Crucial Communication, Clear Legacies The Dangers of Hidden Family Secrets
1. You may become incapacitated before you pass away. Unfortunately, serious accidents, severe illnesses, and unforeseen medical situations can strike at any age. Would your loved ones know how to address advanced nursing care, medical expenses, or end-of-life decisions if you become unable to express these wishes yourself? Suppose specific individuals have been given these roles in your estate plan. In that case, they should be informed of their responsibilities to ensure they are available and able to perform them as necessary. 2. Your loved ones may have difficulty interpreting your plans upon your death. Presenting your thoughts properly on paper or in digital form is one of the most challenging aspects of estate planning. Although you may know what you want to say, your loved ones and beneficiaries may be confused by your
chosen directions and how they should proceed with your plan. Additionally, your plan may be subject to change based on logistical matters — including relocations and home sales — that could dramatically affect what will occur after you’re gone. It is critical to review your estate plan regularly and make updates accordingly. Don’t assume your loved ones will be able to decipher details that became irrelevant a decade ago when you sold your home or a beneficiary passed away. Of course, no two estate plans are alike, and your unique family circumstances may require disinheritances and other sensitive matters that make open communication even more difficult. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about effectively communicating your estate plan with
When it comes to conversations about estate planning, what a person doesn’t say often matters most. Discussing your legacy with loved ones is typically not a comfortable family activity, and some clients feel the best way to handle matters is to keep certain people in the dark. Regardless of the reason, keeping critical information from beneficiaries or even the individuals responsible for carrying out your plans could have unintended — and potentially devastating — consequences. Here are two of the biggest reasons open communication is key to a successful and worry-free estate plan.
others before it goes into effect.
TAKE A BREAK!
We’re in the middle of Lent, so there’s no better time to host your own fish fry for your loved ones! INGREDIENTS
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Vegetable oil 2 lbs fresh cod
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2 tbsp water
2 cups plain bread crumbs 1/2 tsp mustard powder 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
2 large eggs
Lemon wedges
DIRECTIONS 1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy! (239) 265-9779 Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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