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DECEMBER 2024
LIVING THE CHRISTMAS DREAM Our European Holiday Adventure!
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ..." This holiday season, my family and I are lucky enough to be living that picture-perfect holiday scene over here in Europe! Have you ever visited a European Christmas market? In Europe this time of year, it gets dark super early, and the air gets nippy. But the Christmas markets are a great way to combat the gloom. These beautifully decorated markets come alive with twinkling lights, holiday shopping, and the iconic roasted chestnuts, usually made by a man in his 80s who has been doing it for most of his life and perfected the art over a small open flame. The aroma of roasting chestnuts and spiced treats fills the air in these quaint villages, and it’s just magical. The holiday lights twinkle up and down every street — even at the intersections! Europeans truly embrace the holiday spirit and transform even the coldest, dreariest days into something magical. We love the warm and cozy food and snacks and enhancing the holiday spirit. Each village seems more beautifully decorated than the last — from Germany and Switzerland to the gorgeous towns of Croatia. This time of year, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be for the holidays. If we could bottle up this season’s joy and coziness, we totally would. As I write this, we are in Croatia, where it gets dark around 4:30 p.m. The early sunsets give us something to look forward to and brighten up the long evenings. We’ve been keeping plenty busy here! Because Croatia has lots of islands along its coast on the Adriatic Sea, we’re spending lots of time on the water, exploring secluded beaches and charming restaurants you can only reach by boat. The seafood here is amazing — super fresh. At a local spot, we saw a guy ride up on a bike, carrying bags of fish in each hand. Now that’s what I call a fresh catch! Finn is 10 now, and it's amazing watching him grow into such a little man right before my eyes. He's having the time of his life, jumping off the boat with me. We've found these incredible caves, only reachable by diving under a rock wall, and he’s right there with me, ready for the adventure! The caves are stunning — sunlight reflects off the sand, filling the space with this brilliant, light blue glow. Exploring together has been a blast, and the Croatian people have been so warm and welcoming. Every day here brings something new and breathtaking — it’s hard to believe how beautiful this place is!
While we were out on the boat, a marlin leaped about 15 feet into the air right in front of us, and — get this — our boat driver dashed below deck, grabbed a spear gun and flippers, and dove straight into the water to try and catch it! Finn and Harlow were absolutely wide-eyed with amazement. It was surreal … there we were, in the middle of the sea, witnessing this wild, spontaneous moment. When we asked him what he’d do if he actually caught it, he laughed and said, “I’d figure out a way to get it back!” The kids’ faces were priceless. If you ever have a chance to visit these Christmas markets and European treasures, I hope you do! We have been having the time of our lives, soaking up all the holiday cheer and keeping the magic of the season alive!
From our family to you and yours, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
–Case Barnett
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A Simple Guide for Peace of Mind How to Ensure Your Will Reflects Your Current Wishes
Whether getting divorced or welcoming a new child, you may need to change or revoke your will to reflect any life changes. Why? Because significant changes can affect how your assets are handled. Common reasons for adjusting a will include marriage, divorce, new family members, financial changes, buying or selling property, or appointing a new guardian for a minor. So, how do you change a will? In the past, people added a codicil, an amendment to the original document. However, codicils can create confusion and legal disputes. They require signatures and witnesses, just like a will, which can make them more of a hassle than they’re worth. A simpler approach is to create a new will entirely. This new document should clearly state that it revokes all previous versions, including any codicils, ensuring your latest wishes are honored without question. Creating a new will is generally no more complex or costly than adding a codicil and provides a clearer legal foundation.
Sometimes, you may need to revoke your will but are not ready to make a new one, but simply destroying the current will might not be enough. If other copies of the will exist, a probate court might still consider those copies valid.
Revoking a will is essentially canceling it. Once a will is properly revoked, it no longer exists legally. If you’re considering revoking your will, it’s essential to do so through legal means to ensure your intentions are clear. Only the person who created the will, known as the
testator, can revoke it. Once the testator dies, the will becomes legally binding and cannot be changed or revoked.
