Check out our latest newsletter!
Apr/May/Jun 2023
336-547-9999 | CherylDavid.com
Celebrate World Give Day Your Estate Plan Pays It Forward
World Give Day is observed on May 4 every year, and it’s a day dedicated to the simple act of giving back to our friends, family, and other members of our communities. And while many people will likely pay it forward in a coffee line or donate to a cause they care about, there is an even bigger way to give to the ones you love: ensuring your estate plan is up to date. When set up correctly, your estate plan is a gift for the next generation. Most people think an estate plan is just to help the individual it’s created for, but it’s an incredible tool to give back to your family, even after you’re gone. If you’re looking to celebrate World Give Day this year, here are some reasons why reviewing your estate plan is a great way to do it. Your estate plan can help prevent fighting. None of us ever want to create issues among our family members when we pass or are no longer able to care for ourselves, but unfortunately, when estate plans aren’t made correctly in advance, this is the fate many families face. In the event of death or an incapacitating illness without a proper plan, the responsibility of either taking care of a parent or navigating legal proceedings is ultimately thrust upon one or more of your children. This responsibility can become a heavy burden, and stepping into this role can cause a fracture in the relationships of family members. Maybe things aren’t moving along as smoothly as one child likes, or perhaps they disapprove of how one sibling is arranging care for their parent. When there is no plan with explicit instructions, the family has no option but to duke it out in deciding what happens to you or your assets.
A well-arranged plan removes your family’s burden by clearly laying out the logistics of your care or dispersal of your assets, so there is no need for arguments. Allowing your children to come together to support — or mourn — you is a priceless gift only your estate plan can give. An accurate trust and named beneficiaries can help your family avoid court. If you just have a will, your family must go to court, but by having a trust with appropriately titled assets and named beneficiaries, you can help your family avoid the financial and emotional turmoil of probate. When your family is left to fight in court, they might have to miss work, find babysitters, or trek to the courthouse in extreme weather conditions to be able to attend. Not only is this inconvenient, but it’s also time-consuming and expensive. In some cases, court proceedings can take up to a year, and after legal costs, the assets you left won’t be worth nearly as much as you intended your family to receive. On top of all of this, the legal battle can be very stressful for many families, and these circumstances only exacerbate any animosity between family members that may exist. Your estate plan gives the gift of keeping your assets and finances in the family. For many people, one of the most important things is passing on their wealth or assets to their children and grandchildren after they pass. It’s a way to provide financial relief to your children (a gift in itself) and ensure things like property, real estate, and business interests stay in the family. For some, these things have remained in a single family for generations, and ensuring they stay with the ones you love is something only your estate plan can do. At the Law Offices of Cheryl David, we urge our clients to pay it forward even further this month by encouraging their loved ones to give the gift of estate planning. We’re offering a free meeting (worth $375) to any referred family member or friend to our firm. To redeem, simply mention our newsletter and the code: GIVE DAY . Whoever you refer must live in North Carolina, and they must redeem the offer before May 31, 2023. We’re excited to help you and your loved ones pay it forward!
CherylDavid.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
outdoors, and do not hang your clean laundry outside to dry. After you have been outdoors, remove your clothing and wash your hair and skin to remove any traces of pollen. Do not cut the grass, pull weeds, or do any gardening. Remove pollen from indoor air. It’s inevitable that pollen will get inside your home and vehicle. To combat this, utilize your air conditioning or invest in a certified allergy air filter! A dehumidifier and/or an air purifier will help to lower the pollen spore count in the air. Rinse out your sinuses. When pollen overwhelms your sinus passages, one of the best things to do is to rinse out your airways. A sinus flush with a saline solution is one of the easiest and most effective ways to eliminate the pollen that irritates your respiratory system. Take over-the-counter medications. After checking with your doctor or health care provider, choose an over-the-counter medication that is right for your symptoms. Medications like oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, and corticosteroid nasal sprays are all beneficial in reducing the effects of seasonal allergies. When Pollen Strikes Nipping Spring Allergies in the Bud
Spring has arrived! However, rebirth and renewal aren’t the only things in the air. During spring, trees, weeds, plants, and grasses release small grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. Because the pollen is small and light, it travels through the wind and frequently causes allergic reactions. Symptoms of seasonal allergies include congestion, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, watering eyes, and irritation in the roof of your mouth. If you’re prone to experiencing allergies all spring long, here are some useful tips to keep them at bay. Reduce your exposure. During spring months, keep the windows in your home and car closed. On particularly windy or dry days, avoid spending time
Hold the Cheese, Please! McDonald’s Customers Sue for Being Forced to Pay for Cheese
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, things got a little crazy! Two McDonald’s customers sued the fast-food chain for $5 million, alleging they were unfairly charged when they ordered Quarter Pounders without cheese. According to the lawsuit, the fast-food restaurant chain historically had four menu options: a Quarter Pounder with cheese, a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese, a Quarter Pounder, and a Double Quarter Pounder. The “with cheese” options were roughly between 30 cents and 90 cents more expensive than the “without cheese” burgers. At some point, McDonald’s discontinued the “without cheese” options.
not receive cheese on their burger but were charged the same price as a Quarter Pounder with cheese. Their lawsuit states that they, and other customers who do not want cheese on their burgers, are forced to pay for two slices of cheese anyway, and they sued for damages as a result of being overcharged and required to pay for American cheese when they did not want or receive it on their burger.
