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February 2026
Your Trusted Advisor Zihmer Law Firm
OUR KIND OF VALENTINE’S DAY Slowing Down for What Matters
Valentine’s Day looks a little different at our house than it does in the commercials. We are not usually dressed up in a crowded restaurant trying to talk over the noise. Most years, we are at home with the kids. Andrew loves to cook and normally plans something special for the holiday! Sometimes, the kids help pick the menu. We might even light a couple of candles and hope nobody knocks them over. It’s almost always on a school night, there are dishes to do, and, of course, the clean up, but for a few hours, we slow down and remember that we like being together. I think that is the part I enjoy most. With work, school, and activities, life moves quickly. It’s easy to feel like you are just handing kids off and trading to-do lists. A simple meal at home pulls us back to the “why” behind it all. These are our people. This is our team. When I sit with clients in the office, I see the same “why” show up in different forms. Sometimes it is parents with young children, a bit tired, but clear that their kids are the reason they are finally getting their plan in place. Other times, it’s grandparents who talk about big holiday meals, graduations, and new babies. Different seasons, same feeling. No matter their age, people come to us because they love someone. They want their kids to keep a roof over their heads or a spouse to know what to do without having to guess. They want to avoid putting extra strain on their family during what will be an already difficult time. At Zihmer Law Firm, we’re honored when clients refer their friends and family to us. If you know someone who needs guidance with estate planning, estate administration, Medicaid, or elder law, we’d love the opportunity to help. Your trust means the world to us, and it’s the greatest compliment we can receive.
I also understand why people drag their feet. From the outside, estate planning sounds heavy and a little overwhelming. Once we talk, though, people usually find that the process is much easier than they were telling themselves. In our office, it usually starts with a simple discovery call where we take the time to learn more about you and your goals. Then, we are able to transform those goals into a plan that works for you.
The legal pieces matter, but I never forget that there is a real family behind every page. I think about parents sitting around a table like we do on Valentine’s night, trying to raise good kids and keep their heads above water. I think about grandparents who light up when they mention a grandchild’s name. A signed plan won’t fix every problem, and it won’t stop every worry, but it can turn down some of the noise in the back of your mind. Our Valentine’s dinner is simple and a little messy, but it is ours, and that’s enough. My wish for the families we serve is the same. Whatever your traditions look like, I hope you get many more years of ordinary evenings together, with the comfort of knowing you have taken a few thoughtful steps to protect them.
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ESTATE PLANNING | PROBATE | TRUST ADMINISTRATION | ELDER LAW
CRYOTHERAPY, COLD PLUNGES, AND THE QUEST TO OUTSMART AGING
Every winter, many people living in the northern states head south to escape the cold weather. Florida is well-known for being a snowbird haven, but many also travel to Arizona, California, or even Mexico to enjoy a warmer winter. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to escape a harsh northern winter, but what if the cold was actually beneficial for you? Recent research published in ScienceDirect explored the connection between cold exposure and longevity, and the results may come as a surprise. Researchers reviewed various studies to determine whether exposure to cold temperatures has a positive or negative impact on aging. They explored research related to cryotherapy and cold plunges, as well as examples from the animal kingdom to further their analysis. While their findings weren’t entirely conclusive, the short-term impact of cold exposure may benefit most people and help them age more gracefully.
symptoms related to arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. It can strengthen antioxidant defenses, helping offset the stress caused by aging, environmental factors, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. Cold exposure can enhance our metabolism, aiding in maintaining a healthy weight and blood sugar levels. Even your heart health can improve thanks to the impact of cold exposure on circulation. However, not all of the information from the study is promising. Some studies have shown that communities in colder climates tend to have higher death rates during winter. Furthermore, individuals with preexisting conditions may experience the adverse effects of the cold, as it can be very stressful for their bodies. While this study provides us with a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of cold exposure, further research is needed to draw conclusive findings. For now, it appears that cold exposure can be beneficial for healthy adults in the short term; however, its long-term effects on the body are unknown.
Through their work, researchers have found that cold exposure can reduce chronic inflammation, thereby easing the effects of
Wills vs. Trusts in Plain English UNDERSTANDING YOUR ESTATE PLANNING OPTIONS
One of the most common questions I hear is, “Do I need a Will or a Trust?” It can sound like a big fork in the road. The good news is that the basics are easier to understand than most people expect. Put simply, a Will is a set of instructions we leave behind for our family to follow after we pass away. It outlines who should receive our property, who will handle the estate, and who will care for our minor children. A Will doesn’t control anything during our lifetimes. It also doesn’t keep our families out of probate court, although it does give the court a guide. A Living Trust works a little differently. You move certain assets into the Trust while you are alive. The Trust then owns those assets and holds them for you and your beneficiaries. When you pass away,
the assets can be transferred from the Trust without a court process. In the right situation, that can make things work more smoothly behind the scenes. So, where does that leave you in practice? A well-written Will covers many situations, especially when assets and family dynamics are fairly simple. A few accounts and a straightforward family structure can often be addressed through a Will. In our office, the Trust conversation usually begins when families want to make things easier on the people they love . When there are more moving parts like multiple assets, blended families, privacy concerns, or a desire to avoid court involvement, a Trust offers significantly more control, flexibility, and efficiency. It allows your plan to work smoothly without unnecessary delays, expenses, or stress for your family.
