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B & A BULLETIN Q3 2026
MEET THE NEW FACES AT BOTT & ASSOCIATES CULTURE AND CARE Serving clients and staying up to date on the laws, rules, and regulations surrounding estate and financial matters is only part of the battle when running a law office. As a business owner, it’s also my job to foster a positive, nurturing culture in our offices. After all, someone isn’t going to stay here if they don’t feel supported or have to deal with frowning coworkers all day. At the same time, I want to work with people who have the spirit and talents necessary to function as a team that truly cares. And we’ve recently welcomed two new team members who’ve already made a tremendous impact on our mission.
last December. What does that job title actually mean? Well, in my mind, it’s all about being a friend to anyone who calls on our firm for help. Whether I’m scheduling client meetings or meeting with them in person, my job is to ensure things run smoothly, making them comfortable with the process and confident that it will go well. ‘My journey to Bott & Associates was unique. I originally studied and earned a degree in interior architecture before I received an offer from Maritess (who, by the way, is my aunt!) to come on board. Meeting one-on-one with our clients has opened my eyes to another world, and I’m thrilled to be a part of something that gives them so much comfort and peace of mind. ‘As for my future here, Maritess is encouraging me to use my creative side at the firm. In addition to helping design the current office layout, I’m looking into ways to expand our marketing reach. ‘Most of all, I’m proud to work for a firm so committed to helping families, as I come from a big one. I’m one of six children, and I try to go to my mom’s house and visit my siblings as often as I can. When I’m not spending time with my family and boyfriend, I can be found in the kitchen. I love exploring food and coming up with new meals to try. ‘I hope our readers enjoy this month’s newsletter, and I can’t wait to meet and work with you!’
This month, I turn over my cover article to Angelina Cruz and Maria Ghiran , whom I’ve invited to share a little about themselves
and how they help Bott & Associates
continue to be a place of optimism for clients and employees alike. Angelina’s Client Care ‘Hello! My name is Angelina Cruz, and I’ve been Bott & Associates’ director of client services since
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Maria’s Money Management ‘Hello from the newest member of the Bott & Associates team! I’m honored to be a part of the team here as a financial services associate. I work closely with Maritess in all things financial for our clients. ‘I come to Bott & Associates with a heavy banking background. I worked
‘It’s a great feeling when I know we’re helping clients protect themselves in the event that something happens to them and their spouse, children, or other loved ones are taken care of. There’s nothing worse than someone working hard all their life to have something to their name, only to have it go to the state because they didn’t take the right steps before they passed away. I’m here to help prevent that from happening. ‘Although my work is serious business, I’m still a kid at heart. I love building LEGO sets whenever I have time, and I have a corgi named Loki. (I’m a Marvel fan!) I’m also always on the lookout for a great restaurant, so please let me know if you know a place in the area I must try! ‘Thank you for trusting Bott & Associates for your estate planning needs. I can’t wait to get to know you!’
Bott & Associates LTD is proud of everything we’ve achieved over the years, but we never thought we’d be able to add “TV stars” to our credentials! Last September, Maritess Bott and Associate Attorney Janki Patel traveled to Florida and filmed a segment for the TV show “All Access With Andy Garcia.” Yes, that Andy Garcia, of “The Godfather Part III,” “The Untouchables,” and “Ocean’s Eleven” fame! The production team behind the program (dedicated to celebrating “innovators, educators, and community leaders who are shaping the future of our society”) contacted us at the end of 2024 and expressed an interest in filming a segment devoted to exploring the basics of estate planning and how proper legal services (such as ours) help individuals and families achieve greater peace of mind. Over the course of the shoot, the production team created both a four-minute segment for the show and a one-minute commercial for our firm. In the “All Access” segment, Maritess at a financial institution for six years before moving into sales for a year. When it came time for my next move, I wanted to join a team where I could combine my administrative focus with my financial experiences, and this firm has been the perfect fit for me! PRIME-TIME PRESTIGE BOTT & ASSOCIATES TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT
and Janki discuss a host of relevant topics, including asset protection through proactive preparation, why a simple will isn’t enough to cover an estate plan, strategies for protecting assets while still qualifying for Medicaid, planning for family care, the disadvantages of probate, how taxes impact the estate planning process, and much more. “All Access With Andy Garcia” can be seen on national public TV and at AllAccessPTV.com . The Bott & Associates TV
commercial currently airs on CNN, HLN, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, Discovery, TLC, and the Travel Channel, among others.
