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June/July 2023
A Salute to the Heroes and Sheroes They’re Stronger Than Cancer
Every year, millions of Americans receive a cancer diagnosis that permanently changes their lives. They have to undergo intensive treatment and make lifestyle changes that give them the best chance of survival. The American Cancer Society predicts that over 1.9 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and over 600,000 individuals will pass away due to complications caused by cancer. One of the scariest things about cancer is that it seems to be unpredictable. While we can reduce the dangerous behaviors that lead to cancer, like smoking, eating fried foods, and drinking alcohol, the truth is that anyone at any time in their lives can receive a cancer diagnosis. In June, we recognize Cancer Survivor Month, which gives us an opportunity to salute those who came away victorious in their battle while remembering those who weren’t so fortunate. Nearly all of us have had an experience with cancer at some point in our lives. My grandmother died of breast cancer, and I had two aunts who also fought battles against different cancers. I’ve even been able to help many cancer survivors through my work. When you meet and talk with cancer survivors, or those still battling the disease, you gain an understanding of the challenges they’ve faced and their perseverance to overcome obstacles. Science and awareness have come a long way, which has helped us curb cancer’s negative effects. The mortality rate from cancer peaked in 1991, and we have seen a steady decline in cancer-
“As we enter the summer season, many of us want to be as carefree as possible, but it’s important to remember that we need to make efforts to maintain our health.”
related deaths since then. We can detect cancer much earlier, allowing individuals to get necessary care as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to feel your body and look for areas of concern. If you feel a lump, regardless of where it is located, do not wait to see if it goes away. Get it looked at as soon as possible so you can start chemotherapy and get the treatment you need to stand strong and survive the disease. Another strategy that you should use to stay ahead of the game and manage the risk of a cancer diagnosis is knowing your family’s medical history. Ask your family members if they know of any cancer history within the family. Although cancer is not necessarily hereditary, your risk of developing cancer is greater if you have family members who fought the disease. Don’t forget that we’re here to help you through these difficult situations as well. We might not be able to provide you with treatment, but we can help you get an estate plan in place that will help relieve any unnecessary stress. With a medical directive, we can even ensure that you and your family are cared for if you become incapacitated. Call us today to find out how we can help! As we enter the summer season, many of us want to be as carefree as possible, but it’s important to remember that we need to make efforts to maintain our health. Schedule appointments and see medical professionals when you feel something isn’t right. It could make all the difference in your and your family’s lives.
–Melanie M. Lee
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Break the Ice on Estate Planning How to Start a Family Conversation About the Future
So, how do you start that potentially uncomfortable conversation? Begin by choosing the right moment. Ideally, you should talk in person, but don’t disrupt a holiday or special occasion with the topic. A phone call can work for faraway relatives who rarely meet in person, but chatting via text is unlikely to go well. You might begin the conversation by bringing up a recent news item, but it’s also okay to say, “I’ve been working on my estate plan, and I’d like to share some of the details with you.” Remember that your loved ones will likely be surprised and uncomfortable when you raise the topic. They might try to change the subject or deflect by stating you have a long life ahead. It’s a defense mechanism to avoid thinking about losing a loved one. Talk initially in broad strokes; the details of your trust and how you’ll minimize tax consequences are too much to start. Explain why you have created an estate plan, what you aim to accomplish, and why you think it’s important to discuss. Then, ask for their input or if they have any concerns they’d like to raise. If things get too emotional, take a break and return to the topic later. No estate planning conversation should be one-and-done. Your assets, wishes, and the makeup of your family may change over the years. Try normalizing talking about estate planning periodically; it will feel less daunting. These conversations usually feel uncomfortable initially, but they’ll eventually strengthen your relationships and help you and the people you love better understand each other. You owe it to your family to share your wishes, clarify your intentions, and prevent future heartache. Talking about your estate plan is an unconventional but necessary act of love.
Estate planning is a delicate subject. It stirs up feelings about our mortality, raises questions of fairness, and can open old family wounds. In large part, to avoid this discomfort, countless people choose not to make an estate plan. Even fewer decide to discuss the matter with their loved ones. Keeping quiet on the subject usually feels easier, but it’s a mistake with lasting consequences. While few people look forward to these conversations, having them before anything happens to you is best. When emotions run high, people can make poor decisions and say things they regret. In an outcome no one wants, families can fracture due to fights over estates after a loved one’s death. Further, you probably want to use your assets to benefit family members fairly after your death. But what you and your family members consider fair may be very different. For example, you may learn that one family member doesn’t want a particular asset or that a property means more to one child than another. Dividing your assets is ultimately up to you — but if your goal is to leave your loved ones better off, it’s worth listening to what they say.
