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MAY 2025
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The Timeless Appeal of Star Wars A Look at Its Impact Across Generations
“The Force will be with you. Always.” This iconic line from Obi-Wan Kenobi isn’t just a promise to Luke Skywalker; it reminds us of the magic of a saga that has spanned decades and touched fans’ lives across many different generations. When I was 8, I was first introduced to “Star Wars” on VHS, and my imagination ran wild. I still remember the thrill of watching “The Empire Strikes Back” for the first time. The ice planet Hoth had me in awe, and I loved watching the epic battles, the struggles and triumphs of characters I had grown to admire. Many agree that the original trilogy was special. It captured raw adventure, unlike anything we’d seen before. It was the kind of magic that made you believe in the impossible. To this day, I’m still hooked on “Star Wars.” For me, it’s the storytelling. George Lucas didn’t just create a movie; he crafted an amazing universe with characters that have become icons. The saga has evolved with every new movie, and my imagination explores just a little further. Of all the movies, “The Empire Strikes Back” is still my favorite. While there are tons of battles, the characters go on an emotional journey that captivates me each time. More recently, I’ve been amazed by how “The Mandalorian” and
other spinoffs have managed to keep the essence of “Star Wars” alive while introducing new elements that feel fresh and familiar. One day, I hope to walk the decks of the Millennium Falcon at the Star Wars Park in Disneyland — I hear it’s pretty awesome! For now, I’ll live vicariously through the magic of the movies. In the spirit of Star Wars Day on May 4, here are a few little- known facts about Star Wars!
YODA’S ORIGINAL NAME In early drafts of “The Empire
E.T.’S CAMEO In “Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace,” there is a brief scene in the Galactic Senate where you can spot an E.T. species from Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” This cameo is a nod to the friendship between George Lucas and Spielberg.
Strikes Back,” Yoda was originally named “Buffy,” which is quite different from the wise and ancient figure we know today. CHEWBACCA’S VOICE The sounds of Chewbacca were created from a mix of recordings of walruses, lions, camels, and bears. This blend gives Chewbacca his distinct growls and roars. ‘EWOK’ IS NEVER MENTIONED Although Ewoks are a significant part of “Return of the Jedi,” the word “Ewok” is never actually said in the film. Their name is only known from merchandising and the script.
May The Force Be With You!
–Elliott Harry
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Navigating the Minefield
Did You Know? In this month’s cover article, we revealed some little- known facts about the characters of Star Wars, but check out these fun facts about the actors who brought the magic to life! HARRISON FORD’S CASTING Harrison Ford was not initially considered for the role of Han Solo. He was brought in to feed lines to other actors during auditions and impressed Lucas so much that he was offered the part. PETER CUSHING’S SHOES Peter Cushing, who played Grand Moff Tarkin, had costume shoes that were too small. So, he wore slippers during many of his scenes. He managed to shoot many of his scenes from the waist up to keep the slippers out of the shot. MARK HAMILL’S VOICE Aside from playing Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill has had a career as a voice actor. One of his most famous roles voicing the Joker in various Batman animated series and video games.
How California Business Owners Can Safely Use Out-of-State DAPTs
Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs) are promoted as a way to shield assets from future creditors, but they aren’t recognized in all states, and California does not recognize them. But that doesn’t mean California business owners can’t establish DAPTs in states that allow them. In doing so, it’s important to understand the limitations and risks associated with doing so. For example, in the case of In re Huber (2013), state law overrode the protections of an out-of-state DAPT, leaving assets vulnerable. CASE LAW OFFERS CAUTIONARY TALES FOR DAPTS. In re Huber , a real estate developer from Washington, opted to establish a DAPT in Alaska in 2008 as the real estate market was collapsing. He placed cash into the trust while most other assets remained in Washington. His son and an Alaskan trust company served as trustees. The settlor filed for bankruptcy in 2011; however, creditors attempted to access the trust’s assets. Ultimately, the bankruptcy court in Washington applied Washington law instead of Alaska’s, invalidating the trust’s protection. Washington law prevailed because the settlor, beneficiaries, and most of the assets were in Washington, and Washington had a clear public policy against self-settled asset protection trusts. As a result, the trust failed to protect the assets as intended. This ruling highlights a key issue: Courts are unlikely to honor a DAPT’s protections if the trust creator, assets, and beneficiaries are primarily located in a state that does not recognize DAPTs. Similar outcomes have occurred in other cases from other states, including Dahl v. Dahl in Utah (no, not us!), where the court refused to apply Nevada law to protect a DAPT established by a Utah resident as it contained marital property from Utah. The pattern is clear — the state’s public policy and the location of assets play a decisive role in whether a DAPT will be upheld. ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING FOR CALIFORNIA BUSINESS OWNERS. Business owners looking to protect their assets need strategies that will hold up in California courts. To ensure your plan aligns with both your business goals and California law, connect with Dahl Law Group. We can help you choose the best options to protect your wealth and provide your business and family long-term security.
