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MARCH/APRIL 2024
3 ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS YOUR PARENTS NEED RIGHT NOW
Today, we’re diving into a topic that is absolutely crucial: estate planning for your parents. As they gracefully navigate their golden years, ensuring their peace of mind (and yours!) becomes a top priority. Whether they raised you the way you want, or showed you how you want to do it differently, as your parents’ age, one of the very best things you can do for your own future and that of your entire future lineage — your children, grandchildren, and beyond — is to take great care of the people you were born to or raised by. The questions you need to start asking now are: How will you help them if they become ill or injured? Who will take care of their bills and make sure their health needs are met? How do they want to be cared for if and when they cannot care for themselves? The starting place is an open conversation, and a power trio of estate planning
tools swoops in to save the day: the General Power of Attorney, the Health Care Power of Attorney, and the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) Waiver. Now, let’s break down why these tools are the unsung heroes of comprehensive estate planning for your parents, and how to bring them up so you can support your parents to get them created or updated, no matter how much or how little money they have in the bank. 1. General Power of Attorney (POA) A General Power of Attorney (or POA) grants a person you name (often a family member or trusted friend) the authority to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so yourself. From handling bills to making investment decisions, the General POA ensures your financial matters are handled, whether you’re experiencing a temporary illness or a long-term inability to
manage your money, such as in the case of memory problems. 2. Health Care Power of Attorney It’s possible your parents already lean on you for guidance with their health care decisions, and it’s equally possible they don’t share details of their health care with you at all. But the question of what will happen to their health care needs if they become seriously ill can feel overwhelming — and trust me, it’s even more overwhelming during moments of medical crisis. Thankfully, a Health Care Power of Attorney allows your parents to explain their medical wishes to guide medical providers and family members on what treatments and life-saving measures they’d like to have, even in the toughest of times. The Health Care Power of Attorney designates someone to make these medical decisions on behalf of your parents if they’re unable to do so. This trusted individual becomes the advocate, ensuring health care choices align with your parents’ values and preferences. 3. HIPAA Waiver In the digital age, privacy is paramount, but what happens when privacy becomes a barrier to essential health care-related communication? Enter the HIPAA Waiver, the ultimate tool for opening communication roadblocks in times of need. HIPAA protects the privacy of individuals’ medical records. While this is crucial for safeguarding sensitive medical information,
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The spring day in 2020 began as any other for a mother who had just gotten off a Greyhound bus in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with her three children. In a sudden and terrifying act, a man grabbed her 2-year-old child. Demanding she surrender her other kids, he launched into a violent frenzy, striking the mother and those who dared to intervene. In a desperate bid for safety, the mother broke free and rushed her three children into a nearby convenience store. The store turned into a scene of chaos. Bystanders, armed with whatever was at hand — brooms, bottles — attempted to fend off the assailant. Their efforts proved insufficient as the aggressor relentlessly pursued the family into the store. Courage Knows No Age
How a Teen Saved a Mom and 3 Children
Using his wrestling training, which won him the District 3-5A championship in the heavyweight division, Bower quickly pinned the attacker. Others tried to help hold the attacker down, but Bower didn’t want anyone else hurt and knew he had the situation under control thanks to his training and size — half a foot taller and almost 100 pounds heavier than the attacker. He also knew there might be a weapon and needed to keep the attacker from accessing it. Bower kept the attacker pinned until the cops arrived. The man was later charged with battery, assault, child abuse, and kidnapping. There was no connection between the attacker and the mother. It was a random attack, and thankfully, Bower was there to stop it. His actions are a powerful reminder to parents and teenagers that heroism is not defined by age or stature but by the willingness to act in the face of adversity. Unfortunately, Bower was in a motorcycle accident two years later and died at the scene. Who knows what other wonderful things he would have accomplished? His memory and actions live on through his friends, family, and the mother and three children whose lives he saved.
Nearby, Canaan Bower, a 16-year-old high school wrestler, was fueling his truck when he heard piercing screams across the street. He drove to the store and ran inside. The scene that unfolded before him was chilling. There was blood on the ground, which meant the assailant might have a weapon, but there were also three children to protect.
Reuniting With Roots A Decadelong Awaited Trip to South Africa
It was such a perfect evening for all of us, but especially for our daughter, Annabelle, who was only 7 months old the last time she was in South Africa. It was like meeting her family for the first time! We then did a ton of sightseeing in and around the Johannesburg area. We spent time shopping at the Mall of Africa. We toured Soweto and got to see Nelson Mandela’s house and the Hector Peterson Museum. Annabelle got to see and experience the horrible legacy of apartheid and poverty. It was a stark reminder of how lucky we are to live where we live and how grateful we should be for what we have. One of the best parts of our trip was spending time in “the bush” — the African wilderness. We spent several nights at Morokolo Lodge at the Pilanesberg National Park. We got to go on three guided safaris and got to drive around some on our own. We saw rhinos, hippos, giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, impala, and kudu. We even got to go to a sanctuary and pet cheetahs. It was an incredible experience we will never forget.
