Check out our August newsletter!
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“In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.” — Robert Frost Hearts and Heirs Conversations That Count I’m sure anyone reading this newsletter has had a moment or two when they looked at the date on the calendar and felt like they’d somehow stepped off a time machine in the distant future. Surely, there’s no way the months and years have flown by that quickly on their own, right? Well, I’ve been feeling a twinge of that myself lately. For decades, August has been a back-to-school month at the Hill household, especially since high school and most colleges in Florida start their school years before Labor Day. My daughter, Lindsay, will be the first of my children to attend college out of state (in this case, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). As she begins this new chapter in her life, I marvel at how quickly it all went by. Lindsay turned 18 in May, which meant that as a new adult, she needed a new estate plan. Although it may seem odd to focus on end-of-life decisions for someone so young, my wife and I once learned the hard way how critical these considerations truly are. Our oldest son, Connor, fell ill while attending college in Tampa and ended up in the hospital with chest pains. Eventually, we learned he had a heart condition we didn’t know about. Everything turned out okay, but the event was eye-opening in many ways, the least of which was that we didn’t have the appropriate documents in place for him in case something worse happened. We made sure Lindsay had her power of attorney and medical directive documents set up before she even packed her first bag for school. As an estate planning professional — and, more importantly, as a parent — I’ve learned that preparedness and communication are key to ensuring our loved ones’ legacies are preserved and their best interests are always protected. It never hurts to ask your adult children or grandchildren if they’re up to date on their estate plans (and have created one!) — and that everyone assigned a
specific role in the process understands their responsibilities and any necessary updates to beneficiaries have been addressed. Life can change as quickly as time flies, so your plan must reflect relocations, property sales, deaths, marriages, births, divorces, and other significant events. To help facilitate those meaningful conversations, our firm regularly conducts Zoom meetings with our clients and their children. These “meet-and-greet” sessions allow us to put faces to names and provide a platform for family members to ask questions. The best estate plans are built on comfort, cohesion, and understanding, and these meetings are designed to help all parties feel confident and secure in the decisions being made and their effect on others. In most cases, what begins as a stressful subject ends with a sigh of relief — and we’re always happy to help you and your family feel more secure about the future. September, next year, and the next decade will all be here before we know it. If it’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your legacy plans, there’s no better time than the present to do so. And if you can encourage someone you love to do the same, they can view the passing months on the calendar with peace instead of panic.
–Michael Hill
1 (239) 265-9779
AUGUST 2025
A Taste of Home In most families, holidays, special occasions, and Sunday dinners usually revolve around laughter and food — lots of food. Whether it’s Grandma’s famous biscuits or that secret chili recipe your uncle swears he’ll take to the grave, these dishes are part of what makes your family your family. So, why not gather all those delicious memories into one place by creating a family cookbook? Know your why. Before you dive in, decide what your Create a Family Cookbook Full of Love and Flavor stories, tips, or funny kitchen mishaps. That’s the good stuff that makes your cookbook meaningful. Choose an organizational style. You could go the traditional route with categories like appetizers, mains, and
handwritten recipe cards, or candid family cooking moments. Even simple design details — like using someone’s handwriting or a family saying — can make it feel special. Pick a format. You don’t need to be a professional designer to pull this off. Tools like Canva, Shutterfly, or even Microsoft Word can help you create a layout. Decide whether you want to print physical copies, go digital, or do both. Don’t forget to embrace imperfection. Remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect! A little mess here and there adds charm. What matters is preserving the joy, tradition, and flavor of your family’s kitchen.
desserts, or get creative with sections like “Grandma’s Greatest Hits,” “Cousin Potluck Favorites,” or “Holiday Classics.” Just pick a format that feels natural and easy to follow. Test and tweak as you go. Some family recipes live in the land of vague directions — “a dash of this” or “cook until it smells right,” etc. If needed, test the recipes and jot down more precise measurements or instructions. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Add a personal touch. Photos can take a cookbook from good to unforgettable. Include pictures of the dishes,
cookbook is for. Is it a holiday gift? A legacy project? A fun way to organize weeknight favorites? Knowing your purpose will guide the tone, design, and care you put into it. Gather the goods. Now comes the fun (and sometimes chaotic) part — tracking down recipes from relatives. Send a group text, email, or social media post asking for their go-to dishes. Encourage everyone to include personal
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WHAT EVERY GRANDPARENT SHOULD KNOW
risky season for teen drivers. AAA refers to this period as the “100 Deadliest Days” of the year, when we see the highest spike in teen-related auto accidents and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the risk of teen driver- related auto accidents increases by 30% in the summer months. Additionally, new teen drivers are three times more likely than adults to be involved in fatal collisions from now until September. The most common risk factors for these accidents include speeding, distracted driving, failure to use a seatbelt, and driving with teen passengers. Simple tips can help keep young drivers safe. If you want to do your part to reduce your grandkids’ risk of injury or worse behind the wheel, encourage them to keep their cellphone away and have both hands on the
steering wheel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 40% of high school drivers texted or emailed while driving at least once in 2019 alone. Additionally, teen drivers should limit the number of passengers in their vehicles to reduce distractions, always buckle up (even if only driving a short distance), be responsible in maintaining their vehicle’s performance by checking tire pressure and mirrors, getting regular oil changes, and being mindful of the amount of gas in the tank. Above all, they should never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If they take prescription medications, they should be aware of drowsiness or other potentially dangerous side effects that could impair their driving. Share this article with any young driver you know — it could help save a life.