Whether you need to account for new family dynamics, financial shifts, or relocations, ensuring your will accurately reflects your wishes is crucial to avoid future
confusion and legal complications. If you are unsure how to proceed or have concerns, consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney can provide peace of mind and help safeguard your legacy.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST "Look no further! We all have preconceived ideas about lawyers — but when our child was involved in a traumatic accident in California — miles away from home — we needed help. Someone who could help us in understanding specific legal details and insurance issues involved in California — but even more importantly, someone who
would be an advocate for our child and help to get life back to normal. We were very fortunate to find Case Barnett. Case and his team were immediately there for our child — assisting in all of the details, big and small necessary to deal with the difficulties following an accident. Our relief was immediate that we'd found someone who cared about our child's well-being first and foremost and who was going to help us 'make it right' again. "If you're in need of an outstanding and caring legal team in Southern California to help you ... you'll have found them with Case Barnett."
–Terri H. This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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PAGE 3
TASTY HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE Add even more cheer to the holidays with this decadent chocolate mousse.
A Christmas Shoutout to My Greatest Mentor: My Dad This Christmas, I want to give a big shoutout to my dad. He’s been an incredible mentor, teaching me everything I know about trying a case, working with clients, and running an office. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance and example. The way he conducted himself throughout his career was truly inspiring. He was always a force to be reckoned with — handling every challenge with professionalism and earning the respect of everyone around him, not because he tried to but because that’s who he is. He learned this from his own father, and that integrity paved the way for me. Starting my career with a solid foundation of respect from others was a gift I’ll always be grateful for. Throughout my career, one of my main responsibilities has been to uphold the high standards my dad set before me. The credibility I received from day one was built on his dedication and hard work, and I never take that for granted — not for a second. People say our actions carry on through future generations, and with my dad, this couldn’t be truer. His influence has been an inspiration and helps me not only build this firm but also support my family in the process.
Ingredients
• 10 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped • 4 tbsp butter
• 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions
1. In a medium heatproof bowl, add
chocolate and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and blended, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick. Then gradually add melted chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. 3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. 4. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold egg whites and then cream into the chocolate mixture. 5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill for 3 hours or until set.
LAUGH LAWS
This Christmas, I want to thank you, Dad, for the sacrifices you’ve made and all the wisdom you’ve shared. You are the perfect example of who I continue to aspire to be. Thank you!
–Case Barnett
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 Our European Holiday Adventures Page 2 The Best Way to Update Your Will Without Confusion
Our Clients Say It Best
Page 3 A Heartfelt Thank You to My Dad This Christmas
Tasty Holiday Chocolate Mousse
Page 4 Unravel the Myth of the 16th-Century Rocket Cat
CAT-APULTING INTO HISTORY THE FELINE-FLYING MILITARY TACTIC THAT NEVER TOOK OFF
Throughout military history, you'll find strategic experiments ranging from the genius to the downright bizarre. But few can top the zany brainchild of Franz Helm, a 16th-century German artillery aficionado whose bright idea left historians — and cat lovers — utterly bewildered. Let's set the scene with Helm’s magnum opus, the "Feuer Buech," published in 1584, a treasure trove of (literally) explosive innovations in warfare. Imagine this: a battlefield in the Renaissance, not just filled with the clang of swords and the thunder of cannons, but also — wait for it — flying, flaming cats. Yes, you read that right. Franz Helm's groundbreaking military tactic involved jetpacks for cats. Picture a kitty, strapped with a sack of gunpowder, zipping through the air like a furry missile aimed at enemy strongholds. The hope? These feline projectiles would scamper back to their homes — presumably in enemy territory — and start a blazing inferno. One can only wonder about how they would train cats to become arsonists. The method was straightforward:
kidnap an enemy cat, strap it into a gunpowder-laden backpack, light the fuse, and hope Mr. Whiskers doesn't get cold paws about blowing up its evil overlords. Preserved for posterity at the University of Pennsylvania, the "Feuer Buech" reminds us of the lengths human creativity can go — especially when combined with a profound misunderstanding of cat behavior. As any cat owner will
tell you, cats have their own agendas. The chances of a cat completing its fiery mission are about as high as it bringing you the morning newspaper.
Thankfully, we have no evidence that this pyrotechnic plan ever came to pass. Considering cats' notorious independence, we can rest assured that no self-respecting felines took part in these explosive escapades.
So, next time you're cuddling with your cat, be thankful its biggest inclination is to knock pens off your table rather
than infiltrate enemy castles with fire.
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