Douglass & Runger - June 2025

Getting married is one of life’s most rewarding moments, but as the wedding bells ring, there’s more to think about than the big “I Do’s.” When it comes to estate planning, tying the knot is more than just changing your last name and merging finances. Newlyweds need to make sure their wills and estate plans reflect their love story, ensuring both their hearts and assets are kept safe for many years to come. HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES If your spouse gets hurt, sick, or unable to communicate their wishes due to their health, it’s important that you’re able to take care of them. Health care directives allow you to designate your partner as someone who can make important decisions about your care if you cannot. This legal document will help spell out your preferences for medical treatment, life-sustaining measures, and end-of-life care. It will also ensure you can play an active role in your loved one’s well-being. Without this in place, you could have difficulty gaining crucial information about your spouse’s medical details. WILLS, TRUSTS, AND LOVE Work together as a team to fully understand your shared assets, such as bank accounts, real estate, valuable personal items, and finances. Knowing what you as a couple have can help guide you as you create a will, trust, or overall plan. It’s essential to develop clear instructions in your will about how you want your assets divided, especially if you have children. The unexpected can happen at any time, and as you are now pooling your belongings and merging your lives, there’s more to consider and protect. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS If something happens to you or you pass away before your spouse, you want to make sure they will have the means to live a healthy, happy life after you’re gone. Once you get married, update your beneficiary designations to include your partner. This applies to life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other vital assets. Ensuring your loved one is named as the primary beneficiary helps provide peace of mind that your wishes will be honored when it matters most. At Douglass & Runger, we know that a marriage isn’t just a union of two hearts; it’s a partnership that requires careful planning for the future. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Weddings and Wills What Every Newlywed Needs to Know

Inspired by TheKitchn.com

Simple Summer Garden Pasta

This light, flavorful dish with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese is a fresh, satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients • 4 cups cherry

• • • • •

1 tsp kosher salt

tomatoes, halved 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

1/2 tsp black pepper 1 lb angel hair pasta

1 cup fresh basil

2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cooked, chopped chicken for serving (optional)

Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined. 7. Serving suggestion: Add cooked, chopped chicken for more protein! INSPIRATION “The beginning is always today.” —Mary Shelley

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