Check out our March newsletter!
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Spring-cleaning isn’t just for your home— it involves getting all of
your ducks in a row legally and financially too! Throughout this past challenging year, many things have stayed on the backburner, but now that spring is on the horizon, it’s time to make sure you have your legal and financial plans in order.
From a long-term care standpoint, be sure to look at your plan to ensure it still
First, if you have a trust, we want to be sure that it is funded in the right way. Retirement accounts are treated differently than non-retirement accounts. A trust is like a bucket, and over the years, you keep adding to and putting things in the bucket.
makes sense based upon your current situation. If you or your spouse have recently undergone a serious medical diagnosis, whether
it be physical or a progressive medical diagnosis such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, be sure to update your plan accordingly. For example, it may no longer be prudent to have a husband diagnosed
If you have a plan without a trust, we want to make sure that all of your beneficiaries are in order. In the
event that you pass away and leave behind a bank account without a beneficiary tied to it, that account will become tied up in probate court instead of being handled by someone that you love and trust. Speaking of beneficiaries, one thing to note is that when banks merge with other banks, which has been occurring quite often lately, the new bank may not accept the old beneficiaries and the account holder no longer has a beneficiary designation, even though they had put one in place before the merger. If your bank has merged or changed names, double-check that your beneficiaries are still in place. Also, if you’ve recently purchased new real estate, update your plan to reflect that! For every plan, you have a financial and a medical side. Your financial side is comprised of your will, trust, and power of attorney. Your medical side contains all of the directives that outline who is in charge of making medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are incapacitated and unable to do so. At least once a year, it is important to review your plan to make sure that the people listed in your plan are still the people you would want to carry out your wishes today.
with Alzheimer’s be responsible for making decisions on behalf of his wife in the
event she becomes incapacitated. Both financial and medical plans must be updated to reflect the changing circumstances.
Financially, it’s a crazy world right now. The stock market is going up and down on a whim, and inflation is on the rise. As you may know, I have affiliated with my personal financial advisor who has also worked with many of our clients over the years. Our commitment is not only to take care of your legal needs, but to offer a trusted resource to assist with your financial needs as well. If you are looking for sound financial advice or a second opinion, take a look at the “Helpful Resources” section on Page 3 for more information. Also, if you haven’t yet received our Estate Planning Checkup and would like a copy, let us know and we would be glad to get one sent out to you!
Take advantage of the spring-cleaning season and get your affairs in order now; you’ll be glad you did!
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
5 Ways to Deal With Annoying Robocalls PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY AND KICK SCAMMERS TO THE CURB
According to the latest data, scammers and telemarketers make 1,528 robocalls to Americans every single second. No wonder they’re driving us all crazy! Some of these calls are legitimate reminders about doctor’s appointments and payment plans, but around 55% of them are just nuisances — and we can’t rely on the government to stop them. If you’re sick of hearing about “your car’s extended warranty” or the “student loans” you paid off 40 years ago, try these five tips to cut down on robocalls and outwit scammers. 1. Explore your carrier’s free tools. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer services to cut down on scam calls. Some of them are free and/ or come with your phone, but others you have to pay for or activate. If you have Verizon, for example, you can download the “Verizon Call Filter” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Visit your carrier’s website or call them to learn about the tools they offer.
Hiya is a free app that will give you caller ID and block spam calls, and Nomorobo is an award-winning option that’s free for landlines and costs $1.99 per month for cellphones. 3. When in doubt, let it ring out. If you don’t recognize the number calling, don’t answer. You can always call back if they leave a legitimate voicemail. 4. Suspect spam? Hang up. So, you accidentally answered a spam call. Whether it’s a person or a robot on the line, hang up immediately! Even saying your name or the word “yes” could set you up for identity theft. 5. Handle voicemails with care. If you get a suspicious voicemail, never call the number or visit the website given by the caller. Instead, Google the company or agency they claimed to be with and call that number. If the real agency has no idea about the call, you’ve just escaped a trap. By taking all five of these steps, you can protect yourself and your wallet from Ponzi schemes, identity thieves, and annoying telemarketers. For even more specific advice, visit AARP.com and search “The Definitive Guide to Reducing Robocalls.”
