Sheppard, Brett, Stewart, Hersch, Kinsey & Hill - July 2020
Newsletter Title
s
l i
Enjoying the Quiet That Comes With Fort Myers’ Summers
J uly is often quiet in Fort Myers. Many of our dual residents who split their time between Florida and the north are enjoying northern summers. Traffic is less crowded, and work seems to slow to a cool summer pace. At the office, I often spend my summers working on the business, rather than in it. The slower pace offers a great opportunity to organize, update systems, and prepare for when our northern friends return in the fall. So, while having our northern friends spend the winters with us is great, as any year-round Fort Myers resident will agree, we also enjoy the calm pace of a Fort Myers summer. In the past, my family has taken advantage of this quiet season and the kids’ summer freedom to take family vacations. We’ve been to New York, we’ve taken a small cruise, and we even sometimes just head to the other coast to hang at the beach. It doesn’t matter where we go, as long as we’re together. It’s a chance to put down our phones, I can step away from work, and we all recharge. All of the kids are with us, and for at least a few days, we get to spend all our time together as a family of six, rather than splitting our time between work, practices, and friends. Of course, like any Florida family, we visit Disney World at least once each summer, and before ticket prices got as high as they are now, we would go a handful of times each year. We’re pretty lucky to live near a great family attraction.
matter. At the time of writing this letter in mid-May, our kids are finishing their school year at home with Zoom
meetings and digital assignments. It was an anticlimactic end to our eldest son’s high school career, while our youngest son finished fifth grade and officially became a junior high school student with little fanfare.
It was very frustrating to watch prom, graduation, and all the highly anticipated senior year events
Connor was set to enjoy disappear. We’re still very proud of him, but we know this spring wasn’t easy for him. As of July, Connor will have started his first two college courses from home, and we will officially be the parents of a college kid. Like everyone, we’re still taking each day as it comes and doing our best with the situation we’ve been given. We may not have a chance to go on a big adventure this summer or even make it to the eastern Florida coast, but I know we’ll find a way to make this summer special for our graduates and our whole family.
After all, that’s what summers in Fort Myers are for. I hope you all have a wonderful summer.
1 (239) 265-9779 – Mike Hill
However, I’m not sure what this summer will look like in Florida, and across the nation for that
July 2020
Feel BadAbout ThrowingAway Photos? 4 Rules for Guilt-Free Photo Downsizing
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.
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.
After all that hard work, treat yourself to a photo album shopping spree so you can start organizing the meaningful photos you have left.
RemoteWill Signings Now Allowed Under Florida Law
While it was heartbreaking for senior students to miss their chance to walk across the stage and difficult to spend holidays like Easter and Passover without our families this spring, COVID-19 also prompted and strengthened some helpful changes. Legislators created and passed new laws designed to aid their communities, and we witnessed the influence of bills signed into law prior to the pandemic. In Florida estate planning, one of the most timely law changes has been the ability to legally sign will-based documents remotely as of July 1. This is an adaptation to previous legislation that went into effect in January 2020. With this addition, we can now authorize the signing of will-based documents, including the signing of your trusts, living wills, and power of attorney. The original law allowed remote notarizations and was put into effect prior to public knowledge of COVID-19 in the U.S. This legislation’s history actually stretches back to 2017 when the first version of this bill was vetoed by former Florida Governor
Rick Scott after critics claimed it didn’t effectively protect vulnerable populations and even the slightest mistake could invalidate the will.
After updates to the 2017 bill —which set limitations for vulnerable adults using this process and worked directly with the Florida Bar’s elder law section — Florida Governor
Ron DeSantis signed the Electronic Transactions Act into law in 2019. This paved the way for remote notarization of many estate planning documents, including affidavits or long-term care documents, starting on Jan. 1, 2020. However, this did not allow for will-based documents to receive the same treatment. Physical signings and notarizations were still required. This changes on July 1, as these remote practices are put into place. There is no telling how influential this legislation will be for our community and clients, but it’s progress toward accessibility, especially during this uncertain time. Our team at The Sheppard Law Firm will continue to monitor this law change and will notify our clients of any changes that concern their documentation and signings.
Learn more about our digital service options at SBSHLaw.com.
2 floridaestateplanning.com
The Sun’s Out, So Skincare Is In Tips for Healthy Aging Skin
with the ABCDE rule, which outlines the following characteristics that may require further care. A. Asymmetry B. Borders that are irregular C. Color changes or defects D. Diameter is greater than a pencil eraser E. Evolving or growing Always protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays with sunscreen. Apply sunscreen with a rating of SPF 30 before starting your day’s adventures to protect yourself. Bruises andWrinkles We’re all bound to have wrinkles and sustain a few bruises, and these are typically harmless to our skin. Wrinkles are a fact of life, but if your wrinkles are causing pain or discomfort, then consult with your doctor. Meanwhile, bruises are more common among the aging population due to medication and thinning skin. If you notice excessive pain, frequent unexplained bruising, or have difficulty healing, then seek medical attention.
