Check out our February newsletter!
You never know when a small gesture can make a big difference in someone’s life. There’s no better opening line to my first cover article as a member of this firm than the one above, as Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Throughout my life, I’ve been a firm believer in doing my part to make someone else’s life a little better and easier. In many ways, that belief led me to join The Sheppard Law Firm last July. But first, let me tell you about animals in Florida. In 1998, my fiancé and I were living in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, when our travel agent recommended Sanibel Island as a fun vacation spot. Our agent was absolutely right; we immediately fell in love with it and decided to move there. I soon found a job as the manager of a real estate office, where I worked for the next 27 years. Although we relocated to Fort Myers in 2010, much of my heart remained on Sanibel Island, especially for its animal population. For 20 years, I volunteered at an animal rescue organization called PAWS. I took photos of homeless cats, hung flyers on telephone poles throughout the island, and sent write-ups on these animals to the local newspaper. In addition to the homeless cats, other wildlife on the island needed help. I would occasionally see a bird on the side of the road and drive it to the local rehab facility, or I’d encounter a turtle that needed help crossing the road. On weekends, I’d help out at Lee County Animal Services, doing the same things for dogs that I did for the homeless cats. I worked with that organization for five years, and assisting the animals that came through that system was always rewarding. SIMPLE STRENGTH IN SERVICE AND SUPPORT Kindness Counts
Of course, human animals need support, too … especially in these challenging times. The Fort Myers community does a fantastic job of organizing food and Toys for Tots drives for the less fortunate, and we donate to these endeavors as often as possible. (A photo of our contribution to a recent food drive is included above.) At the end of the day, none of these activities is special; they’re examples of things we should all try to do to help others, animal or otherwise. After all, it doesn’t take a lot of time or a heavy commitment to treat others the way we want to be treated. This belief extends to my work at The Sheppard Law Firm today. When the real estate company where I had worked for nearly 30 years was recently sold, I saw an opportunity to serve others closer to where I lived in Fort Myers, as opposed to traveling on the causeway with traffic every morning and evening. In my role as an asset alignment coordinator, I help clients align their assets with their trusts. The Sheppard Law Firm is unique in that it offers in-house asset alignment services, assisting clients to better coordinate and streamline their estate planning with their real estate and financial institutions. It’s very satisfying to help somebody through that process, as providing them with added peace of mind is another act of kindness.
Let’s do our part on Feb. 17 and any day this year. And if I can ever do my part in making your estate plan smoother and stronger, I’m only a phone call away.
We’re now sharing short videos and helpful content on estate planning across our social media platforms. These accounts provide everything from alerts about common misconceptions to planning tips we wish more folks knew. They’re a great way to stay informed — and maybe even entertained! To see all our channels, please scan the QR code provided or visit SheppardLawFirm.com/socials . Thank you for taking a moment to visit and follow our platforms. We appreciate your continued trust in our firm.
–Diane Barr
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FEBRUARY 2026
STOP THE SWIPE
Tips for a Money Mindset Makeover
If you’re still feeling the financial sting of the recent holiday shopping season or struggle to pay off your credit card throughout the year, it may be time to rethink your spending routine.
Choose paper over plastic. In addition to detaching your credit card information from your phone or computer, consider separating your card from yourself when you leave to go shopping. Carrying cash instead of card is a helpful way to slow spending. For one thing, it helps you maintain a set amount to shell out, which you’re reminded of as the dollars disappear. Second, cash doesn’t carry an interest rate. When you spend $4 on that cup of coffee you can’t resist, you’ll be out $4, not $4.80 when using a card that charges an additional 20%. Delay, don’t dive. There will always be purchases, such as tickets for a concert that sell out within minutes or a future flight that becomes pricier as your departure date approaches, that will require you to reach for your credit card as soon as possible. That said, there are infinitely more things that you simply don’t need … at least not right away. When you encounter something online or in a store that you must have now despite it not being a scarce item, give it at least a day (or, even better, a week) before making your final decision.
Most of us are guilty of impulsive shopping from time to time, but an occasional
indulgence can become a dangerous habit if we’re not careful, especially with technology making it easier than ever to overspend. Here are three ways to curb the urge to splurge. Wipe your card info clean. There’s a reason why many apps and websites enable you to save your credit card information; it makes it easier for you to spend money! If you’re looking to reduce how often you experience the rush of an instant purchase, enter your payment manually every time you go to check out. The extra time it takes to do so may be enough to help you realize whatever you wanted a moment ago isn’t as necessary as you thought.
a l l s a n d P r o t
PERSPECTIVES ON THE BEST PATH FORWARD
Settling an estate is a process with multiple steps, but going to probate court isn’t always necessary. Many of our clients request our assistance in creating an estate plan that helps those they leave behind avoid the need for probate. Here is a brief overview of some ways to help eliminate probate from the equation, as well as some insight into why probate may not be as undesirable as it might seem. The Asset Alignment Advantage In many cases, clients find themselves facing probate when they assume an effective estate plan begins and ends with establishing a will, a revocable living trust, powers of attorney, health care directives, and other critical elements. Unfortunately, even the most diligent clients may be surprised to learn their estate may still be subject to
probate, despite their careful preparation of these documents. An improper alignment of assets is often the cause. Although it may seem like a minor point, titling your assets correctly is a hallmark of an effective and fully funded revocable living trust. Let’s use “John Doe” as an example. Rather than simply having an account titled “John Doe,” you should title it as “John Doe, Trustee for the John Doe Trust dated (month) (day)(year).” Although revocable living trusts typically require most assets to be titled in the name of the trust, exceptions may include IRAs, annuities, and 401(k) plans, which can be held through beneficiary designations. However, determining the best course of action for these elements can be complicated, so it is best to consult with an estate planning attorney to determine the best way to represent them in your documentation.
The Perks of Probate Although most clients work with us to develop ways to avoid probate, there are still situations where pursuing the process proves beneficial. Probate can provide court oversight to help streamline the settling of an estate when concerns arise over a designated representative’s ability to manage the deceased’s affairs properly. It can provide a clear process for settling estates when an individual passes away without a will in place. Please contact us if we can provide further clarity or direction on either avoiding or pursuing probate. Knowing the pros and cons of your decision in advance will prevent considerable stress and confusion for your loved ones when it comes time to carry out your estate plan.
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NEW NEST, NEW NEEDS Avoid Relocation Risks to Your Plan
Even the most diligent estate planning clients can lose sight of simple things that can stop them in their tracks. Change is the only constant in life, and your documents often need to change with it. Here are two examples of how overlooking seemingly obvious things can seriously impact the logistics behind your legacy plans when you decide to move. The Past Life That Wouldn’t Let Go “Moving” means more than getting a new voter card and driver’s license. We once met with a couple that had received an audit notice from their previous state after relocating to Florida. Once we began reviewing their documents, it became clear that taxes weren’t their only worry. Although they had established an address here, they had failed to update virtually everything else. Their doctors, accountants, and attorney were still up north, and their estate plan hadn’t been revised to reflect Florida laws. The couple’s misstep resulted in a mountain of easily avoidable paperwork and several thousand dollars in back taxes. Fortunately, we were able to align their accounts, revise their documentation, and create a Florida-specific estate plan. The couple walked away learning a critical lesson in ensuring everything goes with them when they move out of state.
The Details That Detoured a Family’s Path Unfortunately, a relocation can lead to frustration for people who seemingly do everything right. After moving down here, another couple we work with appeared to be in pretty good shape. They had updated their trust, revised their powers of attorney, and added appropriate new provisions for their children. Sadly, this perfect picture was shattered once the husband passed away and his wife still had to deal with probate. Why? Because they let the funding aspect of their plan slip through their fingers. Despite getting many aspects of their plan in order, they hadn’t retitled their accounts to the trust. Additionally, their home was still titled in their individual names. Ultimately, we assisted the surviving spouse in transferring the house into the trust, properly titling the accounts, and connecting her assets.
The biggest takeaway? Even small matters can cause massive headaches, so review and update your estate plan regularly to ensure that a move doesn’t muddle your legacy.
H o t H o n
INGREDIENTS
TAKE A BREAK!
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2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp salt
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3 tbsp crumbled feta cheese 2 tsp fresh rosemary chopped (or thyme) 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp hot honey
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DIRECTIONS 1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. 3. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. 4. In a small bowl, mix hot honey and minced garlic to create a glaze. 5. Place the seared chicken in a baking dish. Pour the hot honey mixture over top. 6. Sprinkle chicken with crumbled feta, then rosemary or thyme. 7. Bake at 400 F for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. 8. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra caramelization. 9. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon juice and extra herbs before serving.
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INSIDE this issue
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Compassion in Action PAGE 1 Break the Buy Cycle PAGE 2 Pathways to Inheritance Protection PAGE 2 Move-Proof Your Estate PAGE 3 Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken PAGE 3 Reclaiming Valentine’s Day for Yourself PAGE 4
The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.
Your Valentine’s Day Self-Care Guide LOVE YOURSELF LIKE YOU MEAN IT
For many Americans, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with romance. We get reservations weeks or months in advance, shower our partners in love and affection, and enjoy an extravagant date night. It’s a day filled with high expectations, and with that comes stress and pressure. If you feel like you’re always going above and beyond to impress on Valentine’s Day without getting the same effort in return, it may be time to show yourself some extra love. Everyone deserves a happy and fulfilling life, but it can be hard to achieve when work, relationships, and other pressures weigh us down. Most of us rarely take time for ourselves, so as the pressure builds, we start to experience episodes of burnout, depression, and anxiety. This Valentine’s Day or sometime close to it, take time for yourself and practice self-care. It will help you feel rejuvenated while removing any negative thoughts that have been lingering around. How you approach self-care is entirely up to you, but it almost always involves engaging in relaxing and enjoyable activities. Think about the things you love to do the most. When was the last time you played a round of golf, went on a walk through nature, or enjoyed your favorite movie uninterrupted? Whatever your favorite
activity may be, find a way to incorporate it into your self-care day. In addition to your favorite activities, take some time to pamper yourself. Get a massage, buy something for yourself that you really want, or take a long, relaxing bath. These actions will help you feel good inside and out!
To ensure your self-care day is a success, consider turning off your phone and other devices for the duration of the day. Scrolling through social media will not help you feel any better; in fact, it will likely make you feel worse. This is a time to focus on yourself and ensure you get the attention and love you deserve. If you waste the whole day scrolling through TikTok or X, you’ll focus on everything but yourself.
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