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The Cary Connection AUGUST 2025
Cary • Raleigh • North Raleigh • Chapel Hill
BLENDED BUT UNITED Smart Strategies to Include Stepchildren in Your Will
Many people open their hearts and homes to stepchildren, forming bonds as warm and close as the ones with their biological children. Few realize North Carolina’s inheritance laws don’t acknowledge stepchildren’s role in families’ lives and hearts — at all! If a stepparent passes away without a will, the state will prioritize spouses, biological children, and other blood relatives in dividing up their assets, leaving stepchildren out in the cold. Bringing stepchildren or step-grandchildren into the family can mark a significant moment in anyone’s life. As that provision in state intestacy law demonstrates, it is also a good time to reach out for advice on updating your estate plan. To ensure your stepkids are taken care of, we recommend blended families take the following steps. Talk With Your Spouse This may seem obvious, but many couples assume they are on the same page regarding their wishes for children from a previous marriage, only to discover too late that those assumptions were wrong. Confer with each other about how you want to provide for each child or stepchild, what happens when one of you passes away before the other, and whether you want specific assets or heirlooms designated for certain offspring. Resolving these questions in advance will make your estate and trust planning far easier! Name Your Stepchildren Given that stepchildren don’t have the same inheritance rights in North Carolina as biological or legally adopted children, your will must name each stepchild specifically for them to be included in the distribution of your estate. Some of our clients designate a percentage of their estate to be passed on to their stepchildren.
Others bequeath specific assets to named stepkids, such as an heirloom ring or book collection. Other benefactors write in contingency plans, bequeathing part of their estate to particular heirs if their spouse predeceases them. Establish Trusts if Needed Consider setting up a trust for the benefit of young children to manage their inheritance until they reach adulthood. The beauty of a trust is that it ensures your funds will be used for the purposes you intend. For example, you might fund a trust to cover your stepchild’s education and living expenses, with any leftover assets turned over to them at age 25. Some parents or grandparents also place limits on eligible uses of any remaining funds after that age. The important thing is that the restrictions reflect your values and intentions for the next generation. Communicate Your Plans Making an estate plan isn’t just an exercise in paperwork. It is an expression of your wishes for the future of your loved ones. To that end, consider sitting down with your spouse, children, and stepchildren to explain your decisions. While some parents avoid this step for fear of stirring conflict or disappointment, these conversations are, above all, an opportunity to express your love and care, directly and in person, to each family member involved. Knowing your plan is often reassuring to children and stepchildren alike. We have helped countless blended families write wills and create trusts that lay explicit plans for protecting their children and stepchildren as desired. If you or a friend, acquaintance, or family
member has welcomed stepchildren or step- grandchildren into the family, don’t hesitate to contact us or refer others for a consultation. We will gladly help you craft a personalized estate plan that protects and provides for every family member exactly as you wish. -Paul Yokabitus
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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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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! Frontier Ingenuity at Its Finest HOW 1800s PIONEERS TURNED TREE STUMPS INTO COZY HOMES
TAKE A BREAK
BEER FAMILY LEO LUNCHBOX MUSTARD PERIDOT POPPY SISTERS TWINS VACATION WATERMELON ZUCCHINI
One of the most legendary stump homes was the Lennstrom Stump House in Edgecomb, Washington. Crafted from a cedar stump 22
Summer Chickpea Salad Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
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, 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! The Lennstrom House ca. 1901
Ingredients
• 2 (15-oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • 2 ears grilled corn, cut kernels from the cob • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered • 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1 1/2 tbsp honey • 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed • 1 lime, zested and juiced
Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onions, corn, tomatoes, basil, and chives. 2. Toss well with salt and pepper and set aside. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, add oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, lime juice, and zest. 4. Whisk until the mixture is warm and garlic begins sizzling. 5. Pour over the chickpea mixture and toss well to coat. 6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
CaryEstatePlanning.com • 3
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PLANNING, NOT PAPERWORK.
Cary • Raleigh • North Raleigh • Chapel Hill 1255 Crescent Green, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27518 919-726-0896 • www.caryestateplanning.com
Inside This Issue
1
A Loving Legacy: How to Include Stepchildren in Your Will
2
Post-Work Wealth Wisdom
The Unlikely Therapy Transforming Lives
3
Summer Chickpea Salad
The Wild History of the Wild West’s Stump Houses
4
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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