Check out our June newsletter!
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CHORDS AND CONNECTIONS The Symphony of Life and Legacy
I’m thrilled to write this month’s cover article, as June is always one of the most exciting times of the year for me. For one thing, my 16th wedding anniversary is on June 20. Perhaps it’s no coincidence it lands on the longest day of the year, as my wedding day felt like the longest day of my life! Kidding aside, all the stress and planning that made that extraordinary day possible were worth it. My daughter also turns 15 on June 25 — exactly six months before Christmas. In addition to celebrating another year with my wife and the gift of being a husband and father, June allows me to embrace my second great love: music. If you are into music as much as I am, you’re probably aware that June 21 is World Music Day. You surely also know that a good piece of music can turn any day into a great one! So, what is “good” music? Well, in my mind, it’s typically stuff you wouldn’t expect someone like me to enjoy. If you passed me on the street, you’d never guess that I’m a huge fan of Yanni! You surely would not expect me playing piano as a kid and casually playing the keyboard to this day! To be honest, Yanni was my musical hero growing up — to the point where I appeared in his official newsletter when I was 10. I have seen him in concert more than once – even as recently as 2019, when I took my daughter to see him play! My preferred music collection isn’t – well, very predictable. Yanni is a given. I also will commonly listen to music from Phil Collins to Meat Loaf, thanks to my wife. Recently, I blared The Four Tops in the car with the windows down while driving my daughter to school in Ohio. I was a both “cool dad” and “embarrassing dad” all at the same time. I can’t imagine not having music in my life, and I love sharing it with others. So, what does this have to do with my job as an estate and trust guy? Everything.
It’s my job to help clients through tough conversations, but I never want them to equate a visit with me to getting their teeth pulled at the dentist. Just as a great song can give us a sense of peace or newfound motivation, I work hard to make anyone who comes to me for help with their estate plan feel comfortable. Much like a conductor who helps a symphony bring a composer’s song to life, I’m here to help my clients follow the rhythm of their own drum and create a plan that honors and preserves what matters most to them. Just as music is unique to a particular artist, an estate plan is unique to the individual. Sometimes, a client will ask, “What does the average person have in their plan?” I’ll answer, “It doesn’t matter; it only matters what’s important to you.” In many ways, an estate plan is a customized symphony. Not everyone has to play the same tune or even have the same instruments! These variations make both music and the legacies we leave behind uniquely precious and beautiful. Whether you’re into Yanni, hard rock, or Mozart, I wish you a happy World Music Day! May the soundtrack of your life always bring you joy. If you ever need help making the notes a little clearer, I’m always an appointment away.
–Ryan Welker
1 (239) 265-9779
JUNE 2025
Drawing the Line With Love Help Your Kids Fly, While You Set the Boundaries
Watching your children grow into independent adults is one of life’s greatest joys — but just because your kids are grown doesn’t mean they won’t test your limits now and then. As they build their own lives, the relationship between parent and child shifts, and deciding where to draw the line can be challenging. If you’re an empty nester, it’s time to redefine and set healthy boundaries that protect your time, energy, and well- being. Whether it’s financial independence, personal space, or learning to say “no” without guilt, establishing clear expectations can strengthen your relationship with your grown kids while allowing you to enjoy this exciting new chapter. Embrace Their Independence Though they will always be your baby, the first step in setting new boundaries is acknowledging their independence and adulthood. Your children need to make their own decisions and mistakes and find
their own belief system, no matter how much it may differ from yours. Set flexible boundaries that give them the space to problem-solve without your interference. Though it may be your first instinct to provide them with advice or guidance, they may want space. Remember, you are forging a new relationship with them, becoming more of a mentor than a director. Resist the urge to immediately run to their aid because the more lessons they learn for themselves, the more self-confidence they will build. Recognize Your Limits Your life, needs, and routine also undergo significant changes as your child enters adulthood and leaves home. It’s time to identify your own desires, plans, and limits. Communicate clearly with your children about what you’re doing with your time, and learn to say “no” if their behavior or expectations overstep your boundaries. It could be as simple as saying you can’t
cover their bills for them, but you’ll help them look for a new job or set up a savings account. Remain open to discussion and change, but stay consistent. Having more time for yourself is an emotional transition, too, so practice self-care. Taking care of yourself will model healthy behaviors for your children in their adult lives — and enable you to live the life you choose.
