Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
Build It, Protect It, Preserve It.
740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com
February/March 2026
What It Really Means to Be a Leader More Than a Title
Throughout our lives, we encounter leaders who instill pride, drive, and passion into us. They may have been teachers who encouraged us during our school years, employers who pushed us to be the best version of ourselves, or mentors who provided a guiding hand through difficult times. Even after we stop interacting with these leaders, their words of wisdom and guidance usually stick with us for years to come. Feb. 20 is National Leadership Day, giving us a great opportunity to reflect on our own leadership experiences while sharing appreciation for the leaders who helped us along the way. Every single one of us can be a leader, whether we believe it or not. When I think about what it means to be a leader, it’s not just reaching milestones, increasing sales at a business, or even watching over a team. It comes down to instilling a desire in other people to follow them. They aren’t just leaders because they are in an authoritative position or have a fancy title; they inspire everyone around them through their actions and words. When done properly, they can leave a profound positive impact on everyone they encounter. Whenever I need a burst of inspiration or a push to further develop my leadership skills, I read through this creed compiled by longtime politician Dean Alfange: “I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon if I can. I seek opportunity, not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the State look after me. I want to take calculated risks; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for dole; I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence. The thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master, nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid. To think and act for myself, to enjoy the benefit of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say: This, with God’s help, I have done all that what it means to be an entrepreneur.”
As an entrepreneur and business owner, this creed resonates deeply with me and provides invaluable inspiration to lead my team and be the best version of myself. However, it’s worth noting that professional growth needs to go hand-in-hand with personal growth. Often, people try to grow professionally without worrying about personal development or how their habits influence their career. It’s so easy to watch others in leadership positions and say, “Oh, well, I would have done it this way,” but until you are in that position yourself, you don’t realize how much risk is involved. Good leaders are bold enough to take a risk that makes a real difference, even if it’s not the obvious or most-desired option. I turn 40 this February, and to honor the occasion, I’m committing myself to improving my leadership skills by being more intentional with my actions and words. This perspective has helped me reach new heights, and I hope my leadership ideals will propel me toward future success.
THE LEGAL DRAGON –Edward Littlejohn Jr.
740-314-4829 1
ople to Thank
A WHIFF OF WELLNESS
A simple scent can do more than brighten a room. Fragrances can lift your mood, ease tension, and even help you sleep better. For older adults managing chronic pain, sleepless nights, or everyday stressors, aromatherapy offers a gentle, natural boost that works alongside your regular wellness plan. Signaling in the Brain When a scent reaches your nose, it sends a quick message to the brain’s emotional and memory centers, also known as the limbic system. That direct pathway helps explain why a single whiff can lift your spirits, calm an anxious moment, or trigger a comforting memory. Bright citrus scents can perk you up, while lavender often calms a restless mind. Sharpening Your Mind Some research has linked regular, gentle exposure to certain aromas with improvements in attention and memory, especially when people make it part of their nightly routine. While results aren’t guaranteed for everyone, many older adults report feeling mentally sharper or more at ease after using familiar, pleasant scents in their homes. Finding Relief Through Fragrance For those having trouble sleeping, lavender has been linked to deeper, more restful sleep. For maximum effect, try a simple massage with a diluted oil before bed, allowing the scent to settle in both through your skin and the air around you. While aromatherapy won’t cure pain, inhaling or gently massaging essential oils can encourage the release of feel- good hormones, easing your discomfort. Studies show inhaled oils may provide mild relief for chronic pain, making them a soothing addition to your wellness toolkit. Starting Safely • Always dilute: Combine 6–10 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil, such as coconut or grapeseed oil, to prevent skin irritation. • Never ingest oils: Concentrated oils can be toxic if swallowed. • Check with your doctor. Especially if you take medications or have skin sensitivities. Aromatherapy can be a simple and delightful addition to your daily wellness routine. With a little experimentation, the right scents can lift your mood, ease tension, and add a touch of joy to everyday moments. A few mindful breaths could be all it takes to feel more centered, alert, and at peace. Fragrant Paths to Clarity, Comfort, and Calm
No Estate Plan, No Peace How Probate Turns Grief Into a Courtroom Battle People make all kinds of excuses when it comes to establishing an estate plan. They put it off for years, thinking they would do it when the time was right, but the simple truth is that everyone can benefit from creating a plan. If you don’t establish one, your loved ones will have to go to probate court to work through your assets, which can be a costly and arduous process. If you love your family, put a plan in place for them. Whenever someone passes away without an estate plan, the court gets to make most of the decisions, which could go completely against what you would have wanted to happen. Let’s look at an example based on a real scenario that our firm recently handled. A man passed away without any sort of plan in place, which meant we had to ask the probate court to identify the heirs. They discovered four possible people: a son who shared the same name, a girl he had custody of since she was 3 years old, another child listed in the obituary, and a son who was in his 70s who had never met his father. The probate court got to decide who the official heirs were, and as you might imagine, this led to conflict between the children, as they fought over who should be considered heirs. When the dust had settled, the judge decided that three of the four children were heirs, but this didn’t sit well with them. They immediately filed a motion to strip another of their heir status since the father was not actually listed on the birth certificate. All of this could have been avoided, but now they are fighting, and their relationships with each other could be forever tarnished. If that’s not enough, it also costs thousands of dollars to go through probate. This is just one example of the many complex scenarios your family could face if you don’t create an estate plan. You don’t want your estate or your family to be subject to probate, and having an estate plan is your best path to avoid the process. If you love your family, you should avoid probate at all costs.
