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Main Street Monthly 905 Old Cherokee Road, Lexington, SC 29072 • P: 803-358-7214 • strattonreynolds.com
JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2026
A Simple Way to Keep Your Plan on Track, Year After Year
Over the years, many of our clients have told us the same thing:
• Annual digital review of your existing legal documents and one complimentary update of named fiduciaries and fiduciary contact information. Additional fees may apply if there are changes beyond updating the fiduciaries and their contact information. • Help create and maintain an inventory of your assets • Review and confirmation that all beneficiary designations are set up correctly • A secure online vault containing your legal documents and key information for your loved ones Added benefit for families: For any children living in South Carolina, we also include: • Free drafting of incapacity documents, subject to a $200 fee for printing and recording the documents, or • $500 off our standard estate planning fees if they prefer to create a plan of their own 2) Client Care Advanced $1,500 per year or $150 per month For former clients who want a more hands-on, ongoing relationship. Includes everything in the Foundations plan, plus: • An annual in-person meeting instead of a digital review • An annual video legacy interview to capture values, intentions, and family guidance • A small estate affidavit after your passing at no charge if needed • Reduced fees for trust administration when we serve as professional trustee These plans are not about redoing your estate plan — they’re about protecting it, keeping it relevant, and making things easier for the people you care about most. If you’d like to reconnect, get organized, or simply confirm that everything is still aligned with your goals, we’d be glad to talk through whether one of these options makes sense for you. –TC and Chasity
They felt great after getting their plan in place, but as life moved on, it became harder to stay organized, keep documents updated, and feel confident that everything still worked the way it should. For many former clients, the biggest question isn’t whether their plan was done correctly. Instead, they wonder whether it still reflects their life today. Over time, assets change, beneficiaries evolve, documents get harder to locate, and families often aren’t sure where everything stands. To solve this, and to offer a higher level of ongoing support, we’re introducing Client Care annual plans designed to help you stay organized, proactive, and confident that your plan continues to reflect your goals. Why We Created Client Care Plans Over the years, we’ve seen a consistent pattern. Clients do the hard work of planning, but without ongoing touchpoints, even good plans can quietly fall out of alignment. We created these plans to: • Help former clients avoid unnecessary stress or confusion later • Make it easier for families to step in if something unexpected happens • Provide a simple, predictable way to stay organized without starting over In short, this is about protecting the work you’ve already done and giving you and your family greater peace of mind. To support this, we’re introducing Client Care annual plans designed specifically for clients who already have an estate plan and want ongoing guidance without the pressure of a full redesign. These are the two versions of the plan we are offering our existing clients: 1) Client Care Foundations $500 per year or $50 per month A streamlined way to keep the work you’ve already done organized and accessible.
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BEYOND THE DOCUMENTS Choosing the Right Fiduciary
Over the years, we’ve seen many well-designed estate plans have major issues after a client passes. This wasn’t because the documents were flawed, but because no suitable person or institution was available to implement them. This has often been due to unexpected issues, such as family members declining to serve because they were overwhelmed, had moved out of state, or were understandably uncomfortable taking on the responsibility due to tensions between heirs. In addition, we have seen banks and trust companies decline to serve because their minimum asset requirements had increased since the plan was originally established. To help solve these issues and provide a better service for our clients, we are pleased to announce our expanded Trust & Estate Administration service to give families a local, professional option, one that combines fiduciary expertise, personal attention, and transparent fees. Our goal is to make sure your plan works in practice, not just on paper.
Some people turn to banks or trust companies, only to learn that those institutions often require estates worth millions of dollars before they will serve. Others feel stuck choosing between burdening a loved one and leaving the role unfilled. Our firm offers another option. You may name Stratton & Reynolds to serve as your trustee, successor trustee, personal representative (executor), agent under your financial power of attorney, or conservator. We provide professional fiduciary services without institutional minimums, while remaining local, accessible, and personally involved. When we serve in a fiduciary role, our responsibility is to administer your plan, not complicate it. We handle asset preservation and administration, required notices and court filings, beneficiary communications, compliance with South Carolina probate and fiduciary law, and accurate accounting and distributions. We also work closely with beneficiaries, financial advisors, and CPAs to keep the process organized and efficient. As a South Carolina-based firm, we regularly practice in courts across the state, allowing us to understand local procedures, expectations, and timelines. Just as importantly, our local staff is available to meet with heirs face-to-face, answer questions, and guide families through complex issues with clarity and compassion. We believe professional fiduciary services should be transparent and predictable. Our fees are clearly structured and based on the type of service provided: For initial trust and probate administration, our fees are as follows: • 4% of the first $1,000,000, • 3% of the second $1,000,000, and • 2.5% on assets over $2,000,000, with a $5,000 minimum. For ongoing trust management, our fee is 1% of assets under management, billed annually, with a $2,500 annual minimum. For conservatorships and serving as agent under a financial power of attorney, our fee is 2% of assets under management, billed annually, also with a $2,500 annual minimum. (Fiduciary fees do not include tax preparation or the cost of other third-party services that may be required to administer an estate or trust.) Naming a professional fiduciary in advance can help avoid delays, disputes, and uncertainty during already difficult times. It’s one more way to protect your loved ones and ensure your plan works exactly as intended. If you think this may be a good fit for your family, please give us a call so we can discuss it further.
