Good Estate Planning Covers All the Bases A strong estate strategy includes having plans in place that help secure a future you want for yourself and your loved ones. With a good estate plan, few issues can arise without a clear answer, including the issues we don’t like to think about, such as incapacity. While death is inevitable, incapacity is not necessarily something that you will face in your life. It is, however, something you could face. others from knowing certain medical details about a person without a release or HIPAA authorization circumventing that rule. You will, of course, want a HIPAA authorization for the agent under your health care power of attorney so that person can be updated on your medical status. But What About Incapacity?
Last but not least, you may want to consider setting up a revocable trust. A revocable trust allows you to transfer assets into the trust but still retain control over those assets. In the event that you become incapacitated, however, the trust will continue to manage those assets for you. This can be an efficient and effective way to make sure your affairs are maintained no matter what circumstances you may face. Obviously, this information is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’d like to know more about estate planning, real estate law, or one of our other areas of specialization, please call us at 718‑682‑7015.
Preparation starts with having a durable power of attorney, which may be invaluable in the future. The durability feature of a power of attorney means it remains effective even if you, the principal, become incapacitated. Additionally, a health care power of attorney, which empowers the agent you have selected with the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf, is also critical — and very powerful to have alongside a living will.
HIPAA authorizations must also be part of your plan. HIPAA is a privacy law protecting
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EASY & HEALTHY GREEN RICE MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
Could I imagine anything better?
I suppose the only thing that might come close is, well, teaching — specifically, to a classroom full of children in addition to the one-on-one time I already get with my pediatric patients. Amazingly, my career has let me come full circle and accomplish that, too. For years now, I’ve seen over a thousand kids a year in classrooms all across Staten Island because of the great relationships I’ve built with teachers who know their classes need to understand more about dental care and its importance. I’m not there to tell them never to have candy or anything like that! I’m there to give them realistic advice based on an understanding of dental health that’s easy for them to grasp. Like most people who have taught in the past year, things were thrown for a loop by this pandemic. But even then, I found myself teaching over Zoom to the classes of a select few teachers with whom I have built relationships. I even got to teach a class in North Carolina, where a friend of mine’s daughter teaches! Now that’s something I didn’t see coming when I signed up for dental school! And my career is full of moments like those. I’m grateful to the patients who continue to trust me every day and grateful that life has allowed my hard work to pay off. In turn, I’m going to pay it back by setting up kids for dental health success for the rest of their lives.
Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced
• 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed • 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice
DIRECTIONS
3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
–Phyllis G. Merlino, D.D.S.
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