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January 2026
Your Trusted Advisor Zihmer Law Firm
Early January always feels like the morning after a good party. The lights are off, the house is quiet, and then you see what was left behind. A strand of tinsel on the floor. A new toy sitting in the hallway. A few crumpled receipts and open envelopes tucked underneath a candle. In most homes, these little messes stick around for a week or so before anyone tackles them. Once the tree is down and the boxes are back in the basement, real life starts back up again. When that happens, people tend to think about money in very simple terms. “We spent too much.” “We should save more.” Maybe they sit down with a bank statement or peek at a credit card balance. These little things are why it’s not surprising that January is Financial Wellness Month. The timing fits. At Zihmer Law, though, we look at wellness through a different lens. Security is the word that comes up the most, but financial wellness isn’t just about security for today. It’s also security for the day when someone else has to make sense of your accounts, property, and paperwork. That’s why we like to treat January as a chance to clean up more than the living room. We also ask clients to think about changes that may have slipped into the last year. Maybe you bought a home or refinanced one. Maybe you opened a new account CLEARING THE REAL CLUTTER OF JANUARY A Better Way to Begin the Year At Zihmer Law Firm, we’re honored when clients refer their friends and family to us. If you know someone who needs guidance with estate planning, estate administration, Medicaid, or elder law, we’d love the opportunity to help. Your trust means the world to us, and it’s the greatest compliment we can receive.
because the interest rate looked better. Maybe a job change came with different benefits or retirement options. None of that feels like “estate planning” when it happens. It just feels like life. But those details are exactly what your family will need to understand if they ever have to step in for you. Once you start thinking that way, it is easier to see the other gaps. A lot of people have a “junk drawer” version of their financial life. There are old statements in one place, passwords scribbled in another, and a will in a folder nobody else has ever seen. It works fine while everything is normal. It does not work so well on a day when someone needs to find an account number in a hurry. The same thing applies to naming your decision-makers. Setting up a Financial Power of Attorney and a Healthcare Power of Attorney gives your loved ones clear instructions when they need them the most. They won’t have to wonder who should step up because they’ll already know. So, as you pack away ornaments and straighten the house this January, it may be worth asking yourself a question: If someone had to clean up after your financial life, would you feel good about what they would find? If you’re unsure about the answer, this can be the year to make a change. You’ve worked hard to build stability. The next step is making sure the people you love won’t be left feeling lost if life takes a turn. January is a great time to get your paperwork together, look at your plan, and see if it still fits your life. Regardless of where you are in the process, we’re here to help you turn that pile of papers on the table into a plan your family can count on.
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ESTATE PLANNING | PROBATE | TRUST ADMINISTRATION | ELDER LAW
3 DAILY HABITS THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR 2026
Diet and exercise matter. This is probably not news to you, but we can’t downplay the importance of diet and exercise. Listen to your body; it will tell you what it needs. Many people fall into the trap of overeating without realizing it or starving themselves when they want to lose weight, but this won’t make them feel good. Eat when your body tells you to, stick to a healthy diet, and find time for exercise. You need to find ways to motivate yourself, especially when you want to stay in bed and stick to comfort foods. Your body will thank you. Drink more water. How much water do you drink each day? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluids daily and women should drink 11.5 cups. If you aren’t hitting these numbers, it’s time to adjust. Start and finish each day with a glass of water. Walk around with a refillable bottle. Staying hydrated will help your body function much better.
As we enter another new year, there’s no better time to adjust your daily habits to help you become the healthiest version of yourself mentally and physically. Here are three strategies you can incorporate into your New Year’s expectations and resolutions that will help ensure 2026 is your healthiest year yet! Start every day strong. Many Americans fall into the same routines year after year, and most are dangerous for their overall well-being. They stay up
too late, wake up to an alarm a few hours later, scramble to get ready, and jump in the car as soon as possible to get to work. Your morning routine sets the tone for your day. If you’re in a hurry every morning, you will feel rushed and exhausted. Give yourself ample time in the morning to take care of yourself and some simple chores. Make your bed, have a glass of water, take good care of your hygiene, eat something, and incorporate some movement into your mornings. It will be hard initially, but you’ll feel the benefits within a few weeks.
Is It Time for a Change? RETHINKING ESTATE PLAN DECISION-MAKERS
A common thing we see in estate planning is someone picking an executor or other decision-maker and then never looking back. But life doesn’t sit still. People move, families change, and someone who seemed like the right fit years ago may not be the same person you’d pick today. Before you decide whether your paperwork still fits, it helps to know what these jobs involve. Your executor settles your estate and handles everything from gathering what you own to paying bills and making sure the instructions in your will are followed. An agent named in a financial power of attorney steps in if you can’t manage money or property, and a health care agent speaks with doctors and makes medical decisions if you aren’t able to speak for yourself.
