You may have heard people you know talk about the probate process — probably with a little exhaustion or disdain in their voice. When it comes to what the probate process entails, those emotions are definitely warranted. It can be tedious and frustrating, especially after the death of a loved one. But you might wonder what probate is exactly, if it’s really as bad as it sounds, and if it’s something you can avoid. WHAT IS PROBATE? AND SHOULD I AVOID IT?
IS STRESS HARMING YOUR MEMORY? HOW TO COPE WITH DAILY TRIGGERS
Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead
to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable,
there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness.
What is probate? Probate is the term used to describe the court- supervised process of distributing a deceased
person’s assets to their designated beneficiaries. Their will will be filed with the probate court, and per the will’s instructions, the court will appoint a personal representative to make sure that the instructions in the will are carried out, including the distribution of assets, paying of estate debts, and more. Why should I avoid probate, if possible? There are two reasons why you might consider avoiding probate. The first is that the probate process can take months, or even years, to complete, during which time beneficiaries will not be able to access their inheritances. The second reason is because the probate process is public, meaning the court proceedings will be part of the public record, and anyone will be able to look up information on the distribution of your assets. This is understandably something that many people may want to keep private. How can I avoid probate? While there are a few different ways you can go about avoiding probate, the easiest way to do so is to establish a living trust. When you, the grantor, create a living trust, you get to fund it with any assets you want and control the trust until your death. After your death, your successor trustee, whom you will choose when creating the living trust, will distribute your assets according to your wishes. If you have questions about creating a living trust or just navigating the probate process, talk to the experienced lawyers at Obiorah Fields. They can help you manage the path forward, whatever that may be. Call today at (404) 994-6218.
First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common
stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use,
including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing. Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work-related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health. Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be.
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