arrange romaine, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a large platter; sprinkle with salt. Top with the sliced chicken and drizzle with the honey mixture.
disabilities inspired the pig-faced lady story and reflected the sad way society treated them. The pig-faced lady likely represented London’s biggest anxieties, like class tensions and women’s limited roles. So, whether she was the embodiment of society’s fears or just a bit of hogwash, the tale of the pig-faced lady shows how the wildest legends can hog the spotlight for centuries.
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Lee Law Office 1809 W. Main St. Richmond, VA 23220 804-204-1500 www.mleelaw.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Celebrate Your Wins and Set Meaningful Goals
1
Top Questions About Estate Planning Demystified
2
Chicken Caprese Salad
3
Porky Myths and High Society
The Best Way to Update Your Will Without Confusion
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A SIMPLE GUIDE FOR PEACE OF MIND How to Ensure Your Will Reflects Your Current Wishes
Whether getting divorced or welcoming a new child, you may need to change or revoke your will to reflect any life changes. Why? Because significant changes can affect how your assets are handled. Common reasons for adjusting a will include marriage, divorce, new family members, financial changes, buying or selling property, or appointing a new guardian for a minor. So, how do you change a will? In the past, people added a codicil, an amendment to the original document. However, codicils can create confusion and legal disputes. They require signatures and witnesses, just like a will, which can make them more of a hassle than they’re worth. A simpler approach is to create a new will entirely. This new document should clearly state that it revokes all previous versions, including any codicils, ensuring your latest wishes are honored without question.
Creating a new will is generally no more complex or costly than adding a codicil and provides a clearer legal foundation. Sometimes, you may need to revoke your will but are not ready to make a new one, but simply destroying the current will might not be enough. If other copies of the will exist, a probate court might still consider those copies valid. Revoking a will is essentially canceling it. Once a will is properly revoked, it no longer exists legally. If you’re considering revoking your will, it’s essential to do so through legal means to ensure your intentions are clear. Only the person who created the will, known as the testator, can revoke it. Once the testator dies, the will becomes legally binding and cannot be changed or revoked.
relocations, ensuring your will accurately reflects your wishes is crucial to avoid future confusion and legal complications. If you are unsure how to proceed or have concerns, consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney can provide peace of mind and help safeguard your legacy.
Whether you need to account for new family dynamics, financial shifts, or
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