Estate planning for your four-legged family members is the best way to ensure your pets continue to get the care, love, and support they need. Our team has helped many clients estate plan for their animals, and through all of the plans we’ve created, we’ve noticed one area that needs more attention. When you pick a pet caregiver, you want to ensure they can care for your four legged family member like you did. Evaluate how they will maintain your pet’s standard of living — can they handle that responsibility? To see if your preferred caregiver can maintain your four-legged family member’s lifestyle, you must outline your pet’s routine, needs, personality, and quirks. Is your pet high maintenance or low maintenance? Do they require daily medications? Do they attend any pet day care programs? What veterinarian hospital and doctor do you usually take them to? What is their typical day-to-day schedule? These are the questions and items you want to consider and mention in your estate plan, especially if your preferred caregiver cannot provide the same level of care and you need to adjust your plan. Consider Outlining These Items When Estate Planning for You
We live in a digital world where everything can be found online. Whether it’s storing data or gaining access to information, we tend to use the internet constantly. With so many innovations and new technologies being created, it’s no surprise that cybercrimes are becoming more frequent than ever. What are cybercrimes? Cybercrimes are criminal activities that involve computers, networked devices, or networks. These are typically committed by cybercriminals or hackers looking for ways to steal information, damage computers or networks, or make a profit — whether personal or political. Some types of cybercrimes include: • Email and internet fraud • Identity fraud (where personal information is stolen and used) • Theft of financial or card payment data • Theft and sale of corporate data • Infringing copyright • Selling illegal items online As more business transactions, such as paying bills, shopping, and trading, have moved online, cybercrimes have affected more people than ever before. Unfortunately, the ill effects often lead to extreme financial ruin for businesses and individuals. What happens if you’re found guilty of cybercrimes? Laws have been made to address criminal behavior that involves computers, computer systems, and the internet. In fact, each state has its requirements and potential penalties depending on the type of crime — and penalties may be severe, even for first-time offenders. The penalties could include the following: Fines These range widely, but a misdemeanor conviction can result in minor fees of a few hundred dollars or possibly up to $1,000. At the same time, felony convictions can have fines of up to $100,000. Jail or Prison If someone is convicted of a specific cybercrime, they can face jail or prison sentences. The most severe crimes can even result in a prison sentence of 20 years or more. Probation Depending on the case, a person can be on probation for a year or more and need to report to a probation officer, pay court costs and fines, or maintain employment. Though technology can make life a little easier, there are dangers we must avoid. So, create strong passwords, keep your systems updated, and be mindful of the information you’re giving out. Stay Safe Online! Guard Your Privacy and Peace of Mind
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