If that’s the case, a Revocable Living Trust may be worth the extra time and cost. A Trust can keep things more organized and prevent information from becoming part of the public record. Trusts can also be beneficial for families of people with special needs. Setting up a Special Needs Trust can provide for the family member without affecting their ability to receive government assistance. Even if you have a Trust, you will still need a Will, especially if you have young children. It will allow you to set up guardianship and ensure that any assets not placed in the Trust are transferred to it upon your death. If you’re unsure what fits your current situation, we’re happy to take a look and help you set up a plan that works for you.
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ESTATE PLANNING | PROBATE | TRU
The Roots of Valentine’s Flowers
A LOVE STORY IN BLOOM
Walk into any grocery store around February, and you can usually tell Valentine’s Day is getting close. Buckets of roses sit near the entrance, and people hover in front of the display while trying to decide whether a bouquet is enough or if they should add some chocolates and a balloon. Even if you don’t go all-in on the sentiment, you can’t help but get a little caught up in the Valentine’s season. If you’ve ever wondered where the tradition of giving flowers started, you have to look back long before Valentine’s Day was ever a thing. For thousands of years, various cultures around the globe have used flowers to mark all types of occasions. Ancient Egyptians used them in ceremonies and burials and adorned their war carts with them before heading into battle. The Greeks and
Romans brought flowering plants into their festivals and rituals and even linked certain blooms with their gods. Roses are the flowers most often associated with romance today. They were first cultivated in China around 5,000 years ago, but it was many years later in Europe that the connection between flowers and romance really bloomed. By the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, different flowers had associations that showed up in art and stories. The idea of a language of flowers took off during the Victorian era. In 1884, an artist and writer named Kate Greenaway even put together a dictionary that matched each flower with a feeling. If a person sent red roses, they were expressing love. White roses, on the
other hand, could represent respect or a new beginning. Violets, lilies, and dozens of other flowers had their own meanings. As time went on, florists and growers created an entire industry around the tradition of giving flowers. Improved greenhouses, railroads, and later airplanes made it possible to ship cut flowers long distances. That helped turn Valentine’s Day into the biggest flower holiday of the year, with Mother’s Day close behind. Today, there are thousands of retail florists nationwide, and sending flowers is as easy as clicking a few buttons in an app. But while the way we order them has changed, the sentiment is the same. A simple arrangement on the table connects us to a tradition that has been growing (quite literally!) for a very long time.
Take a Break
Mouthwatering Mini Cheesecakes
Ingredients • 12 oz package vanilla wafers • 16 oz cream cheese, softened • 3/4 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 21 oz can cherry pie filling
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In two 24-cup miniature muffin pans, line each space with a paper liner. 3. Using a food processor or resealable plastic bag, crush vanilla wafers into a fine crumb. 4. Press 1/2 teaspoon of crumbs into each paper liner. 5. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 6. Fill each miniature muffin liner with this mixture, almost to the top. 7. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the cheesecakes are set. 8. Cool completely in the pan. 9. Top each mini cheesecake with about a teaspoon of cherry pie filling before serving. Enjoy!
DREAM EQUALITY FESTIVAL GROUNDHOG
HEARTS KING LINCOLN MUFFIN
PANCAKE RABBIT ROSES
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
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UST ADMINISTRATION | ELDER LAW
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
3244 Washington Rd., Ste. 210, McMurray, PA 15317 | 412-223-2525 | ZihmerLaw.com
Inside 1
A Valentine for the Whole Family
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Can You Freeze Your Way to a Longer Life?
The Difference Between a Will and a Trust
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Petals With a Past
Mouthwatering Mini Cheesecakes
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No Ocean? No Problem! The Truth About Suburban Seagulls From Shore to Store WHAT ARE THOSE SEAGULLS DOING IN THE PARKING LOT?
If you walk through any suburban mall parking lot these days, you may encounter one of nature’s puzzles: Why are seagulls hanging out here? With no oceans nearby, no beaches, or no enticing seaside picnics, what attracts an ocean bird to a retail plaza? For many of the 50 species of seagulls, the name is a misnomer. While many species do stick to the coasts, a large number, including a species known as the ring-billed gull, are just as happy living inland, especially in suburban parking lots! These gulls enjoy picking up human leftovers wherever they land, and shoppers exiting with mall food often leave an appetizing trail. But gulls aren’t craving just any food scraps. When scientists in Massachusetts studied suburban flocks of ring-billed gulls roosting on a drinking-water reservoir, they discovered the birds flocked during the day to a nearby shopping mall to eat.
Scientists divided these bird-feeding humans into two groups: “casual feeders” who would toss a french fry out of the car window for the birds, and “dedicated feeders” who regularly drove to mall parking lots and served flocks of birds en masse by dumping big loads of bread and other food! While the gulls weren’t above dumpster diving, they preferred to await food deliveries from “their” humans. The scientists concluded that humans’ deliberate mass feedings encouraged the mass gull gatherings at malls around the country.
Also, parking lots resemble the birds’ natural habitats in some ways. Gulls dislike having anything obstruct their
flight path overhead or getting in the way. Various species will flock to almost any kind of open space, from baseball fields to landfills. Maybe that’s so they can dive-bomb picnickers below and swipe your toddler’s hot dog, or snatch that piece of pizza out of your hand. And while many dedicated feeders believe the gulls need their help to get enough to eat, scientists say that is just another trick these savvy birds play on us humans! They’re actually fully capable of foraging for themselves.
Surprisingly, the gulls weren’t satisfied to scavenge for rubbish in trash cans and dumpsters. They were waiting patiently for humans to feed them deliberately .
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