P e t a l s t o
Uncommon Provisions in Estate Plans
posthumous pet care options carefully, as you need to ensure your designated trustee can fulfill this commitment. Additionally, keep the animal’s anticipated age in mind; you may need to think decades ahead if your pet parrot has an expected lifespan of 100 years! Consideration for Cyber Survival In years past, estate planning involved determining who would receive your home, beloved family heirlooms, or other tangible items. These days, securing your legacy also means considering what happens to your presence in cyberspace. Do you operate an Etsy store or another form of online business? Do you have hundreds of family photos or meaningful family conversations stored on a social media account? Have you dabbled in cryptocurrency? Specifying what should happen to these increasingly common
items — and who should be responsible for accessing them and overseeing their future — needs to be part of your estate plan, especially if any have monetary value. Everlasting Endearment Although many estate plans focus on assets that exist in the present, provisions addressing future actions — including tokens of affection — can be arranged as well. In one famous example, comedian Jack Benny included instructions in his will that his widow, Mary, would have one red rose delivered to her every day for the rest of her life. Mary received her first rose upon her husband’s death in 1974, and the tradition continued until her passing in 1983, resulting in her receiving thousands of roses and proving that the possibilities for estate planning are virtually endless.
When it comes to estate planning in 2025, your Messenger account or magnificent macaw are just as important to consider as your acreage and antiques. Here are three examples of things most people typically don’t consider in estate planning but could impact how their legacies are handled. Fur in the Fine Print For many, pets are part of the family — and may sometimes be listed as such in an estate plan. If the ongoing care of a beloved animal companion is a concern, you can establish a pet trust to have money set aside to provide for them until their death. The trustee will be responsible for overseeing such care and handling any associated expenses. However, consider your 2 floridaestateplanning.com
Severed Succession The Divide of Disinheritance
Not all family portraits capture the truth behind the smiles. As estate planning professionals, we’re aware that family dynamics often evolve. Divorces, separations, remarriages, and disputes can drastically alter how a person’s legacy is preserved upon passing. In some cases, relationships change to the point where a member is entirely disinherited from a will. While the emotional impact of this move can be dramatic, the logistics involved in seeing it through on paper can be equally demanding. Here are two things to consider when it comes time to cut the cord formally. Echoes of Estrangement Disinheritance is rarely an overnight
from your plan isn’t enough to preserve your wishes and protect your estate from legal challenges from that estranged individual. If the estranged person isn’t explicitly mentioned in your estate plan as being disinherited, that family member may legally pursue receipt of what they believe are their entitled assets. Additionally, an estrangement that occurs after your estate plan is completed will lead to that individual receiving the assets you assigned them before
you severed communication. The Weight of Written Words
Of course, no estrangement or disinheritance can be addressed adequately in your legacy without an estate plan in place. If you pass
decision. In many situations, a person is cut off from family interactions long before they’re removed from consideration in an estate plan. When an adult child or other family member is erased from the picture — whether by their own doing or someone else’s — it’s common for the person drafting an estate plan to exclude the estranged family
away without a will, the estranged spouse or child will likely be entitled to a portion of your estate. Suppose relations within your family have broken down to the point where someone should not receive your assets. In that case, it is critical to work with an experienced attorney who can assist you in properly specifying this restriction in your documentation.
Please contact us if you need to update your estate plan to specify your wishes in light of an estrangement or disinheritance.
While not all families experience stability, your legacy plans can still remain strong.
member from being named in their plan and receiving assets. However, simply deciding to omit someone
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TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
• • • • •
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
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3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup soy sauce
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4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices Bamboo skewers soaked in water
1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional)
1/2 cup water
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1/4 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil, and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig-zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
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INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
Harmony and Heritage PAGE 1 Know When to Say ‘No’ PAGE 2 Worthy Will Wishes PAGE 2 The Price of Pushing Away PAGE 3 Teriyaki Beef Skewers PAGE 3 A Fresh Look at a Familiar Bird PAGE 4
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Are Hummingbirds Actually Solitary Animals?
If you’ve ever set up a hummingbird feeder in your yard or even seen one zoom through your garden, you know how independent they are. Hummingbirds usually fly solo and fiercely guard their feeding spots and potential mates from each other. However, a recent discovery challenges what we thought we knew about these tiny birds — some may be more social than we assumed. A Surprising Discovery Ornithologist Gustavo Canas-Valle recently found multiple hummingbird nests grouped together in the same area in Ecuador’s High Andes. Researchers previously attributed this unique behavior, which had never been documented in hummingbirds, to the freezing temperatures at more than 12,000
feet. However, they’ve found several more groups of hummingbirds roosting and nesting together in the surrounding region, suggesting they choose to live together. Despite the observations, other scientists feel it’s too quick to label hummingbirds as social animals. Charles Brown, a University of Tulsa behavioral ecologist, argues that cohesive social groups work together to help each other, which they did not observe in this case. Canas-Valle admits that more research will determine whether the birds simply tolerate one another due to environmental conditions or actively cooperate as a group. However, his initial observations suggest group collaboration already exists, and he expects
to find other hummingbird species engaged in the same activities. What This Means for Hummingbird Research This discovery challenges long-held beliefs about hummingbird behavior. It remains to be seen whether hummingbird nesting habits are more flexible than we initially thought or if the behavior is unique to particular species or regions. Researchers now have a new avenue to explore, and future studies will hopefully shed additional light on whether hummingbird nesting is a survival strategy or a one-off quirk. Either way, findings like these are a reminder of how surprising nature can be.
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