Take a look at our June newsletter!
June 2025
Your Trusted Advisor
Zihmer Law Firm
LITTLE LAWYERS IN TRAINING BEHIND THE SCENES WITH OUR JUNIOR CREW
If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you might remember that back in our April edition, I shared our plans for hosting Zihmer Law Firm’s first Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. At the time, we were excited — and a little nervous — about how it would all play out. Now that the day has come and gone, I’m happy to report it was a big success. The day was full of laughter, learning, and a few surprises we didn’t see coming. A Day Full of Adventure Our junior lawyers started their day with official badges, proudly made by our executive assistant, Thea. We taught
them what an oath was and had them raise their right hands to promise they would have fun, ask good questions, and do their best to learn something new. Watching their serious little faces during the ceremony was one of the highlights of the morning. From there, we explored the office and asked them to guess the names and purpose of different rooms. Then they tested out the copier, designed their own business cards, and had a scavenger hunt around the office.
kids paired up — one at the front desk and one in an office — and practiced answering calls. Things spiraled into enthusiastic food orders and giggling fits almost immediately. They also mailed letters, scanned documents, and held mock client meetings, where the concept of “hiring” took an unexpected twist. It was organized chaos and a lot of fun. Reflections and Lessons Learned Thinking back on the day, I believe the kids got a real glimpse into what a day at the office looks like. And they weren’t just sitting on the sidelines while the adults
Next came the “phone station,” which quickly became the hit of the day. The
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At Zihmer Law Firm, we’re honored when clients refer their friends and family to us. If you know someone who needs guidance with estate planning, estate administration, Medicaid, or elder law, we’d love the opportunity to help. Your trust means the world to us — and it’s the greatest compliment we can receive.
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ESTATE PLANNING | PROBATE | TRUST ADMINISTRATION | ELDER LAW
Snorkeling Snorkeling is a great family activity for all ages if you’re vacationing near an ocean. Flippers, watertight goggles, and snorkels are easy to rent or buy. Exploring the wonders beneath the waves is as easy as floating on the surface and paddling your flippers. While any clear ocean waters can be fun to explore, consider trekking to Hawaii or Cozumel to see spectacular schools of fish and rock formations. Canoeing and Kayaking Few aquatic activities offer more opportunities for reflection and quiet conversation than paddling a canoe or kayak. These watercraft are usually available to rent near lakes and rivers, and, barring rough weather, navigating with them is relatively safe and easy. Pack a picnic, explore, and see what you can find along a river or lakeshore. Waterskiing While this sport requires access to a speedboat and a skilled operator, arranging to try it can offer unforgettable thrills. Nothing can compare to the exhilaration as you first rise above the waves and stand on your skis; participants also get a full-body workout! Waterskiing poses a challenge for beginners when crossing the wake and keeping their legs beneath them, but the rewards are worth the effort! This summer, consider vacationing near a body of water to explore these aquatic activities or others, such as sailing or bodyboarding. You will create lasting memories and may ignite passions your kids will enjoy for years!
Water Fun for the Whole Family MAKE A SPLASH!
Few outdoor activities are more fun to do as a family than beating the heat in the water. A facility as simple as a community pool can offer fun for all ages, including wading, diving, and lap swimming. As summer gets underway, consider making plans to try more complex aquatic sports as a family. Here are four exciting options that will inspire the whole family to take the plunge. Stand-Up Paddleboarding This sport originated among Hawaiian surfers and began gaining momentum nationwide about a decade ago. Participants stand upright on a flat, buoyant board and propel themselves over lakes, rivers, and oceans with a single paddle. Paddleboards are bigger than surfboards and are stable enough to hold a picnic in a waterproof bag!
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worked. They jumped right in and took pride in completing the tasks they were given. Judging by my son’s enthusiastic recap (We ate pizza!), the lunch break might have been the highlight. But even if they remember the snacks more vividly than the paperwork, I know they learned more than they realize. The day helped us all step outside of our regular routines, loosen up a little, and see our work through fresh eyes. Even though chasing around a handful of energetic 5- to 9-year-olds meant we didn’t exactly get a lot of work done, it was well worth it. Looking Ahead Our first Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day brought more fun to the office than we could have planned for. It doesn’t matter that the biggest accomplishments may have been eating pizza and inventing questionable job titles. We’re already looking forward to doing it again next year, hopefully with even more learning, more laughs, and maybe just a little more work getting done in between. After all, in a law firm of junior attorneys, snack executives, and expert paper staplers, I’d say the future looks pretty bright.
