Hegwood Law - May 2019

Take a look at our newsletter this month.

OCTOBER 2018 HEADLINES HEGWOOD

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MAY 2019

A MOTHER’S LOVE

To the Wisest and Most Fun-Loving Woman I Know

T he month of May is important for all the women in my family because it provides us with the opportunity to get together for our annual Mother’s Day celebration. Every year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, my mom, my sisters, my daughters, and my daughter-in-law share a fantastic lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon shopping. In preparation for our get-together this year, I have found myself thinking a lot about my mom and the profound impact she had and continues to have on my life. “My mom raised my sisters and me to be ambitious, strong, smart, and hardworking; as a result, I know I owe any success I’ve had raising my own kids to her.” Growing up, we did not have a great deal of money, and at several points in my childhood and teen years, my mom worked three jobs to be able to support us. In fact, that is the reason I started working so early in life: to help Mom any way I could. Even though she spent most of her time at work, my mom still played an extremely active role in the lives of my sisters and me. We like to joke that she had us all trained at an early age because she had this ability to snap her fingers and point, and we knew exactly what

she wanted us to do. For example, one day, I was sitting on the couch watching a TV show with my mom when I got a phone call. Without even looking up, she snapped her fingers and pointed, and as if I could read her mind, I got up and finished my call in the other room. She was trying to hear the show, so I knew my talking was bothering her. Our friends still think it is baffling how connected our brains seem to be. In addition to sharing brain wavelengths, I find myself becoming more and more like Mom every day. I’ll say or do certain things and think to myself, “Oh, gosh! There she is!” Fortunately, there is not another person to whom I would rather be compared. My mom raised my sisters and me to be ambitious, strong, smart, and hardworking; as a result, I know I owe any success I’ve had raising my own kids to her. While my mom still stays busy working with the American Legion Auxiliary, I try to spend time with her every chance I get. This is partially because working in elder law and estate planning is a constant reminder that we never know how much time we have left, but it is also because my mom is, simply put, a ton of fun to be around. One of our favorite and most fun-filled pastimes is when I take her to Louisiana to throw some money at slot machines. My, that woman loves to gamble, and she always seems to win!

Maintaining my relationship with my mom, as well as with all the other women in my family, is a vital part of my life, and I think that nearly everyone can benefit from strong familial bonds. Throughout my experience working with clients and their families, I know these kinds of foundational relationships help with every facet of life. So, as you get ready to celebrate Mother’s Day with your own traditions, I encourage you to continue to take advantage of time spent with anyone in your family. If the frightening events on the news teach us anything, it is to make the most of every moment shared with loved ones. To my mom, and the mothers of my seven beautiful grandbabies, Brittany, Rebeca, RaeAnn, and Amber, I hope you all know how appreciated you are! Happy Mother’s Day!

-Kim Hegwood

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THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU STEAL A PROTECTED ANIMAL Animal Theft and Trespassing Don’t Go Unnoticed

You wake up slowly, still groggy from a raucous night out with your friends. As you look around, taking stock of your surroundings, you see the other inhabitants: a desk, your shoes, a penguin … a penguin?! While footage confirms that two youngWelshmen stole Dirk the penguin from his SeaWorld Australia home, the men had little memory of the night’s misadventures the next morning — until they saw Dirk waddling around their rented apartment. The night before, after imbibing a hefty amount during their vacation in Australia, the men got the harebrained idea to break into SeaWorld and swimwith the dolphins. After getting inside, video footage captured them stripping down to their skivvies and running around the facility — until they spotted the penguin enclosure. “Look at them!” one said. Distracted from their original plan, they made their way to the penguins, grabbed one, and left. Dirk, the 7-year-old fairy penguin (the smallest species of penguin), was bred in captivity and had never left his enclosure. The next morning, realizing what they’d done, the three young men panicked and released Dirk into a nearby canal. But Dirk’s misfortunes weren’t quite over. He was chased out of the canal by what onlookers believe was a shark, only to be chased back in by a surprised dog.

Fortunately, concerned passers-by called authorities, and SeaWorld workers came to rescue Dirk and bring him back to his family.

Dirk returned unharmed to his partner, Peaches, but his kidnappers weren’t so lucky. Once a Facebook post recounting their misdeeds made its rounds, police traced the crime back to the two Welshmen. They were charged with trespassing, stealing, and keeping a protected animal, and there was no shortage of public shaming as their crime circulated the internet. Taking note of their letter of apology and admissions of guilt and regret, the judge enforced a heavy fine for the crime in lieu of jail time. Charges for kidnapping a protected animal vary from state to state, but the Endangered Species Act ensures perpetrators face harsh penalties, including fines and maximum sentences. The Animal Legal Defense Fund also provides free legal assistance and training to help protect animals from harm.

Be careful on your next night out, and please, enjoy wildlife without stealing it!

And Our Goal to Help Veterans and Their Families THE HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY

Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flags, flowers, and wreaths, Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have died in service to the United States. Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers. During that first national commemoration, 5,000 participants helped decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. By the late 1800s, many more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday. Then, after World War I, the day grew to become an occasion for honoring those who died in all of America’s wars and was more widely established as a national holiday throughout the United States.

