Check out our October newsletter!
OUR EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ARE RETURNING! Join Us to Protect What Matters Most www.LeRoyPetersonLaw.com 402-718-8888 October 2023
We have great news to share! Our educational workshops are making a comeback! In March 2020, we had our last educational workshop planned for our clients and their family and friends. Due to the pandemic and the rapid spread of the virus, we were forced to act quickly and make a same-day cancellation. This fall, we are excited to resume our workshops. These educational sessions provide invaluable knowledge and guidance to our clients and their families and loved ones, ensuring they navigate the complex world of legal and financial matters with confidence and peace of mind. In previous workshops, we capitalized on the opportunity to host interactive discussions about estate planning, probate, long-term care, and Medicaid planning. These topics play a crucial role in ensuring our clients’ well-being and preserving their legacies. Why Attend Our Workshops? Education and Empowerment Estate planning and considering options to pay for long-term care are not at the top of anyone’s list of most exciting activities, but they are essential! Understanding the intricacies of these matters empowers individuals to take control of their futures and make choices that align with their wishes and values. Who Should Attend Our Workshops? Our clients: To plan for their retirement, health care, and legacy Adult children: To assist aging parents in making informed decisions Caregivers: To understand legal and financial responsibilities Family and friends of all ages: To start early and build a strong foundation for their future I recognize most individuals on my list are likely past clients or current clients who found me through workshops, so these workshops may not be of specific interest to you, but if you know a friend, neighbor, or family member who may potentially benefit from our workshops and find value in having the opportunity to gather information in a non-intimidating, non- commitment way, please don’t keep us a secret! Please share this information!
Upcoming Workshop Dates, Times, and Locations Thursday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.–Noon W. Clarke Swanson Library, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., Omaha Estate Planning With a Focus on Caring for Your Elder Parents With Guest Speaker Jenny Trebolt From Oasis Senior Advisors This presentation is geared toward the “sandwich generation” — those who are still raising children while beginning to care for their parents. I will provide estate planning basics along with an overview of how Medicaid affects planning decisions. A special guest speaker, Jenny Trebolt, will discuss what you should watch for in your parents’ behavior that may trigger a discussion around long-term care and provide guidance on how to prepare for those discussions.
Monday, Oct. 30, 6–7 p.m. Millard Library, 13214 Westwood Ln., Omaha
Estate Planning With a Focus on Long-Term Care Options With Eryka Morehead From Collaborative Planning Group
Estate plans do not simply outline your wishes for when you pass. You should also consider possible long-term care needs. I will provide estate planning basics along with an overview of how Medicaid affects
planning decisions. Special guest speaker, Eryka Morehead, will share details about LTC insurance and other items to consider. Your legacy deserves to be protected — our workshops are the keys to unlocking its full potential! We hope to see you there!
-LeRoy Peterson
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A Greener Future for All
EXCITING ADVANCES IN THE WORLD OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
of Transport to proceed, as concerns have been raised regarding the durability and reflectivity of the panels.
The hunt for sustainable energy sources continues! Throughout the past two decades, we have seen countless efforts around the globe to develop more environmentally friendly energy practices. You may have noticed solar panels appearing on roofs around your community or watched news reports about wind turbines offshore. These are far from the only efforts organizations, governments, and individuals are making. Two large-scale sustainability projects were announced that could lead to a more sustainable future. Solar Railways In many areas of Europe, the best way to get from point A to point B is by train. Switzerland alone has a national railway network that stretches over 2,000 miles. A startup called
New Wind Turbines Offshore wind farms are nothing new. They first appeared in 1991, but the technology has evolved immensely. The Spain-based startup X1 Wind has created a new floating wind turbine prototype that could change the entire industry. Located off the Canary
Islands, the X1 floating turbine is more efficient and environmentally friendly than other turbines. The best news? In March, it generated its first kilowatt- hour of power, opening the door for further manufacturing. These are just a couple of the many sustainability projects recently introduced. As long as we continue to develop and discover environmentally
Sun-Ways recently announced a plan to outfit Swiss railway lines with solar panels to generate additional power. Sun-Ways developed a specialized train car to lay down solar panels between the rails of the track using minimal labor. The company estimates
that its solar panels can generate 2% of Switzerland’s annual energy consumption. At the time of writing this article, Sun-Ways is still waiting for a sign-off from the Federal Office
friendly practices, we can look forward to a greener future for all.
SAFEGUARD YOUR FAMILY’S FUTURE WITH A TRUST
categories: revocable and irrevocable. A revocable trust can be changed anytime during the owner’s lifetime. An irrevocable trust is set in stone as soon as you sign the agreement. One of the best parts about trusts is how they help keep your money in the family for generations. Many don’t realize it until they go through probate, but extreme taxes and fees arise after you pass away. Without proper planning, the value of your estate can dwindle to nothing as your family pays these fees, leaving minimal amounts for them. This is not what you want to happen to your loved ones. While trusts can be slightly more expensive than other estate planning options, their benefits are endless. Call us if you have any questions about trusts or want to create one to protect your family and assets.
only need a will, and everything else is just extra, but this is rarely the case.