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ESTATE PLANNING | PROBATE | TRU
Midyear Checkup for Your Estate Plan A SMART START TO SUMMER
Summer always seems to hit the reset button. The weather warms up, travel plans take shape, and most of us shift into a lighter, more relaxed mindset. Paperwork is probably the last thing on your mind, but this season is the perfect time to check in on things you might otherwise put off. It won’t take much time away from family vacations and long weekends to ensure your estate plan matches your life today. Summer is the perfect reminder. Travel has a funny way of sparking reflection. Maybe sitting on an airplane or packing bags gets you thinking about the what-ifs you’ve meant to address. Taking time for a quick mid-year review can help you catch small but important changes. Even if everything still looks good, giving it a once-over now could save you from headaches later. Summer also comes with a little more free time and breathing room. With work schedules shifting and school breaks in full swing, it is easier to focus on personal tasks that often get pushed aside during the busier parts of the year. Here’s what you should review. The first thing to double-check is whether your decision-makers are still the people you would choose today. Are your named guardians, executors, or agents still the right fit? Relationships and circumstances
change, and your documents should reflect that. Next, look at how your assets are titled. If you’ve opened new accounts, bought property, or made other investments, you will want to make sure everything aligns with your existing plan. Finally, take a look at your powers of attorney. These documents are critical, but they sometimes cause issues if they are several years old. Banks, hospitals, and other institutions may hesitate to honor outdated forms, especially in emergencies. Reviewing and refreshing them every few years is a simple way to avoid delays and keep your plan strong. A little planning goes a long way. Life doesn’t stand still, and neither should your estate plan. A quick review now can give you peace of mind, whether you’re crossing state lines or simply crossing a few things off your summer to-do list. If you need help getting started, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
TERIYAKI BEEF SKEWERS
Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar • 1 cup soy sauce • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional) • 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 3 large garlic cloves, chopped • 4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices • Bamboo skewers soaked in water
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil, and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig‑zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
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UST ADMINISTRATION | ELDER LAW
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3244 Washington Rd., Ste. 210, McMurray, PA 15317 | 412-223-2525 | ZihmerLaw.com
Inside 1
Inside Our First Kid Takeover
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New Family Aquatic Sports for Summer Fun
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Your Summer Estate Plan Reminder
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
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Meet Procrastination’s Worst Enemy
Procrastination Got You Down? THE ZEIGARNIK EFFECT COULD BE THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS
Take a moment to reflect on your high school years. Were you the student who completed all your assignments well before the deadline? Or were you the student waiting until the last second to get started? Maybe you thought you could still do it in time with a passing grade, or perhaps you didn’t know where to begin. Regardless of the reason, you procrastinated. Many people associate procrastination with schoolwork, but you can procrastinate about work, household chores, and even fun experiences like vacation planning. Those who struggle with procrastination have likely tried countless strategies to improve their efforts, from adjusting their environment to utilizing time management applications. However, we often overlook one strategy that’s been around for over a century. The next time you procrastinate, try using the Zeigarnik Effect to your advantage.
When you have tasks you need to do, don’t commit to finishing them in a day or assigning yourself a deadline. Instead, commit to doing them for five minutes. Once those five minutes have passed, you can step away from the task. However, oftentimes, you continue working because you’ve found your flow and don’t want to leave it unfinished. If you continue to leave your tasks unfinished after starting them, try breaking them down into smaller steps. Each time you accomplish one of the smaller tasks, you gain motivation to continue your project. If you need to step away from your desk for more than a few minutes, write down the unfinished task. Doing so will keep it at the top of your mind, ensuring you return later to finish. This strategy shifts your mindset and increases productivity while avoiding the stress of starting something new. Unfortunately, procrastination can be a roadblock to a happier, more fulfilling life. So, if other strategies have failed you previously, try the Zeigarnik Effect!
The Zeigarnik Effect is a phenomenon wherein people remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. Here’s how it works:
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