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January/February 2026
Do you want to succeed in negotiations? Always follow your instincts first, but never neglect to back them up with a paper trail. Write It Right CONTRACTS THAT COUNT Whether you’re leading a major corporation or running a neighborhood hot dog stand, documenting critical agreements in writing is typically wiser than depending on a casual handshake to seal a deal. Words are wonderful, but a contract is often even better.
But what exactly is a contract? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it may appear.
to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), a set of uniform laws governing commercial contracts that aim to ensure cohesion in courts nationwide regardless of jurisdiction. While the UCC is not federally mandated, most states embrace it. Louisiana is a notable exception, as that state has adopted many of the UCC’s standards but specifically favors its own civil laws regarding the sale of goods. Let’s go back to the earlier point that a written contract is often better than a handshake. Although it is always advisable to confirm your state’s specific requirements for the types of contracts that should be in writing, it is generally accepted that those involving real estate, selling goods that are $500 or more in value, prenuptial/ postnuptial agreements, and agreements detailing one party paying off another party’s debts must be in written form. By contrast, short-term business transactions, such as pet sitting or buying and selling a low-cost used television, can be addressed verbally, with the caveat that proving such agreements in court may be difficult. While hiring a new employee may not necessarily require a written contract, it is advisable to utilize one to prevent legal or financial strain in the event of a dispute.
In basic terms, a contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties to exchange something for mutual benefit. Typical examples in the business world include the following:
• Employee contracts that specify the employer’s expectations and the employee’s compensation and benefits
• A “fixed price” construction industry contract that ensures the customer will pay only a predetermined rate, regardless of fluctuations in labor and material costs for the construction provider
• A contractor agreement outlining a short-term/freelance project’s timeline, requirements, compensation, and anticipated expenses
Generally, a contract is only legitimate if all involved parties are of legal age, neither party is intoxicated or under the influence to the point of not comprehending the agreement (and the other party knows this), and are of sound mind. The latter requirement can be tricky, as some states have differing definitions of “mentally incapacitated” and standards for what constitutes one’s ability to understand and acknowledge what they’re signing.
Naturally, this article offers just a brief overview of some of the most common elements of contract law. While you should consult
Of course, these foundational requirements only matter if a contract is validated and enforceable. Most U.S. states adhere
legal counsel to address specific concerns or questions before entering into any contract, the bottom line is clear: Protecting your interests in the business world often takes more than good intentions and a kind word.
Please call us at 304-594-1800 to find out how we can help you!
-Jeff Robinette
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EASE BACK INTO FITNESS WITHOUT THE STRESS GET BACK ON TRACK AND FEEL STRONGER THAN EVER
Restarting your workout routine after a long break can feel like climbing a mountain, but you don’t need to scale Everest on day one. You should start small and start smart. Even one or two weekly workouts can reignite your energy and rebuild your confidence. The key isn’t intensity at first, but creating a rhythm you can stick to. Crush short-term goals. Small victories spark momentum. Instead of staring at a massive goal and feeling defeated, focus on micro-challenges: Walk an extra 1,000 steps daily, or squeeze in 20-minute workouts three times a week. Every little win builds confidence and sets the stage for bigger achievements, like hitting 10,000 steps daily or finishing a full- length fitness class. Schedule workouts around your life. Fitness should fit your life, not disrupt it. Figure out your prime energy hours. Maybe
mornings fuel your focus, or evenings recharge your motivation. Even 15–20 minutes count when you’re easing back in. Start where you are, and gradually increase intensity. Remember, your stamina will grow alongside your consistency, not overnight. Reinforce motivation with retail therapy. A new pair of shoes, a matching workout outfit, or a fancy water bottle can make exercise feel like a reward rather than a chore. Then, try a 30-day challenge to keep things interesting: a mile walk every day, one new workout a week, or short movement breaks during work hours. At the end of the month, reward yourself with a massage, a new gym bag, or a small treat to reinforce your progress. Buddy up for accountability. Accountability is a game-changer. A workout buddy or group can push you to show up on lazy days, celebrate your wins, and keep
the process fun. Studies show that having someone alongside you can boost your consistency, motivation, and happiness. Getting back into exercise isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, celebrating small wins, and making fitness a part of your life again. Start small, plan smart, and enjoy every step of the journey.
Avoiding Inheritance Misunderstandings Beyond Fair Shares
When it comes to estate planning, many feel the simplest solution is to distribute everything equally to heirs and avoid the fight. That may look nice and neat on paper, but equal splits can feel anything but fair in practice. In a British Columbia case, a mother left her rental property to be shared between her son and daughter. The arrangement looked straightforward from the outside. However, the daughter discovered that her brother had already received close to $3 million in lifetime gifts from the estate, while her gifts totaled $120,000. She challenged the will, and the court agreed with her. In this case, a tidy 50–50 split didn’t square with the history behind it. Situations like this one show how sensitive inheritances can be. Families often read meaning into bequests. Someone who receives a larger share may be seen as being favored, while a smaller one
can feel like punishment. Even if an estate planning decision is practical, like leaving more for a child who needs it most, it can be misinterpreted and lead to resentment. That’s why families need to sit down and talk through these decisions together. It can be tempting to “settle it in the will” and escape the discomfort of hard conversations, but silence can often cause more pain later. Even if uncomfortable, an open discussion gives everyone a chance to understand intentions before it’s too late. Estate planning should be about more than distributing money. It’s also about preserving relationships and leaving behind clarity and a sense of love in inheritance decisions. Achieving this requires a combination of careful planning and honest conversations. It can be difficult, but you can gift your family assets and understanding with the right approach.
