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May 2023
We All Endure Internal Battles But We Never Know the Gravity of the Situation
sometimes, you won’t even realize the gravity of someone’s situation because they don’t show signs of distress when engaging with others. My son, Matias, passed away due to mental health issues. He was battling depression, and no one in our family knew how serious his battle was. Although my wife and I did everything in our power to help and support him, we never truly understood the gravity of his situation. Therefore, if you have loved ones battling mental health issues, please lend a helping hand. Be patient and understanding of their situation, and tell them you are always there for them. However, it’s best to
What’s so special about life is that we all get to endure different experiences. We are on different life paths, and how we react to various situations depends on our beliefs, feelings, and previous experiences. Because of this, you and I could go through the same situation but have different perspectives. And the same can be said regarding mental health.
Mental health is a topic we should pay attention to — you never know what the people around you are going through. You could come across people who seem very sociable,
understand that we all perceive things differently. So, if someone voices their concerns to you, be sensitive to their situation and provide guidance or assistance when needed.
happy, and extroverted on the outside. But internally, they may be
To those suffering from mental health issues or witnessing a loved one going through a mental health episode, my thoughts are with you during this time. I understand how challenging this situation is for you and how your back can seem up against a wall. But I promise you’re not alone in your struggles. You have people around you who love and care for you and want to support you in any way they can. Please reach out to your loved ones when needed, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. While it may seem like vulnerability is a weakness, it’s one of the greatest signs of strength. So, keep going! You are stronger than any of the battles you’re up against. For those looking for resources to help you during this time, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/programs-and-services/prevention/ mental-health/links.html.
fighting battles and hardships we cannot see. They
could be an entirely different person behind closed doors. Perhaps they are trying to overcome life changes, financial troubles, or another situation. An example we can look at is when you’re driving and suddenly see a car race past you and speed down the road. Or maybe someone cut you off in traffic so they can get to their exit, turn, or destination. I’m sure we’ve all experienced something similar to this — and I understand how frustrating it can be! Our initial reaction is to become angry. Why is the other person driving like that? But have you considered they may have heard of a family emergency they must tend to? We don’t know why the other driver felt the need to race down the highway — we don’t know what they are going through. Likewise, we will never truly understand how situations and experiences affect others. The driving example shows how we all perceive scenarios and instances differently — you can view a situation as minor and non- threatening, but it can be major and life-changing to others. And
If there is anything I can do for you during this time, please don’t hesitate to call me. I am here for you every step of the way.
–Horacio Sosa
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earned. But there’s an incentive to wait even longer. Benefits increase by roughly 8% for each additional year you wait until age 70. CNBC further calculates that someone who doesn’t begin receiving benefits until 70 will receive 76% higher benefits than someone who takes them at age 62. If you only look at the amount of your monthly benefit, it’s clear that waiting until 70 is ideal. But you should consider other factors. For example, some people have minimal savings that will not allow them to make ends meet. But if they’re laid off or pushed into early retirement, claiming Social Security might be the only option, despite the downside. Everyone considering claiming Social Security should also evaluate their health. Someone in good health with a reasonable chance of living a long life will generally benefit from waiting. However, someone in poor health at age 62 may want to receive benefits while they still can. (Even then, experts remind you to weigh the impact of survivor benefits.) Before claiming Social Security payments, discuss your long-term plans and goals with your family. Additionally, discussing the matter with your financial advisor is extremely wise. They can evaluate your circumstances and guide you through your options. Choosing the Right Moment The Perfect Time to Claim Social Security
Most of us pay into Social Security our entire working lives, but how much we each benefit from this mandatory investment depends on when we start claiming benefits. Whether you start claiming Social Security at age 62, 70, or somewhere in between is a highly personal decision. But everyone should consider several factors before deciding when to start receiving their checks. The earliest age someone can start claiming Social Security benefits is 62. Many people don’t want to work longer than they have to, so immediately cashing in might seem like a great idea. But there is a catch: People who collect Social Security at 62 receive reduced benefits. According to CNBC, someone who turns 62 in 2023 and begins claiming benefits will receive a 30% lower monthly benefit than if they wait until 67 — and the reduction is permanent.
The full retirement age is 67 for most people still waiting to claim, at which point they can receive 100% of the benefits they’ve
A Workshop of Wonders Making Kids’ Dreams Come True
items. Unlike most reality shows, there is no time crunch. The builders take as long as they like to build something that makes them proud.
What do you get when you combine goofball builders, a grumpy boss, and kids with wacky ideas? In Netflix’s 2022 reality show “Making Fun,” experts actually create high-concept, nonsense inventions that children dreamed up! The result is a playful and educational show that’s perfect for all ages. “Making Fun” follows Jimmy DiResta, a master builder, and his misfit band of “makers” as they bring children’s imaginative creations to life. The team members know their way around a workshop and use wood, metal, foam, fabric, and more to create mechanical wonders that ultimately serve no purpose other than to make kids’ dreams come true. The first of eight episodes in the series follows the crew as they build a dinosaur that spits out tacos. In others, the builders create a pirate ship pizza cannon and a device to fling cat poop. (Remember, these were kids’ ideas!) Throughout the episode, viewers watch as designs are conceptualized and brought to life even as hiccups are addressed along the way. It’s not all fun, though; this show is also surprisingly educational. The builders explain why they use specific materials, the basics of how the machines in the shop work, and how experts make common
Jimmy’s crew also provides plenty of entertainment.