2. Download an ad blocker. For extra protection, you can download a separate ad blocker from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Preparing for A Great Week Ahead
them. Use a planner to pencil in the times that you want to dedicate to working out. This way, you
Sundays are often accompanied by anxiety and an overwhelming sense of pressure for the week ahead. When your body experiences anticipation anxiety, it goes into fight or flight mode. What gives and how can you beat the dread? Building a Sunday night routine can help you to feel calm and prepared for your week. Here are some ideas to get yourself off to a great start for the upcoming week. Prepare meals. Even if meal prepping isn’t your thing, mapping out your breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week takes away a lot of the stress of last-minute meal planning. Once you know what you’ll make or when you’ll dine out or order takeout, you can then make a grocery list. A great option for easy meals is to utilize your slow cooker for one or two meals. All you need to do is throw everything in before you leave the house!
have time carved out in your day.
While writing it down doesn’t guarantee you’ll go to the gym, it helps to keep you focused.
Schedule nonwork-related tasks. Carving out time in a planner for reading a chapter in your favorite book, grabbing coffee with your friends, picking your kids up from school, or visiting your mom ensures that you aren’t rushing, forgetting, or surprised by anything. While these things don’t seem like something that needs to be scheduled, the blocks in your planner serve as reminders. Sunday nights don’t have to be a bummer if you spend them making sure that your week flows smoothly. Build yourself a routine, and the thought of Monday won’t seem so scary!
To avoid adding to a hectic week, get that grocery shopping done on Sunday evening.
Schedule your exercise for the week. Do you take any group classes? If so, get registered for
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We have five different taste receptors in our mouths: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and savory. The first two, sweet and salty, can be detrimental to our health if you consume too much of either. To make matters worse, sweet and salty cravings are easily triggered. Once you get a taste of something salty, you instantly want more — it’s like an insatiable desire, and the same goes for sweet things. Salt, or sodium, is a type of mineral found in a variety of foods. Bread, rolls, pizza, pretzels, deli meats, soups, and sandwiches are among some of the saltiest foods out there. High sodium diets carry an increased risk for high blood pressure, which is a major cause of strokes and heart attacks. Eat a diet with low sodium content to maintain your health. The American Heart Association recommends that you only consume 1,500 mg of sodium per day. Avoid foods with added sodium content such as packaged foods, frozen meals, fast food, and snack food. Because salt is a preservative, it is often added to foods that may sit on a shelf or in a freezer for a while, so choose your food carefully. Keeping your sodium levels low not only lowers your blood pressure and risk for heart attacks and strokes but can lower your cholesterol as well. It prevents congestive heart failure and reduces your risk of kidney failure and diabetes. The next time you go shopping for food, pay attention to sodium contents. While cooking, make sure you don’t overdo it on the salt. Protect your body so that it can take care of you! HowMuch Is Too Much? WHY IS SALT DANGEROUS FOR OUR HEALTH?
Solution on Pg. 4
Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Check-up. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com.
• Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law
Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com.
• Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We have grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the field of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@ mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150 915 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 6 Howell, Michigan 48843
What’s Inside? 1
Updating Your Plans and Finances
Handle Robocalls Like a Pro
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Developing a Sunday Night Routine
Keeping Sodium Levels Low
Helpful Resources
Get Healthy While Spring-Cleaning!
4 Health Benefits of Spring-Cleaning
Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring — which means it’s time for some spring-cleaning. Did you know that cleaning is not just about tidying up a physical space? It’s also about improving overall well- being. Here’s how organization and cleanliness can help you in more ways than you might expect. Spring-cleaning reduces stress and depression. Tidiness and mental health are actually connected. Studies have found that having a clean home is directly correlated to happiness and your ability to focus. Anxiety can spike when laundry is piling up, items are strewn everywhere, and papers get scattered on various surfaces within the home. Clearing the clutter is a great way to boost your mood and increase those feel-good hormones. It prevents illnesses. Doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, countertops, and remote controls are all things we touch many times a day. Cleaning anything that’s
used often is one way to reduce the spread of germs. By keeping household surfaces clean, we help thwart the spread of viruses and illnesses.
Spring-cleaning helps you breathe better. Spring often brings pollen that triggers allergies for many.
But pollen isn’t the only thing to blame when people have difficulty breathing. When dust and pet dander build up in your home, your respiratory system is greatly affected too. Deep-cleaning your air filters and vents can make breathing effortless — and it’s truly amazing how this can improve your well-being. It keeps you more active. Off the couch and on your feet! Even just running the vacuum and clearing the clutter from the dining room table will get you up and moving, which is healthy for your heart and body.
This spring season, putting some elbow grease into your cleaning will benefit you in more ways than one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
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Offices: Howell | Clinton Township
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