Few joys are greater than seeing grandchildren live happy and fulfilling lives. Whether graduating from high school or college or hitting the road as a licensed driver for the first time, our young loved ones likely have plenty to celebrate this summer. When it comes to the latter accomplishment, we want nothing more than to know they’re safe behind the wheel. Here are some vital statistics and helpful tips to share with them so they stay free from harm while enjoying the thrills of being a new driver. Cautious cruising counts in summer. The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are a time for sunshine, barbecues, and long-awaited travel, but they’re also a
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With so many demands on our plates at any given time, the days, months, and years of our lives often feel more like checkmarks on our to-do lists than major milestones — and our most essential matters sometimes take a back seat without our realizing it. Although it is wise for anyone of adult age to consider an estate plan, this becomes even greater when an individual reaches middle age — which, according to research by the National Institutes of Health, begins as early as 35 . Even if you were proactive in establishing your plan years ago and have since reached retirement age or passed it, significant events may have occurred since the previous Silent Shifts Subtle Signs to Update Your Estate Plan
have children, and take on new responsibilities in their daily lives. Unfortunately, they may also pass away unexpectedly or become estranged. If someone initially assigned a key role in your plan can no longer fulfill it, it is time to update your documents to incorporate more dependable alternatives. Your income could be an issue. It’s rare for an individual’s earning potential to remain static throughout their lifetime, and any changes to your economic status should be considered when updating your estate plan. Although a 35-year-old’s assets may include a home, a life insurance policy, and a handful of investments, a 65-year-old may have additional properties, considerably larger investment accounts, and a more sizable savings balance. Determining how your money will be addressed after your passing is one of the most critical aspects of estate planning. Your health may change without warning. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that even the most seemingly healthy people can fall victim to unexpected and even catastrophic
health issues. When reviewing your plan, ask yourself if you have the right people in place to make critical health care choices on your behalf, including making decisions for you if you become incapacitated and
draft that require a thoughtful review and possible update. Here are a few of the most overlooked life changes that could affect your current plan’s effectiveness. Personal relationships could void your paperwork. The shifting sands of time can dramatically affect a person’s direct involvement in our lives. People move, marry, divorce,
unable to advocate for yourself. Please contact us if you have
any questions about anything mentioned in this article or need to update your existing estate plan.
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TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
• • •
1 pt strawberry ice cream 1/4 cup strawberry preserves
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1 5.25-oz package crispy sugar cookies
1 pt vanilla ice cream
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1 0.8-oz package freeze-dried strawberries
DIRECTIONS 1. Stir strawberry ice cream in a large bowl until spreadable. Fold in preserves until evenly streaked throughout. 2. Stir vanilla ice cream in a separate large bowl until spreadable. 3. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of 8 (1/3-cup) popsicle molds. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the vanilla mixture on top of the strawberry mixture into the molds. Repeat, alternating the 2 mixtures, until each mold is full. 4. Place sticks into the popsicles and freeze until solid, 4–6 hours. 5. In a large zip-lock bag, crush sugar cookies with a rolling pin until pieces are rice- size; pour into a shallow dish. 6. Repeat with freeze-dried strawberries and stir the pieces together. 7. Run the ice cream molds under warm water to release popsicles from molds. 8. Coat bars evenly with cookie mixture. 9. Eat immediately or place on a cookie sheet and freeze.
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(239) 265-9779
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INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
Time Moves, Plans Matter PAGE 1 Cook Up a Legacy PAGE 2 Solid Facts for Fresh Drivers PAGE 2 Quiet Clues for Estate Plan Edits PAGE 3 Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars PAGE 3 Nantucket’s Timeless Allure PAGE 4
The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.
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When many Americans think of vacation destinations, they envision beautiful state parks, sunny beaches in Florida or California, and the mountains of Appalachia and the Rockies. However, many states across the country offer exciting events and beautiful scenery. If Massachusetts isn’t already on your radar, consider giving it a closer look the next time you plan a vacation. Cape Cod has beautiful beaches and a rich history that many don’t know about, and something exciting is always happening in Boston. But if you want to experience the true essence of Massachusetts, take a trip to Nantucket. Nantucket is a small island, only 14 miles long and about 3.5 miles wide. Its history with European settlers goes back over 500 years. First sighted by an Englishman named Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602, the island was settled by colonists 50 years later in 1659. Not long after, they spotted whales offshore, which put Nantucket on the map. Whaling became the ultimate trade for people living in the area, and the island even became the world’s whaling capital until the 1850s. Why Nantucket Should Be Your Next Getaway
You can still view whales from the island today, and if you want to get the full story, check out the Nantucket Whaling Museum. If whale watching and museum touring aren’t your thing, you can pursue other exciting activities around Nantucket. The island is bike-friendly, and many trails will take you by all the best sights. Many one-of-a-kind boutiques occupy beautiful historic buildings, and there’s even a public golf course that will leave all your golfing buddies jealous. If you go in May, you may even experience the renowned Wine & Food Festival. Nantucket is full of historic architecture, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. You might even see a famous face during your visit! This is a vacation you’ll be talking about for years to come!
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