Why name a company? The person or firm you name as trustee, executor, or fiduciary plays a major role in how smoothly your plan works in real life. We’ve seen how the right choice can bring clarity and calm during difficult times, and how the wrong one can create delays, confusion, or unnecessary stress for families. For many families, naming a professional fiduciary simply makes sense. A neutral third party can help preserve family harmony. In addition, family members may live out of state, lack the time or expertise to manage complex financial and legal responsibilities, or feel uncomfortable taking on the role. We also work with clients whose plans require long-term trust management or involve beneficiaries who need special care and help navigating complex government benefits programs.
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Transition to a Fulfilling Future Tips for Thriving Empty Nesters
Solution on Page 4
As parents, we want to see our children move into adulthood and enjoy fulfilling lives. While this stage in life can bring joy, it can also be challenging for couples to acclimate to the absence of their children. Here are three tips to help you make this transition a time of reconnection for you and your spouse. Revisit past magic. Do you remember your first date night with your significant other all those years ago? How about that walk in the park that felt perfect? Now that you have more time to spend together, you have every reason to create new moments like those or reminisce about everything that made you fall in love. You are parents and a couple, and focusing more on the latter will help you both adjust to being new empty nesters. Saying ‘no’ is perfectly okay. Your love for your child doesn’t dissipate when they move away, but their departure should mark a new evolution in your relationship with them. Just as you’re no longer expected to be there for them 24/7, they should be expected to take on more responsibilities away from home. Setting healthy and respectful boundaries with your adult children, such as not calling you for assistance with every minor life matter, helps you and your spouse focus more time and energy on strengthening your connection. Not every day will be easy. Whether your nest has become empty due to a college sojourn or a more permanent scenario, it’s natural for your children’s absence to weigh on you. Hands-on parents are especially prone to feelings of anxiety, as they’re no longer directly involved in their child’s daily decision-making and overall well-being. Additionally, some parents may feel guilty or experience a lowered sense of self-worth after losing their structured parenting roles. Of course, they ma y simply miss their children to the point of feeling lonely. If your newly empty nest has prompted these emotions, seek support from your spouse, siblings, and dear friends. Additionally, you can find opportunities for connections through online support groups of fellow empty nesters experiencing similar feelings.
Rustic French Pistachio Cake
INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups heavy cream, cold • 1 1/2 cups (minus 1 tbsp) all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt • 3 large eggs • 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla paste • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped, plus extra for topping • Powdered sugar for dusting
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F, then butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan. 2. Whip cold cream until it forms firm peaks, then refrigerate. 3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. 4. Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. 5. Fold pistachios and flour mixture into egg mixture. 6. Gently fold cream into the batter until no streaks remain. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. 7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until puffed and golden on top. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan. 8. Dust with powdered sugar and top with pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature!
Inspired by TheViewFromGreatIsland.com
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Call Now! 803-358-7214 strattonreynolds.com
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905 Old Cherokee Road Lexington, SC 29072
Inside this Issue
A Simple Way to Keep Your Plan on Track, Year After Year PAGE 1 Beyond the Documents: Choosing the Right Beneficiary PAGE 2
Rustic French Pistachio Cake PAGE 3
Love Beyond the Busy Years PAGE 3
Your Guide to the Great Barrier Reef’s Most Epic Experiences PAGE 4
Swim With Turtles, Whales, and Wonder at the Great Barrier Reef Uncover the Magic of Australia’s Living Wonder
consider a scenic helicopter transfer to the Outer Reef. From the air, the patterns of coral, tiny secluded islands, and endless shades of blue make it clear just how massive this natural wonder truly is. For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, the Reefsleep Experience takes you to Hardy Reef after day-trippers have left. Snorkel, dive, or relax on the Reefworld platform, then enjoy a barbecue as the sun sets. When night falls, snuggle into your floating tent under the stars or take a night dive to see the reef glow in a completely different light.
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring a place so vast it dwarfs entire countries, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef should be at the top of your bucket list. Stretching over 1,400 miles along the eastern coastline, this paradise is larger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands combined! The Great Barrier Reef is home to dazzling coral gardens, colorful fish, giant clams, and six of the seven known marine turtle species. From snorkelers to skydivers, the Reef offers something unforgettable for every kind of adventurer. Underwater, the options are endless. Lizard Island is a snorkeler’s paradise where you can float above giant clam beds and glide alongside green turtles. Divers
Thrill-seekers, take note: Mission Beach offers a jaw-dropping skydiving experience over the reef and surrounding rainforest, plunging from 15,000 feet with expert guides to ensure an unforgettable ride. No matter how you experience it (by snorkel, yacht, helicopter, or parachute), the Great Barrier Reef is an adventure that promises awe, excitement, and memories you’ll treasure forever.
flock to Cod Hole for an up-close look at the Reef’s most famous marine residents, while those craving a more remote experience can hop aboard a dive ship to explore untouched corners teeming with biodiversity. Prefer to keep your head dry? The 74 tropical Whitsunday Islands are perfect for cruising, whether on a bareboat charter or a luxury superyacht. For a show-stopping perspective,
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