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the Phillips and Blow Monthly Bulletin
7700 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite 100 Centennial, CO 80112 303-741-2400 www.phillipsandblowlaw.com
08 .2020
Dogs and the Dog Days of Summer Appreciating Man's Best Friend
Sometimes August is referred to as the dog days of summer. This name goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who noticed that the time of year when the Sirius star (also known as the Dog Star) became visible on the horizon just before sunrise coincided with the hottest time of the year. While August might be the dog days of summer, for those of us at Phillips & Blow, every day might as well be a dog day. Everyone who works here loves dogs and has at least a few of their own. Denise has two huskies, Danette has four dogs (two Chihuahua-dachshund mixes, a Havashire, and a Papillon), and Justin just got two German-Australian shepherd-mix puppies named Bear and Beck. As for me, I’ve been a dog owner for nearly 30 years. My wife and I currently have a 9-year- old black Lab (my third black Lab since I first became a dog owner) and a 12-year-old golden retriever. In fact, when my wife and I were first getting to know each other online, our dogs actually helped us bond. Her golden retriever, who was just a puppy at the time, was in her profile picture. On my profile, I had written that I wanted to become “as good
a person as my dog thought I was.” I didn’t come up with that, but my wife hadn’t heard it before, and as a fellow dog owner, she thought it was really funny. To this day, I strive to live up to that same standard. When my wife and I first met each other in person and began dating, each of us had to pass “the dog test.” For those of you not already familiar with this test, that’s when you need the approval of your potential significant other’s dog before you can officially start dating. Her golden retriever was picky about the people she dated, so I was lucky to pass the test. Black Labs love everyone, though, so my wife passed the test with flying colors — even though she would have passed with even the pickiest of canines.
Unfortunately, just before my wife and I got married, the black Lab I had at the time went away to the big food bowl in the sky. Shortly after that, I got another black Lab — the same one I have today. He and my wife’s golden retriever are inseparable. He taught my black Lab how to be a dog. Whenever one has to go to the vet, the other sits and cries, waiting for his best friend to come home. Dogs really are the best pets and some of the best companions we humans can have. Just like all dog owners, we at Phillips & Blow love talking about our dogs and hearing stories about our clients’ furry friends. So, next time you’re in the office, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation about how great dogs are. We will happily oblige.
“DOGS REALLY ARE THE BEST PETS AND SOME OF THE BEST COMPANIONS WE HUMANS CAN HAVE.”
303-741-2400 1 – John Phillips
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In light of the ongoing pandemic, we’ve written here before about how important it is to have your estate planning documents in order. We never know what sorts of circumstances might befall us, so it’s always best to be prepared. However, crafting your estate plan is more than just making sure your documents are updated — it’s about taking the professional advice that comes with it. Ultimately, estate planning is about people. It’s about families and mitigating the unexpected life disruption of those who remain after loved ones pass away. And it’s more than just explaining some legal jargon and taking a few signatures. Not too long ago, I had two clients call me on separate occasions, thanking me for the advice we had given them. The funny thing was that the advice they thanked me for wasn’t legal advice — it was just life advice that came with 30 years of working in the estate planning industry. Just getting the documents you need without the opinion of an estate planning attorney is like disregarding a full examination of your condition from a trusted doctor and just buying medicine for cheaper prices across the border. Sure, you might get the medications you need, but you’ll miss out on a lot of helpful professional advice. Wills and trusts are just tools, like a hammer or a saw — technically usable in the hands of anyone but not nearly as effective as they would be in the hands of an expert. That’s why getting your estate in order is crucial to mitigating the negative effects of the inevitable and protecting your family. Not only do you need to get your documents updated but you also need the help of experienced estate planning attorneys to guide you through the process. For professional advice you won’t find anywhere else, give Phillips & Blow a call at 303-741-2400 for a free consultation. The Value of Professional Advice MoreThan Having Your Documents in Order
Retiring During a Recession 3 Guidelines to Ensure a Stable Future
A few months ago, several news sources confirmed what savvy American businesspeople already suspected: The United States is currently in a recession and has been since February 2020. While a recession isn’t good for anyone, it’s especially concerning for those nearing retirement age. Those who were planning on retiring this year might be having second thoughts — for good reason. Rest assured, however, that if you’ve had fears about retiring this year, you can still go ahead with your plans as long as you keep a few things in mind.
DON’T LET EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS.
Saving for retirement is almost inherently tied with joyful thoughts of financial stability in your golden years. So, when something like a recession threatens that security, it’s easy to react irrationally. Before deciding what to do with your retirement funds, make sure your decisions are rooted in logic, not fear or anxiety. If you don’t know where to start, contact a financial advisor for guidance.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL.
Even for financial experts, the markets are notoriously hard to predict. Rather than expend energy wishing you could sway the market, focus on making changes where you have control. You can control where your assets are invested, when you claim Social Security, and how you spend your money, among other things. Think about how you can change these factors in your favor and don’t worry about the rest.
STRESS-TEST YOUR FINANCES.
While conducting a stress test might sound a little abstract, it’s something that many financial advisors can help you do with your retirement accounts. Stress-testing your finances can help you determine if now is the right time to retire or if it’s better to wait just a little bit longer. Even if things look bad right now, that could change in a year or two. As the market recovers, so do your chances of a peaceful retirement.
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WWW.PHILLIPSANDBLOWLAW.COM
Trusts • Probate • Long-Term Care Planning • Elder Law
5 Reasons You Need an Estate Planning Attorney's Help
When Crafting Your Power of Attorney
It’s increasingly common for people to become mentally incapacitated in the months or years before death. That’s why, along with either a will or trust, many people need to have a power of attorney in place in case they’re diagnosed with dementia or are otherwise mentally unfit to exact their final wishes before they pass. A power of attorney (POA) outlines who will be responsible — often a relative or close friend — to exact your final wishes on your behalf should you be unable to. You might be able to find a valid POA online, but even a legally valid POA isn’t necessarily effective. Below are five reasons why you should have an estate planning attorney help you craft your POA. 1. Do-it-yourself POA documents are subject to greater scrutiny from financial institutions, medical professionals, and other organizations. Many of them won’t touch DIY documents because if they’ve been prepared incorrectly, those organizations could face legal ramifications for accepting the documents. 2. While POAs don’t “grow stale,” most relevant parties will accept the most updated versions of the documents over older versions. Updating a POA is a meticulous process, so it’s best to let an estate planning attorney help you.
3. POAs typically name several potential agents to enact the principal’s wishes, in case the principal’s first choice is unavailable or unable, but it can be hard to determine what is meant by “unavailable or unable.” An estate planning attorney can help you make sure that’s clear. 4. Since a POA only becomes valid when the principal is incapacitated, the agent might have to prove that is indeed the case, which could result in a legal battle. Since the point of a POA is to avoid those battles, you should have an estate planning attorney who can vouch for the principal’s incapacitation as well. 5. It’s possible to list different agents in your POAs, much like it’s possible to have multiple keys to the same house. If the listed agents disagree on how to best exact the principal’s will, those disagreements can usually only be resolved by experienced estate planning attorneys. All in all, since we use powers of attorney on a regular basis, and there are plenty of ways to prepare them incorrectly, it’s best to “stack the deck” in your agent’s favor by enlisting the help of a licensed estate planning attorney. Check out the Phillips & Blow website or give us a call to see if our services are right for you.
Trivia
Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
Which president was sworn in using a law book rather than a Bible?
Submit your answers to Email@JRPhillipsLaw.com.
INGREDIENTS:
• • • • • • •
8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
• • •
2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
Correct answers will be entered into a drawing on July 31 for an Amazon gift card.
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp sea salt Pepper, to taste 2 tbsp lemon juice
• •
1 cup corn
6 cups arugula, packed
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese. 3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
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inside
All About Dogs During the Dog Days of Summer this issue
1 2 2 3 3 4
Retiring in 2020? Follow These 3 Steps!
More Than Having Your Documents in Order
Crafting Your Powers of Attorney
The Secret to Delicious Grilled Veggies
Exercise Your Way to a Clean Home
Your 'Clean ' Workout Routine Turn Household Chores Into Effective Exercise
• COOK: It’s not cleaning, but it’s still a chore with useful downtime. While food is simmering or thawing in the microwave, do some pushups, situps, or planks to get your muscles moving.
Everyone knows how labor-intensive cleaning can be. A long day of scrubbing down your house is a great way to work your muscles and get your blood pumping, so crank up some tunes, grab a mop, and get ready to transform your cleaning routine into a great workout. To get physical benefits from cleaning, you need to turn up the intensity of your methods. Exaggerate your motions, pick up your pace, and keep your abs tight and knees flexed. Nearly any chore can be turned into an exercise, but here are some ideas to get you started. • VACUUM: Vacuum briskly nonstop for at least 20 minutes, switching arms as you go. For an added challenge, do lunges as you vacuum and remember to keep your toes pointed straight ahead and your knees bent at 90-degree angles. • PICK UP: Instead of simply bending over to pick up toys or clothes, do a squat with every item you grab. Remember to use your legs, not your back. You can also do squats while unloading the dishwasher or with any other chore that involves repeated bending. • WIPE DOWN: Whether you’re wiping windows or scrubbing appliances, do big, exaggerated arm circles until your muscles start to burn and make sure you’re switching arms as you go.
You can implement dozens of exercises to turn mundane activities into beneficial
workouts. Some chores will burn more calories than others, but every bit of activity helps. Now’s the time to work your way to a cleaner house and a healthier you.
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WWW.PHILLIPSANDBLOWLAW.COM
Trusts • Probate • Long-Term Care Planning • Elder Law
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