Graz tells bad jokes, and Derek is capable but clueless. Jackman,
the engineer, provides technical know-how. And you can count on Canadian Pat to work wonders with a lathe while being very strange. The group regularly mocks each other, and the editors frequently add funny songs or graphics to the scenes. “Making Fun” involves some potty humor and censored swear words, and not all parents appreciate Jimmy’s gruff (though likely scripted) demeanor with the kids. The show is generally appropriate for children ages 8 and up, but it’s also fun for older kids and adults. Gather around the TV for a laugh and a new sense of what’s possible with the right tools.
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COMFORT IN AN EMERGENCY Why You Need a Power of Attorney Estate planning is about much more than determining what will happen to your assets after you pass away. It’s also crucial to plan for medical emergencies. In fact, designating financial and health care powers of attorney (POA) should be an essential component of any estate plan. A POA gives someone the legal right to act on your behalf. These documents also outline the specific type of decisions the designated agent can undertake and sometimes detail a single event. For example, if you become incapacitated, designating financial power of attorney will allow someone you choose to handle your finances on your behalf, while a health care power of attorney grants someone the right to make decisions about your medical treatment. Before designating an agent, consider whom you trust with your money and health. Some people might select the same family member to be their financial and health care agents, but others could choose separate individuals. Each situation is different, and you know what’s best for you. While a relative who cares deeply about your well-being may be an ideal health care agent, this person might make a terrible financial agent if they can’t balance a checkbook. Each state has methods for determining who will make decisions for an incapacitated person when they do not have a predesignated power of attorney. But the process is less than ideal. Having to hash out who should be your representative can cause strife within your family when they need each other the most. Further, an incapacitated person no longer has the ability or right to determine who will take on these crucial responsibilities and make monumental decisions about their care, finances, and life. Creating power of attorney documents while you are of sound mind gives you some measure of control over your future. Fortunately, many POA designations will never take effect, but if the worst happens, you’ll be better off having a power of attorney in place.
ROASTED SWEET POTATO ARUGULA SALAD
Inspired by Nutriciously.com
Ingredients
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced • 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced • 3 small radishes, thinly sliced • 2 cups arugula, thinly sliced • 1 1/2 cups cooked lima beans, drained and rinsed • Balsamic salad dressing of choice
• 3 medium sweet potatoes, cubed • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp turmeric • 1/2 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a bowl, toss sweet potato cubes with smoked paprika, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. 3. Roast for 25–30 minutes until sweet potatoes are nicely browned and fork-tender. 4. In a large salad bowl, combine onion, bell pepper, radishes, arugula, and lima beans. 5. Toss the salad with dressing, then top with roasted sweet potatoes.
TAKE A BREAK
Blossom Derby
Emerald Fertilize Gemini Horse Lightsaber
Mother Nature Parade Seedling Veterans
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954-532-9447 www.SosaLegal.com 2924 Davie Rd., Ste. 102 Davie, FL 33314 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Please Check-In With Loved Ones Frequently
1
Should You Wait to Claim Social Security? Bringing Kids’ Ideas to Life
2
Roasted Sweet Potato Arugula Salad Why Every Estate Plan Needs a Power of Attorney
3
4 Sons, 4 Wills, and an Ongoing Battle
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How Her Handwritten Wills Caused Strife Aretha Franklin Didn’t ‘Respect’ Estate Planning
the singer’s home. Two were dated 2010 and locked in a cabinet. The third, dated 2014, had been written in a spiral notebook, and Sabrina found it under the Queen of Soul’s couch cushions. The wills split her assets differently — but crucially, none of the three were signed. A fourth unsigned will, dated 2018, emerged in 2021. The documents proved Franklin knew the value of estate planning, but she never completed the legal requirements, and the fallout has been enormous. Her oldest son has disabilities, and Franklin missed the opportunity to establish a special needs trust. Further, while Franklin kept her oldest son’s father a secret her entire life, she revealed his identity in one of her wills — perhaps not realizing it would be made public. Meanwhile, Franklin’s four sons have fought each other in court, and the estate racked up a $7.8 million tax bill.
The world lost a legend when the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, died in 2018. And in their grief, her family got an enormous headache. Unlike many, Franklin did plan for her eventual death — but her DIY approach to the matter proved disastrous. Her four conflicting, handwritten wills cost the estate millions, pitted relatives against each other, and exposed family secrets. Franklin didn’t trust others to handle her money and personal affairs. She’d even demand upfront cash for her performances and stash it under her piano onstage. So, it may not have surprised her family that she decided to handle her estate plan herself. While they initially thought she died intestate (without a will), conflicting documents emerged.
A trial, initially scheduled for August 2020, was delayed due to the pandemic. However, the estate resolved the IRS debt in June 2022. Despite their earlier battle, her sons requested their mother’s remaining assets be split equally, but it is unclear whether a judge has approved their request. A comprehensive estate plan could have shielded Franklin’s substantial intellectual property, reduced the estate’s tax burden, and properly cared for her family. This cautionary tale should remind you to do more than “say a little prayer” to protect your assets after death.
Franklin’s niece and estate executor Sabrina found three handwritten wills while cleaning
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