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Who Makes the Rules in Space? Cosmic Counsel
The phrase “space lawyer” may conjure images of an intergalactic courtroom setting in a “Star Trek” film, but the term and profession are rooted in reality here on Earth. Simply put, space lawyers are legal professionals specializing in international law and drafting agreements between countries regarding their activities throughout our galaxy. Instead of brokering peace treaties between humans and Klingons, these attorneys work to establish policies that outline rules and obligations nations must follow when conducting themselves beyond our clouds. For example, treaties negotiated by space lawyers were instrumental in getting the Soviet Union to spend millions to clean up radioactive debris deposited over northern Canada by its Cosmos 954 satellite in the late 1970s. Utilizing Article 7 of the Outer Space Treaty (via the 1972 Space Liability Convention), the Canadian government argued that the Soviet Union was on the
hook to cover the majority of the cost of Operation Morning Light, an extensive cleanup operation by the U.S. and Canada to remove nearly 50,000 square miles of hazardous material dropped from space. Thanks to space lawyers, no nation can claim ownership of Earth (or any other planet), the moon, or any other entity discovered in the galaxy. However, recent debates have raised an intriguing question: Who would own the resources derived from the moon or another planet? If Russia were to one day discover a life-saving nutrient on the moon’s surface, would it have the right to claim exclusive ownership of this medical marvel? Would this discovery need to be shared with other nations involved in space-related treaties? While it may take years (or the invention of a good time-traveling warp drive) for us to resolve these questions, it’s clear we need space lawyers to tackle these and other questions in a legal frontier that no Earth-bound lawyer has pondered before!
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Rustic French Pistachio Cake
Ingredients
Inspired by TheViewFromGreatIsland.com
• 2 cups heavy cream, cold • 1 1/2 cups (minus 1 tbsp) all- purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar • 1 tbsp vanilla paste • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped, plus extra for topping • Powdered sugar for dusting
• 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt • 3 large eggs
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F, then butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan. 2. Whip cold cream until it forms firm peaks, then refrigerate. 3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. 4. Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 5. Fold pistachios and flour mixture into egg mixture. 6. Gently fold cream into the batter until no streaks remain. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. 7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until puffed and golden on top. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan. 8. Dust with powdered sugar and top with pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature!
PROVERBS 16:24
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Power of Promises on Paper
1
Find Your Flow and Fall Back in Love With Exercise Why Intentions Matter in Estate Planning
2
The Legal Minds Behind Moon Missions Rustic French Pistachio Cake
3
Tiny Paws, Big Rescue: Kitten Helps Man Survive Mountain Ordeal
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SMALL HEARTBEAT, BIG RESCUE Kitten Keeps Trapped Climber Alive in Mountain Blizzard
Trapped in an icy mountain ravine, soaked and nearly frozen, 28-year-old Vladislav Duda contemplated what he feared would be the last night of his life. Escape from the ravine, more than 430 yards deep, was out of the question. Suffering from fatigue as hypothermia set in, Duda believed only one thing separated him from death: the furry warmth of his months-old kitten, Peach, huddled against his chest beneath his coat. Duda, a Ukrainian journalist, had undertaken a perilous journey in late 2024 across the Carpathian Mountains into Romania to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Four days earlier, he had run out of food for his cat and himself, and they were surviving on icy water from melted snow. Rescue workers from a regional mountain team had tried to reach Duda by helicopter,
but hazardous blizzard conditions forced them to turn back. Instead, more than a dozen ground workers battled through deep snow in 14-degree temperatures into the ravine. When they finally reached Duda, they opened his coat and found the tiny orange tabby kitten curled against Duda’s chest. “The cat was warm, and was warming him,” Dan Benga, director of the Maramures Mountain Rescue Service, told The Associated Press. “He saved his life.”
from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me.” Although climbing out of the ravine took more than five hours, Duda held Peach close to his chest the entire way. Forced to turn the kitten over to rescue workers when he was placed in an ambulance, Duda begged them, “Please take care of the cat.” When Duda was rescued, he was one of roughly 160 Ukrainian men saved while crossing the mountains to avoid the draft. Sixteen others died trying.
The rescue was “like a dream, after all I have been through,” Duda
Asked if he was okay, Benga says that Duda told his rescuers, “I’m happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance
said. “Peach kept my heart warm, and he kept my faith alive.” Duda was treated for hypothermia at a nearby hospital. Peach was taken to a veterinary clinic nearby and, at last report, survived the ordeal in good health.
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