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SEPTEMBER 2024
Celebrating Our Dedicated Team A Tribute to the Family Behind Case Barnett Law
In honor of Labor Day this month, I’m incredibly proud of our team at Case Barnett Law. Over the years, we’ve become a family with a shared commitment to providing the best possible representation for our clients. I’m grateful to have the right team in place, with paralegals and attorneys who have been with us for years. Their dedication and teamwork make all the difference, and I truly enjoy working alongside them every day. Jazmine Jazmine, one of our senior litigation paralegals, is truly dedicated to our clients and the entire legal process. She embodies our core values and consistently goes above and beyond to support every client. With her sharp legal knowledge and attention to detail, we can always count on her to stay on top of deadlines, not miss important details in her files, and deliver precise analysis. We’re incredibly fortunate to have Jazmine on our team! Paige Paige, one of our senior litigation paralegals, is an exceptional team member and an all-around brilliant person. She’s always in close
communication with our clients, ensuring they stay updated on every detail of their cases. Paige’s dedication to thorough case analysis is amazing and she seamlessly manages interactions with adjusters and opposing counsel. Her positive energy and passion for helping clients radiate throughout the office. What truly sets Paige apart is her deep understanding of the importance of client communication. She knows how frustrating it can be to feel left in the dark and goes above and beyond to keep our clients informed every step of the way. Jeanette Jeanette, our trial attorney, is truly exceptional. She strikes the perfect balance between being firm while maintaining kindness and genuine connection with everyone she works with — a quality that I feel is often overlooked in the legal field. Her interactions always carry a human touch, and she’s a brilliant legal writer, too! She willingly takes on challenging tasks that many would shy away from and does so with grace. Her ability to wear many hats while staying calm and composed is remarkable. Despite having so much on her plate, Jeanette makes it all look effortless. Raschelle Raschelle, our managing attorney, keeps our office grounded. Her ability to meet everyone’s needs with kindness and respect is both inspiring and rare in the legal field. We can always rely on her — she’s the glue that holds us together. We’re fortunate to have a true family dynamic at our law firm, where shared values and a family-centric approach guide everything we do. Our commitment to kindness and a human touch allows us to put our clients first and serve them in the best way possible.
I’m incredibly proud of the team we have in place and grateful for the amazing people I get to work with!
–Case Barnett
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KEEP MORE OF YOUR MONEY How to Save Big and Secure Your Family’s Future
Stay secure with a trust. Trusts are fantastic tools to manage asset distribution after you're gone. You can exclude certain assets from your taxable estate by setting up a trust, like an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). This means they’re protected from estate taxes, creditors, and divorce proceedings — talk about a triple win!
Navigating the world of estate taxes can feel like trying to find your way through a pricey maze. Luckily, with strategic money management, you can minimize the taxes on your estate,
ensuring more of your hard-earned assets go directly to your loved ones. Here’s a quick guide on how to keep taxes at bay and safeguard your family’s inheritance.
Step-up your basis. Here’s a little-known trick: Hold onto assets that appreciate until your death and your heirs can benefit from a “step-up in basis.” This means they will only pay taxes on the gains made from the date of your death rather than the total gains from when you first acquired the asset. It’s like pressing the reset button on potential capital gains taxes, which can be a huge relief. Minimizing estate taxes doesn’t have to be a dreary affair. With these tips and proactive steps, you can ensure more of your estate goes where you want it to — without a hefty tax bill. So, chat with a savvy estate planner and start building your plan. Your heirs will thank you, and your legacy will stretch even further!
Gifts can be golden. Spreading a little wealth now can save a lot of taxes later.
Known as “annual exclusion gifts,” you can give up to $18,000 to as many people as you like without incurring yearly gift taxes. If you’re feeling generous, doubling this with your spouse means you can give away $36,000 per person annually. This isn’t just a great way to reduce your taxable estate but a perfect way to see your loved ones enjoy their inheritance while you're still around.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST “Case gives attorneys a good name. He helped me out with my car accident lawsuit. He called me before we met in person to give me some information and to let me know what to expect at our first meeting. When I came into his office, I was greeted and given a welcome packet that had a ton of helpful information. After our first meeting, his team was in constant contact with me, giving me updates and walking me through the process. The paralegals and other attorneys were supportive and always let me know what to expect. They were so on top of things that my case settled for the policy limits in less than six months. Thanks to Case and everyone at Case Barnett Law!”
