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The Cary Connection FEBRUARY 2022
WHAT GOES UNSAID THE MOST AVOIDED ESTATE PLANNING TOPICS
Estate planning can be a taboo subject. Many people are uncomfortable talking about death, and most don’t appreciate reminders of their mortality. When you decide to make an estate plan, you’re overcoming that discomfort to do what’s right for your family and your legacy. But even when people are diligent about their estate plans, there are still some topics they overlook or just don’t want to discuss. One of the least-discussed aspects of estate planning is what you want to happen to your body. Some people are indifferent toward the matter and reason they don’t care what happens to their earthly remains after they’re gone. But others have very specific wishes. The problem is that they don’t always share those wishes with the people who will have to carry them out. My mother, for example, wants to be buried in a biodegradable pod that will grow into a tree. Through that tree, she feels she can live forever. If we didn’t honor that request, she’d be very upset. Your wishes may be more run of the mill, but they’re no less important to share with your loved ones. Do you want to be buried or cremated? Is there an aspect of the funeral that’s important to you? Do you want a certain epitaph on your tombstone, or would you like your ashes divided a certain way? These are all crucial details, and your family can’t honor them if they don’t know about them. People also frequently fail to discuss how to locate their assets. When someone dies, their family is often left going on a wild goose chase for a ledger or inventory of account locations. Do you know where your family members bank? Most people don’t. So, they end up calling around, hoping to find the information they need. Similarly, many people don’t share whether they have insurance. Some people have it, and some people don’t — but there’s no national database you can use to determine whether or not someone was insured. People buy insurance to benefit and protect the people they leave behind, but the insurance can’t help them if they don’t know it exists. That’s why it’s so important to keep an adequate inventory of your accounts and assets and make it available to the people who will someday need the information. Finally, people often don’t tell their family members how they’re dividing their assets. When you’re writing your estate plan, you may make some choices your beneficiaries will resent later. That’s entirely
your right, and they’re often good choices, but declining to discuss them in advance causes woes for your family after your death.
For example, parents will often put some structure around how they benefit a child, like placing their inheritance in a trust. It’s not because they don’t love their child — it’s because they do and have good reason to believe it’s unwise to give them a large sum of money outright. Unfortunately, they rarely share this decision in advance, and the child is blindsided, especially if they have siblings who will receive their inheritance directly. In other cases, people donate all or most of their wealth to charity. I’m a father to two children, and if they do well in life, I won’t leave them everything — I will likely include charities and causes that are important to me. But people make assumptions that their parents will leave behind an inheritance. When they don’t, and it’s never explained, it can cause hurt feelings and resentment that last a lifetime. People often avoid these topics because they’re not easy to talk about. They risk making someone upset — or they simply make death seem too close and real. But by failing to discuss them, you’re doing your loved ones a disservice. Start the conversation today. It may be awkward, but someday, your family will be glad you had the discussion.
-Paul Yokabitus
CaryEstatePlanning.com • 1
Brock vs. Brock The Man Who Sued Himself
On July 1, 1993, Robert Lee Brock made a mistake. By his own account, he had a few too many alcoholic beverages that evening, and in his drunken state, he committed breaking and entering, as well as grand larceny. Brock was arrested, and the court sentenced him to 23 years behind bars at the Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1995, Brock decided he deserved restitution. Reasoning that he had violated his own civil rights, he sued himself for $5 million. For his family’s pain and suffering, as well as his children’s college tuition, he requested $3 million. He also asked for $2 million to support his needs during his 23-year prison sentence. Central to Brock’s claim was that, due to his drinking, “I caused myself to violate my religious beliefs. This was done by my going out and getting arrested, which caused me to be in prison.” And since he was a ward of the state, he explained that Virginia should pay the $5 million on his behalf. After all, he was incarcerated and unable to work, and the state was responsible for his care. Plus, he promised to pay the money back after his release.
In a move that shocked no one (except, perhaps, Brock), Judge Rebecca Beach Smith dismissed his case. While she did call his claim “ludicrous,” she also praised his creativity, stating that he “presented an innovative approach to civil rights litigation.” Perhaps the lawsuit against himself wasn’t his first or last attempt at legal restitution. He once filed 29 complaints in a single year. Due to the repeated suits, the court removed his ability to file further litigation. “None of Brock’s allegations have ever been found by any court to have any merit,” the decision read. “Because Brock’s repeated, frivolous claims have placed a significant burden on this court, as well as on the district court ... we hereby impose sanctions upon Brock.” Brock’s case ranked No. 3 on Time Magazine’s list of Top 10 Outrageous Legal Battles. So, while he didn’t achieve wealth, he did gain fame. It was an impressive feat for a man who found a novel way to take personal responsibility for his actions.
More Than a Pinch of Salt 3 Ways to Reduce Your Sodium Intake
The average American adult eats 1,000 milligrams (mg) more than the recommended amount of sodium each day. Salt enhances flavor, is easy to add to food, and tastes pretty delicious. Unfortunately, too much of it is unhealthy and can cause high blood pressure or kidney damage. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your sodium intake without sacrificing flavor.
seasonings available to liven up your food. Experiment with new spices; the bolder the flavor, the less you’ll notice the reduced salt. Garlic is a popular choice, but check the nutrition information — salt is included in many spice blends.
