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February/March 2025
Famous Faces, Forgotten Wills WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM CELEBS WHO DIED WITHOUT AN ESTATE PLAN
In early February 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper were progressing through their Winter Dance Party tour when their plane crashed over Iowa, killing all three rock and roll musicians. This became known as the Day the Music Died. While this event was tragic and shocked the world at the time, it also presented valuable learning opportunities. It doesn’t matter how famous, wealthy, or young you are; you should have an estate plan. Of the three musicians who died that day, only the Big Bopper had an estate plan at the time of his sudden passing. Ritchie Valens was only 17 then, so he couldn’t have had one in place, but Buddy Holly was a legal adult. After finding success singing gospel and country music, Holly received his big break when he opened for Elvis Presley. His success was short-lived, as he passed away at 22. Holly had no estate plan when he died, even though he had married Maria Elena Santiago-Holly a year prior. Since he was a resident of New York at the time of his death, his surviving spouse inherited everything. Even though she had no obligation to share the estate with anyone else, Santiago-Holly still gave her in-laws half of the rights to Buddy Holly’s music.
Buddy Holly is far from the only celebrity to pass away without a will or a fully fleshed- out estate plan. Let’s explore three other famous examples. Tupac Shakur: When Shakur passed away, he didn’t have a will or estate plan, so California’s intestate succession laws determined what came next. Since he was unmarried and had no children, his parents had the first claim over the estate. Shakur and his father did not have much of a relationship, so his mother, Afeni, inherited it. The estate faced much turmoil, leading to family and royalty disputes. When Afeni passed in 2016, more disputes arose over who would manage any ongoing projects related to Shakur’s legacy. Prince: Prince passed away in 2016 without a will. The court determined the estate should be split among Prince’s sister and half-siblings, but the heirs could not agree on how to distribute the assets. This caused the estate to get stuck in litigation for six years. In January 2024, the holding company overseeing half of the estate sued several of Prince’s heirs.
that he didn’t have a will, despite being aware of his diagnosis and potential outcome. Boseman married Taylor Simone Ledward shortly before his death, which entitled her to all community property of the marriage. However, the remaining assets comprised the bulk of the estate and were split between Boseman’s parents and widow. If you were to pass without a will or estate plan, you probably wouldn’t make headlines like these celebrities, but you would make things more complicated for your loved ones. This can be especially troubling if your desires don’t align with intestate succession laws. Establishing an estate plan and ensuring your heirs have access to valuable estate planning documents is critical. If you need help or guidance, call us to schedule a consultation or attend one of our free seminars. Proper estate planning is essential to avoid family turmoil when you pass, regardless of wealth, age, or any other characteristic. Create your plan today for peace of mind tomorrow!
Chadwick Boseman: After Boseman passed in 2020 from colon cancer, it was revealed
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ople to Thank
PENALTIES, FINES, AND LEGAL RISKS Why the Corporate Transparency Act Matters for Every Entrepreneur Many Americans dream of one day opening their own business. This can come with many challenges, from hiring and training a team to creating a budget and managing payroll. It can be overwhelming, but there are other critical reporting responsibilities every business owner needs to know about. A few years back, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act in an effort to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit activities. The Corporate Transparency Act’s main goal is to enhance corporate ownership transparency by requiring businesses to report information about anyone who owns or controls the company. All corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and similar entities must report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. That information includes names, addresses, dates of birth, and more. Businesses subject to the Corporate Transparency Act established before Jan. 1, 2024, should have already reported this information by the beginning of 2025. However, a federal district court in Texas paused the need for reporting at the end of 2024. Although reporting requirements are currently on hold, new companies created in 2025 should still consider reporting their
Tips to Level Up Your Home Cooking! Do you regularly make meals for yourself or your family? Have you ever struggled to decide what to make? Are you tired of your regular menu of recipes and dishes? If you answered yes to these questions, know that you’re not alone. Many individuals grow tired of cooking the same dishes, especially if they get on a routine of making the same five dinners every week. However, you don’t need to feel this way. Trying something new in the kitchen is easier than ever! Here are two ways to revitalize your passion for cooking while discovering new recipes. Get out of your comfort zone. How many different cultures do you know recipes from? You are probably familiar with Italian, Mexican, and even some Chinese dishes, but how often do you explore dishes from cultures you know little about? Trying out recipes from new cultures can be incredibly fun. However, it can be challenging to know where to start. Simply pick a country with a cuisine that interests you and Google what they eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You’ll receive a few different options to choose from. Want to get even more adventurous? Consider combining ideas from multiple cuisines to create a unique fusion dish! Deviate from the recipe. Many amateur cooks follow each recipe without missing a step. However, if you’re making the same things every week, these recipes can grow stale quickly. Instead of trying to find something brand-new to make, consider swapping out ingredients. Change out the spices, sides, or even the proteins to create something entirely new and delicious. BREAK FREE FROM BORING
beneficial ownership information in case the pause ends suddenly. Failing to register your business
and accurately report can expose you to hefty fines and penalties. You could receive a $500 daily fine up to $10,000. Those fines will repeat until you comply.
If you’re already the business owner of an
established entity, you may think that your accountant
will be able to take care of this for you. However, many accountants have shown restraint regarding beneficial ownership information reporting. Many moving parts need to be updated
regularly, and they don’t want to put themselves at risk if something falls through the cracks. Thankfully, Littlejohn Law is here to help. Give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance reporting your beneficial ownership information!
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The Unexpected Solution to Life’s Toughest Battles: Empathy and Kindness
Over the years, we’ve handled many cases where conflict occurred. We’ve seen real estate cases where neighbors are warring with each other over a property line dispute. If they had simply acted nicer and worked collaboratively, they would have been able to solve their problem easier and quicker. We’ve seen it with probate, where mom passes away, and now there’s no “referee” keeping the children from fighting. It’s important to remember that we don’t always know what’s happening in someone else’s life. We’re all fighting our battles, and sometimes, we just need to be treated with kindness and respect to make it through the day. The world would be a better place if we approached each interaction with niceness
and kindness in our hearts. Here are a few tips to live each day a little more kindly. Practice Empathy We don’t know what other people are going through, so we should try to understand where they’re coming from. Instead of jumping to respond, try listening to them and putting yourself in their shoes. That way, you are more likely to respond with kindness and understanding instead of judgment. Perform Random Acts of Kindness Kindness is contagious, and by performing random acts of kindness to strangers, you can quickly spread kindness throughout the community. Hold doors open for others, share a compliment, or consider paying it
forward at the coffee shop. These small actions can have tremendous impacts. Smile It might sound simple, but sometimes, all someone needs to break out of a bad mood or escape from a difficult day is to see someone smile in their direction. Twenty years ago, you could walk through a grocery store and see everyone smiling and conversing with one another. These days, everyone has a scowl on their face or is looking down at their phones. Be the difference maker. Smile wherever you go, and you’ll quickly notice people smiling back!
TAKE A BREAK
Skillet Chicken in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Inspired by LeCremeDeLaCrumb.com
INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp butter •
DIRECTIONS
1. Melt butter in a large skillet
5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbsp herbes de Provence 3/4 cup canned sun- dried tomatoes, drained and julienned 1 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream 2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 7–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
• • •
2. In the same pan, add garlic,
herbes de Provence, tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon
• • •
juice, pine nuts, and spinach and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, and stir periodically until thickened and spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes. 3. Return chicken to the pan and top with salt, pepper, more
CHOCOLATE DREAM EQUALITY GROUNDHOG
GRAMMY KING LINCOLN PIZZA
ROSES SUPER BOWL VALENTINE WOMEN
• • • • •
2 tbsp lemon juice 1/4 cup pine nuts
1 cup spinach
Fresh thyme, for garnish Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, and thyme, and serve over rice or linguine.
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
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Estate Planning Lessons From the Celebrities Who Died Without Wills Fun Ways to Diversify Your Weekly Menu Don’t Let the Corporate Transparency Act Catch You Off Guard! Practicing Kindness Can Heal Relationships and Communities Skillet Chicken in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Take a Break
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Tasty Alternatives to Probiotic Supplements
Get Proactive About Your Probiotics Taking Charge of Your Gut Health Can Be Delicious!
If “health is wealth,” then maintaining optimal gut health is the road map to success! All too often, we think of gut health as keeping stomach issues at bay. While that belief has some truth, improving your gut health is crucial in regulating and supporting your body’s overall functions.
Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt is the all-star of all gut-friendly foods simply because it can be used in many different ways. You can eat it plain, add fruit, or create salad dressings, sauces, and smoothies! The key is to check the label to ensure it says “Live and Active Cultures.” That means it likely contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei , two helpful gut bacteria. Kimchi: This healthy, bacteria-driven food is the cornerstone of Korean cuisine, made with fermented cabbage and gochujang, a Korean chili paste. It also contains vegetables like daikon radish, ginger, and carrots. The fermentation process makes it probiotic. Kimchi can be found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store and sometimes in the produce department. It’s never too late or too early to start getting proactive about probiotics. Incorporating these “easy on the gut” foods into your daily diet will change the makeup of the bacteria in your gut, which, in turn, will keep your body’s overall functioning in tip-top shape.
So, how can you achieve optimal gut health?
The answer is simple: probiotics . Probiotics are beneficial bacteria housed in your gut to help your body’s natural processes, and adding them to your daily diet can do wonders for your overall gut health. Of course, you can take various tablets, capsules, gummies, and even sodas now to get your daily dose. However, supplements in those forms can get pricey, especially when certain foods are naturally packed with the probiotics your body needs. Here are three delicious foods you can eat to get your daily dose of gut health. Pickles: Pickles are not just the perfect addition to your burger or salad! Naturally fermented pickles and their juice are saturated with helpful probiotics, vitamins, and minerals your body needs.
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