Aging can be fickle. One moment you can read the back of the milk carton with little effort, and the next day, the lettering is blurry. There are many effects of aging that can appear on your body, but there are also ways to limit any pain, damage, or effects that years of wear can do to your body. For Floridians, skin care may be one of the most vital components of aging care. Below are a few tips to help you care for your skin as you age. Dry, Itchy Skin While the Florida humidity lowers the chance of experiencing itchy and dry skin, older adults may be more susceptible as a result of thinning skin and fewer oil glands. Additionally, diabetes, kidney disease, medications, excessive sun exposure, or stress can exacerbate dry skin. Combat it by applying lotion regularly, taking fewer showers or baths, and using softer soaps. Drinking water can also be a powerful tool for healthy skin. Dark Spots and Moles You may find brown“age spots” appearing on your body, but knowing the difference between a harmless age spot and a potentially dangerous mole or growth could be lifesaving. Moles and other growths could point to skin cancer and other dangerous diseases. Regularly monitor your spots
Visit the National Institute on Aging’s website at NIA.NIH.gov for more information on aging skin care.
S p i c y S a l m o n C u
SUDOKU
There’s nothing quite like a refreshing treat on a warm summer’s day. Mix up this cool appetizer for your new favorite snack.
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • •
1/4 cup paleo mayonnaise 1/4 tsp smoked paprika 1/4 tsp Tabasco, or to taste 1/2 lb salmon, cooked 1 tbsp minced shallots 1 tbsp chopped chives
• • •
Salt and pepper, to taste 1 English cucumber, peeled 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered for garnish
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, paprika, and Tabasco. 2. Flake the salmon into large bite-size pieces. 3. Add the salmon, shallots, chives, salt, and pepper to the Tabasco mixture and combine. 4. Cut the cucumber into 3/4-inch slices. 5. Using a melon-baller, scoop out the center of each cucumber slice but leave the bottom fully intact so the filling doesn’t fall through. 6. Divide the salmon mixture and put dollops into each cucumber slice. 7. Garnish with cherry tomato.
Solution on Page 4
3 (239) 265-9779
Inspired by SarahFragoso.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
9100 College Pointe Court Fort Myers, FL 33919 (239) 265-9779
INSIDE this issue
Enjoying Florida Summers With My Family........................................................1
4 Steps to Finally Sort Through Old Photos .................................................2
A Florida Law Change That Impacts Will Signings...................................................2
Caring for Your Skin as You Age..................3
Shop Smarter With Information About Your Sunscreen ............................................4
n ’ t L
e
w
W h i c
Lately, it seems like the word“natural”has been slapped on products as readily as candy is passed out on Halloween. But what does natural even mean? It could be just about anything because there’s no regulation on the use of the word. So-called natural products may include asthma- inducing chemicals or plant-based ingredients that can cause severe reactions. But reading the list of ingredients may cause confusion as well. How do you knowwhich ingredients are safe for you and your family? For sunscreen, one of the most important summertime products, the research nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) has done the work for you.
Many“fragrant”scents in lotions and sunscreens are synthetic and can trigger allergies.
Oxybenzone is another commonly listed ingredient in sunscreen that has been linked to hormone disruption and allergies and has been flagged as potentially risky by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Along with octinoxate, an ultraviolet-filtering chemical, oxybenzone has also been shown to cause damage to coral reefs. What to Choose After several yearslong studies, the FDA reported that there’s only enough information to deem two sunscreen ingredients safe and effective: zinc oxide and titaniumdioxide. Look for brands that feature one or both of these as the main active ingredient(s) and avoid those with oxybenzone. Covering up with a hat, sunglasses, and clothing is also an effective way to protect yourself from the sun. Companies use complex words tomask potentially harmful ingredients, but don’t let them stump you. A quick Google search can often reveal what these words mean. For details on specific ingredients, check EWG.org, which lists and scores products and ingredients based on their health and environmental risks. Their site also provides downloadable sunscreen guides to help you shop smarter and safer.
Here are some suggestions. Words toBeWaryOf
Read ingredient labels carefully when you’re choosing products. In addition to long chemical names and“natural”printed all over the labels, “fragrance” is another that has almost no regulation.
4 floridaestateplanning.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Annual report