Trinity Elder Law - July 2020
Fourth of July Traditions Peace of Mind Post T he Fourth of July is an amazing holiday in our country — we band together and celebrate our nation’s birthday. It’s a time to enjoy each other’s company and create unforgettable traditions. This time of CELEBRATING THE EVENT THAT CHANGED OUR COUNTRY JULY 2020
year reminds me of some of my family’s most cherished Fourth of July memories, and as a history buff, I can’t help thinking about what this day actually means for our nation. When I was little, my entire family would have a picnic out on my grandparent’s farm by the lake. The lake was just big enough for a couple of docks and their small cabin. Every year my cousins and I spent the day lighting fireworks, swimming, canoeing, fishing, or making s’mores in the firepit!
After law school, I started spending the Fourth of July with my grandmother. She wasn’t quite as active at that point, so we would always have fun watching “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS, a
special, live concert that features the National Symphony Orchestra and many other famous performers.
Around mid-afternoon, things got started for the adults who cooked hot dogs, hamburgers, and steaks. My grandmother would even break out her world-famous deviled eggs that everyone looked forward to. When I was around age 12, my passion for horses intensified, so I ended going to more horse shows over the summer. While the horse shows were fun and beautiful fireworks lit up the sky, those moments could never compare to the fun family times on the lake. The tradition continued, with a slightly different twist, after I graduated from law school. “The lake was just big enough for a couple of docks and their small cabin. Every year my cousins and I spent the day lighting fireworks, swimming, canoeing, fishing, or making s’mores in the firepit!”
Since I’m pretty active and health- conscious during the rest of the year, I like to make the Fourth of July my “festival of eating,” which means eating all the chips and desserts my heart desires! Family traditions aside, it’s impossible for me to ignore the historical aspect of the holiday. I’m so proud of our forefathers for separating themselves from Britain; their courage and passion for freedom united us as a country, and their vision is still alive today. And, according to PBS.org, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July4, 1826, while those in the rest of the nation were celebrating their independence. As two proud patriots and Founding Fathers, it seems only fitting that they would pass within hours of each other on such a momentous day. I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July celebration with your friends, family, and fellow Americans and enjoy your own unique Independence Day traditions.
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Enjoy the Outdoors a
FEEL BAD ABOUT THROWING AWAY PHOTOS? RULES FOR GUILT-FREE PHOTO DOWNSIZING If you’ve reached a point in your life where you’ve started to downsize, then you’ve likely grappled with the difficult task of getting rid of photos. After decades of life, how are you supposed to choose which memories are important enough to keep and which aren’t? These four rules can help make this daunting task easier. Rule No. 1: Cut Scenic Views You don’t need dozens of photos of that campsite you went to on vacation one summer. If a location was really meaningful, like the beach at your honeymoon, then keep a few, but pictures of the places you’ve been to are far less special than pictures of the people you love. Rule No. 2: Tell a Story When you look at a photo, does it make you want to tell a story about the people or places in the image? Could you share plenty of stories about riding around in Dad’s old truck or about how funny your best friend from college was? Keep those photos. Pictures of people whose names you can’t remember or blurry photos you can’t make out can all go. Rule No. 3: Edit Well If you have a lot of photos from a specific event or part of your life, think about how long each “chapter” of your life story would be. How much time would you spend writing about your cousin’s wedding or high school prom? If a certain event didn’t have that much meaning in your life, why dedicate pages and pages of a photo album to it? Rule No. 4: Throw Photos Away If a photo isn’t important enough to put in an album or frame on the wall, then it doesn’t need to stick around. Don’t put them in a box you’ll have to sort through later. Let the rejects go. After all that hard work, treat yourself to a photo album shopping spree so you can start organizing the meaningful photos you have left. 4
Though we’re well into summer, some people may still be
reluctant to go outside after COVID-19 forced everyone to stay inside for several months. If you’re one of those people who wants to take slow steps back outside, then here are a few activities you can do alone or with a small group of friends or family. Go Fishing
Fishing is a relaxing way to enjoy fresh air without being in close contact with anyone. All fishing tools and supplies can be ordered online too, so you don’t have to venture into a packed store if you don’t want to. Even if you’re not an avid angler, you’re bound to have a quietly fun time enjoying the calming scenery and atmosphere. Visit Historical Sites If you love history, there are many amazing local historical sites you can check out on your own. You can visit several
Breakfast Sausage Kebabs
This simple recipe can make any breakfast a little more fun. We recommend pairing your kebabs with your favorite kind of eggs.
