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B & A BULLETIN Q2 2026
INHERITANCE INSIGHTS
A Guide to Protecting Young Beneficiaries As an estate planning attorney, I encounter situations daily that remind me of the preciousness of family. And I’m definitely being reminded of it as I write this message in my office. Our associate attorney, Janki Patel, recently celebrated her baby Amira’s first birthday. Seeing Janki and my other colleagues reach lovely milestones in their daily lives strengthens our commitment to everything we do here at Bott & Associates LTD. We understand the nuances of estate planning for family members because we’re parents and guardians ourselves, and we want nothing more than to help you craft a plan that provides for your loved ones and keeps them as safe and secure as possible. The joy Janki is experiencing today inspired me to share some thoughts on the importance of establishing a solid estate plan if you have young children. Naturally, various scenarios could occur, each requiring a specific course of action to ensure everyone is on the same page so conflicts don’t end up in court. Here are a few of the most common considerations that are worth a closer look. Custody Assigning custody of your children to an appropriate guardian is the No. 1 priority for any parent devising an estate plan. In the most streamlined situations, the surviving parent will become the guardian upon the death of their spouse. However, things can become complicated
Celebrating a milestone! Our associate attorney, Mrs. Janki Patel, and her husband welcomed their first child, Amira, a year ago, and she just turned 1 in February. Wishing our little Bott & Associates baby a very happy first birthday!
if the parents are divorced and one former spouse is reluctant to assign custody to the other. Ultimately, whoever is assigned custody of your children must be trustworthy, of sound mind, and capable of handling the logistical demands of parenting. (For example, someone living in Florida may not be ideal to serve as the guardian if your children live in Chicago.) In many cases, our client will also consider a potential guardian’s values, financial history, mental/physical health status, and religious/spiritual practices to ensure they’d be a good fit.
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If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your estate plan, this article may be one of the most important things you’ll read this year. As standard practice, our firm sends letters to clients every three years to remind them to review their existing estate plans and to contact us immediately if they need to make changes to those plans. Of course, we also host special seminars throughout the year designed to help you better understand the common reasons an estate plan is critical and how to address revisions as new life circumstances and needs arise. While our commitment to helping you devise the most current and legally sound estate plan hasn’t changed, we are taking a Free Seminars for Future Focus LEARN AT OUR LIVE (OR ONLINE) SESSIONS Although rare, the possibility of both parents passing away in an accident or a similar disaster still exists. It’s always best to plan for this worst-case scenario and hope it never occurs, rather than avoid considering it until it’s too late. After all, an unnecessary court battle could unfold in situations where each deceased parent’s family is very invested in the children left behind and desires custody over the other side. Distribution Patterns Let’s say you’re 18 years old and just inherited $5 million. Would you have the discipline to use that money responsibly, or would you go on a spending spree that could put your future livelihood at risk? To better protect your children from their inheritances doing more harm than good, consider establishing distribution patterns that support their ongoing financial security. A third party can be appointed to oversee their inheritance and distribute it in predetermined amounts over specified periods of time. Perhaps your young children would benefit more from a larger allowance as they approach retirement age than when they’re fresh out of college and not yet well-versed in money management. The correct distribution pattern will help your beneficiary avoid the potential pitfalls of receiving too much too soon. Blended Families If you and your spouse entered into your marriage with your own children, this “Brady Bunch” scenario could
prove problematic without the necessary estate plan in place. Discussing and planning what happens to each spouse’s respective children in the event of a spouse’s death will help all involved steer away from a nightmare situation where the deceased’s non-biological children are not provided for, or the surviving spouse decides to only support their own children. Sadly, I’ve seen scenes of this nature play out in court time and time again when the matter could have been resolved by addressing it in an estate plan drafted in my office. This article is a brief overview of some of the complexities that can arise when children are involved in your legacy plans. Please contact us if we can further explain any details to help you and your loved ones receive a higher level of legal protection. That way, you can enjoy a family
milestone today with the comfort of knowing your loved ones will be protected tomorrow.
new approach to assisting clients in reviewing and updating these plans. We are still hosting our free in-person Estate Planning Seminars, but we will now offer archived recordings of these sessions free to our clients for on-demand viewing. Whether you attend in person or view the seminars online, you will receive essential information on successful estate planning, as well as our fee schedule for updates or revisions through our firm. This way, you will have a clearer understanding in advance of what may need to be changed in your plan before you schedule an individual review meeting with us. Our free in-person Estate Planning Seminars will be held on the following dates: Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Additional information about these seminars is available on our website at BottEstatePlanning.com We hope our new seminar structure will provide you with greater flexibility and convenience. If you plan to attend in person, we can’t wait to see you!
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CREATIVE CORNERS Passions Beyond the Practice
If you want to truly get to know a person, ask them how they have fun or how they keep their mind sharp outside of work and their everyday responsibilities. Not everyone knows that National Creativity Day is celebrated annually on May 30, but more people should. We all need an outlet away from the hustle and bustle, and the best ones are often the hobbies that foster our creative sides or give us a chance to simply relax. When away from the office, I love doing jigsaw puzzles to give my brain a fun tease. I also love reading, sewing, and playing tennis and baseball with my kids.
Our associate attorney and very happy mom, Janki Patel , cites cooking with her husband as one of her favorite ways to spend quality time at home. She also loves reading about space and learning more about the universe. Most of all, she cherishes doing crafts with her daughter, Amira, and reading books to her.
Can sleep be a full-time hobby? Absolutely, at least according to our estate administration paralegal, Danielle Mendoza . When she is awake on
weekends, she loves binge- watching movies and dramas. Last year, she started hosting
“barbecue time” with her kids on weekends. She tells
me that these occasions serve as “a non-negotiable family meeting where we catch up on what they’re up to and I can hopefully remind them I’m still the fun mom … even if my dance moves say otherwise!” So … what are your special hobbies? How do you explore your creative side with your all-important “you” time? We’d love to learn all about them on your next visit!
When not hitting the gym to stay physically and mentally fit, our director of client services and resident fashionista, Angelina Cruz , loves dressing up and experimenting with different types of accessories and pieces. Our funding and Medicaid paralegal, Anne Durin , enjoys unwinding in nature with her husband. Lately, she’s been dabbling in gardening, because apparently, being a millennial now officially comes with a “green thumb and adulting” starter pack.
Just for fun, I recently polled a few of my team members here at Bott & Associates
to learn which hobbies they enjoy to unwind or tap into their creative sides. Not surprisingly, the answers I received were as fascinating as they were varied.
Upcoming Events Please call us at 847-818-9084 for more information on our events.
Free Estate Planning Seminars We invite you to join our upcoming free seminars to take the first step toward peace of mind by creating or updating your estate plan. This is an educational seminar featuring Attorney Maritess Bott, who will highlight the concerns many families
face and how an estate plan can help. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. *The seminars scheduled for May will be available for on-demand viewing after the live events. Alzheimer’s and Life Planning: Protecting Your Future and Your Family
Take a Break
We invite you to attend our free workshop! This educational seminar will feature Attorney Maritess Bott and a guest speaker from the Alzheimer’s Association, who will share insights on Alzheimer’s awareness and the importance of planning for the future. Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 6 p.m.
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Inside This Issue • Legacy Tips to Lift Loved Ones • Listen, Learn, and Level-Up • Brain Boosts and Joyful Journeys • Check Out Our Upcoming Events! • Take a Break • Refresh Your Home Without the Rush
EASY HACKS FOR A LIGHTER RESET Spring-Cleaning Without the Strain
tools and cleaners that can tackle a variety of tasks. You likely already have scrubbing superstars under your sink, like baking soda and white vinegar. Both are handy for lifting stains, eliminating odors, and cleaning many household surfaces. Microfiber towels and cloths are another versatile tool that can shine up everything from glass cooktops to computer keyboards. Systems to Spread It Out It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when your to-do list is large, or you aim to deep-clean every inch of your home in one day. Break up your chores into manageable sections, rather than trying to complete everything at once. Create daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly tasks to keep you on schedule without burning out. As you declutter, try the 10-10-100 challenge. Choose one space in your home, set a timer for 10 minutes,
and place 10 items you want to store or donate in a box. Tricks to Make It Fun Cleaning doesn’t have to feel like a dreaded chore. This tidy-up time can be your moment of personal zen, a chance to catch up on your favorite podcast, or a family activity that feels like a game. Put on a new audiobook or an energetic playlist while you sweep. Make a little time to “spring- clean” your mental health while working by incorporating breathing exercises or mini meditations. As you wipe down a counter, take a moment to reflect on what you are grateful for or exhale with every swipe. As you tackle spring-cleaning, keep the work light and fun, and it will no longer feel like a punishment for surviving the winter.
Spring-cleaning can be a great way to reset, but if the mere thought of scrubbing and mopping for hours makes you feel tired, you’re not alone. The good news is that you can refresh your space without doing it the hard way. With a few simple, efficient hacks, you can cut your workload in half while still making your home feel noticeably cleaner, lighter, and fresher. Tools to Tackle Everything Before you dust any shelves, declutter your cleaning routine. You don’t need a box full of different products or supplies. Focus on multipurpose
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