Sheppard Law Firm - February 2026

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!

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

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

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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