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MARCH 2026
Someday Isn’t a Date Why Your Estate Plan Can’t Wait 561-955-8515 SiegelLawGroup.com
You likely felt the pull of procrastination on a few occasions during your time in school. You may have had weeks to complete a project, but decided to wait until the last few hours to get started. In most cases, your grade may have reflected the fact that you procrastinated, prompting you to improve and put more effort into your assignments. However, some will allow procrastination to dominate their lives throughout their education and well into adulthood. While it may be okay to put off some of your responsibilities around the house or at work, one critical element of procrastination can cause incredible challenges for you and your loved ones. When it comes to Estate Planning, time is of the essence. When you ask people without Estate Plans why they haven’t established one yet, one of the most common answers you’ll receive is, “I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.” People often assume they have to wait until they accumulate a certain amount of money or reach a specific age before creating their Will, naming their Powers of Attorney, or establishing a Trust, but this is a huge mistake. Everyone, regardless of age, wealth, or familial situation, can benefit from having an Estate Plan. Procrastination on creating one is only harming yourself and those you love. The biggest reason people believe they have more time to get their Estate Plan in order is that nearly everyone imagines aging gracefully in place, surrounded by
children. They do their best to keep the child’s best interests in mind, but it doesn’t always align with what the parents would have wanted. Keeps your family from having to make impossible decisions: Through your Estate Plan, you’ll be able to name people to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and can no longer make them yourself. You can also lay out your wishes, so they know exactly what you would want to happen in that unique situation. Without a plan, they must make those decisions without your input, which often leads to heartbreak, family infighting, and lasting emotional pain. Saves your loved ones from a costly public process: Without any sort of Estate Plan in place, your assets will be subject to Probate, which is often time- consuming and expensive. This is a time when they should be grieving, but they’ll lose that opportunity if you don’t have a plan in place. Plus, attorney and court fees can eat into any money you planned on leaving your heirs.
their loved ones, as they enter their golden years and can fully enjoy all the benefits of retirement. However, life rarely goes according to plan. We never truly know when our last day on Earth will be. We can take all of the proper precautions, eat healthy meals, and get regular exercise, but a car accident can jeopardize your life and future. Your Estate Plan protects against the unpredictability of life.
Here are a few situations that prove you should never wait to establish an Estate Plan.
Procrastination is a dangerous habit that can have disastrous effects when applied
Protects your minor children: What would happen to your children if you and their other parent passed away? You probably have someone in mind whom you want to become their guardian if you’re no longer around, but without a Will, the courts decide what happens to your
to Estate Planning. Call us today if you need to create or update your plan.
-Barry Siegel
1 561-955-8515
When people aren’t familiar with an idea, they tend to guess what it involves. Sometimes, they come close to the truth, whereas at other times they invent completely fictitious scenarios. This is how myths and rumors begin, and over time, they start to take on a life of their own, causing other people to adopt the same misconceptions. March 11 is Debunking Day, so there’s no better time to tackle three common myths related to Medicaid. MYTH 1: MEDICAID IS ONLY FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED MEANS. One of the most well-known features of Medicaid is that one needs to meet asset and income limits to qualify. While this is true, strategies are available that allow people of all backgrounds and levels of wealth to become eligible. It often requires proper planning and proactive measures to avoid conflicts with the five-year lookback period. Still, it is possible for just about anyone to qualify for Medicaid coverage. MYTH 2: MEDICARE WILL COVER MY LONG-TERM CARE COSTS. Most Americans are aware they will automatically become eligible for Medicare coverage upon turning 65. However, there are just as many misconceptions about Medicare as there are about Medicaid. One of which is that Medicare covers long-term care costs. That’s simply not true. Medicare will sometimes cover the first 100 days someone spends in a nursing home or assisted care facility, provided they have a qualifying hospital stay beforehand. However, they will drop coverage as soon as they believe the illness is chronic. This could be at the 100-day mark, or it could be after a week or two. Medicaid is your best option for long-term care needs, outside of the costly long-term care insurance route. MYTH 3: GIVING AWAY ASSETS WILL HELP YOU QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID. When people realize they need Medicaid coverage, they’ll often panic-sell or give away most of their assets to become eligible. However, you have to remember the five-year lookback period. Doing this will trigger penalties and could delay your eligibility. Further, gifting could create new tax implications for your heirs. If you’re worried about not qualifying due to your assets, ask us about Medicaid Protection Trusts. Medicaid Myths Busted What You Really Need to Know
Technology is part of almost every moment of our lives, from the instant our alarms buzz to wake us up to late- night scrolling before bed. But this connectivity comes at a cost. Excessive use of social media and devices can cause problems, from eye strain and physical pain to lower self- confidence and increased mental health issues. Our gadgets and tech tools are here to stay, but avoiding overuse is crucial. PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS Social media, in particular, can have detrimental effects on our mental health, instilling poor body image and other negative feelings. Editing selfies to perfection, receiving mean comments, and following posts that promote a specific ideal weight can all lead us to feel “less than.” Studies have also found that heavy use of social media increases the risk of depression. People may feel as if they’re missing out or have wasted time; they also may be exposed to cyberbullying. PHYSICAL EFFECTS The small screens of tablets, smartphones, and even laptops we stare at for hours every day can lead to eyestrain, headaches, and a feeling of fatigue. If you work a desk job or use the computer frequently, try the 20-20-20 rule. After 20 minutes of screen time, look away for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. Technology can also interfere with sleep if we look at our phones too close to bedtime. Consider setting those devices aside at least an hour before bed and engaging in a relaxing activity, such as taking a bath or reading a book. EFFECTS ON CHILDREN Since children’s brains are still developing, young people can experience even more negative effects of technology. Children who look at their screens for more than two hours a day have a greater risk of ADHD and trouble concentrating. Technology can lead to stress, poor social skills, and expose children and teens to harmful adult content. With overexposure to short content like TikTok videos, children can develop a short attention span. Scrolling Into Stress The Hidden Costs of Constant Screen Time
Technology is a powerful tool, but it’s crucial to find a balance to avoid the digital downsides.
