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APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2023
QUARTERLY
ESTATE OF THINGS
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IT WAS TIME TO DUST OFF MY DIPLOMA!
How I Became an Attorney Later in Life
“My diploma is getting dusty.” This is the sentence that ran through my mind as I looked up at my degree hanging on my wall. When I graduated from law school at the University of Oklahoma and passed the bar exam, I did something many law students don’t typically do: I left my degree on the shelf for a decade or so. After graduating from law school, my husband and I returned to Tucson and decided to grow our family. So, at that time, my main priority was to care for my wonderful children. I wanted to be home during my children’s formative years and provide for them in any way I could. But I knew that one day, I would put my degree to good use — it was all a matter of time. I have four beautiful children, and once my youngest child turned 9 years old, I decided it was time to see what I could do with the law degree. I searched Craigslist and found a solo practitioner looking for a part-time assistant. So, I applied for the position, and I got the job. While I wasn’t using the law degree to the fullest, I thought this was a great first step because I could see if I could strike the perfect balance between working in and outside of the home. I worked as a part-time assistant for almost two years, which was a wonderful experience. It helped me get my toes wet and allowed me to enter the law field again. Now, how did I end up at Morris Hall? I basically stumbled upon the firm. I wasn’t searching for new employment. I met one of the firm’s attorneys while I was at the courthouse and they reached out soon after, inquiring if I would be interested in working for Morris Hall. I did some research and liked their focus on estate planning (a course I liked during law school), so I began working part-time at Morris Hall as an attorney.
I was doing! Every day at the office is different because not every client has the same needs, wants, and concerns. I love being able to help clients get the peace of mind they deserve — no matter what their situation is. They come in confused about their next steps, and my goal is for them to leave with a clear vision and an understanding of what they need to do. This feeling is both rewarding and motivating. Initially, I thought entering the law field later in life would hinder me in some way because most law students immediately find a job after graduating. But that was not the case! Since I am assisting families and helping them develop a proper plan, I understand their “what if” questions regarding their loved ones because I have similar concerns! Because of this, I can relate to my clients and nurture our relationship in a way I wouldn’t have been able to do if I didn’t have a family of my own. However, being an attorney isn’t my only role at Morris Hall. Eight years ago, I became a partner. I thought it was a great step forward, and I love my position! It’s been great to brainstorm with my colleagues and other partners as we develop goals and plans for the firm. I couldn’t ask for a better team by my side. I am so grateful for my family, and especially my mom for encouraging me to attend law school and being my #1 cheerleader on the sidelines every step of the way. Each day it’s an honor to work alongside dozens of amazing people at Morris
Hall. And I want to thank our clients for trusting us with their needs. To us, you’re more than another client — you’re family. I love meeting and speaking with all of you and look forward to assisting you in the future!
As my kids continued to get older, I started working more hours. I eventually became a full-time attorney and absolutely loved what
—Wendy Harn
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HOST A MURDER MYSTERY DINNER! THE BEST WAY TO CELEBRATE MYSTERY MONTH
Did you know May is Mystery Month? There are dozens of ways to celebrate this enigmatic occasion, from playing Clue to rewatching “Glass Onion” — but why not bring those experiences to life and host your own murder mystery dinner at home? Thanks to a plethora of kits on the market, doing so is easier than ever! WHAT IS A MURDER MYSTERY DINNER? A murder mystery dinner is essentially a real-life game of Clue. You invite friends over for dinner and turn your home into the set of “Knives Out” — without the blood, of course. Each of your friends takes on the persona of a character in the story, and when one of them is “murdered,” you compete to uncover who dunnit. STEP 1: PICK YOUR KIT. Planning a murder mystery dinner from scratch would take the ingenuity of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Luckily, you have several ready- made mysteries to choose from! You can find boxes from Masters of Mystery and My Mystery Party at your local board game store, but you can find many options available online, too. Night of Mystery ( NightOfMystery.com ), for example, sells both in-person and virtual kits with themes ranging from ’80s prom to Christmas homicide.
If your friends and family don’t like the idea of acting and dressing up, that’s okay — you can still solve a mystery over dinner! Look into kits available through Unsolved Case Files ( UnsolvedCaseFiles.com ) or Hunt A Killer ( Shop.HuntAKiller.com ), which involve collaborative mystery-solving without the character work. STEP 2: CURATE YOUR GUEST LIST. Most murder mystery dinners require at least four people, while some include characters for six, eight, or more! Check the number of players on your kit and invite your most creative, analytical, theatrical, and mystery-loving friends. STEP 3: DECORATE AND PLAN THE MENU. If you choose a themed murder mystery, level up your event with a matching menu and decor! For games taking place in England, whip up a shepherd’s pie and make a cardboard cutout of Big Ben. For Havana Nights, plan a build-your-own Cubano bar and throw on an Afro-Cuban playlist. You can be as over-the-top as you like. Remember, it’s Mystery Month!
YOUNG ADULTS NEED HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES
YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN AREN’T LITTLE KIDS ANYMORE!
When many of you completed your estate plan, your children or grandchildren were minors. But as time flies by, your little boy or girl grew into a young man or woman. They may be heading off to college, getting their own place, or starting their first job — what an exciting time! As your loved ones prepare for the next chapter of their lives, you will do anything to ensure they’re ready. One of the best things you can do for a young adult is to help them get health care directives completed.
to provide peace of mind for themselves and your family.
become incapacitated. They should also sign a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization that will provide names of people who are allowed to speak with doctors/medical staff and access medical records. These documents are the same health care documents you completed as part of your estate plan. If you have a child or grandchild who recently graduated high school or turned 18, we encourage you to help them get their health care documents in place. It’s the best gift you could ever give to provide peace of mind for you and your young adults as they cross into the world of adulthood.