We finished out the trip with a short stop in Sun City and said goodbye to our sweet family and friends. It is always so hard to say goodbye, but it is exciting to look forward to the next trip. I have told a lot of our clients in the past that I would highly recommend visiting South Africa, but I definitely recommend going with a tour company or with people who know how to navigate the country. Crime is an issue if you don’t know where to go, but I never felt unsafe because we were always with people who knew where and how to keep us safe. South Africans are wonderful and gracious people. The food is delicious, and the weather is absolutely perfect. It’s basically in the 70s year-round, with little to no humidity! It is about a 16-hour flight from Atlanta, which is tough. But the exchange rate is good for Americans. If you ever need recommendations on things to do in South Africa, feel free to reach out!
Y’all are going to think all my family does is travel, but we generally try to take one big trip every year. This year was special because we got to go “home” to South Africa. My husband is proudly South African. Almost his entire family still lives there, and we have not been in about 10 years. COVID-19 messed up previous travel plans. So, this was a long-anticipated trip for us. In addition to being excited to see family we hadn’t seen in years, we were also excited because my parents were able to come with us. They had never been to South Africa before. It was so wonderful to spend two weeks surrounded by family, friends, and new experiences. We started the trip with a surprise 40th birthday party for my husband; we had over 50 people show up to celebrate Nic.
–Chasity and TC
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... continued from Cover it can sometimes hinder the flow of communication between health care providers and family members, especially for the elderly and those incapacitated by an illness or injury. By signing a HIPAA Waiver, your parents authorize specific individuals to access their medical information and speak directly to their medical providers, ensuring seamless communication and informed decision-making. This is essential in medical emergencies but is also extremely helpful if your parents need help hearing their doctor or understanding their medical advice.
TAKE A BREAK!
Solution on page 4
Sesame Garlic Ramen
How do you bring up estate planning with your parents? The best way to bring up estate planning with your parents is to get your own planning handled first. Then, let your parents know that in the process of handling your own planning, your lawyer raised the question of whether you were an agent under anyone else’s Power of Attorney, or named as a successor Trustee in your parents’ Trust, or if you are going to be caring for aging parents at some point. And, if you have worked with a lawyer and they didn’t ask you those questions, give us a call and let’s review your plan and your parents’ planning to make sure everything you’ll need is dialed in. This can all get quite messy very quickly, and now is the time to talk with your parents. Why the urgency? You might be thinking, “Why the rush? Can’t we tackle this later?” Here’s the scoop: Life is unpredictable, and procrastination can be a costly gamble. Waiting until a crisis strikes to get these tools in place can lead to a whirlwind of legal and emotional chaos, leaving your parents’ wishes unfulfilled and their affairs in disarray. By proactively planning ahead, you’re not just checking items off a to- do list; you’re investing in your parents’ peace of mind and yours. Don’t wait for a storm to hit — get in touch with us today. Our process is designed with your family’s well-being in mind, offering personalized guidance and support every step of the way. –Chasity and TC
Inspired by TheSaltyMarshmallow.com
INGREDIENTS
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2 6-oz packages of ramen noodles 2 tsp of sesame oil 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tbsp brown sugar
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2 tsp Sriracha
Chopped green onions, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook the ramen noodles according to the instructions on the package. Toss the seasoning packet or save for another recipe. 2. Heat sesame oil in a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. 3. Add garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn. 4. Remove pan from heat, whisk in soy sauce, brown sugar, and Sriracha until well combined. Feel free to add more heat or sweetness to taste. 5. Drain noodles and combine with sauce, tossing gently. 6. If desired, add your choice of cooked meat or tofu and mix thoroughly. 7. Garnish with green onions.
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Inside this Issue
3 Estate Planning Documents Your Parents Need Right Now PAGE 1
Teen Hero in Action PAGE 2
Inside Our South African Getaway PAGE 2
Sesame Garlic Ramen PAGE 3
Exploring Sintra, Portugal PAGE 4
This Beautiful City Is Straight Out of a Fairy Tale
Add Sintra, Portugal, to Your Travel Plans!
As spring break nears, you might already have plans to travel to Punta Cana, London, Key West, Paris, or a similar destination city. One more to add to your travel checklist is Sintra, Portugal. This beautiful town rests on the hills of Serra de Sintra, just outside the capital, Lisbon. The two castles within the city are the main draws, and it’s easy to see why. Pena Palace and Gardens The National Pena Palace and Gardens are absolutely stunning. The palace is adorned in primary colors, with intricately carved yellow, red, and blue buildings. It’ll cost you 10 euros to explore the grounds and a couple of extra euros to go inside, but it’s worth it! The carvings include many styles, including Neo- Islamic and Neo-Renaissance. Everything is opulent, and you’ll have a great time
as you take in the extravagance. Some rooms are painted as an optical illusion, with doors and hallways looking three- dimensional when they’re just flat. Once you head back outside, the rest of the grounds are just as lovely. The enormous gardens have many trails, marked and unmarked. You can get lost in the beautiful oasis, and we encourage you to put aside at least half a day to explore the gardens. Quinta da Regaleira Quinta da Regaleira is the city’s second significant castle boasting beautiful gardens, but its main draw is the initiation well. This 80-foot-deep well is a wonder as it sinks into the earth with mossy walls. We suggest you go early, as this is another big attraction for
those visiting the city, and officials try to keep people moving as they arrive, mainly as it’s one-way traffic on the steps themselves. Once on the grounds, you can explore many grottos by following their main paths. The castle itself isn’t as opulent as Pena Palace, but it’s still a lovely location to visit. Sintra is perfect for any vacation, and though these are the main draws for the city, by no means are they the only ones. We encourage you to check out this city and see if it fits your travel plans.
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