When people begin the estate planning process, they usually do so to protect their assets and set their children and grandchildren up for success. An estate plan helps you safeguard everything you worked for and distribute your assets to your loved ones. However, many people believe they
Wills have become synonymous with estate planning thanks to pop culture, but in reality, wills are the bare minimum for most people’s estate planning needs. A will only comes into effect after you’ve passed away. If you become incapacitated, your health care and durable powers of attorney act in your place, which can complicate things. Having a will does not guarantee you’ll avoid probate, either. If you want to safeguard your family and assets fully, consider establishing a trust instead of just having a will. With a trust, you have more freedom and control over the management of your assets. There are different types of trusts to fit everyone’s specific needs, but they all fall into two
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Say Goodbye to Pet Hair Woes Tips and Tricks for a Hair-Free Home There’s no doubt about it: We love having our furry friends by our sides each day. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals make great companions, but they also come with their own challenges. One obstacle nearly every pet owner has to deal with is an overabundance of pet hair throughout their homes. Pet hair sticks to surfaces, and it’s not uncommon to find it on your clothes, on your carpets, or even in your car. You shouldn’t have to pat yourself down with tape or use a lint roller to remove hair whenever you leave the house, so here are a few methods to remove pet hair around your home. Fabric Softener Spray It’s no secret that fabric softener helps remove pet hair from clothes when used in a washing machine, but it can also free up the pet hair trapped in your carpets, rugs, and car seats. Mix 2 tablespoons of fabric softener with water in a spray bottle before applying the mixture to the hair-heavy area. This will cause the hair to clump together, which you can then sweep up with a broom. Run a vacuum cleaner over the area, and it will look (and smell) as good as new! Drill Brush You might not think your power tools would come in handy for this chore, but you’d be surprised. Using a brush attachment on a power drill is one of the best ways to loosen up pet hair. All you have to do is run the brush over the hair-covered area and follow behind it with your vacuum cleaner hose or crevice attachment, and the surface will look pristine. Brush attachments for drills are reasonably inexpensive and can be bought online or in home improvement stores. Prevention You don’t have to limit where your furry friends can go in the house, but using easily washable furniture and car seat covers will make pet hair cleanup much easier. Frequent passes with your vacuum, broom, and mop can also prevent pet hair buildup, but so can getting your pets groomed regularly! Whether you brush your furry friend down every day or take them to a professional groomer, these acts can help remove loose hair and stop it from ever reaching your floors.
ONE-BOWL PUMPKIN MUFFINS
Inspired by NoraCooks.com
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt
• 15 oz can pumpkin purée • 1/3 cup melted butter (or vegetable oil) • 1/2 cup unsweetened plant- based milk • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare muffin pan by greasing and placing paper liners. 2. In a large mixing bowl, add pumpkin, melted butter (or oil), milk, and brown sugar, then whisk until well combined and smooth. With a sifter, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices over the wet mixture. 3. Using a large wooden spoon, mix until just combined (do not over-mix). 4. Fill the muffin cups and bake for 22–25 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes and enjoy!
TAKE A BREAK
Candy Costume Gourds Halloween Haunted Moon Raven Tricks Vampire Werewolf Witch Zombie
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402-718-8888 www.LeRoyPetersonLaw.com 11819 Miracle Hills Drive, Suite 104 Omaha, NE 68154
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Join Us for Our Returning Educational Workshops
All Aboard the Green Energy Revolution
Future-Proofing Your Assets With Trusts
One-Bowl Pumpkin Muffins
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Pet Hair Takeover? Not Anymore! Top Solutions for Hair-Free Living
Lessons From Anna Nicole Smith’s Billion-Dollar Drama
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THE ANNA NICOLE SMITH STORY Costly Consequences of Neglected Estate Planning:
didn’t make this change in his will or any other estate planning document. Instead, his $1.6 billion estate went to his son, Pierce Marshall. The matter went to probate, where it was determined that Smith would inherit nothing. The following year, she filed for bankruptcy in California, and the California court disagreed with the probate results, stating that Smith was entitled to $449 million. The case then proceeded to the federal level and was eventually presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in Smith’s favor, but when all was said and done, there were no winners. Pierce passed away in 2006, and Smith passed away the following year. Smith’s son also passed away in 2006 and was the only beneficiary on her estate plan, as Smith had failed to add her 5-month-old daughter to it before she passed. There were several more legal battles between Smith’s and Pierce’s estates — one of which made it in front of the Supreme Court again — before finally, the last of Smith’s
Whenever a prominent celebrity, entrepreneur, or athlete passes away, there’s usually quite a bit of money left on the table. Most of these individuals put careful consideration into their estate plans to ensure their assets are distributed appropriately, but that’s not always the case. In 1995, Anna Nicole Smith found herself in the middle of a probate case that would haunt her for the rest of her life. In 1991, a 23-year-old Smith met 86-year-old petroleum tycoon J. Howard Marshall. Marshall was worth over $1 billion at the time and quickly became smitten with Smith. In the following years, Smith appeared in TV shows, movies, and advertisements, and her popularity exploded. In June 1994, Smith and Marshall married in Houston, but their wedded bliss was short-lived. Marshall passed away 13 months after the wedding at the age of 90. Before passing away, Marshall promised Smith half of his estate. Unfortunately, he
cases was closed on Oct. 24, 2022, over two decades from when the disputes began. There are many lessons we can learn from this situation, but the most important one is to update your estate plan whenever you experience a life change. It’s also wise for celebrity couples to have a prenuptial agreement. It would have saved everyone years of struggle if Smith or Marshall had done either.
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