Scan the QR code to watch our special episode!
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Your Future, Rewritten A Plan for a Dream-Driven Path
If you could change your life today , how would you do it? No matter how happy or successful we may be in life, we all have things we wish could be changed for the better. Maybe it’s losing a few pounds or getting out more, or maybe it’s being a more present spouse, parent, or friend. Perhaps a major career change is in order, or perhaps you want to finally write that great American novel you’ve been thinking about for years. No matter what your goals are, today is truly the only time you have to start making your dreams a reality. This idea has been on my mind a lot lately, especially since Aug. 28 marks the 63rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and September is National Self-
Improvement Month. Dr. King’s words still ring true today as a reminder of humanity’s greatest potential, while Self-Improvement Month encourages us as individuals to discover and pursue possibilities within ourselves. Both involve turning our dreams into reality. As for my dreams, keeping Bott & Associates thriving for years to come is my biggest professional goal. As you’ll see in this month’s cover article, we have new, younger team members here who will grow with us for the long term. Our firm will be around for a long time, and it’s exciting for me to know the best is yet to come. Now, I turn it over to you . What are your dreams at this stage of life? What are your dreams for your children or grandchildren? Have you set a plan into
motion to improve yourself through better financial management or estate planning? Will your legacy include things that will help your loved ones reach their goals and fulfill their dreams? In honor of Dr. King and National Self- Improvement Month, I encourage you to seriously consider these questions and put whatever answer you find into motion now. If Bott & Associates can help you chart a clearer course for making any of your dreams (and those of the people dearest to you) easier to achieve, we’d be honored. We’re always just a call away.
Upcoming Events Please call us at 847-818-9084 for more information on our events.
SUMMER CLIENT EVENT Join us for a Sip n’ Paint (with non-alcoholic beverages) with an instructor. This is a beginner-friendly, lighthearted
event for our clients/attendees to enjoy! Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, 5:30–6:30 p.m. FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINARS
We invite you to join our upcoming free seminars to take the first step toward peace of mind by creating or updating your estate plan. This is an educational seminar featuring Attorney Maritess Bott, who will highlight the concerns many families
face and how an estate plan can help. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, 10–11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, 2–3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, 10–11 a.m. *The seminars scheduled for August will be available for on-demand viewing after the live events. CLIENT REVIEW SEMINAR
Take a Break
We invite you to join our upcoming free seminars to take the first step toward peace of mind by creating or updating your estate plan. Attorney Maritess Bott will discuss common concerns families face and explain how proper estate planning can provide clarity, protection, and confidence for the future. Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, 10–11 a.m., 6–7 p.m. Location for all events: 3701 Algonquin Rd. 1st Floor, Conference Room B, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
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3701 Algonquin Rd., Ste. 1070 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-818-9084 BottEstatePlanning.com
Inside This Issue • New Team Members, Same Vision • Our Major Media Milestone • Tomorrow’s Goals Today • Check Out Our Upcoming Events! • Take a Break • The Savings System That Helps You Stay Focused and Organized
Give Every Dollar a Purpose A SMARTER WAY TO SAVE
Most of us know we should be putting money aside for the future. The tricky part is knowing what to do when “the future” starts pulling our money in several different directions at once. That’s where the right savings approach can make managing things much easier. One particularly effective method breaks your savings into separate categories based on purpose and timing. Instead of putting all your money in one general pile, you create savings “buckets” that line up with each of your savings goals. These goals differ for everyone, but most fall into one of four broad groups. The first bucket everyone should have is for emergency savings. A great starting goal is to set aside $1,000 and work toward eventually having up to six months of expenses available.
Tie your other buckets to timing. Short-term savings might cover something you expect to purchase within the next year. Medium-term savings could be for a larger purchase several years out, while long-term savings are for goals you may not reach for a decade or more. So, what does this look like in practice? Start by listing the goals you’re currently trying to save for and sort them by timing and purpose. Your emergency fund should have its own bucket and be easy to access. Short- term buckets can cover things like travel, new furniture, or appliance upgrades. Use medium- and long-term buckets for goals that take longer, such as a home purchase or retirement. Once you set up those buckets, you can decide how much to send to each one based on which goals are most urgent.
The value of this approach is that it helps you see your financial priorities more clearly. When each savings goal has its own bucket, it becomes easier to track your progress and harder to spend money intended for one purpose on something else. It also gives you a simpler way to adjust when life changes, letting you shift your focus without losing sight of the larger picture.
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