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OPENING STATEMENTS NOVEMBER 2022 WWW.LAWYERSREADYTOFIGHT.COM 317-934-9725 | INFO@RDLAWOFFICE.COM
November Holidays November 1: National Author’s Day November 2: Dia de los muertos November 3: National Sandwich Day November 4: National Day of Community Service November 5: American Football Day November 6: Daylight Savings Time November 7: National Hug a Bear Day November 8: Election Day November 9: World Freedom Day November 10: U.S. Marine Corps Birthday November 11: Veterans Day November 12: Chicken Soup for the Soul Day November 13: World Kindness Day November 14: National Pickle Day November 15: National Philanthropy Day November 16: National Fast Food Day November 17: National Hiking Day November 18: Apple Cider Day November 19: Women’s Entrepreneurship Day November 20: National Peanut Butter Fudge Day John Razumich FROM THE DESK OF
GIVE THEM A GOOD LIFE AFTER YOU’RE GONE PROTECTING YOUR FURRY FRIENDS
Have you ever wondered where your pets would go if something happened to you, who would be their primary caretaker, or how would their costs be covered? You may not be able to leave your beloved pets money, but you can still set them up for a good life after you are gone!
Options for Estate Planning for Pets
When it comes to planning for your furry friends, it can be just as challenging as planning for your loved ones. Thankfully, there is a range of options for you to choose from! You can make simple arrangements or a complex trust or even leave your pet with an organization dedicated to taking care of pets. Each case is different, but when planning ahead for your pets, you should start by considering the following questions: • Do your pets have any unique care requirements that require special planning (health concerns, unusual behaviors, etc.)? • Where do you want your pets to live — at your home, with a friend or family member, or at a sanctuary? • Who will be responsible for providing daily care? • Who will be responsible for the oversight and administration of the assets left for the benefit of your pet?
November 21: World Television Day November 22: Go for a Ride Day November 23: Thankful for My Dog Day
November 24: Thanksgiving Day November 25: Presidents’ Day
November 26: Small Business Saturday November 27: U.S. Turtle Adoption Day November 28: Cyber Monday November 29: Giving Tuesday November 30: Perpetual Youth Day
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Pets in Your Will
In this document, you:
• State the pets that are covered • Name a caretaker • Leave an amount of money to be used for pet care • Describe how the pet should be cared for • Name a person to go to court and enforce the terms of the trust, if necessary • State what should be done with any money that’s left over when the animal passes Legacy Arrangements Unfortunately, not everybody has a person both willing and able to take care of their pets, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have options! Several organizations that allow you to leave your pet to a trustworthy caretaker, such as programs with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), veterinary school programs, and private animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations. All pet owners want to be sure their furry friends are well cared for after they pass, so be sure to give careful consideration to the best ways to provide for their lifetime care.
You can actually use your will to leave your pet and the money to take care of them to a trusted caretaker. I like to think of it this way — if my health was declining and I was concerned about what will happen to my beloved dog when I pass, I would ask a trusted friend to look after them. Unfortunately, my friend is on a tight budget and isn’t sure how they will pay for food, vet bills, and occasional boarding. I would use my will to leave my dog to my friend and leave my friend some extra money for my dog’s care. This type of arrangement is legal in the sense that my dog will legally belong to my friend. However, my friend has no legal obligation to use that money on my dog. If he used the money to play the lottery, there would be no legal recourse. So, it’s always a good idea to name an alternate caretaker in case your first choice cannot do the job.
Pet Trusts
A stronger, but more complex and expensive legal option is to make a pet trust. With this trust, you can designate money and a legal obligation to care for your pet. If the caretaker fails to follow your instructions, they can be sued.
CAN YOU GET A TICKET FOR CROSSING THE ROAD?
severe injuries. In addition, jaywalking can clog up traffic and increase the chances of accidents if pedestrians or drivers aren’t paying attention. Why do people jaywalk? There are several reasons why people decide to jaywalk. • They’re in a hurry and choose to jaywalk to reach their destination faster. • The crosswalk could be too far away or in the direction they don’t want to go , so they take a shortcut by crossing the middle of the street. • They may not see a car coming. • They are following someone else. • They may be drinking or otherwise distracted — or they simply think jaywalking isn’t a big deal. Where is jaywalking illegal? Although jaywalking isn’t illegal on the federal level, most jurisdictions have penalties and citations for it. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all law for jaywalking because the rules and regulations vary by state. Some states may only issue tickets if you’re causing a traffic hazard, while others may give you a fine. Be sure you know the jaywalking laws in your state. If you’re visiting other places, ensure you know their rules, so you don’t find yourself with a citation and a traffic court date — or worse, a life-changing injury.
