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Justice MONTHLY
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JANUARY 2021
My Common Sense THE PRINCIPLE I LIVE MY LIFE BY
As we cap off a historical election year — I promise, I’m not here to talk politics — I want to take you back to 1776. Specifically, I want to talk about Jan. 10, 1776, when Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense" was published. Paine was a Founding Father of this country, and his often-studied “Common Sense” pamphlet is a 130-page rallying cry for the colonists to support breaking from the British. Its English style is quite mundane, but the message is clear: Freedom is common sense. In honor of the 245th anniversary of Paine’s passionate publication, I wanted to offer what I consider to be common sense. It’s actually a principle I picked up from my father when he was practicing law. He always said, “Don’t poison the well. We have to drink from the well, too.” I always try to “follow the golden rule” as an attorney. This idea that you should treat others the way you want to be treated isn’t necessarily common in a field that can be pretty ruthless, but I have never believed in being rude or inconsiderate when battling it out in court. I’ll do all I can to ensure my clients are given the compensation they deserve, but when I’m hired, I promise to do my best to be fair. I won’t hide documents from attorneys, nor will I play “discovery games,” as they’re nicknamed in law. Essentially, that’s where you make it as difficult as possible for the other side to discover or use something in court. I think this makes me a better lawyer. Judges don’t see me on the docket and roll their eyes. I have a great working relationship with opposing counsel, which means I have a better chance of finding a resolution that serves my client’s needs than someone who constantly belittles, battles, or hides things from other attorneys.
Your responses should always be, “Yes, sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am.” Be discreet and don’t badmouth the other side, including your employer — outside of the courtroom or in other legal proceedings. And, while what you post on social media doesn’t always have to do with how you treat others, I believe it’s also common sense for clients to be very careful during the course of their case. For example, don’t post photos of yourself waterskiing when you’ve injured your back. Be mindful that what you post can hurt your claim. Many things are common sense, but I believe one of the most valuable principles we can adhere to is treating each other with respect. I’ll fight hard for my clients, but I’ll also fight fair. When I’m not an attorney, I do the same. I believe in being a good person.
I refuse to poison the well, so to speak.
I always advise my clients to follow this same principle during the course of their personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. When in a hearing, deposition, or another meeting, always act like there’s a judge in the room, even when there’s not.
That’s just common sense.
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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NEW TAX RULES FOR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN 2020
DON’T FORGET THE CARES ACT’S SPECIAL BONUS!
Deductible Contributions If you choose to itemize your deductions, almost any gift to a qualified charitable organization can be deducted against your taxable income. It’s very important to keep records of all your contributions. According to the IRS, when donating items to a local charity like the Red Cross or Goodwill, the deductible value equals the fair market value of your items. If you made cash donations in 2020, there is a special rule to be aware of: Donations to public charities are now 100% deductible instead of 60%. However, this doesn’t apply to private foundations. An Additional Charitable Deduction if you choose to take the standard deduction rather than itemize deductions on your 2020 tax return, you may qualify for a new dedication courtesy of the CARES Act. If you donated to a qualified charity before Jan. 1, 2021, you can deduct up to $300, for single filers, or $600 per married couple.
START THE YEAR RIGHT Take note that the standard deduction was increased in 2020 because of the CARES Act. In 2019, the standard deduction for a single person was $12,200; in 2020, it’s $12,400. For those who are married and filing jointly, the standard deduction was $24,400 in 2019 and $24,800 in 2020. And the standard deduction for heads of household in 2019 was $18,350 and it’s $18,650 in 2020. Many people tackled deep-cleaning projects while spending more time at home last year. If your cleaning spree ended in donating items to a local charity, or if you donated funds to help local organizations supporting pandemic relief, you can look forward to some tax breaks! To feel confident in claiming them, here's what you need to know about filing your 2020 taxes, including some unique additions from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Itemized vs. Standard Deductions When filing your taxes, you’ll need to first decide whether you want to itemize your deductions or take the standard deduction set by the IRS. Even those who cannot claim other tax credits or breaks qualify for the standard deduction. However, if you do have qualifying deductions and they add up to more than the standard deduction, it’s smarter to itemize your deductions. With Estate Planning The start of a new year always feels like a new chapter. It’s an opportunity to start fresh and make new goals! For many, January is the perfect time to start something new or to create a new routine. But it also comes with some not-so-fun tasks. It’s officially the start of a new tax season, and with that comes collecting paperwork and trying to remember all the pertinent details of the past year.
The CARES Act can save you hundreds of dollars on your 2020 tax return. Use this guide to navigate the upcoming tax season. Happy filing!
This could result in resentment, anger, and hurt feelings — all during a time of grief.
That’s what makes an estate plan the perfect addition to your “new year, new me” routine. It organizes your wishes into one legally binding location, and it eliminates worry about the unknown. If we learned anything from 2020, it's that preparation is key. Plan for Taxes, Plan for Life As you gather pertinent documents on income, assets, and more for your taxes, you’ll also need many of those documents for estate planning. Why put all those documents away after tax season, only to have to pull them out again when you finally decide to create an estate plan? Get two things done at once by creating your estate plan during tax season so you can spend the remainder of 2021 with the peace of mind that your family and your legacy are protected. It can be uncomfortable to talk about, but estate planning is essential to ensuring your legacy is protected and your family knows exactly what you want after you pass. Get started by talking to our experts at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. Call 229-888-0888.