According to USA Today, a McDonald’s spokesperson advised that the company does its best to allow customers to customize their food orders. If someone doesn’t want cheese as it is listed on the menu, the fast-food chain will not include cheese, thus they didn’t think the lawsuit has any merit.
Only a Quarter Pounder with cheese and a Double Quarter Pounder with cheese were available at the time these two customers visited the restaurant. The ingredients listed on McDonald’s website for these items include a sesame seed bun, quarter- pound 100% beef patty, ketchup, onions, pasteurized processed American cheese, and pickle slices.
And because the McDonald’s customers failed to prove they were damaged by an overcharge, the case was dismissed!
These customers ordered Quarter Pounders but asked for no cheese on their burger, and they did
2 | 336-547-9999
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
TAKE A BREAK
TRUST VS. WILL What’s the Difference!?
When it comes to your estate plan, there are many different options available, but choosing which is best for your situation can feel overwhelming, even with the help of a trusted advisor. Two of the most common terms used in estate planning are “will” and “trust.” While both of these documents can help your loved ones after you pass, there are critical differences between these two tools. Here are the key differences between a will and a trust to help you make the most informed decision to fit your needs. Wills only take effect once you pass away. The purpose of a will is to name guardians for your children, allocate your assets, and outline any final arrangements for your living family to follow. This means that the contents and instructions of your will only take effect once you pass. However, a trust becomes effective once signed, even if you’re alive. A living trust becomes incredibly helpful if you are ever disabled due to an illness or accident, so some of your wishes can be fulfilled even if you’re still alive. You can also define how you’d like to be cared for in your trust if you need long-term care. A trust must be funded. While a will is considered a “simple” document because it’s straightforward to set up, a trust can be a bit more complicated because assets must be transferred to it. Essentially, the trust must become the owner of your assets to allocate them to others later legally — so you’ll need to physically change the ownership of your things. Also, whatever assets you’d like to disperse to your beneficiaries must be owned by the trust because it can only allocate what it owns. On the other hand, a will covers anything you own, including minor items. Wills don’t avoid probate. One of the most significant differences between a will and a trust is that a will usually goes to court. Probate is the legal process your estate goes through to disperse the belongings you have listed in your will. This process can sometimes take a very long time and can be costly for your family. Conversely, a trust can allow you to pass on your items while avoiding probate because your trustee has immediate authority over the trust as soon as you pass.
ONE-PAN CHICKEN AND MUSHROOMS WITH EGG NOODLES
Inspired by MarthaStewart.com
Ingredients
• 3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2- inch pieces • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, halved • Salt and ground pepper • 3 tbsp butter, divided • 8 oz button mushrooms, trimmed
• 8 oz shallots, peeled and halved
• 3 cups chicken broth • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 8 oz egg noodles • 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
Directions 1. In a large pan over medium heat, cook bacon until browned, 7–9 minutes. Remove from heat, discard fat, and set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Return pan to medium-high heat and melt 2 tbsp butter. Add chicken, skin-side down. Cook, turning a few times, for 10–12 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate. 2. Place remaining 1 tbsp butter in pan to melt. Add mushrooms and shallots; cook 8–10 minutes. Add broth and cream; bring to a boil. Stir in noodles. 3. Add chicken (skin-side up), cover pan, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring once halfway through. Cook about 10–12 minutes. 4. Uncover and simmer until thickened. Stir in dill and top with bacon. Serve and enjoy!
CherylDavid.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
528 College Road Greensboro, NC, 27410 336-547-9999 | CherylDavid.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 3
The Ways Your Estate Plan Gives Back
Combating Spring Allergies Hold the Cheese, Please!
One-Pan Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles The Difference Between a Trust and a Will
4
Illinois’ Sip and Spit Law
Sip … but You Must Spit Check Out This Strange Illinois Law!
By law, in the United States, the minimum legal drinking age is 21 years old. When an individual under 21 breaks the law and consumes alcohol, they are subject to arrest and hefty fines. However, there’s a loophole in Illinois. In 2012, the Illinois State Senate voted 48–6 in favor of passing a “sip and spit” law for Illinois culinary students over 18 but under the legal drinking age of 21. This strange law enabled these students to know their wine well without becoming intoxicated. The students can only sample the wines during their scheduled class times, and an adult that is 21 or older must supervise. Each sample of wine must be less than a shot’s worth in volume, and most importantly, they cannot swallow — they must just taste the wine, then spit it out. Culinary students nationwide rely on nonalcoholic wines to learn about the taste, color, and smell of wines and how to best pair them with their dishes, but
unfortunately, virgin wines taste nothing like actual wines! This leaves a gap in many culinary students’ education and may even force them to relearn the skill once they turn 21 and sample alcoholic wines. According to CBS News, Emily Williams Knight, the president of Kendall College, a private Illinois university that focuses on culinary arts, says “taste training” is an integral part of culinary education for young students, which includes learning
to pair dishes and meals with adult beverages. Understanding the different tastes and notes of various wines is essential to help these students succeed and prepare them for culinary arts and hospitality management careers. On Aug. 24, 2012, Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 758 into law so Kendall College students over 18 but younger than 21 could better develop their wine-tasting skills to enhance their culinary abilities. However, the rule is clear: Sip … but you must spit!
4 | 336-547-9999
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator