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513-721-1513 | ZimmerLawFirm.com July 2025
THE MISSING PIECE IN ESTATE PLANS What Happens to Your Digital Life When You Die?
If you’ve ever lost someone close to you, you may have found yourself scrolling through their Facebook profile months after their funeral. A birthday reminder appears. Old photos resurface. These digital echoes are sometimes comforting, but they also raise an important question: Who controls these accounts after death? What if a loved one has fully embraced digital life and has converted all financial records and accounts to online access only? How would the trustee or executor know what accounts exist, how much money or investments they hold, or how to access those accounts? Most people don’t realize that online financial accounts titled to a deceased owner are not openly accessible to the living family or estate fiduciary. Or that social media accounts remain active unless someone takes action, and even then, accessing or managing them isn’t always straightforward. Online financial accounts may require estate planning documents to follow the road map established by the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) adopted in Ohio in 2017, or else they are off limits — even if the family has the login credentials. Many families discover these facts too late. That’s why we include social media and other digital accounts in estate planning for our clients. These are not just loose ends. Social media may include part of your life story, and in many cases, they contain personal history that family members care
deeply about. Accessing online financial accounts is critical because they may hold assets of great value that need to be protected and distributed to heirs. Social media is just the beginning. Most people have dozens of other digital assets, such as email accounts, online banking apps, photo backups, reward programs, cloud documents, and possibly cryptocurrency. Some of these accounts hold real financial value. Others store sensitive personal information or photos that may not exist anywhere else. When access is missing or unclear, the results can be frustrating. Family members may have to provide court documentation, face denial from platforms, or lose access altogether. When bills must be paid, documents recovered, or memorials managed, this lack of access can delay important decisions, cause distress, or cause financial hardship or loss. A bit of planning can help avoid those problems. One of the most practical steps is to create a record of your digital accounts and note which ones are important to preserve, manage, or close. A handwritten list can work, but many people now use password managers that allow controlled sharing or emergency access. Even that, though, is only one piece of the solution. It’s just as important to name someone with the legal right to act on your behalf. Not just any will, trust agreement, or power of attorney will work for this purpose.
These documents must meet the detailed requirements under RUFADAA. Access to a deceased person’s login credentials is not enough because, without the appropriate legal authority, it would violate privacy laws. Some platforms offer tools that let users plan ahead, making reliance on RUFADAA unnecessary. For example, Facebook’s “Legacy Contact” feature lets you choose someone to manage your profile when you pass away. Google offers an Inactive Account Manager that can transfer data to a designated person after a period of inactivity. These tools are helpful but only cover individual platforms and don’t replace broader legal planning. At Zimmer Law Firm, we include authority over digital assets by making all estate plans we prepare meet the RUFADAA standards. If your plan doesn’t account for your online life now, or if it was made before 2017, now is the time to update it. Whether you want to protect family photos, manage financial tools, or ensure your social media presence reflects your wishes, we can help you take the next step. Contact us today to request a free consultation.
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Moves Beyond Today’s Money SECURE STEPS TO A SAFE RETIREMENT
There’s often more to retirement planning than meets the eye, especially regarding taxes.
to provide to your heirs. However, prepare for the likelihood that putting too much money into a Roth conversion may lead you toward a higher tax bracket once retirement comes, so careful planning with professional assistance is advised. With taxes expected to rise in 2026 and beyond, it’s also prudent to work with a financial planner to implement strategies to reduce your financial obligations in retirement, including the amount taxed on your Social Security benefits. A Plan for Health Care Hurdles Unfortunately, reaching retirement age often means experiencing new health issues that could substantially impact your income. It is critical to consider how any changes to your retirement income may affect Medicare premiums or increase the chance of incurring penalties. Charting a financially secure future takes skill, focus, and tremendous care. What may work for someone else financially may not be the best solution for you. Consult a financial professional before implementing any plan that could drastically alter your comfort and security.
Although many people believe saving money for their golden years is the primary path to a secure retirement, tax planning and health care considerations play significant roles in the strength of one’s later years and subsequent legacy. Here are two essential aspects of proper retirement and estate planning that many often overlook. The Right Financial Tune-Up Time Frame The most significant risk to successful estate and retirement planning is not starting the process early enough. To ensure the smoothest transition possible, experts recommend engaging in tax planning no later than five years before you intend to retire. Getting a lengthy headstart will enable you to determine ways to make pretax funds work for you in tax-advantaged accounts. If you anticipate reaching a higher tax bracket in retirement, converting to a Roth IRA — in which you can grow post-tax funds toward your retirement and withdraw them tax-free after you reach 59.5 years old and have had the account for five years — may be a viable option to protect yourself and what you intend
MAXIMIZED MARITAL MAGIC The Art of Unlimited Deductions
Devising the best estate plan to provide for those dearest to you can be emotionally and logistically challenging, even under the clearest circumstances. However, this process can be even more difficult due to the critical terms, conditions, and laws that could determine the strength or weakness of how your wishes are carried out upon your passing. To make things a little easier, here are the basics about the “unlimited marital deduction” and how it influences what one spouse receives from another. Tax-Free Transfers The unlimited marital deduction enables a spouse to transfer unlimited assets to another tax-free. You derive this deduction by subtracting the total amount of assets from the gross estate, which must be distributed according to a will. Estate taxes on transferred assets are delayed until the recipient spouse’s death. The spouses must be legally married U.S. citizens to qualify for this deduction. Safeguarding a Sustained Legacy If an individual wishes to have a say in what happens to their assets after their surviving spouse passes, they can set up an irrevocable Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) Trust that will still provide for the surviving spouse but outline beneficiaries
upon their death. Because this trust is irrevocable, it can’t be altered by anyone, including the surviving spouse.