Combined, these two simultaneous events make January the perfect month to begin estate planning!
New Year, New Plan Estate planning is a preparedness tool designed to make your life and the lives of those you love much simpler. To start, should you become incapacitated, a trusted medical power of attorney and a trusted financial power of attorney can make decisions on your behalf. This will protect your well-being and your finances. Should you pass without an estate plan, your loved ones could face the bitter task of going to court to settle where your assets will go.
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See a Doctor!
Y ou will experience many emotions after an accident. You’ll be fearful and worried about how you can recover from your injuries, and you’ll probably have some anger or resentment over the situation. You will feel grief, fear, and anxiety over your next steps. With the right support from your legal team and medical professionals, these feelings are completely manageable. The tricky part is starting that care immediately. That’s right — immediately. After an accident, your body is high on adrenaline. It just wants to ensure you stay alive, and it’s pumping adrenaline throughout your body to push you toward that goal. As a result, this “high” may give the impression that you’re not injured after an accident. You may tell first responders that you’re “fine” and refuse treatment. This isn’t a wise decision. You should never trust your body after an accident. You may not realize that you have broken ribs, a concussion, internal bleeding, or even severe muscle strain or tears until days, weeks, or even months after your accident. By seeing a doctor WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER AN ACCIDENT
immediately after your collision, you can prevent this delayed diagnosis, begin treatment, and avoid costly and life-threatening progressions with your injuries. This should be your first priority after an accident; your health always comes first. Beyond establishing care, your doctor could be vital to a personal injury claim. Doctors are required to keep records, and these can become critical to a case. Insurance companies and defense teams will dig up your medical history to disprove that your pain and injuries were a result of the accident, but this initial report could establish a proper timeline and aid in adding context to your medical history. Your doctor may be the key to your case. After all, a medical professional’s opinion is widely respected in the courts. Don’t skip this crucial step for your own well-being and for your pursuit of justice.
If you have more questions about your case or next steps after an accident, give our team a call at 229-888-0888.
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our December newsletter: Michael Sanders Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Ingredients • 8 chicken thighs or
drumsticks, lightly salted
• 14 oz chicken stock • 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks • 1 sprig rosemary • Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 4. Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker and add the stock, rosemary, and lemon zest. 5. Cook on high for 2.5–3 hours or until chicken is tender. 6. Check seasoning and add lemon juice to taste. Top with parsley before serving.
• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1 onion, finely sliced • 2 celery sticks, thickly sliced • 2 carrots, thickly sliced
• 1 leek, thickly sliced • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
Directions 1. In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry salted chicken on high until brown. 2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add flour and stir. 3. In the frying pan on high heat, fry the onion, celery, carrots, leeks, and potatoes
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
until lightly browned. Add garlic and fry for 30 seconds.
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
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What I Believe to Be Common Sense PAGE 1 How to Deduct Charitable Contributions on Your 2020 Taxes PAGE 2 Why January Is the Best Time to Do Estate Planning! PAGE 2 2 Reasons Why Seeing Your Doctor Is So Important After an Accident PAGE 3 Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole PAGE 3 Don’t Miss These Cooking Shows! PAGE 4
Streaming services are booming right now, and there’s no shortage of entertainment between HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, and more. But the important question is this: What are the best binge-worthy cooking shows? Here are four streamable culinary shows you’ll love. ‘The Chef Show’ Get cozy at home and turn on Netflix to watch Chef Roy Choi, the man responsible for bringing the food from the movie “Chef” to life, on “The Chef Show.” You’ll get incredible home-cooking tips while enjoying appearances from your favorite celebrities, like Tom Holland trying oysters for the first time. This show travels all over the world to explore recipes and honor the tradition of sharing good food. Four seasons are out now! ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’ If you’re not familiar with the late Anthony Bourdain, you’re missing out on one of the most influential, internationally lauded chefs of the past few decades. “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” one of his longest-running TV shows, filmed 12 seasons over seven years, and all 12 seasons are streaming on HBO Max. The show follows Bourdain The 4 Best Cooking and Travel Shows DON’T GET LOST IN THE SAUCE
as he travels and discovers little-known places in order to celebrate diverse cultures by exploring their food and dining rituals. ‘Gordon Ramsey: Uncharted’ Want something a little more recent? Hop on Disney+ to watch Chef Gordon Ramsey of “Hell’s Kitchen,” who has seven Michelin stars, leap out of helicopters to take some of the most epic adventures you can imagine — ranging from the icy waters of Alaska to the plains of New Zealand — all while learning to cook local food along the way. The latest two seasons are available right now! ‘Great Chefs of New Orleans’ Whatever your favorite cooking show may be, it was likely influenced by this classic. One of the oldest cooking shows in the U.S., “Great Chefs” has aged like a fine wine. In this series, you’ll meet some of the best chefs in New Orleans and learn how they create and prepare an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Two seasons are available to Amazon Prime members!
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