Beckett Law - February 2019

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FEBRUARY 2019

Beckett Law, LLC

Peace of Mind. Not a Piece of Paper TM Estate Planning Law Center, LLC

L i

NO MATTER WHERE THEY COME FROM

February is the month of love! This year, I’d like to give a shoutout to my fabulous children, all of whom came to me in different ways and bring much joy to my life. Adoption was also somewhat of a given for me — while it’s very common now, it was less so back in the ‘60s when I grew up. My parents adopted my sister (who is part Cherokee Indian and probably wouldn’t be allowed to be adopted now) when I was 6. She was 2, and it was probably the biggest day of my life up until then. I remember my dad telling me, “There are so many kids in the world who need a home that we’ve decided to adopt instead of have another baby.” When I didn’t find “Mr. Right” and wanted to grow my family, adopting was a natural choice. My oldest is biological, and she was about 4 when we started to look for a sister for her. There was a lot of bad press about fetal alcohol syndrome in Russian babies, and there was an impossibly long wait time to adopt babies from China. I researched until I found a Middle Eastern country called Azerbaijan that I found attractive, in part, because since it’s a Muslim country, I was told they didn’t drink. Well, imagine my surprise when I got off the plane in Baku for the first time and everyone I saw had a glass of scotch in hand! The best laid plans … you know the rest.

When I met my daughter, she was 2 1/2 and cute as a button. She lived in an orphanage painted stark white; there were no toys; the children never went outside; and they drank “tea” every afternoon, which was really just hot water. When I went back the second time to bring her home, it was lucky I brought clothing: They stripped her naked because they needed to use the clothing for another child. She was such a good sport — she went in a car for

Attorney Beckett and 4 of her 5 1/2 children

the first time, then a train for the first time, and then a plane for the first time with me, a virtual stranger, not speaking a word of English or having any idea what was going on. She did great. In fact, she did so well that when we got home on Oct. 30, I had the bright idea of taking her trick-or-treating in the neighborhood the very next night. When John Rowland emerged from his coffin at the Governor’s Mansion, I thought she was going to faint! A few years later, I was in Venice on vacation with my older girls when we got a phone call that would change everything. You see, I had registered with a domestic agency as well as the international agency and had never withdrawn my name. We got a call saying that a single mom had just had a baby and had chosen me to raise her son. There was a little catch — we were told Texas law required that we get to the hospital within 24 hours. He was born at 8 p.m. Luckily, we were heading home the next day anyway, so we expedited the whole process and dropped my younger daughter off in Hartford with my parents. (No matter how young or old we are, it’s wonderful that most of us can rely on Mom and Dad to help in a pinch!) My oldest and I hopped

on a plane to Texas and rushed into the hospital at 7:55 p.m. We made it!

All of my children, biological and adopted, bring tremendous joy into my life. My boys developed a really special bond with my father, and they were the light of his life at the end. I wish he’d lived to see them grow up, but I love that they talk of him often and believe with all their hearts that he’s watching over them. Each of my kids definitely has their own look and their own personality, just like your children do. As a former chemistry major, I’m a firm believer in nature over nurture. I think, to some extent, who we are and what we will become is within us from the first moment of life. With that in mind, it’s fun to watch the kids evolve, grow, and develop their uniqueness. I feel blessed to have the love of my children and family this February. I hope you also have a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter, and lots of pink and red ribbons (and candy!) –Suzann Beckett

Perhaps the greatest compliment you can give our firm is a referral. Referrals are our favorite way to grow our firm, as we are very choosy about the clients we work with. We find that our clients tend to refer friends and family who hold similar values, and those are the ones we most enjoy helping. If you know someone who would benefit from our services, please ask them to give us a call.

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Peace of Mind. Not a Piece of Paper TM

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3Ways to Invest in Yourself After Retirement

Yelp’s Battle Against Extortion Allegations

You’ve spent your entire life being told to save, save, save. Now you’re finally retired, so it’s time to spend some of that money — but you’re scared! This is only natural because it means breaking a lifelong habit of socking away money and refusing to touch it. You’re not alone. A recent study of retirees’ spending habits showed many people actually spend less than they can afford to. They’re scared of the “what ifs” that come with living on a fixed income. However, at age 70 1/2, you have to start taking the required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA and 401(k) whether you want to or not. Instead of stressing over the fact that you’re pulling money out of these accounts, embrace the opportunity to do something for yourself. Travel It can be tempting to hold off spending money as long as possible. After all, who knows how long you need your savings to last? Travel, however, is one thing you can indulge in early without feeling guilty. Even the most leisurely trips can be physically demanding, so it’s better to see the world at 70 rather than wait until you’re 90. To keep yourself on track financially, divide your retirement to set up a separate savings account just for travel. Invest in Your Home Once you no longer have to work five days a week, you’ll be in your home more often, so why not make it amazing? An in-ground pool or a private tennis court might be outside your budget, but new kitchen countertops or a deeper tub will add a touch of luxury to the space you spend the most time in. Upgrading your home is almost always a good investment because it adds equity, which will pay off down the road. That extra cash will come in handy if you decide to sell later on in order to downsize or you plan to enter assisted living. Don’t forget to set aside money for ongoing maintenance, such as a new water heater or roof repairs. Go Back to College It might sound counterintuitive to go to college when you’re not planning to go back to work, but continuing your education after retirement offers many benefits. Many individuals find themselves with more time on their hands than they’re accustomed to, and without a plan to fill this time, it’s easy to become depressed or isolated. Numerous studies have shown that continuing to exercise your brain has a positive impact on cognitive function, so taking a few classes can be the perfect way to stay busy and keep your mind sharp. Attending school late in life is also a great opportunity to indulge your passions and learn more about subjects you’ve always been interested in. Many colleges offer free classes or reduced tuition to seniors, so check with your local schools and see what classes or programs they have available.

Google, Avvo, and Facebook are all common review sites, but if you ask small businesses across the country, you might hear of one particular option to stay away from: Yelp. Claims persist that Yelp extorts organizations. Firms just like ours thrive on reviews as a way for the general public to know about the companies’ ethics. Many businesses argue that Yelp was holding positive information hostage.

Filter

Online review sources generally filter comments by date, showing the most recent rating at the top, but Yelp does not. Opponents claim Yelp filters their reviews using an algorithm that assesses reliability. On the surface, it sounds like a great idea. But in practice, many owners cry foul play.

Hostage

Allegations state that Yelp displays negative or inaccurate reviews at the top of the feed instead of higher-rated ones. In order for viewers to see good feedback, claims suggest Yelp requires the business to pay for Yelp’s advertising services. Once the transaction is confirmed, the reviews are allegedly reprioritized, with praise at the top.

Law

The accusations started in 2014 with the class action suit Levitt v. Yelp, which resulted in an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). After careful consideration, the FTC closed the investigation without taking action when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found no extortion or wrongdoing by Yelp and dismissed the case. Since then, it seems that Yelp has changed. More and more consumers are looking to Yelp for information and reviews. Whatever complications prompted the initial suit seem to have been resolved, and the site is a popular go-to option. At Beckett Law, we welcome all reviews because we crave feedback. If you’re happy with our services, feel free to leave us a review.

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Speak From the Heart HowMr. Rogers Saved PBS

I’m of the age where I remember Mr. Rogers like an old friend. I must have been small, and I suspect I watched his show when my brothers were at school and my mother wanted some peace and quiet. But I loved it. I loved the cardigan, the voice, and the many friends who stopped by to visit. However, at the time, I was blissfully unaware of his role in saving PBS. The reports say it was May 1, 1969. As the war continued in Vietnam, people gathered before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications in D.C. to fight for what they believed was critical programming for the American public. A proposed budget cut to Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) of $20 million was on the line. Without those funds, who knows what would have happened. It wasn’t looking good, and the chairman, Senator John Pastore, had listened to speech after speech. He didn’t seem persuaded and was anxious to put an end to the hearings. Then Fred Rogers, host of the newly syndicated series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” got his turn. He was different. He didn’t use numbers or research to make his point. In his wonderfully calm voice (he was a pastor and spoke in a comforting way), Fred Rogers just shared some stories and talked about why he was concerned with “typical” children’s programming. Two minutes after Rogers began talking, Pastore’s demeanor changed — his face softened and he relaxed. From his work in child development, Rogers had come to empathize with and understand the worries and fears of children. He explained to Senator Pastore that he had created a show for children, saying, “I feel that if we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.”

Rogers even shared with Pastore the same sentiment he shared with us kids at the end of each episode: “You’ve made this day a special day just by being you.” Pastore remarked, “I’m supposed to be a pretty tough guy, and this is the first time I’ve had goosebumps for the last two days … I think it’s wonderful. Looks like you just earned the $20 million.”

If you’d like to see Mr. Rogers’ testimony for yourself, you can check it out at YouTube. com/watch?v=fKy7ljRr0AA.

No, I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I intend to one day soon. I think this world would be a better place if Mr. Rogers were still around, welcoming us to his neighborhood.

Bankruptcy Isn’t the End

2 WAYS TO BUILDWEALTH AFTER BANKRUPTCY

After a bankruptcy is completed, most people pay closer attention to their finances and develop new spending habits. They learn to budget and become much more careful about their spending. They are more motivated than ever to create the financial future they envision, but many people without a full understanding of bankruptcy think it is the end of their financial future. Our clients understand that it’s just the beginning.

Two popular ways to invest are real estate and the stock market.

Real Estate Many of our clients dream of buying their own home. Real estate has historically appreciated in value from year to year and is close to inflation-proof. While it’s true that the waiting period for some government-backed loans is 2–4 years, there are lots of other options. Local banks and credit unions often hold their own mortgages, so they have more flexibility in their lending. Very small banks may put more credence in your history with them and your ability to repay than your credit score. If you can save the down payment, there’s no reason you can’t buy a home of your own within a year or two of your bankruptcy. A lot of our clients have done just that. Stocks The beautiful thing about stocks is that you can buy as much or as little as you want. You can use a broker and get advice, or you can do your own research and

experiment a little on your own. If you investigate something called “dollar cost averaging,” you may find that regular stock purchases in small amounts over a period of time can add up to a lot in the long run. The internet gives all of us a tremendous amount of information that wasn’t available even 10 years ago. No one knows the future, of course, but historically, the stock market has been the most successful way to build wealth.

The goal for most of us is to find financial security. Being free of debt can be the first step toward achieving that goal.

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Beckett Law, LLC Estate Planning Law Center, LLC

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If you need legal or other assistance, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Even if it is in a practice area we don’t handle, we can help you find an excellent attorney or other professional. We can even call ahead and introduce you, which is better than finding someone through Google. We’re here to help in any way we can.

543 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 INSIDE Why I Chose to Adopt Did Yelp Extort Customers? 3 Ways to Invest in

Yourself After Retirement How Mr. Rogers Saved PBS Wealth-Building Tactics Prepare for an Adventure in Lapland

Into the Arctic Circle If you’re eager for a new adventure in 2019, you’ll surely find it in Swedish Lapland. With trail systems that take you into the Arctic Circle, the northernmost region of Sweden is home to national parks, glaciers, reindeer, the beguiling midnight sun, and spectacular night skies. ADVENTURE IN SWEDISH LAPLAND

Though winters are cold, one benefit of traveling to the region in this season is to catch a glimpse of the night sky. The northern lights are visible from a few remote locations like Abisko National Park, one of the first established national parks in Sweden. Traveling to Abisko is an adventure in and of itself. From Stockholm, the fastest option is to take one of only two airlines that fly into Kiruna, then travel by train to Abisko. Despite the challenge of getting there, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world arrive each winter to experience the Arctic beauty. Winter attractions include ice skating, snowshoeing, and the Scandinavian sauna (this last one is a must any time of the year). Befriend a Scandinavian and you might be treated to some pickled herring or even a princess cake, a raspberry-filled dessert covered in marzipan. Scandinavians cherish their public lands, and the trail systems are well taken care of. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the stunning beauty in both late spring and summer, as well as a chance to see

the midnight sun. Because of its far-north location, Swedish Lapland receives close to 24 hours of sunlight from June through early August. Between the boulder fields, mountains, and stunning glacial lakes, hiking here is a treat. While hiking, you may spot reindeer herds or lemmings (a small rodent similar to a hamster) racing around rocks. The Sami people have herded reindeer for thousands of years through this very land. In the summer, keep an eye out for blueberries, lingonberries, and the brightly colored cloudberries. Because of the Arctic climate, weather conditions can change quickly from sunshine to rain and heavy fog, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring wind and rain protection if you plan to venture into the backcountry.

The fantastic scenery of Swedish Lapland awaits you, no matter when you decide to take your trip. What are you waiting for?

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