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Meet Holly King The Failed Retiree
I’m Holly King, and I’ve been working on people’s final wishes, in one way or another, for over 30 years. A few years ago, I tried retiring. It only lasted a year and a half because the lifestyle didn’t suit me. I love to stay busy, and you’ll never find me staring at the clock wishing the day was over. I’d rather get things done! When I was only 18, I began working in a probate office, and the subject soon became a passion of interest. I considered becoming a court reporter at one point, but school would have been too difficult while I was raising children. Instead, I became a probate office supervisor for 15 years. Having always worked in probate and guardianship, I was excited to round out my knowledge by entering the estate planning field. I joined Sheppard Law in January 2022 as a document preparation coordinator. In simpler terms, I draft all the estate plans per the attorney’s instructions and the client’s wishes. The estate planning attorneys then review and revise the documents before sending them to clients. I also prepare everything for our signing appointments, so the process goes smoothly and is free of surprises. My favorite part of my work is how it allows me to meet new people and get to know them. Your estate planning documents are so personal, so the signing appointments are, too. The clients we work with are such friendly people, and I enjoy spending time with them. I also like seeing the process through to the end and helping them get the final details of their estate plans sorted. I’m a third-generation Floridian, a dying breed with all our transplants coming into the state from elsewhere. I was born in Lakeland and moved to Lehigh Acres when I was about 5. I still live in the same area where I grew up and regularly see people I knew as a kid. It’s a lot of fun having that sense of community. Sadly, my husband died in August after a brief battle with cancer. The way Sheppard Law responded was a blessing. They allowed
me to work from home while caring for him, and
provided time off for me to grieve. I am so thankful for their compassion. Before he passed away, I was training a service dog for him, a border collie named Ringo. Ringo is now my service dog, and we keep each other company. I have two adult
children: a daughter in Largo and a musician son who still lives with me while he goes to school. I also have a delightful 9-year-old granddaughter who I spend time with whenever I can. I enjoy going to the gym in my spare time and particularly love high- intensity interval training. I get bored when I get on the treadmill and quit as soon as I get tired. But in a class, I am motivated to keep going and push myself to the limit. I also grow tropical plants like orchids and have plants all over my house and yard. Yardwork isn’t a chore for me; it’s a way to relax and have fun. And since I like to stay busy, work usually isn’t much “work” for me either! I’m grateful for all the incredible people I’ve had the opportunity to work with at Sheppard Law, and I look forward to staying active at the office and home.
–Holly King
1 (239) 265-9779
DECEMBER 2022
Lighting Up Life One Pine Needle at a Time Travel-Worthy Christmas Trees As the holiday season approaches, the twinkling lights and spectacular Christmas tree attractions are always a must-see! Here are the best travel destinations to catch a
feet high and decorated with 2,500 red, white, and green electric bulbs. A local choir and a quartet from the U.S. Marine Band performed as the tree was lit. The Coeur d’Alene Resort Tree in Idaho Also known as the World’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree, this grand fir holds the record at 162 feet tall. It is festively
glimpse of one of the pillars of the holidays. The Rockefeller Center Tree in New York City
The Rockefeller Center tree is located just west of 5th Avenue from 47th through 51st streets in New York City and dates back to the Depression era, with the first tree placed there in 1931. This beloved tourist attraction draws thousands yearly with its dazzling lights and grand scale. To even be considered a contender for this role, a tree must be at least 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide! The National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. This American favorite has long been a tradition. Every year, the ceremony begins with live performances by musical artists, and an annual highlight is when the president delivers a message of peace. President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to light the National Christmas Tree in 1923. The tree was 48
decorated with more than 40,000 lights that twinkle in time to the music of “Jingle Bells,” and the tree is crowned with a 10-foot-wide star! The Biltmore Christmas Tree in North Carolina
This majestic 55-foot Norway spruce tree is in front of the Biltmore Estate and lit as guests make their way down the path of luminaries. With ornaments and miles of garland, this tree is selected for the Banquet Hall each year for guests from all over to see. Some are lucky enough to live near or in a city with a magnificent tree, but if you don’t, consider traveling to one of these locations to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones.
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The Value of Ethical Wills
An estate plan primarily consists of legal documents determining how your assets will be distributed after death. But we all know that people leave far more behind than money and personal effects. We will touch countless lives before our time on Earth is through, and most of us hope to have somehow made the world a better place. None of that can be accounted for in your estate plan, but you can reflect on the legacy you’ll leave behind in an ethical will. An ethical will is a Jewish custom, practiced as far back as medieval times. Called “tzavaot,” these documents passed along wisdom, reflections on one’s life, and the values the writer held dear. While the practice became less popular as the years passed, people of all faiths increasingly found value and solace in the process. Ethical wills are not legal documents. They’re a way of writing your legacy for the people you’ll leave behind, and people generally share it while they’re still alive so they can discuss it with loved ones. Many families feel a deeper connection after going through the process. Your loved ones will also cherish the document someday and consider it an essential part of your memory.
