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August 2025 Give Them the Freedom to Mourn, Not Manage LIGHTEN THE LOAD OF GRIEF WITH A PLAN THAT SPEAKS FOR YOU
603-894-4141 | 978-969-0331 | LegacyCareLaw.com
When someone we love dies, grief does not ask for our permission. It arrives uninvited, heavy, and unpredictable. In those moments of loss, the last thing anyone wants is to face a mountain of legal questions or decisions. Unfortunately, without proper estate planning, that is precisely what grieving families are forced to confront. I have sat across the table from families in the throes of mourning, and I have seen firsthand how having a plan — or not having one — can shape the entire experience. An effective estate plan does more than direct how assets are distributed. It brings clarity and structure during a period that can feel chaotic and uncertain. It allows grieving family members to focus on honoring their loved one, not scrambling to understand complex legal procedures or sorting through financial unknowns. A well- prepared plan communicates, without ambiguity, what you intended, ensuring your legacy is preserved and your wishes are respected. We are saying to our families, “I thought of you. I made this easier for you.” While not always easy to talk about, that kind of preparation is one of the most compassionate gifts we can offer. Because when the time comes, our loved ones will not need to guess about our wishes, navigate a maze of court proceedings, or face unexpected expenses. Instead, they will have clarity, guidance, and the space to grieve without the weight of uncertainty. Too often, I meet with people who resist estate planning because it feels uncomfortable or morbid. A common belief is that if we avoid talking about death, we somehow protect ourselves from it. But ignoring the conversation does not spare us; it simply passes the complexity down to our loved ones. Without a plan, the state laws will determine who manages your affairs, who receives your assets, and how decisions are made. That means you place your hard-
earned money and your most personal decisions into the hands of strangers guided by default laws, not your values.
The irony is that many people who delay planning are incredibly organized in other areas of life. They manage careers, families, and finances with care and attention. These are the people who map vacations to the hour, keep color-coded calendars, and track every dollar in a spreadsheet, but they pause at estate planning. It feels too personal, emotional, and serious. And it is. But it is also a gift you leave not for yourself but for those who matter most. Even for those who already have an estate plan in place, I always emphasize the importance of reviewing it regularly. Life changes like marriages, divorces, births, deaths, and relocations can significantly impact your plan. I have seen families discover, too late, that a once-thoughtful plan no longer reflects current relationships or intentions. Revisiting your documents every few years ensures your legacy is truly protected and your loved ones are supported in the way you envision. I know estate planning conversations are not always easy. But they are meaningful. They are empowering. And they are, at their core, about love and taking the time to protect the people who matter most. So, whether you are motivated by compassion, logistics, or simply the desire to ensure your voice is heard long after you are gone, take the step. Create a plan. Review your plan. And give your family the gift of peace during one of life’s most difficult moments.
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GOLDEN YEARS, GOLDEN GAINS
A RETIREMENT RICHES ROAD MAP
Once you’ve reached the age where stepping away from your life’s work is feasible, it is essential to explore ways to make your retirement funds last as long as possible — a goal that involves more than just keeping your bills paid in your golden years. Here are three thoughts to help you move toward a comfortable, sustainable, and secure post-work life. Redefine the future. There are several ways to build a reliable retirement plan to ensure financial strength. First, consider whether your anticipated fund withdrawals align with your tax strategies. For example, a Roth IRA conversion could present opportunities to reduce your financial obligations if you anticipate reaching a higher income tax bracket later in life. At the same time, charitable giving could result in similar advantages. Balance benefits with needs. Factoring in your Social Security benefits is another way to determine your post-retirement financial health, but only if you carefully consider when you begin receiving them. Generally, you can begin claiming Social Security benefits between ages 62–70, and the age you choose to receive them determines the amount.
If you decide to begin receiving your benefits as soon as you turn 62, they will remain at the lowest amount available indefinitely. Full benefits kick in once you reach your full retirement age of 67, but delaying them until you’re 70 will add 8% to your annual income. Avoid the risks of restraint. Although patience comes with a payoff, you face a few dangers if you delay your Social Security benefits. For example, putting off receiving them could prevent you from having the funds necessary to address any unexpected medical situation. Additionally, waiting until 70 could have a negative financial impact on your significant other, as spousal benefits are capped when your partner reaches full retirement age under certain conditions.
As no two financial paths are the same, we encourage you to consult a financial advisor and/or estate planner to ensure the most comfortable retirement
and sustainable legacy possible.
Climbing Past Parkinson’s
ROCK WALLS ARE HELPING PATIENTS RISE ABOVE
In a remarkable twist on traditional
to ensure their safety while they climb. Cupka emphasizes that the act of climbing engages the body and mind, requiring climbers to assess routes and make calculated movements, which can enhance cognitive function and physical agility. One inspiring participant is Dr. John Lessin, a former cardiac anesthesiologist diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003. Despite the disease’s progression, Lessin has embraced climbing, scaling walls up to 60 feet high. He describes reaching the summit as a triumphant experience: “I feel like I’ve conquered something. And I feel like the wall can’t beat me. I can beat the wall.” His daughter, Brittany, notes the significant impact rock climbing has had on her dad, claiming his newfound passion brings joy and a sense of accomplishment. Another climber, Vivek Puri, diagnosed at 38, refers to himself as “Spider-Man” when on the wall. He observes that climbing
sessions alleviate his symptoms, particularly improving his fine motor skills. Puri’s experience underscores the potential of climbing to mitigate some of the physical challenges Parkinson’s presents. Beyond individual achievements, the program fosters a supportive community among participants. Climbers often form bonds, encourage each other, and share their victories together — it’s a great way to build camaraderie and take stress off patients! While rock climbing may not be a conventional treatment for Parkinson’s, the success stories emerging from UpENDing Parkinson’s suggest that with innovation and determination, patients can find new avenues to combat the disease’s effects. This approach not only challenges the limitations imposed by Parkinson’s but also redefines what is possible in the realm of therapy and rehabilitation.Climb on!