As soon as the teens in your life reach 18, it’s vital that they have health care directives. These documents protect them if they are in an accident and cannot make medical decisions for themselves. Your young adults can give you or other family members authority to speak with doctors on their behalf and view medical records in case tragedy strikes. WHAT YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN SHOULD HAVE IN PLACE? First, your young adults must have health care powers of attorney. These include a medical power of attorney and mental health care power of attorney that allow someone to make medical and mental health decisions for them if they
WHY ARE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES IMPORTANT?
When your children or grandchildren are minors, you as their parents or guardians can access their medical records and talk with doctors. But when they turn 18, this access goes away. No need to fear! There is something your young adult can do
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your young adults to come in and get their health care documents completed.
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IS YOUR FINANCIAL DRAWER TOO CROWDED? IT’S TIME TO GO THROUGH YOUR DOCUMENTS!
WHY ARE YOU RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? As this newsletter hits your mailbox, you may be surprised to hear from us! While we mainly see you in our office, we wanted to give you another resource as you venture through the world of estate planning. As a Premiere Legacy Plan member, you get access to content that will help you as you create or update your estate plan. From answering frequently asked questions and highlighting common misconceptions to detailing the ways you can reap all the benefits your estate plan offers, this newsletter is a must-read! You will also learn more about different people on our team and what motivates them to deliver the best service possible every day. Thank you for joining us and reading our newsletter! We’re so excited for what’s to come!
We all have that designated drawer or cabinet in our home that stores our financial documents. But sometimes, this area can become crowded with outdated documents, making it difficult to find what you need. What if your financial power of attorney or beneficiary needs to review some of your financial statements? Would they be able to access these documents easily? While some financial documents should be kept, others can be shredded and tossed. But how do you know which statements to keep? Here’s an easy guide to help you determine which documents should stay in your designated drawer and which ones can be tossed. WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD YOU KEEP FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR? When filing taxes, you may need additional documents to help move the process along. For example, you may need your pay stubs, credit card statements, utility bills, quarterly investment statements, and receipts. Keeping these documents for at least one year or until you file your taxes is best. You can get rid of medical bills or invoices unless you have an ongoing settlement claim you’re trying to finalize. WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD YOU KEEP FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS? It’s best to keep all IRS-related records for at least three years or more just in case you are audited. Therefore, securely
store your W-2s, 1099s, annual investment statements, and receipts for charitable contributions as well as records of mortgage interest payments and retirement plan contributions. WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD YOU KEEP FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS? While the IRS’s statute of limitations for auditing is three years, they can go back up to six years under certain conditions. Therefore, it’s best to keep all your tax records, documents regarding the purchase of a home, and records of expenses when buying or selling your home (such as remodels and renovations). However, there are certain situations that would require you to store your financial documents for an extended period. Because everyone’s situation is different, we recommend connecting with a financial advisor. Fortunately, when you work with Morris Hall for all your estate planning needs, you also get a complimentary consultation with Clark Street Financial. They can help with your personal and business financial planning and management, including integrated financial planning for estate strategies, review, analysis and management of all types of investment accounts, life insurance as a financial planning tool and for death benefit purposes, annuities, and more. Don’t hesitate to contact us or our friends at Clark Street Financial 480.344.8200 with any questions or concerns.
Ginger Pork Stir-Fry
Looking for a healthy stir-fry that has all of the delicious flavors and none of the heavy ingredients? This one might be perfect for you!
INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 small onion, sliced • 1/4 lb fresh snow peas • 1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned • Cooked rice • Green onion, chopped (optional) • Sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips • 2 tbsp canola oil
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Meet Our Amazing Attorney and Partner, Wendy Harn! PAGE 1 Host an Unforgettable Murder Mystery Dinner PAGE 2 Share This Article With Young Adults! PAGE 2 Ginger Pork Stir-Fry PAGE 3 Which Financial Documents Should You Keep or Toss? PAGE 3 3 Hotels to Visit for a Great Night’s Sleep PAGE 4
Oh, the Places You’ll Sleep! The Traveling Sleep Trend Shaping Hotels
continues to understand how important sleep is to our health, more people are prioritizing rest even while they’re away. But being a sleep tourist is about more than going to bed early and ensuring you get your recommended eight hours of rest. It’s about building your vacation around sleep. Some hotels even offer rooms tailored to sleep tourists, with amenities so popular that their sleep options have become regular offerings. So, if sleep tourism sounds like something you’d be interested in, here are three hotels that help you catch those z’s. PARK HYATT NEW YORK (NYC): This hotel features a Sleep Suite designed by Bryte, a company that uses AI to facilitate sleep. The room touts an intuitive “Restorative Bed,” which adjusts to relieve
pressure points and controls temperature throughout the night, according to each person’s needs. This suite also includes an array of soothing essential oils, a diffuser, and books about sleep. THE CADOGAN, A BELMOND HOTEL (LONDON): This hotel offers a “sleep concierge,” which boasts prerecorded sleep meditations and a pillow selection menu for every type of sleeper. Sleepers can even benefit from the hotel’s weighted blankets, scented pillow mist service, and their proprietary sleep tea. ZEDWELL (LONDON): The first ever “sleep-centric” hotel, Zedwell uses recycled materials to insulate every door, wall, and floor from sound. This hotel also purifies the air within the hotel and fills every space with ambient lighting.
If you’ve ever planned a vacation, you’ve probably picked a few key places to visit, like a museum, restaurant, or historic site. However, a new vacation trend is becoming increasingly popular: sleep tourism, when a traveler plans their entire vacation to get the best quality sleep during their time away. Before, common goals for vacations were to eat delicious foods, stay up late to see the sights, and fit in as much activity as possible. However, this left travelers completely exhausted. And as our culture
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