What do you include in an ethical will? There’s no one “right” way to do this exercise, so the answer is up to you. But ethical wills do tend to contain
common themes. Many people like to preserve memories of their youth and formative years so time will not forget them. This section can include information about your family, accomplishments, and experiences that made you who you are. An ethical will is also an excellent place to share your beliefs with your loved ones. Some of those beliefs might be religious, and many include meaningful practices or traditions they’d like to see continued in the future. But you can also share your values and viewpoint on the world. Additionally, some ethical wills contain regrets and apologies. Finally, many include their hopes for children, grandchildren, and future generations after they’re gone. An ethical will is a highly personal process. It may come quickly to some, while others will struggle with what to write. But a few things about writing your ethical will are certain: You’ll create a priceless family heirloom and learn a lot about yourself along the way.
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Gaining Perspective With Mental Subtraction
I meet with wealthy people; that’s the nature of estate planning. It’s striking how people adapt to having material wealth yet still need more to feel financially secure. A client with a $4 million net worth wants to have $10 million. Once attained, the number moves to $20 million. I’m guilty of this as well, but if you ever feel like you haven’t reached that horizon you’re always going after, realize this: The horizon always moves
Lessons From ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
In a recent blog post, attorney Craig Hersch reflected on the lessons of a favorite Christmas movie. Read his full thoughts on the Sheppard Law Firm blog at FloridaEstatePlanning.com/mentalsubtraction . In Frank Capra’s 1946 film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” an angel named Clarence appears to George Bailey, who is about to jump off a bridge to end his life. Clarence takes George through a spiritual tour of the world as it would have been if George was never born. Rather than convincing George not to jump by counting his blessings, Clarence shows George the ripples and repercussions that would have occurred if he’d never come into the world. By imagining the disappearance of everything good in his life, and the negative impact of his absence, George realizes just how rare and precious his life is. Borrowing this idea, psychologists have conducted tests to see if thinking of the absence of the good things in your life could make you appreciate them more — a concept called mental subtraction. Research shows that imagining the absence of a positive event or person in your life has a more powerful effect on you than simply thinking about them. For example, those who imagined never meeting their spouse or significant other reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction after doing the mental subtraction exercise.
away from you. You will never touch it. The true measure of how well you’re doing isn’t by looking forward to some ideal — it’s by looking backward. Where did you begin? How far have you come? My friend, fraternity brother, and college roommate, Leland Reiner, loved to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” every year when it came on television during the Christmas season. Tragically, he passed away from a brain aneurysm at age 23, just after graduation. I only wish
that I imagined him missing from my life in a mental subtraction exercise and appreciated him more while he was here.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs
This year-round treat is the perfect dessert for any holiday party. Since you don’t need to worry about a hot oven, it’s a great recipe to make with the whole family — including the little ones!
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
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1 cup powdered sugar
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3 tbsp softened butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 lb white chocolate candy coating
DIRECTIONS 1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, and softened butter. Mix until evenly combined. 3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the lined cookie sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until firm. 4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate candy coating in increments of 30 seconds, stirring occasionally until smooth. 5. In the same bowl, use skewers to dip peanut butter balls into the chocolate before placing them on a lined cookie sheet so they can harden. 6. Chill until ready and then serve!
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INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
Meet Holly King! PAGE 1 Best Christmas Tree Attractions to Visit This Holiday Season PAGE 2 Considering an Ethical Will PAGE 2 How Do We Measure Success? PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 No-Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs PAGE 3 Banish Trash With Plogging PAGE 4
The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.
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Boost Your Health While Helping the Environment
According to Our World in Data, the world manufactures more than 270 million tons of plastic annually. About 8 million tons of this plastic winds up in the ocean — that’s 3%! Plogging, a fad that originated in Sweden to help minimize pollution, is taking the world by storm. Essentially, you jog and pick up litter at the same time! Some cardio and a giant clean-up effort? It’s a great way to enjoy the cool winter temperatures while doing something good for the environment! Plogging can be done with others, at any time, and pretty much anywhere litter or trash exists. It’s a win-win! The origin of the word “plogging,” according to the Farmer’s Almanac, comes from a combination of jogging and the Swedish word for “pick up,” which is “plocka upp.” All
you need is a pair of running shoes, a trash bag, stamina, some free time, and water to stay hydrated! If you’re interested in taking up the hobby or plogging every now and then to make a difference in our environment, here are some tips to keep the activity fun and interesting! Head out in groups. Everything is more fun with others! Round up a group of friends, family, or coworkers and join the initiative together. If you’re up for it, you can even make it a contest! Add in different exercises. Plogging doesn’t only have to incorporate jogging — while gathering trash; you can do squats, burpees, lunges, or even pushups.
Switch up arms. While plogging, holding the garbage bag in the same hand can become uncomfortable, especially as that bag gets heavier! Be sure to change which arm holds it from time to time! Incorporate sprints. If jogging becomes too simple for you, try sprinting between trash to intensify the activity. Plogging is a great way to reduce pollution while getting in your workout! Local parks, neighborhoods, and common areas are a great place to start!
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