You Better Think ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING
What do Aretha Franklin, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, and Pablo Picasso have in common? Well, for one, they’re among the most talented and accomplished artists of the 20th century. In addition to that shared quality, all four of these icons died without wills. When somebody passes away well before their time, like Hendrix, it’s easy to understand the lack of estate planning. But in the case of the Queen of Soul — who was fabulously wealthy, well into her 70s, and sick with cancer — we can only speculate as to why she never got around to writing a will. The truth is that people put off estate planning for all sorts of reasons. Some of us believe that we’re too young to need a will and that it’s something we don’t have to think about for another few decades. Others assume that estate planning is only for the megarich and celebrities. Both of these ideas are completely false. As soon as you have assets and a family, anything or anyone worth protecting, it’s time to start considering creating a will, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and other important estate planning documents.
Even people who know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they should be engaged in estate planning can end up ignoring it for far too long, and sometimes until it’s too late. And hey, we get it. It can be difficult to think about who will take care of your children in the event of your death. Similarly, deciding who will receive which portions of your estate can involve fraught choices bound to upset people you love. We can promise you, however, that making these tough choices now is a lot kinder than leaving a tangled mess of an estate with no directions on how to distribute it. A comprehensive estate plan will allow you to avoid probate and allocate your assets more quickly, privately, and inexpensively. It is one of the best things you can do for your loved ones, and the team at Merlino & Gonzalez is happy to help guide you through any part of the process. Call us today to find out how we can help.
A SIMPLE BRINE FOR SUCCULENT TURKEY MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
take a break
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons kosher salt • 3/4 cup sugar • 1 carrot, peeled and diced • 1 large onion, peeled and diced • 1/4 cup celery, diced • 2 large sprigs thyme • 2 bay leaves • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large stock pot, bring salt, sugar, and 4 cups water to a boil. Stir until all ingredients are dissolved. 2. Turn off heat and add remaining ingredients. Place brine in the fridge, uncovered, until cold. 3. Add 6 quarts cold water to brine. Add turkey and submerge completely. Brine chilled for up to 72 hours.
718-698-2200 3
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker