Take a look at our latest newsletter!
April 2025
650-463-1550 | www.FalkBarrot.com
COLLEGE SENDOFFS, HEALTH CARE CHOICES, AND OUR CLIENT APPRECIATION EVENT
For parents, sending their child off to college is a proud moment filled with excitement and anticipation. Yet, amidst the packing lists and dorm room setup, a vital aspect of preparation often gets overlooked: legal readiness. Specifically, this means ensuring you have the necessary documents to act on behalf of your child in medical or financial matters should the need arise. Once your child reaches age 18, they are legally considered an adult, meaning you no longer have the automatic right to make health care or financial decisions for them. An Advance Health Care Directive and a Power of Attorney should come into play once your child reaches age 18. An Advance Health Care Directive, sometimes known as a Living Will, allows your child to designate someone — ideally you, the parent — to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so. This is
crucial so you can access medical information and make informed decisions during emergencies.
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR ANNUAL CLIENT APPRECIATION AND SHREDDING EVENT! Saturday, June 7, 2025
Similarly, a Power of Attorney grants you the authority to manage your child’s financial affairs. This can be particularly useful if they are studying far from home or are incapacitated and unable to handle their financial responsibilities. These documents provide peace of mind, knowing you can step in seamlessly to support your child during critical times. By encouraging your child to set up an Advance Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney, you are protecting their safety and well-being, allowing you to focus on celebrating their new academic journey with confidence. You can never predict when your child may need your help. While our standard fee for a consultation and preparation of an Advance Health Care Directive and Power of Attorney is $750, we are offering this service to our clients for only $500 per child as a gesture of our appreciation. Please contact our office to get started.
9:30–11:30 a.m. NEW LOCATION: Auto Vino Wine Garden 380 Industrial Road San Carlos, CA 94070
We are happy to invite you, your family, and your Successor Trustee to our annual Client Appreciation and Shredding Event. Please join the law firm for a delicious treat and complimentary onsite shredding. To register, please call Heather at 650-463-1550 or email Heather@falkbarrot.com.
—Kimberly Barrot
www.FalkBarrot.com
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Making Sense of Powers of Attorney
Everything You Need to Know
Financial POA: A financial POA is a limited power of attorney specifically focused on managing financial matters. It allows your agent to oversee investments, pay bills, and handle banking responsibilities. Medical (Health Care) POA: Another limited type, medical POAs allow your agent to make health care decisions to ensure your preferences for treatment and care are followed if you cannot make decisions on your own. Springing POA: Springing POAs become effective only upon a specified event, typically your incapacitation. Choosing an Agent The agent you choose will have significant control over your affairs, making it vital to select someone trustworthy and competent. In addition to understanding your values, your agent should be financially responsible and available when needed. It’s also wise
A power of attorney (POA) is a crucial component of estate planning that enables you to appoint someone to manage your financial, legal, or medical affairs. Understanding the different types of POAs and their functions is essential to ensure your wishes are honored and your interests are protected. Types of Power of Attorney General POA: A general power of attorney grants your agent broad authority to handle financial and legal matters on your behalf, including managing bank accounts, signing documents, and conducting real estate transactions. Durable POA: A durable power of attorney is similar to a general POA but remains in effect if you become incapacitated. Limited (Special) POA: Limited POAs only apply to specific tasks or transactions, such as selling property or managing medical care.
to appoint a successor agent to serve as a backup if your primary choice is unable or unwilling to serve. Legal Considerations Each state has its own POA requirements, so consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure your document complies with local laws. Regularly reviewing and updating your POA, especially after significant life events, is also essential to ensure it remains aligned with your current intentions. With the right plan in place, you can have peace of mind that a trusted individual will manage your affairs as you’d like if you cannot.
EMPTY ROOMS, FULL POTENTIAL Time to Transform Your Space Into Something Special!
A Fun Space for Entertaining Just because your little ones have grown up doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun and unleash your inner child. You could create a home movie theater with comfy recliner chairs and a big-screen TV or projector. These changes make movie night special, rather than just another typical night in the living room. Stock it with your favorite snacks, a popcorn machine, and warm blankets. If movies aren’t your thing, you could instead turn it into an entertainment room where your grandchildren can play on an inviting rug, or you can host friends in a relaxing seating area. So, whether you’re flexing your creativity or your muscles, those empty rooms have plenty of potential and space for you to explore your passions. Feather your empty nest with fun, fitness, and a little flair.
When the kids leave the nest, you may find yourself with a lot of space — and a golden opportunity to create a home that reflects your current lifestyle and passions. Those empty rooms don’t have to gather dust; you can turn them into something that sparks joy for you. For years, your home has been the headquarters of science projects, sleepovers, and snack raids, but now it’s
time to make those rooms work as hard for you as you’ve worked raising your children. With these ideas, you can transform your newly emptied nest into almost anything! A Hobby Room or Home Gym Are you an artist at heart? Maybe you’re getting into a new craft or activity. Have you always wanted to improve your health but can’t stand going to the gym? Now is the perfect opportunity to turn your child’s old room into a hobby haven or workout station. It doesn’t matter what your passions are; this can be a space dedicated to improving yourself and getting creative. You can install vertical shelving to store all the supplies you need for your craft and hang up artwork that inspires you. To create a home gym, clear space in the center of the room for an exercise mat and add workout equipment over time.
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WE BELIEVE EVERYONE NEEDS AN ESTATE PLAN. We understand that discussing estate planning — death and money — is a daunting task. People may be overwhelmed by the planning process or overcome with emotion when contemplating their potential incapacity and death. However, people do know that if they don’t plan, the state of California will get unnecessarily involved, often causing additional delays and expenses. Encourage your loved ones to join us for a complimentary Living Trust and Estate Planning webinar. Webinars are presented via Zoom and registration is required. Tuesday, May 6, 12–1:30 p.m.
TAKE A BREAK
ARBOR ARIES
BASEBALL CHERRIES CHOCOLATE DAISY DIAMOND FOOLS GARDEN KITE
Wednesday, May 28, 6:30–8 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 12–1:30 p.m.
RAINBOW SHOWERS
For more information or to register, please contact Heather at 650-463-1550 or Heather@falkbarrot.com.
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken This keto-friendly chicken dish is packed with flavor, healthy fats, and protein. It’s the perfect weeknight option for a quick, tasty meal.
Ingredients
• 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth • 2 tbsp heavy cream • 1 lemon, zest and juice • 2 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F and season chicken with salt and pepper. 2. Heat olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until crispy, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook 2 more minutes; remove from skillet and set aside. 3. Melt butter in skillet, then sauté garlic until fragrant. Add broth, cream, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer for 3 minutes. 4. Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, and bake in oven for 15–20 minutes or until cooked through (165 F internal temperature). Garnish with parsley before serving.
Inspired by DietDoctor.com
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650-463-1550 www.FalkBarrot.com 865 Laurel Street, Ste. 4 San Carlos, CA 94070 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Bright and Balanced Beginnings
2
A Simple Guide to Powers of Attorney
Hobby Haven or Home Gym?
Living Trusts and Estate Planning webinar
3
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken
When Your Diary Becomes Evidence
4
Dear Diary, Please Don’t Be Used Against Me in Court
Many of us have fond memories of writing in diaries or journals throughout our youth. We would share our thoughts and feelings in a book we would keep hidden from friends, family members, and others. It was our sanctuary where we could be ourselves without worrying about judgment or embarrassment. You may even remember the feeling of rage or hopelessness when you spotted your brother or sister holding your diary. Thankfully, there usually wasn’t anything too incriminating in our teenage diaries, and some of us have continued the practice well into adulthood. However, a recent news story proves we should be cautious about the information we share in our private journals. Last year, a Minnesota woman was arrested for auto theft. While investigating the incident and looking into Vanessa Guerra, a suspect in the case, a law
enforcement officer allegedly found her diary. He flipped through the pages, looking for any information that would catch his eye, when he stumbled upon an entry from Aug. 12, the same day a 2004 Ford Freestar van was stolen and resold at an auto salvage business. “Totally stole a car today! Something I never thought of doing,” Guerra allegedly wrote in her diary. Guerra was charged with receiving stolen property and theft, although she claims she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen. However, workers at the auto salvage business informed law enforcement they recognized Guerra as the seller of the stolen vehicle. Most people will probably not blab to others about crimes they have committed, especially if they are currently unsolved. This
case reminds us to be just as cautious about what we write in private journals. While your diary may be your safe place to share your innermost thoughts and feelings, your entries could come back to haunt you if you’re involved in a criminal case, especially if you blatantly admit to the crime.
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