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JANUARY 2026
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Don’t Just Plan for the Year Ahead Plan for the Years to Come!
Many of us start each new year with a renewed sense of ambition. As we put 2025 behind us, we reflect on all our experiences and adventures from the past 12 months before setting goals for 2026. These goals, often referred to as New Year’s resolutions, fuel our drive for the first few weeks of the year; most people try to lose weight, create a greater work-life balance, or get more involved in their hobbies or charitable efforts. However, you should consider including Estate Planning elements in your resolutions for 2026.
However, you can’t simply sign the paperwork and expect the Trust to come to fruition. You have to fund it by transferring assets from your name to the name of the Trust. Items left out of your Trust could become subject to Probate. DISCUSS YOUR ESTATE PLAN WITH LOVED ONES. One of the primary reasons people create an Estate Plan is to protect their families while setting them up for continued success. It’s a good idea to discuss your Plan with the loved ones involved, so they don’t face surprises down the road when you’re not there to provide explanations or reasoning. To be clear, you’re not giving them an opportunity to change your mind; you’re just sharing your plan with them. Additionally, you should also set time aside to talk with the individuals you want to be your Powers of Attorney, Trustee, and Personal Representative to ensure they are up to the task and comfortable with the responsibilities of the role. ENCOURAGE LOVED ONES TO CREATE A PLAN. Many people believe that Estate Planning is only necessary if they have abundant wealth or numerous assets, but the reality is that everyone can benefit from having an Estate Plan in place. It protects your family and your future from the unimaginable and unpredictable. If you have friends or family members who have procrastinated or avoided creating their Plan, send them our way. We’ll be glad to help them understand the importance of Estate Planning and develop a plan that fits their needs and desires. One of the best parts about setting Estate Planning New Year’s resolutions is that they are much easier to accomplish than the usual resolutions of losing weight or saving money. It’s easily actionable, and you can see the finish line. Plus, we’re here to help if you need any assistance accomplishing your goals.
Here are a few Estate Planning resolutions you should explore in 2026.
REVIEW YOUR ESTATE PLAN. Estate Planning is not a one-and-done experience. Many people assume they can sign off on their documents, store them, and forget about them until they need them. Proper Estate Plans require regular reviews to ensure all information remains accurate and reflects your wishes. Suppose you welcomed any new children or grandchildren, experienced the death of a loved one, relocated, became ill, or experienced any other significant life change. In that case, you should review and update your Estate Plan accordingly. FUND YOUR TRUST. Trusts can be one of the most effective tools for protecting your assets, leaving things to your heirs, and cementing your legacy.
I hope you have a great start to the new year!
-Barry Siegel
1 561-955-8515
Money remains one of the greatest stressors in our lives. Many Americans worry about having enough money to provide for their families, afford necessities, or even save enough for a quick vacation. By having an efficient system and process in place, you can ensure you stay within your budget, have enough money saved to cover unexpected expenses, and maybe even buy your kids or spouse a special gift every now and then. Financial wellness plays a significant role in our overall happiness and well-being, but achieving a stable financial situation can be challenging. One of the best things you can do to fortify your financial standing and protect yourself and loved ones from financial strain is to establish your Estate Plan and ensure it has everything it needs to cover your bases. At first, this may sound counterintuitive. You may even ask yourself, “Doesn’t it cost money to create an Estate Plan?” However, the financial, mental, and emotional benefits of having an Estate Plan far outweigh the initial cost. For starters, you’ll gain more confidence when it comes to life’s unknowns. Not only do you get to decide what happens to your assets, but you also get to determine your plan if Secure Your Finances and Future With an Estate Plan
The Power of Hearing in Healing How to Model Confident Care for Kids
No matter what station of life someone is in, they deserve to feel safe. Of course, physical safety is always paramount, but what about emotional safety? In our often busy and complex lives, ensuring our loved ones feel safe on the inside can be overlooked. This is especially true if you’re a working parent, juggling obligations to your young ones and your own sense of stability and peace of mind. Here are two quick but valuable tips for making the journey emotionally safer for you and them. NOT EVERY PROBLEM REQUIRES A SOLUTION. We’ve all had days when we need to vent to someone close to us. While the recipient of our woes may immediately start suggesting ways to solve the problem, all we really want is for someone to hear and understand us. It’s the same with children, who sometimes just crave the security of someone who listens to them. In these instances, saying, “Wow, you’ve had a tough day,” may be more helpful than proclaiming, “Here’s what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it.” Of course, adding something that elicits a smile or chuckle from a stressed child never hurts. Above all, be sure to validate their emotions. Even if their negative situation seems minuscule by adult standards, acknowledging it may still mean the world to them in that moment. CALM CAN BE FOUND IN CHAOS. It’s a Monday morning. Everyone is running late, the toast is burnt, a glass of orange juice has just spilled all over the kitchen table, and your little ones are talking a mile a minute. While these moments may make you want to shout on the inside, keeping a calm, gentle demeanor outside will help reduce tension for your kids before they head off to school and set a strong example of how to react under pressure. Frustrating situations are inevitable, but how we respond to them is our choice.
you become incapacitated. You can name someone as your Power of Attorney so they can manage your finances and create an Advance Health Care Directive to explain your medical preferences. This ensures your loved ones do not spend money needlessly. A clear Estate Plan will help avoid the expensive and time-consuming Probate process while ensuring your loved ones don’t waste money on healthcare decisions that go against your wishes. Financial wellness is all about planning, managing, and protecting your assets. As a result, Estate Planning plays a direct role in your financial wellness. Having an Estate Plan puts you and your loved ones in a better position financially. If you have any questions about establishing or updating your Estate Plan, please contact us at your earliest convenience!
By remaining calm and showing compassion even in challenging times, we comfort our children as much as we show them how to comfort themselves.
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Don’t Bet Your Retirement on a Guess The Secret to Smarter Medicaid Planning
As we age, we begin to consider our Long-Term Care needs and what they may entail. The vast majority of Americans envision themselves aging in place from the comfort of their own homes, still carrying on with their everyday routines for as long as possible. However, this is not a reality for everyone. We may need extra attention our loved ones can’t provide, or may even need a caretaker to watch
over us if we develop Alzheimer’s or start to struggle with our physical health. You must have a backup plan in case your initial plan does not work as intended, and for most of us, that backup plan will involve Medicaid. Many people assume that Medicaid will be available to them when they need it, but that’s not necessarily how it works. It requires time and intentional strategy to become eligible for Medicaid, as individuals must keep their monthly income below $2,901 and their assets under $2,000 to qualify for regular Medicaid. Additionally, Florida has a five-year look- back period, during which officials will audit your past transactions from the previous 60 months to determine if you gave away assets or bent the rules to qualify. This is why it’s so important to
work with an Elder Law attorney with vast Medicaid experience. When you work with us for your Long- Term Care needs, we’ll do what we can to make sure you can qualify for Medicaid without needlessly spending down your assets. While we can use many strategies, one proven successful is applying for and obtaining a Medicaid waiver through a special waiver program offered by iBudget Florida, Developmental Disabilities Individual Budgeting, Florida Long-Term Care, and others. These programs allow you to seek early Medicaid approval. This can be a faster process than waiting to meet eligibility requirements. Applying for Medicaid or obtaining a Medicaid waiver is best done with professional help. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you!
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Inside This Issue
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The Smartest Resolution You’ll Make This Year
Parenting to Empower Emotional Calm in Kids
Financial Wellness Starts With a Strong Estate Plan
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Proactive Medicaid Planning Pays Off
Check Out Our Seminars!
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The Joys and Jolts of Sneaker-Free Strolls
Sole Searching Is Walking Barefoot a Step Toward Wellness or Toe Trouble?
Many people say something special happens when you feel the sand or grass on your bare feet, but is walking shoeless really a step in the right direction for your health, or just a toe trend? Walking barefoot has been touted for its wellness benefits, helping with everything from improved posture to a greater sense of calm. But hot sidewalks, the potential for infections, and achy heels could all be unwanted side effects of your sandal- free stroll. Before you kick it au naturel , here’s what you need to know about this grounded gait. WALK FOR WELLNESS Walking barefoot can help strengthen your muscles because it forces your feet to work overtime. Shoes tend to limit your natural movement, so going sans sneakers is like a workout for your feet. It can also enhance your balance and coordination, decreasing
your fall risk. You’re setting yourself up for better posture when you stroll without shoes, too. Ill-fitting footwear can lead to misalignments and strain your knees, hips, and back. Beyond the physical pluses, evidence shows it’s good for your mood to walk barefoot in nature, especially on grass or sand. It can create a grounding effect that reduces stress and can lead to better sleep. TOE TROUBLES Shoes protect your tootsies from sharp objects, grime, and harmful bacteria, so when you ditch your boots, you risk cuts, infections, and bruising. Not all pathways are created equal, and if you walk on hot surfaces, slippery ground, or poky pebbles, you could get burns, blisters, or even frostbite. It can also be hard on your body. Most of us have been wearing footwear our entire lives, and unsupported movement can change how weight hits our feet. It can
cause aches and pains and add additional pressure on your paws. If you are going to take the plunge and kick off your shoes, start with short bursts on soft, clean ground. Heed your heels, and if you feel any pain or irritation, slip your sneakers back on.
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