INGREDIENTS
• 7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed • 20 oz pineapple chunks, drained • 10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms • 2 tbsp butter, melted • Maple syrup, to taste
EQUIPMENT • 5 metal or soaked
wooden kebab skewers
DIRECTIONS
1. Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausages halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. 2. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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and Your Local Scenery places in Gettysburg National Park that have immortalized the legendary battle, like Devil’s Den, where the Union and Confederate armies clashed and turned the tide of the American Civil War. You can also visit the house of Jennie Wade, where her ghost is said to roam. Wade was the only civilian who died in the Battle of Gettysburg. Go Hiking If you’ve never explored our local hiking trails, then this is the best time to do so in this amazing weather. The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest trails in the
OF ORGANIZING YOUR ESTATE If You Want to Put Your House in Your Child’s Name While every case I tackle has its own unique set of circumstances, I also get a list of common questions from every client. Whenever I start to see a pattern, I like to address them so all my clients have a better idea of their legal situation. One question I get frequently is “Can I put my house in my child’s name?” Whenever I get this question, I make sure to ask my clients about the four D’s: debt, divorce, disability, and death. Debt When it comes to putting your house in your child’s name, you always have to consider the worst-case scenario. If your child ends up in debt afterward, then you’ve exposed your house to creditors. Failure to pay back the debt in a timely manner could result in you losing your house and becoming homeless. Divorce If your child is married, you need to think about what would happen if they divorce their spouse. In the worst possible situation, the ex-spouse could turn into your landlord. You need to ask yourself if you would be comfortable with them owning your house even after your child has parted ways with them. Disability While it might be convenient to put your house in your child’s name, it may be a detriment to them if they become impaired. Should they have to file a disability claim, the government will look into their assets and base their benefit amount on the value of their estate. If your home is listed on their estate, it could lower your child’s benefits and slow their recovery progress. Death THE 4 D’S
world. Spanning more than 2,100 miles, the trail makes its way through beautiful landscapes. You can also traverse the Great Shamokin Path,
a well-known path that connected two of the major Native American cities in the state. Want a great view of the amazing
natural scenery of Western Pennsylvania? This is the place to visit.
S U D O KU
In the event of an unfortunate death of an adult child who was married, you either lose control of the house or the property rights revert back to you, even if your child’s spouse is living in the home. At the end of the day, even if you have a great relationship with your child’s spouse, you haven’t gained anything from the situation.
It’s not always a bad idea to transfer your house to your child, but it’s best to consider the situations that may arise and the pros and cons of doing so, should there be a change in your child’s life
circumstances. If you’re considering putting your house in your child’s name, then reach out first so we can discuss your options.
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I N S I D E This Issue
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Fourth of July Traditions
4 Steps to Finally Sort Through Old Photos Enjoy the Outdoors and Your Local Scenery Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs The 4 D’s of Organizing Your Estate
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The Case That Was Frozen on Arrival
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THE CASE THAT WAS FROZEN ON ARRIVAL THE WOMAN WHO SUED DISNEY FOR COPYING HER LIFE IN ‘FROZEN’
This is the story of a woman who just couldn’t let it go. It was the fall of 2014 — Dennis Rodman became friends with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Ellen DeGeneres’ selfie with Oscar winners at the Academy Awards became the most retweeted image of all time. And an author sued Disney for $250 million after she claimed that the company stole major elements of her published memoir to craft the movie “Frozen.” “Frozen” was released in November 2013 and saw massive box office success and critical acclaim. It seemed like Walt Disney Animation Studios was finally hitting their stride and catching up to Pixar movies’ quality animation and storytelling. Unfortunately, high- profile movie projects and financiers with deep pockets tend to attract all sorts of hullabaloo in the form of frivolous lawsuits. Author Isabella Tanikumi, whose only notable work to date is her 2011 memoir “Yearnings of the Heart,” sued Disney for an egregious $250 million after claiming that the winter wonderland adventures of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf were stolen straight from her memoir and her life and violated copyright
law. She cited 18 “similarities” to bolster her massive claim. For instance, Tanikumi claimed that both her book and the movie had stories of intense sisterly love, scenes under the moon, and talk about cold hearts.
The tenuousness of the similarities alone would cause most people to dismiss Tanikumi’s claim like they would the
ramblings of a red yarn-loving conspiracy theorist. And that’s just what the judge who oversaw the case did, granting Disney’s motion to dismiss. The judge stated that copyright law protects expressions but not ideas. The themes that Tanikumi believed Disney had stolen from her story were under public domain, usable by anyone without permission. Only Tanikumi herself knows for sure why she went through all that trouble. Everyone else will just have to speculate what gave her the gall to take on a media juggernaut like Disney in court with next to no viable case. That said, several reviews of her memoir on Amazon mention ties to “Frozen,” so make of that what you will.
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