In general, you should review these choices whenever your life changes. That might be due to divorce, marriage, or a death in the family. But there are other reasons to consider an update. Someone you named may now have serious medical issues or other obligations that would make it difficult for them to step in for you. Location also matters. A child who recently moved across the country may have difficulty meeting doctors or sorting through a house. And someone who once seemed too young or busy may now be the best fit. I always try to encourage families to think about what the role requires rather than tradition when naming decision-makers. They don’t have to be the oldest child or the most “successful”
person in the family. For your executor, choose someone who’s organized, communicative, and good at following through. A Healthcare Agent should be someone who understands your wishes and is willing to speak up for you. If you decide it’s time to update your decision-makers, you don’t need to feel guilty. These changes are common. The most important thing is to tell the new person you have named and make sure they know your wishes and where your documents are stored. If you’re thinking about a change, we can help you review your choices and fill out the right paperwork. Making that change today can make things much easier for your family later.
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Around the World at Midnight TRADITIONS THAT WELCOME A NEW YEAR
Most of us welcome the new year the same way every time. It might include a countdown, a toast, or even some fireworks. Other parts of the world mark the same moment with customs that look very different. In Spain and some Latin American countries, people ring in the new year with “las doce uvas de la suerte,” the 12 grapes of luck. The tradition is to eat a single grape with each chime of the clock at midnight. The grapes represent the 12 months of the coming year, and finishing all 12 before the last chime is thought to bring good luck. Scotland has its own thing called Hogmanay. One of their best-known customs is called “first-footing,” and it focuses on the first person who enters your house after midnight. The first- footer, traditionally a dark-haired man, enters the house with a gift to start the year off on the right foot. Coal, bread, salt, or whisky are the classic first-footing gifts. The real point, though, is the visit itself.
Japan’s year-end celebration has a different pace. Instead of noise and countdowns, things are much slower and quieter. Temples ring their bells 108 times in a ceremony called Joya no Kane, a Buddhist tradition focused on clearing away the 108 human weaknesses (often called earthly desires) to provide a clean slate for the new year. Families also take part in hatsumode, their first visit of the year to a shrine or temple. They offer coins, say a brief prayer, and may buy a written fortune or a charm for protection. And the list of New Year’s traditions doesn’t stop at these countries. In Brazil, wearing white is common, and some people throw flowers into the ocean for Lemanjá, an Afro-Brazilian sea goddess linked to protection and abundance. In Italy, lentils are eaten for prosperity because their shape resembles small coins. Different as they are, it’s easy to see the same hope running through all these customs. It’s a hope for a year that treats people a little better than the one before.
Take a Break
Korean Ground Beef
Ingredients Sauce • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce • 1 tbsp honey, or a liquid sugar- free sweetener • 1 tsp cornstarch • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Stir Fry • 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef, 85/15 • 1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh ginger root, minced Finishing Touches • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil • 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
Directions 1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. 2. In a large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as you cook, about 5 minutes. 3. Drain the beef and return it to the skillet. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 4. Stir sauce into the beef, then cook for 2 more minutes, until heated through and the sauce thickens. 5. Off heat, drizzle the dish with sesame oil, sprinkle with sliced green onions, and serve over white rice (if desired).
Inspired by HealthyRecipesBlogs.com
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Inside 1
Clean Spaces, Clean Finances, Clear Plans
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Make 2026 Your Healthiest Year Yet
When to Review Executors and Agents
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A Global Tour of New Year’s Customs
Korean Ground Beef
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Turn Cold Nights Into Warm Memories
Don’t Let the Fire Die MAKE WINTER BONFIRES YOUR NEW TRADITION Many Americans invite their friends
still create an awe-inspiring bonfire during winter if you put together a plan.
something that fills your whole body with warmth. Thankfully, you’ll have a bonfire to help you toast and warm some delicious treats. S’mores are usually the go-to, but you can also warm up hot dogs, sausages, or even corn on the cob. And don’t forget the drinks! Hot chocolate, warm apple cider, or even tea can help everyone stay comfortable and in good spirits. Add games or fun activities. Some may grow bored with traditional bonfire activities, which is why you should have an extra activity or game up your sleeve. Depending on the lighting, you could play a card or board game. If the lighting is too dim, you can incorporate other activities requiring more movement and adventure. Kids and adults alike will have fun playing a game of flashlight tag or participating in a scavenger hunt. Plus, the extra movement will help everyone stay warm!
and family for a bonfire throughout the summer and fall. Nothing beats making s’mores, sharing stories, and enjoying the flickering flame under the moonlight. As temperatures drop and winter weather appears on the radar, some cover and ignore their bonfire area until after the cold and rainy seasons. However, you can
Winter bonfires can quickly become a regular part of your seasonal traditions, and these strategies will help ensure your bonfire is a hit with everyone who attends. Help people stay warm. Nobody wants to sit outside in the dark and freezing cold. Encourage everyone attending to dress in warm clothes appropriate for the frigid temperatures, but be prepared to help out if someone starts to feel chilly. Have extra blankets and coats within reach so you can easily pass them to anyone in need. Provide toasty treats. Sometimes, clothes alone are not enough to protect us from winter’s chill. During these moments, it can help to eat or drink
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