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Luck Has Nothing to Do With It Estate Planning Is Non-Negotiable
Luck has the potential to influence numerous aspects of our lives. It essentially comes into play whenever something is entirely out of our control, such as
If you don’t create an Estate Plan, it’s not like you can count on luck being on your side. This is very much one of those moments where you make your own luck. Inaction will only lead to heartache and challenges for your loved ones after you’re gone. You have to leave luck on the back burner and be proactive with your Estate Planning actions. If you don’t, you will have absolutely no say in what happens to your assets after you’re gone. If you don’t have an Estate Plan in place when you pass away, everything you leave behind will be subject to intestacy laws and Probate. This essentially means your heirs have no say in how your assets are distributed, even if you explicitly stated your wishes to your family. Depending on your familial situation, your spouse, children, parents, or siblings could inherit everything or split it. What plays out could be the complete opposite of what you would have preferred. If you do not have an Estate Plan in place, your family won’t blame bad luck when they have to deal with Probate and everything it entails. They’ll likely wonder why you didn’t put more time and effort into a Plan that protects your family’s future.
where we were born, who our family is, whether we meet specific people, and many other factors. We often blame bad luck when we experience something negative, such as a car accident, and attribute good luck to unexpected windfalls and other positive outcomes in life. Some people even go so far as to allow luck to guide most of their life decisions.
While luck can be a fun concept to play around with, it should never take the
place of your plan for the future. Doing nothing and hoping everything will work out is a recipe for disaster, especially in the world of Estate Planning.
Sudoku
Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Ingredients • 8 oz fettuccine • 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice • 2 halves lemon zest • 1/4 tsp onion powder • 1/4 tsp ground mustard • 1–2 tbsp nutritional yeast • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 tsp flour • 2 tsp Italian seasoning • 3–4 lemon slices
• 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1 lb asparagus, chopped • Dash of salt and black pepper Lemon Cream Sauce • 1 tsp olive oil • 3–4 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/3 cup onion, chopped • 7 oz tofu • 1 cup nondairy milk
• Pepper flakes, black pepper, basil, vegan Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Directions 1.
Cook fettuccine; set aside. 2. In skillet for 30 seconds, heat oil and garlic. Add asparagus, salt, and pepper. 3. Cover, cook 3 minutes; transfer to bowl. 4. For sauce, in skillet over medium heat, add oil, garlic, and cook 8–10 seconds. 5. Add onion, cook 2 minutes. 6. Blend ingredients from tofu to flour until smooth. 7. Add blended sauce and herbs, to skillet; mix, simmer. 8. Fold in remaining lemon slices. Add pasta and 2/3 of the asparagus. 9. Cover, remove from heat for 2 minutes. 10. Garnish with peppers, basil, Parmesan cheese, and remaining asparagus.
Inspired by VeganRicha.com
3 561-955-8515
2500 N. Military Trail, Ste. 470 Boca Raton, FL 33431
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561-955-8515 SiegelLawGroup.com
Inside This Issue
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Procrastination and the High Cost of Waiting to Plan
The Downside of Digital Overload
Debunking Medicaid Misconceptions Before They Cost You
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Don’t Leave Your Legacy to Luck
Lemon Asparagus Pasta
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3 Essential Strategies Straight From Norway to Boost Your Daily Life
The Art of Slow Living Find Your ‘Velvære’ Through Nature, Community, and Coziness
According to the World Happiness Report, Norway consistently ranks in the top 10 happiest countries in the world, whereas the U.S. has been in the high teens for years. We can’t emulate everything Norwegians do to remain happy (nor would most Americans want to). But they do offer a unique strategy Americans can utilize to maintain a positive outlook on life. Velvære is the Norwegian word for the state of well-being, which can be achieved by adopting the Nordic concept of slow living.
outdoors plays a huge role in the Norwegian way of life, which directly impacts their happiness!
DUGNAD As we already know, community and belonging have a significant role in our happiness. Dugnad is a Norwegian activity all about helping and supporting one’s community. Whether through doing volunteer work, cleaning up public spaces, or raising money to support local causes, finding ways to help others will provide more value to your life and help your heart stay happy. KOSELIG How do you describe your everyday sense of being? Do you experience your life as chaotic, calm, or consistent? Koselig is the idea of incorporating coziness into all aspects of your life. When you carry yourself with a sense of warmth and comfort, you feel better and spread happiness everywhere you go.
Here are three strategies straight from Norway to help you reach velvære .
FRILUFTSLIV While friluftsliv may look like something found in a medical textbook, it refers to the Norwegian concept of open-air living and outdoor recreation. Norwegians spend ample time outside, regardless of the season. They ski, cook, and walk in nature. The
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