Have you crossed the street outside of the crosswalk or designated area? Or have you been waiting for the crosswalk sign to give you the right of way and crossed when you weren’t allowed? This is known as jaywalking, and although it may sound harmless, it’s extremely dangerous and illegal in most states. Why is jaywalking a crime? The main reason jaywalking is illegal is to prevent car accidents and pedestrian deaths. More than 7,000 pedestrians were killed in 2020 because of traffic accidents. By crossing the road without having the right of way, you’re more likely to get struck by a vehicle and receive
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Guard Cat Mode Activated
FELINE DEFENDER PREVENTS ROBBERY
We’ve heard of guard dogs, but have you ever heard of a guard cat? Well, Bandit the calico cat somehow knew exactly what to do when she spied intruders at her owner’s back door! Some may call it instinct, some may call it luck, but to Fred Everitt, she’s a hero. Everitt, a 68-year-old retired oral surgeon, was sound asleep in his Mississippi home on Sunday, July 24, when Bandit started letting out deep meows sometime between 2:30–3 a.m. Everitt assumed Bandit had seen another cat or other animal outside. Cats tend to be active at night, and Bandit is no exception. She’s been known to roam the living room and explore the kitchen cabinets while Everitt sleeps soundly. He quickly realized it was something else when she came into his room and tried to pull his comforters off and clawed at his arms.
By the time Everitt returned from retrieving his own handgun, the intruders were gone. Thankfully, it didn’t turn into a confrontational situation, and Everitt gave credit to the 20-pound cat that he adopted from a humane society. If it hadn’t been for Bandit’s alertness, it could’ve been a completely different story. “I want to let people know that you save a life when you adopt from a pet shelter or rescue one,” Everitt said, “but the tides could be turned. You never know when you save an animal if they’re going to save you.”
Bandit’s behavior was unusual, so Everitt knew something was wrong. “She had never done that before,” Everitt said. “I went, ‘What in the world is wrong with you?’”
Bandit’s persistence eventually pulled him from bed, and after throwing his robe on, he went to investigate. When he finally got into the kitchen, he noticed two figures — one with a crowbar and one with what looked like a handgun — trying to break into his back door.
Thermometer! Take a break!
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
• 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup butter, cold • Vanilla ice cream (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
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DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS, FIGHTING FOR YOU www.lawyersreadytofight.com 317-934-9725
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of John Razumich PAGE 1
Estate Planning for Pets PAGE 1 4 Reasons People Jaywalk PAGE 2
Calico Cat Saves Owner From Would- Be Burglars PAGE 3
Apple Cranberry Crisp PAGE 3
Recent Graduate Sues Her College PAGE 4
I Want My Money Back! Recent Graduate Sues Her College
College graduates are eager to get into the workforce and start using their newly acquired knowledge in the “real world.” However, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, only 20% of U.S. college students in 2009 had a job after they graduated. In 2009, Trina Thompson found herself in that 80% of unemployed graduates, and she wanted to do something about it. After graduating from Monroe College in New York, Thompson couldn’t find a suitable job. So she filed a $70,000 case against her school (the amount of her tuition for her bachelor’s degree) and $2,000 to compensate her for what she endured while searching for a job. In her lawsuit, she claimed that the college’s career counselors promised career advice and job leads but didn’t work hard enough to find her a job. In addition, she suggested that Monroe’s Office of Career Advancement shows preferential treatment to students with high GPAs — not students like herself who had a low GPA. In response to the case, Monroe College spokesman Gary Axelbank said, “The lawsuit is completely without merit. While it’s clear that no college, especially in this economy, can guarantee employment, Monroe College remains committed to working with all its students … to prepare them for careers and to support them during their job search.”
But Thompson or the college didn’t have to worry about attending trial because the case didn’t make it that far. Her case might have stood up in court if she hadn’t received a job offer. Her media attention and IT degree caught the eye of Steve Bellamy, CEO of The Ski Channel. He loved her hunger and willingness to put herself out there, and he offered her a position at his company. Thompson got the job, so her case was eventually dissolved.
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