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The Critical Role of Advance Healthcare Directives in Estate Planning Planning for Tomorrow
Life happens fast, and many of us get caught up in current events before considering what will happen tomorrow.
Healthcare Directive. What our team wants to make clear is how important it is to choose the right person for the role. Simply having a directive won’t accomplish anything if the person you choose isn’t equipped to make the right decisions for you and your family. Someone who is overly emotional and will struggle with a decision like “pulling the plug” may not be the most qualified choice. These are difficult decisions as this person is genuinely choosing to take someone off of life- saving medical devices, but it’s essential to understand this possibility. You are also looking for someone who can effectively advocate for you in the healthcare system, which takes persistence and dedication. OUR TEAM CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE. At The Law Offices of Tyler Q. Dahl, we don’t just want to focus on the “what” of your estate planning documents but also the “who.” We want to get to know you and your family. This allows us to use our knowledge and experience in these fields to advise you on the right decisions. If you have questions about establishing your healthcare proxy or Advance Healthcare Directive, contact our office for careful and compassionate legal guidance.
Estate planning is about ensuring you are covered for the unknown tomorrow so you can have peace of mind today. Most estate planning is about dictating what will happen to your assets when you die, but other elements, such as an Advance Healthcare Directive, dictate what can happen while you are still alive. WHAT IS AN ADVANCE HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVE? These directives establish a healthcare proxy responsible for making medical decisions on your behalf when you are otherwise unable to do so yourself. If you were to fall into a coma or suffer injuries that prevent you from making healthcare decisions, this individual would have the power to sign medical forms and make decisions about the care you will (or won’t) receive. CHOOSING THE RIGHT PERSON. A lot of focus on this subject zeroes in on the importance of simply establishing an Advance
Silky Chocolate Mousse
SUDOKU
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
Ingredients • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream, divided • 1 cup milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips (6 oz)
• Optional Garnish: Grated chocolate, crushed nuts, toffee, or brittle
Directions 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, put 1/2 cup of cream in the microwave for 1 minute. 2. Stir in chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. 3. In a separate bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup of cream with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. 4. Set aside 1/2 cup of whipped cream for topping, and continue whipping the remaining cream until stiff peaks form. 5. Gently fold whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture in batches, mixing until combined but still light and fluffy. 6. Spoon into four ramekins or glasses, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. 7. Top with reserved whipped cream and garnish if desired.
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INSIDE What’s
2. 1. The Magic of ‘May the Force Be with You’ Unveiling The Galaxy Will a DAPT Work in a State That Doesn’t Recognize Them?
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Advance Healthcare Directives Require Careful Consideration
Silky Chocolate Mousse
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Tips for Engaging Your Kids in a Nature Hike
Step by Step Help Your Kids Fall in Love With Hiking
Getting your kids outdoors to enjoy nature is a goal worth pursuing, but smartphones, video games, and social media have made it far more challenging in recent years. We celebrated Earth Day on April 22, and a nature walk is a great way to keep the appreciation for nature going. Planning games, creative projects, and other challenges to engage them during your hike can get kids involved from the start. Choose a trail that isn’t too difficult, and allow your children to wander and explore. If your children have a creative flair, encourage them to collect dried leaves, pieces of bark, seed pods, sticks, and other items to use in a collage. For adventurous kids, you can draft an age-appropriate list for a scavenger hunt to keep them from growing bored on the walk. You can include different insects native to your area, specific colors of leaves, and types of flowers, and you can even have them keep an ear out for different bird calls.
Challenge your kids to make a list of all the plants or animals they can identify while they walk. Apps like Leafsnap help you identify plants using photos of their leaves or other parts. Additionally, the Arbor Day Foundation offers an online step-by-step guide at ArborDay.org for identifying a tree by its leaves. Keep the learning going by having your kids record their distance based on trail signs or a map app on their phones and calculate their average speed. You could also invite your youngsters to become cartographers, tracing the trail and surroundings on paper, including landmarks, rivers, and lakes. Older kids can add topographical information using their phones or an altitude app such as Altimeter or My Altitude. Hiking is a fantastic activity to help your kids appreciate the outdoors rather than their phone screens, but being in nature takes energy. Remember to pack snacks and a water bottle before you leave, or pack a favorite picnic meal to savor the rewards of exploring the outdoors!
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