therapy, individuals battling Parkinson’s disease are finding empowerment and improved well-being
through rock climbing. This unconventional approach is spearheaded by Molly Cupka, who founded the nonprofit organization UpENDing Parkinson’s over a decade ago. Her program introduces Parkinson’s patients to the vertical world of climbing, which offers both physical and mental benefits. Parkinson’s disease often impairs mobility, balance, and coordination. Rock climbing, with its demands for strength, strategic planning, and focus, serves as a comprehensive workout. Participants are securely harnessed
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Protect Your Assets from Nursing Home Costs. Avoid Probate Fees and Frustration. Minimize Death Taxes.
LEARN ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING FROM OUR ATTORNEYS
Tuesday, September 9 — 6 PM at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Andover th Wednesday, September 10 — 1 PM at The Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village th Wednesday, September 10 — 6 PM at The Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village th Thursday, September 11 — 1 PM at the Andover Inn th Upcoming In-Person Seminars
Call us or visit our website to sign up: 603-894-4141 or 978-969-0331 • www.legacycarelaw.com
OFFICES LOCATIONS: SALEM, NH
NASHUA, NH
BEVERLY, MA
WOBURN, MA
NORTH ANDOVER, MA
Frontier Ingenuity at Its Finest HOW 1800s PIONEERS TURNED TREE STUMPS INTO COZY HOMES
Imagine wandering through a dense, misty forest when you spot a cozy little home carved into the base of a towering tree stump. It sounds like something straight out of a fairytale, but in the rugged 1800s, it was everyday reality for some of America’s earliest settlers on the West Coast. Back then, before the lumber industry toppled millions of ancient giants, the forests were filled with trees so massive their trunks could measure 20 feet across or more. Once felled (a task so intense it could take a month), these colossal stumps were too big, stubborn, and abundant to remove easily. Rather than blowing them up (though some tried with dynamite), the pioneers did what pioneers do best: They got scrappy. They turned the stumps into homes, post offices, barns, and even dance floors! One of the most legendary stump homes was the Lennstrom Stump House in
Edgecomb, Washington. Crafted from a cedar stump 22 feet wide, it sheltered three adults and three children, proving that creativity could turn leftover lumber into a home. Though the original Lennstrom house met its end in 1946, you can still marvel at an 18-foot stump house today at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum nearby. But stump houses weren’t just for surviving; they were for celebrating, too. In Calaveras, California, settlers turned a massive hollowed-out tree into a grand dance hall and hotel. Guests waltzed under twinkling candlelight and cedar boughs strung high above the forest floor. As one 1850s newspaper gushed, it was “romantic and beautiful beyond description” (although the ladies did wish the stump-turned-dance floor had a little more bounce)! In a time when luxury was a warm fire and a sturdy roof (or stump) over your head,
The Lennstrom House ca. 1901
these quirky homes captured the best of pioneer spirit: grit, resourcefulness, and a little bit of magic. Next time you pass an ancient stump on a hike, imagine what stories it might hold. In the right hands and with a bit of imagination, it might have been the coziest home on the frontier!
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9 Red Roof Lane, Salem, NH 03079 603-894-4141 | 978-969-0331 LegacyCareLaw.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Ease Grief With Grace: How Estate Planning Lifts the Burden
2
Post-Work Wealth Wisdom
The Unlikely Therapy Transforming Lives
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The Wild History of the Wild West’s Stump Houses
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Don’t Worry About a Thing (Except Getting a Will)
BOB MARLEY’S ESTATE: EVERY LITTLE THING IS NOT GOING TO BE ALRIGHT
Over the years, numerous lawsuits popped up. There were legal battles between family members, former business managers, and even people who claimed to be Marley’s children. To make matters worse, in the mid-1990s, Rita was accused of trying to forge documents that would have given her control over Bob’s name and likeness rights. That claim led to a prolonged court case and more delays in distributing the estate. An Organized Estate Eventually, the Jamaican courts appointed a court-supervised administrator to handle Marley’s estate — a move meant to avoid further family infighting and keep things above board. The estate was restructured under a holding company, Nine Mile, and later managed by a team of professionals to protect Marley’s image and assets.
When Bob Marley passed away in 1981 at age 36, the reggae icon left behind a massive musical legacy and a major legal mess. Why? He didn’t leave a will. Despite being one of the most famous musicians on the planet, Marley died intestate (the legal term for dying without a will). At the time of his death, his estate was estimated to be worth around $30 million, and that number has only grown thanks to royalties, licensing deals, and merchandise. No Will, Big Problems Without a will, Marley’s estate was subject to Jamaican intestacy laws, which meant his wife, Rita Marley, and his 11 recognized children were supposed to share the estate. While this sounds simple, it didn’t work out that way.
To this day, the estate remains active and highly valuable. Marley still consistently ranks among the top-earning deceased celebrities, pulling in millions annually from music sales, merchandise, and licensing. Bob Marley’s probate case reminds us that no matter how famous or well-recognized you are, dying without a will can create chaos, especially when significant assets are involved. Legal fees pile up, relationships can fall apart, and it can take years to settle everything. So, the takeaway is to plan ahead. A will (and potentially a trust) can save your loved ones a world of trouble — and ensure your legacy is handled exactly the way you want.
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