SWERDLOFF In The Know
www.lawwithasmile.com • 310-577-9104
SEPTEMBER 2018
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
Well, most of the kids are back to school, and the days are getting a bit shorter as we move into fall. As much as I enjoy summer, I’m eager to enjoy some cooler weather and nice quiet evenings! It’s been a busy season. In addition to a busy time at the office, at the end of July, I took a group of folks to CRE’s original production written by and starring military vets, called “Marching On.” We were blown away. The strength and vulnerability displayed by the actors — wow. I’m already looking forward to CRE’s next show. They do an incredible job every time. Now I’m ready to use this next season to look at how we can better serve our clients and get back into organization mode. It’s a good time of year to do that — to get organized and evaluate how everything is going in your life. It’s an especially good time to review your estate plan. Or if you haven’t created one yet, it’s a good time to initiate it. With your summer vacations wrapped up, take some time to sit down with your loved ones and talk about your estate plan. There are at least three important things you’ll want to think about when it comes to your estate plan. One, who are the members of the family who need to be protected or remembered in estate planning? Two, who are the key people who would be backups for you or the individual trust maker? There are a number of important roles to consider for this question, including successor and medical
trustees. Three, who are your beneficiaries? During an estate planning meeting, we’ll go over each of these questions with you and see that everything is covered. You’ll want to give these questions some thought. Remember, you are creating a safety net for your family and ensuring that your assets aren’t left to the state instead of going to your children. It’s very important to carefully consider each designation, especially if any dynamics have changed in your family since you first made your estate plan. You’ll probably want to talk them over with your spouse and consider what is the best fit for you. This isn’t just about wealth. An estate plan is part of the legacy that you will leave behind for your loved ones. There is an
emotional aspect to estate planning, and we do provide Kleenex. We understand that we’re asking you to think about your family after you’re gone. As part of the plan, you will write a letter to be included that your family will have after you're gone. These are words they will treasure, and you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ve put everything in place to give them secure futures. Whether you need to revisit your estate plan or create one for the first time, give us a call this month, and we’ll be happy to guide you through this process. While it’s a busy time for us, we will always make room for you. –Arthur J. Swerdloff
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NEW AND REDISCOVERED PASSIONS IN LATER LIFE A GUIDE TO PICKING A POST-CAREER HOBBY
must be continually funded, which means that all of your personal assets must be transferred into it before they can be dispersed to your beneficiaries. When some of your assets aren’t put into it, they won’t be given to the family or friends you intended. Instead, they are dispersed to heirs, by law, who may not be the beneficiaries you wanted. A pour-over will ensures that the assets that haven’t been transferred into the trust are still passed to your intended loved ones. Deciding which will is best for you is difficult. Many people don’t realize the burden that is placed on the family when the more delicate details of a will aren’t made. The hardest choice can rest with the guardians who have taken care of you in the last years of your life. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to take care of these details for the first time but aren’t sure of where to turn, Swerdloff Law can help. Call our offices today using hobby is a great use of your time at any age, but especially during retirement. As Dick Van Dyke once said, “To me, retirement means doing what you have fun doing.” Here are three questions to help you discover a hobby that’s right for you. DO YOU HAVE A DORMANT PASSION? Work has a tendency to put our other interests on the back burner. Maybe you painted for pleasure during college but put the canvas away to focus on your career. Perhaps you were once a chess fanatic, and today you find your board gathering dust from lack of use. Now is the perfect time to rediscover those once-beloved activities. WHAT HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO? Discovering new hobbies is just as rewarding as rekindling old ones. Have you ever heard about a pastime and thought, “I’d love to do that, if only I had the time”? Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe opened a
winery after retiring from football. While you probably don’t have the financial resources of a professional athlete, there’s nothing stopping you from pursuing a newfound passion at the same velocity as the footballs Bledsoe threw. IS THERE A CAUSE YOU WANT TO SUPPORT? Volunteer work can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when you have the time and energy to devote to it. Many older adults find that giving back to the community adds meaning and purpose to their lives. The best way to figure out how to donate your time is to think about a cause dear to your heart. From there, find a reputable organization that supports said cause, and see what you can do to help. Retirement is the perfect opportunity to throw yourself head-first into something you’re passionate about. So what are you waiting for?