With over 1.5 million veteran soldiers residing in Texas, it is of utmost importance that all Texans take time to understand and honor the sacrifices made by the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country, both in the past and in the present. Here at Hegwood Law Group, one way we honor those who have served in the military is by helping veterans and their families receive the specialized government benefits they rightfully earned. Navigating Veterans Affairs can be a complicated and frustrating process. However, depending on a client’s qualifications, he or she might be entitled to a number of benefits, including survivor benefits, disability compensation, death pension, or dependency and indemnity compensation. Once our veterans benefits attorneys review a case, they will work to help clients understand their rights and how to go about advocating for them.

To learn more about veterans benefits or to identify whether or not you are eligible, do not hesitate to reach out to our team to schedule an appointment.

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Go Green Get Out There With These Eco-Tourism Tips

Vacations can come with great expense, and not just for your bank account. According to a 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change, travel accounts for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cut through the greenwashing and do your part to lessen these emissions by traveling sustainably. Travel Green When possible, trains, hybrid buses, and carpooling are great alternatives to larger, more environmentally intrusive travel methods. Large cruise liners are detrimental to oceans, and airplanes emit large amounts of toxins into the air. However, you can cruise and fly with the earth in mind. Some cruise lines are working to reduce their impact by installing more eco-friendly lighting and materials, and flight experts recommend using “green” airports, choosing fuel-efficient airlines, staying longer, and traveling less. If anything, it’s an excuse to extend your European vacation! Stay Green Where you stay impacts the environment as much as how you get there. Hotels use copious amounts of water for bathing and laundry, and they struggle to reduce energy because guests leave their lights and televisions on. However, many luxury resorts, woodsy cabins, and even entire countries have opted to make eco-tourism easier. If you’re looking for a region of the world committed to preserving nature,

look no further than Iceland, Finland, and Sweden, which are ranked the three most environmentally friendly places in the world. Do Green Man-made attractions like the Egyptian pyramids and Machu Picchu are some of the world’s greatest wonders, but Earth itself is pretty breathtaking. Check out natural attractions while hiking or camping in preserved forests, or soak up all the Caribbean has to offer by snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. When you’re mindful of your surroundings and remain unobtrusive, there are endless outdoor activities you can explore. Some locations even partner with environmentally conscious organizations you can donate to or volunteer with.

Opt for a green vacation and know that while you relax, the earth is getting a little relief too.

EASY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

WORD SEARCH

Ingredients

13 ounces bitter or semisweet chocolate

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 large egg yolks

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2 tablespoons superfine sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chopped chocolate and butter. Heat in microwave until melted, about 35 seconds, and stir to melt completely. Whisk in egg yolks. Set aside to cool. 2. Pour cream into prechilled mixer bowl and beat on medium speed until it starts to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla, whisking until cream starts to form stiff peaks. Carefully fold whipped cream into cooled chocolate mixture. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.

Garden Blooming Day Gemini Mother Memorial Nightingale

Spring Cinco Mayo Emerald May Remember

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HEGWOOD LAWGROUP Trusts | Estates | Probate | Elder Law | Family

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950 Gemini Street | Suite 6 Houston, TX | 77058

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 A Tribute to Mom 2 The Price You Pay for Stealing a Penguin

Do You Know the History of Memorial Day?

3 How to Travel Sustainably

Easy Chocolate Mousse

4 Join Us!

UPCOMING EVENTS HERE AT THE OFFICE AND IN THE COMMUNITY!

Check Out Our Upcoming Office Event:

Day in May. Visitors will enjoy Greek music, authentic Greek cuisine, live dancers, indoor shopping, and more. You can also tour St. Basil the Great Orthodox Church, which was voted one of the most beautiful churches in Houston by the Houston Press in 2011.

Workshop ‘To Probate or Not to Probate’ May 22, 6:30 p.m. Hegwood Law Group offices Free admission

2019 Pull for Puppies Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. City Center Plaza $30 admission per participant Come and take part in one of the most unique fundraising events in the Houston area: the 2019 Pull for Puppies Charity Tug of War Tournament. A portion of the proceeds from this event will help support the Friends for Life pet shelter. So, if you’re a dog lover, get your friends, coworkers, and family members together to join us for a day of tug of war! To register a player or team, go to PullForPuppies.com.

This month, we will host our workshop, “To Probate or Not to Probate: Everything You Need to Know About Probate in Texas.” To get answers for all the questions you have about complex issues related to probate in the great Lone Star State, come check this out. It is free and will take place in our office.

Here Are a Couple of Community Events You Might Be Interested In:

Houston Greek Fest May 16–19, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. St. Basil the Great Orthodox Church $3 Admission

Opa! For over 20 years, the Houston Greek Fest has brought a touch of Greece straight to the Bayou City! The Houston Greek Fest is a family-friendly event held annually the first weekend after Mother’s

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