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SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST CREATES OPTIONS Safeguard Assets for Family Members With Disabilities We create estate plans to protect our loved ones, and family members with disabilities are often most susceptible to financial difficulty. But safeguarding their futures is not always as simple as leaving a lump sum behind. An improperly structured estate can ultimately harm your loved one more than it helps, but a special needs trust will support and improve their lives. Many people with disabilities in the U.S. receive government assistance. But programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid have strict eligibility requirements. For example, an SSI recipient cannot own more than $2,000 in assets. Therefore, even relatively small gifts can affect their qualification for benefits.
Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com SEAFOOD PASTA SALAD
Ingredients
• ½ cup red peppers, chopped • ½ cup onions, diced • ½ cup shredded carrots • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes • ½ cup of Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 4 cups fusilli noodles • 2 cups crab meat or shrimp • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 2 cups ranch dressing • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed • ½ cup green peppers, chopped
Directions 1. In a large pot, bring the fusilli noodles to a boil and cook until al dente, then drain. 2. In a large bowl, combine noodles, crab or shrimp, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, peas, green and red peppers, onions, and carrots, then mix together gently. 3. Refrigerate the pasta salad for 3–4 hours. If salad is dry upon removing salad from refrigerator, add more ranch dressing. 4. Once you’re ready to eat, top salad with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese if desired.
A special needs trust holds funds for your loved one without impacting their eligibility for government programs. A person can fund the trust with as many or as few cash or property assets as they’d like. A special needs trust will grant your family member additional resources without restricting their access to otherwise costly support services, medical care, or housing. Under a special needs trust, your loved one with a disability is a beneficiary, and they will not have direct access to the trust. You must also designate a trustee, a third party who controls and distributes the funds. Depending on your situation and preferences, the trustee can be a trusted family member or a third-party paid administrator. The trustee cannot give cash directly to the beneficiary but can use the assets to purchase items and services to improve their quality of life. Many people use special needs trusts for out-of-pocket medical expenses, a home, bills, or recreation. A special needs trust can even fund a vacation for your loved one! Ultimately, the trustee has fiduciary responsibility and is legally obligated to act in the beneficiary’s best interests. Special needs trusts can be complicated, and people making their estate plans have options between multiple types of trusts. A mistake can cost a loved one dearly, so it’s always wise to speak to an experienced estate planning attorney to understand your options. They can confirm a special needs trust fits your goals and will draft all necessary documents correctly to ensure your wishes are fulfilled.
TAKE A BREAK
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Lee Law Office 1809 W. Main St. Richmond, VA 23220 804-204-1500 www.mleelaw.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Fight Against Cancer
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Discussing Your Estate Plan With Family 101
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Seafood Pasta Salad
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Special Needs Trust Creates Options
The History of the Statue of Liberty’s Arrival
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Behind the Landmark’s Journey to US Shores Lady Liberty Lands in America
for the statue because he imagined the figure welcoming people to America. Intended as a gift for the United States’ 100 years of independence in 1876, construction did not begin until that year due to funding issues. Even with the help of engineer Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, the project was a massive undertaking that took years for workers to complete. Titling it the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, its creators presented the finished monument to the U.S. Minister to France on Independence Day 1884, then disassembled it for shipping. On June 17, 1885, France’s gift arrived in more than 200 cases. But unfortunately, the United States wasn’t ready. Again facing a budget shortfall, the U.S. had not yet completed the pedestal to support the statue. When workers finally finished that last piece in 1886, a construction crew of mostly new immigrants reassembled the monument. Lady Liberty debuted to the public on Oct. 28, 1886, and she was an instant hit. Originally shiny like a new penny, the copper statue took less than 20 years to oxidize from the elements and gain the distinctive green hue it has today. Despite her French origins, the Statue of Liberty is now as American as apple pie, and her unmistakable image continues to represent the country’s values of freedom for all.
It’s hard to imagine the United States without its most iconic landmark, but the Statue of Liberty didn’t arrive on our shores until more than 100 years after the American Revolution ended. The torch-bearing monument so closely associated with our nation finally reached its home in the U.S. in May 1885 — but it arrived unceremoniously in 350 pieces.
Contrary to widespread assumption, the Statue of Liberty did not celebrate America’s founding. Edouard de Laboulaye was a French anti-slavery advocate who wanted to give the country a statue representing freedom as the Civil War ended. He conceived of the sculpture in 1865 to mark the recent abolition of slavery. Laboulaye and sculptor Auguste Bartholdi decided on Lady Liberty because she was a familiar icon in U.S. culture, and a similar image appeared on American currency. Though invisible from most viewing angles, the statue has a broken shackle by her feet, representing a move toward freedom.
Bartholdi chose Bedloe’s Island, now known as Liberty Island, as the ideal site
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