Keep the shaker out of sight. If you want to reduce the amount of salt you use, try putting it away. Keeping
Read food labels. Processed foods tend to contain a lot of sodium, so it’s best to shop for fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. In particular, avoid premade sauces whenever possible. If you need to buy prepared meals, always read the label and look for items with less than 6,000 mg of sodium — the highest amount a meal can contain and still be labeled “healthy” by the FDA. Check serving sizes as well; 400 mg of sodium in one meal sounds good until you realize there are 2–3 servings in the package.
salt on the table increases the temptation to sprinkle a little bit more on your meal. You can still get up and get the salt out of the
cupboard if it’s really needed, but you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your actions and make a more conscious decision. It will also help kids, who may instinctively reach for the salt or copy their parents.
Cutting salt takes time, but the preference for salt is an acquired taste, and it can be unlearned. It may take several weeks or even a couple months to get used to the flavor of reduced salt, but those who successfully do often find salty foods they used to eat unpalatable. Once the extra sodium is gone from your diet, you probably won’t miss it — and your
Try other flavors. We have easy access to more types of salt than ever, but unfortunately, sea salt, Himalayan salt, and kosher salt don’t contain any less sodium than the table variety. Luckily, there are plenty of other
body will be a lot healthier for it.
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TAKE A BREAK
Roses, chocolate, and fancy restaurants are Valentine’s Day staples for a reason. They’re classic and timeless, but if you’ve done them year after year, they could also get a little bit boring. To wow your significant other this Feb. 14, think beyond the most famous ways to celebrate. They’ll probably appreciate a twist — and the time you spent making their day special. Get Creative This Valentine’s Day NOT ANOTHER CANDLELIT DINNER
Create a relationship scrapbook. Nothing says “I love you”
like a gift you’ve made with your own hands. By making a scrapbook of your favorite memories with your partner, you’ll also amaze them with your sensitivity and dedication. A scrapbook can consist of photographs, restaurant menus, movie tickets, wedding invitations,
This succulent chicken stuffed with cheese, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes is impressive on the plate but easy in the kitchen! MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST
vacation souvenirs, and some carefully chosen words about why you value the relationship. Don’t be afraid to get inventive with your decorations or scour the internet for tips and tricks. Go stargazing. What’s more romantic than staring up at the stars? Your first step will be to find a local spot that’s dark and secluded enough for a good view of the nighttime sky. Once you do, your next course of action will depend on the weather. If it’s temperate, get a picnic blanket and enjoy the outdoors. If it’s cold, stay in the car, turn off the headlights, and snuggle up. Don’t forget to bring wine and a romantic snack. If all goes well, you might end up watching the sunrise. Schedule a couples’ spa day. Forget what you think you know: Spa days are for everyone. Your other half will love the opportunity to experience a massage, sauna, and other assorted treatments. Plus, many spas offer romantic couples’ packages with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Once you’re both sufficiently relaxed and looking your best, you’ll likely feel closer than ever. Some spas also offer overnight stays so you can transition seamlessly into a romantic evening. All of these ideas will take a little bit of planning, so it’s time to start dreaming up your big surprise. When you see their reaction, your only concern will be how to top yourself next year.
Ingredients
• 2 chicken breasts • 2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed • 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped • 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 10 large basil leaves, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!
Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com
CaryEstatePlanning.com • 3
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155 Parkway Office Ct., Ste. 200 • Cary, NC 27518 919-726-0896 • www.caryestateplanning.com
Inside This Issue
Estate Planning’s Most Avoided Subjects
1
The Man Who Sued Himself Reduce Your Sodium Intake With These 3 Tips
2
Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas
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Clean Hydrogen Explained
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Is Clean Hydrogen the Energy of the Future? What You Need to Know
The European Union has made substantial investments in clean hydrogen as a renewable energy source, hoping it can help reduce carbon emissions. With the infrastructure bill Congress passed in November, the U.S. is also looking to invest in new energy sources, including clean hydrogen. But what is clean hydrogen, and why has so much hope been placed on it? Hydrogen is already used today as an energy source, and while the hydrogen itself is clean, the process used to make it is not. The energy industry describes hydrogen using a color-coded system — hydrogen created with steam methane is gray, and hydrogen produced with fossil fuels is brown. Neither is considered clean energy.
hydrogen is produced with methane, but the carbon is captured instead of released into the environment. Detractors argue that blue hydrogen is not more environmentally friendly than other existing technologies and point to its high costs. Proponents, however, consider it a stepping stone to the cleanest form of hydrogen. Green hydrogen comes from electrolysis, a process that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. For the hydrogen to be green, the electricity used to create it must come from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydropower. The process almost completely eliminates emissions, and it’s the form of energy the EU is investing in the most. One day, it may even power cars. But clean hydrogen has its detractors. Some environmental activists argue that we need to move away from gas power
entirely and use less electricity overall. In the case of blue hydrogen, they also say that simply capturing the carbon is not enough to ward off climate change. Energy experts who otherwise support clean hydrogen also point out that it’s currently much more expensive than fossil fuel production. The U.S. has launched a plan to bring the cost of green hydrogen down significantly by 2030, but its use currently accounts for less than 1% of total annual hydrogen production worldwide. Before clean hydrogen can be a viable energy alternative, governments and industries need to deploy significant resources to develop infrastructure, expand production, and drive down costs. Whether clean hydrogen will be a major future energy source depends on how much the world is willing to invest in it.
Whether or not blue hydrogen is “clean” will depend on whom you ask. Blue
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