Aside from financial concerns, the No. 1 question that most impending and recent retirees struggle to answer is how they will fill up all their time. While spending time with family and relaxing are priorities for most folks entering the post-career chapter of their lives, these aren’t enough to fill up the bulk of your newly acquired free time. Cultivating a
Make Decisions Now and Avoid Hardships Later THE BEST CHOICE FOR YOU
Many people don’t know or understand the difference between a living will and a pour-over will. Each has their pros and cons, and your choice depends on what you want for yourself and your family. Knowing the differences between them can help you make the right choice for you and your assets. A living will can be emotionally challenging to create. This type of will tells your doctors or guardians not to resuscitate you if you’re terminally ill, in a coma, or on any form of life-support. For some, this is the best choice to make. This kind of will also helps your loved ones by not leaving them with the decision to remove you from life-support once you can no longer communicate or act on your desires. A pour-over will serves as a safety net for your assets that are or aren’t included in a living trust. A living trust is a trust that
the number at the bottom of the page and receive a free consultation to go over each type of will and how they could benefit you and your family.
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STAYING HEALTHY THIS YEAR ENJOY THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR TO ITS FULLEST!
Focusing on your mental health is just as important as your physical health. During the school year, both students and parents can experience high stress levels due to tests or managing strict schedules. REDUCE STRESS If your children or grandchildren are going to school, there’s bound to be stress gripping the family. A helpful way to manage or reduce your stress is to not overload yourself. Set goals, create schedules, exercise, and set time aside for yourself. Having a full school and work load can be overwhelming, but if you manage your time wisely, you'll avoid the full brunt of it. GET ENOUGH SLEEP Not getting enough sleep can lead to a slew of problems. Some of the side effects of getting little sleep include an inability to focus, lack of energy, and a weakened immune system. Setting up a sleep schedule
and sticking with it can help you get a full night's rest. Also, ensure that your body and mind have thirty minutes to relax before bed without any technology. This can help your brain produce melatonin, which helps you fall asleep. FOCUS ON NUTRITION While grabbing takeout or stopping by a fast-food restaurant might save you time after a long day at work or school, it's not the healthiest option. Focusing on your diet can be tricky throughout the school year, but what you eat affects your attentiveness, energy levels, and the minerals and vitamins you need to avoid illness. On the weekend, plan out your meals for the week and go shopping for the ingredients you’ll need — this ensures that you’ll have food to eat at home. Set time aside for yourself for at least three meals a day, or be sure to pack healthy snacks you have access to throughout the day.
SUDOKU
ROASTED TURMERIC CAULIFLOWER
When it comes to eating paleo, side dishes are almost always a bigger challenge than mains. If you’re in need of a flavorful vegetable dish, check out this recipe for spicy, savory cauliflower.
Ingredients
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • 1 clove garlic, minced • 2 tablespoons water • Chopped fresh basil, to garnish
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon turmeric • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 400 F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together coconut oil, spices, garlic, and water. 3. Lay cauliflower across a large baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, and top with mixture. 4. Roast for 30 minutes, garnish with basil, and serve.
Inspired by PaleoHacks
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INSIDE
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A Time for Planning
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What Have You Always Wanted to Do? Living vs. Pour-Over Wills
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Make Smart Choices This School Year Roasted Turmeric Cauliflower
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Pigs to the Rescue
THAT’LL DO, PIG Oinkers That Saved Their Owners’ Bacon
More and more Americans are keeping pigs as pets than ever before. With their keen intelligence, laid-back amiability, goofy snorts, and, of course, their stubby little legs, it’s no surprise that people take to these plump, fuzzy animals. And here’s an extra bonus: Apparently, they also save lives! Take the aptly-named Lucky , for example. When Illinois resident Ina Farler woke up to the frantic porcine screams of her best friend, she knew something was up. “He would jump down, run to the door, and then jump back on the bed and hit me really hard,” she told Chicago 5 News. “When I sat up, I realized the room was really smoky.” Her house was ablaze, and her room was quickly turning into an oven. But thanks to Lucky, she was able to grab her two grandchildren, escape from the house, and call the fire department to stifle the blaze before it took down the entire property.
Lucky isn’t the only hog to have saved the day. Jo Ann and Jack Altsman adopted Lulu the pot-bellied pig after baby-sitting her for their daughter. Lulu grew to be great pals with Bear, the family’s American Eskimo dog. When Jo Ann suffered a heart attack while her husband was away on a fishing trip and no one else was around, Bear and Lulu teamed up to rescue their beloved owner. Sensing something was up, Bear barked furiously to get the attention of Lulu, who was out in the yard. Though she’d never come into the house from the yard before, she crammed her bulk through the much- too-small doggie door. In the process, she scraped her belly badly, drawing blood, but she pressed on in order to check on Jo Ann. Realizing that something was seriously wrong, she slammed back through the doggie door and scrambled out into the road, where she lay down.
Lulu eventually convinced one conscientious motorist to slow down and see what the commotion was about. He found Jo Ann unconscious in her home and quickly dialed 911. Though Lulu wasn’t allowed in the ambulance, her owner was rescued and recovered after an intense open-heart surgery. And, of course, Lulu got patched up too!
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www.lawwithasmile.com • 310-577-9104
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