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November 2023
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THIS THANKSGIVING, EMBRACE THE BONDS OF FAMILY
Family is the cornerstone of our lives, a steadfast foundation upon which we build our hopes, dreams, and memories. It is within the embrace of family that we find comfort in times of turmoil, joy in moments of celebration, and unwavering support that accompanies us through the journey of life. For me, the significance of my family has been both a guiding light and a saving grace. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife for 27 years now — a partnership marked by love, shared dreams, and support. Together, we’ve weathered life’s challenges and celebrated its triumphs. Our two children bring laughter and light into our home and are
our greatest blessings. However, our family has also endured its fair share of heartache: A few years ago, we experienced the unimaginable loss of one of our children. The pain of losing a child is an indescribable sorrow that forever changed us. This horrible experience is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit as we continue to cherish the moments we have and hold our family and loved ones even closer.
those we hold dear, the friends who become like family, and the communities we call home. At my estate planning firm, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power and complexity of family dynamics, and it’s my job to help protect them. I assist in providing guidance, not just in distributing assets among family members but in preserving the harmony and legacy that defines the family. These moments are about more than wills, trusts, and assets; they’re about ensuring the love and care you’ve devoted to your family stretches beyond your lifetime. I help families seamlessly transition their values, wealth, and dreams to the next generations. To me, family is everything, and harmony within a family is priceless. My mission is to help families navigate the complexities of estate planning, foster open and honest conversations, and prevent disputes that could erode special family bonds. As we approach Thanksgiving, a time when gratitude and togetherness take center stage, let’s reflect on the importance of family. I’m grateful for the love
My own journey began in Paraguay, where I grew up in a close-knit family made up of three brothers, a sister, and loving parents. My childhood was filled with laughter, and I was fulfilled by the bonds I shared with my siblings. No matter how far I’ve traveled or the experiences I’ve accumulated, the importance of family remains a guiding principle in my life. Next February, my mom will be celebrating her 80th birthday. This milestone isn’t just a number — it represents a lifetime of love, wisdom, and resilience. It’s a momentous occasion that I wouldn’t miss for the world, and I’ll be traveling back to Paraguay with my family to celebrate and be with those who matter most! This holiday season, it’s important to remember that family extends beyond blood ties; it encompasses the bonds we create with
that surrounds me and the cherished memories I’ve created with all of them.
From my family to you and yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
–Horacio Sosa
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CANNONS AND COURAGE ENGLAND’S EPIC VICTORY OVER NAPOLEON’S NAVY
directly at the French and Spanish ships, signaling to his men, “England expects that every man will do his duty.” The British fleet punched through the middle of Napoleon’s navy, allowing them to use cannons on both sides of their ship. Once the English took advantage, the battle quickly came to a close. The British claimed 19 or 20 of Napoleon’s ships and took the lives of thousands of Spanish and French sailors, including Villeneuve. Around 1,500 British troops were killed, including Admiral Nelson, or wounded in the battle. Although Napoleon would stay in power for another decade as he continued to fight wars against the rest of Europe, England was officially out of Napoleon’s reach after the Battle of Trafalgar. If there’s one thing we can learn from this battle, it’s that using efficient and effective tactics can help us accomplish anything, no matter the odds.
during the Battle of Trafalgar in the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon had always been in awe of the British Royal Navy. By 1805, Napoleon had left his mark on Europe, conquering much of the continent and building his navy, which consisted of 33 French and Spanish ships that sailed under the command of Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve. In late September 1805, Villeneuve and his fleet were docked near Cádiz on the Atlantic coast of Spain. After a few weeks of preparation waiting for more favorable weather, Villeneuve set sail for Naples, only to find that he was being pursued by Admiral Horatio Nelson and his fleet of 27 British ships. Conventional naval battles of the time saw ships line up parallel to each other, giving both sides easy targets with their cannons. Nelson had other ideas, however. On Oct. 21, near Cape Trafalgar, Nelson ordered his fleet to form two columns and charge
Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most prolific military leaders in all of human history. Napoleon became the emperor of France in 1804 after proving his military prowess countless times in battles against England, Russia, Austria, and other European powers. He revolutionized warfare and battles, and many consider his tactics to be some of the greatest ever developed. Yet, there was one British naval officer who was able to outwit Napoleon’s navy and prevent the conquest of England
The Trust Advantage SMART STRATEGIES FOR DESIGNATING BENEFICIARIES
So, what do you do instead? You could directly name an adult guardian to become the beneficiary, but this still opens you up to the problem already mentioned. Even if they’re good with your kids, they might not be the best money managers. The best path forward is to create a living trust and name the trust as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
As a parent, you want to do everything possible to ensure your children are cared for if you pass away or become incapacitated. Many people start a life insurance policy, thinking they’ll be able to leave a large sum to their children if the unthinkable happens. Many employers offer life insurance as a job benefit, or you can get coverage through an insurance agent. Once you
establish what you want from your life insurance package, you have to name the beneficiaries of your policy. While most people choose their spouse or partner, many consider naming their children as the beneficiaries. It sounds like a great idea on paper, but complications arise when it’s implemented. When you name a minor as a life insurance beneficiary, they won’t be able to receive the proceeds directly. Instead, your appointed legal guardian (if you don’t have a legal guardian named in your estate plan, the state will appoint one for you) will manage and distribute the money. And they could make decisions that don’t coincide with your wishes.