Citizenship Exceptions Although establishing the unlimited marital deduction is straightforward for
American citizens, pursuing similar options for non-citizen spouses is more complex but not impossible. First, a U.S. citizen can gift money to their non-U.S. citizen spouse. In 2024, the maximum amount not subject to gift taxes was $185,000. Another option would be to establish a Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT), which allows the non-citizen spouse to take advantage of the unlimited marital deduction so long as they are the sole beneficiary and at least one trustee is a U.S. citizen or an American corporation. Naturally, the conditions outlined in this brief overview are subject to a host of what-ifs that may affect the specific outcome of your situation. Working with skilled financial planners familiar with these nuances is essential to secure your spouse’s well-being and satisfy tax obligations when the time comes to implement your estate plan.
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TAKE A BREAK
Budget Brilliance From a Bygone Era
AMERICAN BICYCLE CHERRY FIREWORKS FLAG
In a world where you can have anything delivered in a day, it’s easy to forget that less can be more. But our grandparents and great-grandparents knew the art of stretching a dollar. These timeless frugal habits aren’t just budget-friendly; they’re resourceful and surprisingly satisfying. Ready to channel your inner penny-pincher? Let’s bring these throwback habits back to life. Mend it, don’t end it. Once upon a time, people didn’t just toss a sock with a hole. Instead, you sewed it right back up! No need to rush to the store — just a few basic mending skills can save you from countless unnecessary purchases. It’s also more empowering to fix something with your own hands than tossing it — not to mention much more eco-friendly. Master the magic of homemade meals. Fast food might be convenient, but cooking from scratch is where the real savings (and flavor) happen. Think soups from veggie scraps and hearty meals made from simple pantry staples. Not only does it cut costs, but it puts you in control of your ingredients and nutrition — a win-win. Reinvent your leftovers. Gone are the days of letting food wilt in the fridge. Old-school frugal folks gave every last bite a second act. Roast chicken becomes broth. Rice gets turned into stir-fry. Stale bread transforms into French toast or bread pudding. Get creative! You’ll waste less and eat better. Choose cash over card. There’s something about handing over $20 cash that makes you think twice before spending it. Cash budgeting may feel outdated, but it’s one of the simplest ways to curb impulse buys. Envelopes marked for groceries, gas, or coffee dates give you a clear snapshot of your spending — and what’s left. No more senseless swiping! Save with secondhand savvy. Hand-me-downs were once a household norm! Today, thrift stores and vintage finds are trending again, and for good reason. Whether it’s clothing, furniture, or kitchenware, buying secondhand is kinder to your wallet and the planet. RETRO HABITS MAKE MODERN LIFE (AND PRICES) EASIER
INDEPENDENCE PADDLEBOARD PICNIC RUBY STARS SHERBET TRAMPOLINE
Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
Ingredients
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice chicken down the middle horizontally (not cutting all the way through). 3. Spread pesto inside filleted chicken, then stuff with cheese and tomatoes before closing chicken, covering filling. 4. Place chicken in a large oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with oil. 5. Set the skillet over medium heat; cook 5 minutes. 6. Add 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and season with chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. 7. Bake in oven for 7–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes burst. 8. Toss remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes with basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 9. Serve the chicken topped with fresh tomatoes.
• 4–6 boneless,
skinless chicken breasts • 1/2 cup basil pesto • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup oil-packed
sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved
• 2 cups cherry
tomatoes, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Chili flakes, to taste • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste
So, channel some old-school genius and start living a frugal, intentional lifestyle!
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513-721-1513 ZimmerLawFirm.com 9825 Kenwood Road, STE 201 Cincinnati, OH 45242
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Planning for Your Online Accounts
2
Ways to Win the Retirement Race
Secrets to Spousal Stability
3
Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken
Old-School Habits That Will Save Your Wallet
4
The Future of UK Forestry
20 MILLION TREES TRANSFORM TOMORROW The Path to a Better Planet
The seeds for the future of our environment have been planted in the United Kingdom.
century. Perhaps most significantly, nearly 75% of the planned Western Forest will consist of farmland, introducing a strong probability of significant economic benefits for the area’s agricultural industry. Shaping a Sustainable Future The Forest of Avon, a UK-based charitable organization devoted to expanding and sustaining trees and woodlands, will oversee the project’s implementation. “[T]he Western Forest will enhance, connect, and improve our urban and rural landscapes, support investment into the region, create jobs and skills opportunities, and bring the endless benefits we get back from planting and caring for our trees,” noted Forest of Avon Chief Executive Alex Stone. “It is a
very exciting time for this region, and we look forward to helping shape what the Western Forest will become.” Positivity Across the Pond In addition to its clear environmental benefits, forestry plays a signature role in the American economy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, forestry activities generate more than $13 billion annually. Additionally, research suggests that strolling through the trees or engaging in other natural settings improves people’s focus and lowers their stress levels. Whether here or abroad, your body and spirit would do well to get out in nature and visit a forest now and then — and by 2050, you’ll have 20 million more reasons to do so.
Earlier this year, the UK government announced the creation of the Western Forest, an initiative to plant 20 million trees over 600 acres by 2050. Spanning Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and the West England countryside and bolstered by nearly $10 million in government funding, the project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen biodiversity, help prevent the decline of rare species, prevent flooding, and bring millions of residents closer to nature. In addition to being the first new forest of its kind in the UK in 30 years, the Western Forest project is an ambitious step forward in the government’s goal of increasing tree and woodland cover by more than 15% within the next quarter-
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