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
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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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