Take a look at our October newsletter!
Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. OCTOBER 2024
Secure Your Family’s Future With Proper Estate Planning
Oftentimes, I see families come to a fork in the road where they either have completed their estate planning or they haven’t. When they haven’t, that’s when the family legacy can take a troubling turn. It’s during these times that misunderstandings and disagreements arise. This can lead to heartbreaking family disputes — sometimes even causing siblings to stop speaking to one another after their parents pass away. The number of siblings who have taken each other to court, or even children who have sued their parents, is truly disheartening. If I could show families the potential for these outcomes, I believe it could make a real difference in helping to protect them from such painful situations. October 21–27 is Estate Planning Awareness Week, a perfect time to highlight the importance of estate planning for families. Many families overlook the significance of discussing and understanding estate planning; however, it’s a topic that can truly shape a family’s future. Proper planning can make all the difference. Taking the time to plan now makes an impact and ensures that the process is smoother for everyone involved. I get it — nobody likes to think about death or what happens when we eventually pass away. Often, when we’re young and healthy, it’s not something we prioritize. Just like when I get in my car, I’m not expecting to get into an accident. I feel confident I’ll get from home to the office or from the store to my kid’s soccer practice without any problems. But I still buckle up every time because the risk of not doing so is too great. “Think about the people you care about — who do you want to ensure has the knowledge to protect their loved ones? Share this newsletter, our website, or our phone number with them so they can better understand the importance of estate planning.”
The same principle applies to estate planning. The consequences of not having a plan in place can be significant. It’s crucial to protect your family from potential confusion and chaos if the unexpected happens. That’s the real value of estate planning. In difficult grieving times after a loved one passes away without an estate plan in place, confusion and unfamiliar legal processes can add to the emotional burden. This often leads to family disputes that can create a recipe for disaster and can sadly result in further rifts within the family. It’s heartbreaking to see families torn apart in the aftermath. That’s why I’m committed to emphasizing the importance of estate planning and making the process as simple and straightforward as possible. My goal is to ensure that the planning process isn’t a barrier, but rather a way to protect families from unnecessary pain and conflict.
Now is your chance to make a difference. Think about the people you care about — who do you want to ensure has the knowledge to protect their loved ones?
Share this newsletter, our website, or our phone number with them so they can better understand the importance of estate planning. As the holiday season approaches, keep your loved ones in mind, and let them know we are here to help! They matter to you, so they matter to us.
–Andrea Shoup
Ready to get started? Scan here to reserve your seat at one of our Estate Planning Essentials workshops.
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People who struggle financially cite some common reasons: low pay, credit card debt, high housing costs, inflation, too much retail therapy, etc. Smart Sacrifices MASTERING MILESTONES ON THE ROAD TO RICHES Invest your savings. Start investing any new savings for higher returns. Avoid speculative plays such as cryptocurrency or Master Your Money With Reverse Budgeting
Few realize that by setting goals and making the sacrifices required to achieve them, they could join the ranks of those who live comfortably with ample savings. Here are five proven steps for making your money work for you.
individual stocks. Instead, do some research on index funds, exchange- traded funds, bonds, or certificates of deposit with solid track records.
Pay off high-interest debt. You must stop the bleeding from costly credit card debt. One of the best strategies is the avalanche method, which entails paying off your highest- interest debt first to save the most money on interest. Another method, the snowball approach, requires paying off the smallest debt first, then redirecting that money to pay off the next largest debt. This method saves less money in interest but offers more immediate gratification. Save up an emergency fund. If you can, set aside $2,000 as a safety net immediately. After paying off any high-interest debt, build that fund to cover 3–6 months of expenses. Stash it in a high-yield savings account so it will keep working for you while you pursue other goals.
Increase your earnings. If you don’t have money, you must work to get it. It may not be fair that some people work three or four jobs to meet their goals, but it’s better than staying stuck. You also may have to invest in gaining new skills to increase your income. Take charge. Clinging to a victim mentality is self-defeating. Thinking positively isn’t enough to make you rich, but it will open up new opportunities you couldn’t otherwise have imagined and help you stick to your goals.
Once you have mastered these secrets of the rich, start working toward your own milestones. The lifelong rewards will be more than worth the effort!
MEET ARIEN The Friendly Face of Estate Planning at Shoup Legal At Shoup Legal, the camaraderie and teamwork our team members bring truly set us apart. Every day, our team comes together to support one another and ensure that we deliver the best for our clients. We work hard to bring in the best talent and are proud of the team we’ve put together! Some of you have likely met Arien, our estate planning assistant at our Escondido office. With his cheerful personality and amazing skill set, Arien greets our clients, connects them with our attorneys, schedules appointments, and assists in reviewing documents to ensure we are accurately meeting our client’s wishes. “I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since high school,” Arien says with a smile. “I attended the University of Santa Cruz, where I learned more about legal studies and environmental law, two areas that really excite me. I believe that Shoup Legal is a great atmosphere that allows me to not only grow and develop, but to connect with team members in a positive environment to gain a lot of experience.”
love that grew during his time attending school in Santa Cruz. Now, he stays active whenever he can, whether it’s hiking, running, or simply taking a stroll. Arien also enjoys writing in his free time. As an undergraduate, he spent three years as a research assistant and contributed to an undergraduate publication.
Arien is currently preparing for his law school admission test with aspirations of becoming an attorney. Outside of work, he has a passion for the outdoors, a
Arien, we are thrilled to have you as part of our team and look forward to continuing to serve clients together!
Plan today for peace
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BEWARE THESE COMMON ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKES Avoid a Halloween Horror Story It’s that time of year again — Halloween is nearly here! It’s always fun preparing for the ghouls, ghosts, and goblins, but while we enjoy the spooky fun of the season, there’s one type of fright that can have some big consequences: estate planning mistakes. Just like in the scary movies, making errors in your estate planning can lead to unplanned outcomes for you and your loved ones. The Phantom of the Forgotten Will Failing to update your will can wreak havoc on your entire estate plan. Life changes — marriages, divorces, the birth of children, or the acquisition of significant assets — can cause an old will to be obsolete. The outcome can be chaotic and may lead to family disputes, legal battles, and a distribution of assets that doesn’t align with your plans and intentions. The Curse of the Unnamed Beneficiaries Another scary mistake is not naming or updating beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial assets. Without clear beneficiaries, your assets could be subject to probate, and as you likely know, everyone wants to avoid probate if possible. If you’ve named a beneficiary who has since passed away or with whom you’ve lost contact, those assets could be left in the hands of the court.
ULTIMATE BAKED ZITI
Ingredients
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1 (16 oz) package of dried ziti pasta
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1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup ricotta cheese
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1 onion, diced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
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Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. Cook ziti according to package instructions. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion and garlic until softened. 4. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. 5. Stir in the cooked ziti and season with salt and pepper. 6. Transfer mixture to baking dish. 7. Top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
The Terrors of DIY Estate Planning With the internet at our
fingertips, it’s easy to think you can handle estate planning on your own with a few clicks, but DIY estate planning can be haunting. Incomplete or improperly
executed documents can lead to invalidated wills, unclear instructions, and unintended heirs. There is a high risk of disaster, and the consequences can linger forever.
TAKE A BREAK
Don’t Let Estate Planning Be a Horror Story This Halloween season, as you enjoy the pumpkin patches and spooky attractions, take a moment to consider the real-life scary scenarios that can result from poor estate planning. By working with Shoup Legal, you can avoid these common mistakes and ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
e of mind tomorrow.
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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | www.shouplegal.com
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1 | Estate Planning: A Crucial Step for Family Peace and Stability 2 | Not-So-Secret Strategies Rich People Use to Get Richer 2 | Team Spotlight: Arien’s Journey From Santa Cruz to Shoup Legal 3 | Don’t Let Estate Planning Become a Nightmare 3 | Ultimate Baked Ziti 4 | Loyal Pup Risks Life to Protect Loved Ones Inside This Issue FROM RESCUE TO RESCUER
Pancho’s Inspiring Story In a heartwarming story of canine courage, a rescue dog named Pancho has emerged as a hero after putting his life on the line to defend his family during a home invasion. The events unfolded on a fateful night in early June when an intruder broke into Pancho’s home in northern New Mexico.
Remarkably, the family ended up at the doorstep of Española Humane, the same rescue organization where they had adopted Pancho. The dedicated staff immediately sprang into action, performing extensive surgery to clean and repair Pancho’s traumatic neck wound. The brave pup stopped breathing at one point, but the veterinary team successfully revived him. Despite his severe injuries, Pancho has steadily regained his strength. His tail never stops wagging, and he responds enthusiastically whenever he hears the words “good boy.” Pancho’s dad promised him a lifetime of rib-eye steaks to reward his heroic actions. Pancho’s story is a powerful reminder of the unwavering loyalty and bravery rescue animals can possess. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, consider visiting your local animal shelter or rescue organization. You never know — you might just find your very own guardian angel, just like Pancho’s family did.
Pancho, an 8-year-old rescue pup, sprang into action the moment the intruder entered the home. Without hesitation, the brave dog leaped at the would-be criminal, determined to protect his family at all costs. In the ensuing struggle, Pancho suffered a deep neck wound that miraculously missed his vital organs. But the attack didn’t stop there — the intruder then proceeded to kick Pancho repeatedly. Undeterred by his injuries, Pancho managed to hold the intruder at bay until others could intervene and restrain the criminal. Pancho’s family then embarked on a desperate two-hour journey to Albuquerque, searching for emergency veterinary care.
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