With a trust, you can name a bank or money manager as the trustee while setting specific guidelines for who gets access to the funds and when. This means you can set up the trust to help pay for your children’s education and other expenses as well as a monthly stipend for the guardian without giving anyone untethered control of the funds. You can even determine the age your children will gain full access to the trust. Don’t make the mistake of naming your minor children as beneficiaries of your life insurance policy. Establish a trust — it’s the best way to take care of your legacy.
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Take the Lead
Leash-Training Made Easy
Bringing a new dog into your household comes with many responsibilities. You have to teach it the rules of the house and coach it through various commands to ensure your new friend is as obedient as possible. Unfortunately, training a dog is not as easy as explaining the process to it and expecting results. You have to work with it and consistently correct any wrong behaviors. And for many dog owners, one of the most
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com STUFFED PEPPER SOUP
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar • 2 tsp salt • 2 tsp beef bouillon granules • 1 tsp pepper • 2 cups cooked long-grain rice • Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• 2 lbs ground beef • 6 cups water • 1 28-oz can tomato sauce • 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, undrained • 2 cups chopped green peppers
difficult things to train a dog on is learning how to walk on a leash.
Nearly every dog owner has struggled to walk a dog who wanted to lead or didn’t want to follow. Like many others, you probably
Directions 1. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Add beef back to the pot and stir in all ingredients except the cooked rice. Bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until peppers are tender, about 30 minutes. 3. Add cooked rice and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
tugged and pulled before giving up. Thankfully, there is a simple method to leash-train your dogs. Ideally, you’d deploy these tactics when you first bring a puppy into your home, but you can also teach an old dog new tricks with this strategy. It’s best to start by practicing in your own home instead of on the sidewalk or even in the backyard. Without a leash, call your dog to your side and reward them once it arrives. Start walking forward, interacting with your dog the whole way. When it stays by your side, reward it with another treat. Repeat this process until the dog catches on and eagerly awaits its next treat. Now, your dog is ready to try the same exercise while wearing their leash and harness. Once it’s mastered the leash indoors, take your dog on a walk outside. This is where the real challenge begins. There are cars, new smells, and many other distractions that your dog will want to investigate. To prevent your dog from pulling or trying to lead, you must shorten the leash so it has no choice but to stay by your side. It might try to pull away at first, but the dog will quickly learn that there’s nowhere else to go and will learn to stay next to you.
TAKE A BREAK
Ballot Cornucopia Cranberry Districts Maize Pilgrim Politics Raking Shopping Stuffing Thanksgiving Veteran
Once your dog is properly leash-trained, you’ll have a much easier time walking with your furry friend!
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954-532-9447 www.SosaLegal.com 2924 Davie Rd., Ste. 102 Davie, FL 33314 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Reflecting on the Power of Family Bonds This Thanksgiving
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How a British Admiral Thwarted Napoleon’s Naval Ambitions The Right Way to Protect Your Children’s Inheritance
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Stuffed Pepper Soup
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How to Leash-Train Your Dog for Stress-Free Strolls
4 Estate Planning Lessons From Anne Heche’s Untimely Death When Fame Meets Inheritance: Anne Heche’s Legacy
and then given to the children.” Heche sent the email in 2011 when the couple was still together. Unfortunately, the email was not legally binding, and a judge gave complete control of Heche’s estate to her son, Homer. The estate consisted of $110,000 in bank funds and uncashed checks as well as an estimated $400,000 in other assets. However, people continued to target Heche’s estate with massive lawsuits. In November 2022, the woman renting the home that Heche crashed into sued the estate for at least $2 million, then the homeowners filed their own lawsuit. A month later, a credit card company sued the estate for $36,000 in credit card debt. Like many other celebrity estate planning cases that make the news, this entire situation could have been avoided if Heche had created an estate plan.
car — or Heche — for over 45 minutes. Following the accident, Heche fell into a coma and passed away seven days later due to inhalation and thermal injuries as well as a sternum fracture. Unfortunately for Heche’s family, she passed without a will in place, which complicated matters significantly. Heche’s eldest son, Homer Heche Laffoon, filed a petition to be appointed administrator of her estate not long after her death. James Tupper, Heche’s ex-partner and father to her second child, argued that he could reject the petition as he believed Homer was not suitable due to his age and lack of income. Furthermore, Tupper provided an email written by Heche that left the estate in his hands. It read, “FYI In case I die tomorrow and anyone asks. My wishes are that all of my assets go to the control of Mr. James Tupper to be used to raise my children
News of Anne Heche’s death stunned the entertainment world in August 2022. The 53-year-old actress who starred in “Donnie Brasco’’ and “Six Days Seven Nights’’ was driving her MINI Clubman when she crashed into a Los Angeles home. A fire broke out from the accident, and firefighters were unable to remove the
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