–Judy B.
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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949-565-4886
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PERFECT PEACH COBBLER
Made with fresh, juicy peaches and a buttery, golden crust, this peach cobbler is the perfect blend of sweet and tart.
Ingredients
What Sets Case Barnett Law Apart? EXTENSIVE TRIAL EXPERIENCE AND A COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE For six years, I served as a public defender, where I had the opportunity to try many difficult and complex cases. This experience sets our firm apart from many others because, frankly, most lawyers haven’t tried many — or any — cases at all. Having this extensive trial experience makes me a more effective lawyer, not just because of the knowledge I’ve gained, but because it allows me to approach every case with a thorough and strategic analysis to best serve our clients. Trying cases in court develops a unique skill set that is truly invaluable for an attorney. In my opinion, it’s one thing to understand the law, but it’s another thing entirely to stand before a judge and jury, present a compelling argument, and think on your feet when unexpected challenges arise. This skill set is critical when it comes to advocating for clients and producing the best possible results for them. It’s this hands-on experience that helps us navigate even the toughest cases with confidence and skill. At Case Barnett Law, we also have the privilege of representing other lawyers, which is one of the highest compliments we can receive. When other professionals in the community trust us with their cases, it speaks volumes about our reputation and our commitment to excellence. As I reflect on Labor Day and what it signifies, I find myself reflecting on my time as a public defender. Those years taught me invaluable lessons, not only about the law but about the people and professionals I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work with, especially here in Orange County. I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me as an attorney and proud of the journey that has led me to where I am today. I love serving our community and striving for justice on behalf of our clients.
• 6 cups sliced fresh peaches • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces • 1/2 cup milk • 2 tbsp butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish. 2. In a large bowl, combine peaches, sugar, 2 tbsp flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix until blended, then spoon into prepared dish. 3. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. 4. Cut in butter with forks or pastry knife until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. 5. Add milk and stir until just blended. 6. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto peach mixture and drizzle melted butter on top. 7. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until top is golden brown.
LAUGH LAWS
–Case Barnett
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1968 S. Coast Hwy. #2680 Laguna Beach, CA 92651
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 Meet the Incredible Team Members of Case Barnett Law
Page 2 Smart Strategies to Minimize Estate Taxes
Our Clients Say It Best
Page 3 Lessons From My Time as a Public Defender
Perfect Peach Cobbler
Page 4 Completing Your Fall Bucket List
AUTUMN AWAITS IDEAS FOR YOUR FALL BUCKET LIST
Horrifying Halloween Home We have all seen the homes on the block with bare lawns and dark porches during Halloween. But what’s the fun in that? If that was your home last year, now is the perfect time to turn it around and embrace the most macabre, creative ideas for decking out your home — inside and out. From creatively posed skeletons to a front porch full of jack-o’- lanterns, there is no shortage of simple, scary props to adorn your home. If you have never carved a jack-o’-lantern, it should be on your bucket list — not just for fall. See how far you can take Halloween this year!
After a summer spent adventuring outdoors, you may feel like turning into a pumpkin come fall. But fall is full of uniquely enjoyable opportunities. From brewing cider to hanging up creepy Halloween decorations, here are three bucket-worthy activities that make the most of autumnal creativity and coziness. Apple Picking for Apple Cider Apple picking season starts in the waning days of summer before ending in October, making September the best time to visit a local orchard. Whether you’re in Alaska, Wyoming, or almost any state in between alphabetically, pick-your-own apple orchards offer you and your friends the chance to get back out in nature, exercise, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Best of all? Apples are the easiest fruit to pick, and the reward is a delicious, ready-to-eat snack or an ingredient in a refreshing beverage. Ground-up apples are the base ingredient for apple cider, a delicious drink that epitomizes the greatness of fall! Blazing Bonfire Now that summer is spent, a good, old-fashioned bonfire is in order. Whether making s’mores or sharing ghost stories, a bonfire is a recipe for a good time with friends, family, and the occasional apparition.
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