2
LittlejohnLawLLC.com
Retirement Plans Meet Reality Who Pays for Nursing Home Care?
What’s your plan for retirement? Most Americans hope to age in place comfortably at home alongside their spouse, but unfortunately, life rarely works out as planned. In reality, most people need assistance to remain comfortable in their senior years, and this often comes in the form of nursing homes, memory care units, and assisted living facilities. Without doing much research, you may assume that’s the easy solution, but you have to remember the costs associated with these facilities. And it’s often much more expensive than anyone realizes. The costs for nursing home care in Ohio are high and continue to climb with each passing year. Right now, you can expect to pay anywhere from $7,000 to $9,000 per month for care at one of these facilities. People over 65 may assume Medicare will cover the costs, but this isn’t always the case. Medicare will pay for the first 100 days
of nursing home care if you are there for an acute illness, but once you stay beyond that 100 days, that illness gets treated as if it’s chronic. Thus, Medicare will no longer cover the cost. This leaves three other options. You could pay for care yourself, but this can eat through your funds. If you have a $100,000 nest egg, that will only cover one year of care. You could look into long-term care insurance, but the last time I had a client explore that option, the annual cost was around $40,000. Most Ohioans don’t have that kind of cash sitting around. This leaves Medicaid as the best option, but it comes with some tricky caveats. To qualify for Medicaid, you have to keep your assets and income levels under a certain threshold. Medicaid also has a five- year look-back period to determine whether you have given away your assets to qualify, which can cause additional complications.
One thing our team does to help clients in this situation is to establish and move assets into a Medicaid asset protection trust. It’s the best way to save your money and assets for your loved ones. If you’re unsure how you will pay for nursing home care or want to establish a plan that protects your future, call us today!
VODKA CREAM PASTA A delightful dinner party entree, this flavorful Italian dish promises to warm hearts on wintry nights!
TAKE A BREAK
INGREDIENTS •
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large skillet over moderate heat, sauté oil, butter, garlic, and shallots for 3–5 minutes. 2. Add vodka in a steady stream and heat for 2–3 minutes to reduce by half. 3. Add chicken stock and tomatoes, bring to a light boil, then reduce to a simmer. 4. Season with salt and pepper. 5. In a large pot, cook pasta to al dente in salted boiling water while sauce simmers. 6. Stir cream into sauce until it bubbles and remove from heat. 7. Drain pasta, toss with sauce
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• •
1 tbsp butter 3 cloves garlic, minced
• • • •
2 shallots, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken stock 32-oz can crushed tomatoes Coarse salt and pepper 16 oz penne rigate pasta 1/2 cup heavy cream 20 basil leaves, torn
•
•
DREAM EQUALITY FESTIVAL GROUNDHOG
HEARTS KING LINCOLN MUFFIN
PANCAKE RABBIT ROSES 3 740-314-4829
• •
and basil leaves, and serve with sides of your choosing.
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
352 Frank Layman Blvd. • Wintersville, OH 43953 740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
1 2
Leadership Is Earned, Not Assigned
Aromatherapy Secrets for Seniors That Actually Work Your Family Deserves a Plan, Not a Probate Nightmare Long-Term Care Is More Expensive Than You Think
3
Vodka Cream Pasta
Take a Break
4
Happy Birthday Ed!
Happy Birthday Atty Littlejohn - the Legal Dragon!
4
LittlejohnLawLLC.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator