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APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2024
QUARTERLY
ESTATE OF THINGS
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FROM MANDARIN MAJOR TO ESTATE PLANNING MAESTRO
How I Found My Calling in Law
I didn’t set out to become a lawyer. I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Mandarin Chinese, of all things. I served as a missionary for my church for 2 years among Chinese people and as passionate as I was about the people and the language, I wondered how that would translate to me making a living and supporting a family. I didn’t consider law until my friend, a Spanish major, told me about his plans to attend law school, and it inspired me to take the LSAT and attend law school. I am originally from Mesa, and my wife was my high school sweetheart. After finishing ASU and figuring out I wanted to be a lawyer, we moved our lives to Salem, Oregon, where I completed law school, and she earned her master’s degree. For the next 17 years, we called Oregon home. We had four children, and I began my legal career at a firm that was rooted in estate planning. It was then I realized how much proper planning impacted families experiencing the loss of a loved one. There’s so much involved with the facet of this type of law. From simple wills to advanced business planning to probate, it’s a field that continuously changes. When I built my solo practice, I knew estate planning and trust administration were the areas I wanted to home in on.
Oregon’s moist, damp weather, and we returned to the drier climate of our home state. Looking back, it’s kind of funny to reflect on the path I took. Most people move from a larger firm and then begin their own practice, and I did the opposite. When I started searching for a new position here in Arizona, my brother connected me with Morris Hall, and the rest is history. I’ve been with the firm for about six years, and I love the camaraderie and ability to bounce ideas off other attorneys on the same mission as I am, to help families. My team are genuinely good people who give their all to our clients, and I’m proud of our quality of service. I approach this role like an educator, striving to teach those I meet with about estate planning and all the options available. It’s a nuanced part of law, and I work hard to ensure families avoid any hassles or the often costly and time-consuming probate process. One of the most exciting aspects of my job is the variety of people I meet regularly. I handle everything from modest estates to those worth millions of dollars and everything in between. Being in Arizona, you encounter people who have come from all over the world to retire in the warm sunshine of the state. Nothing is more rewarding than helping families amicably handle end-of-life matters. Early in life, I saw firsthand how asset disputes can destroy relationships. My
grandmother passed away when I was a freshman in high school. She lived with us for several years prior to her passing with my mom and dad as her caregivers. Upon her passing, the family reached out immediately to my mom to find out what they would inherit. My grandmother had no estate plan, and this caused a huge rift between my mother and her sisters. It tore my mom apart, and she was never able to reconcile with my aunts before they passed away. I’ve made it my mission to do everything I can to prevent that kind of conflict from happening to another family. When I’m not working, I like to stay active, enjoying a little pickleball, golf, or basketball. I have also loved coaching several of my children’s soccer and basketball teams. My talented wife is a professional singer, and when I’m not watching her perform, we often watch theater or symphonies in the Phoenix area. We celebrated 25 years of happy marriage together in February — 30‑plus years of being in each other’s lives. I’m thankful to be a part of Morris Hall. Being able to assist clients with carrying out their estate planning goals and passing on
their legacies is incredibly rewarding. As a bonus, I even get to use a little bit of Mandarin on occasion.
I did that successfully for 10 years until my wife’s allergies could no longer bear
–Michael Halliday
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REFRESHING WAYS TO REVITALIZE YOUR HEALTH ROUTINE SPRING INTO WELLNESS
FIND FRIENDS A workout buddy can keep you invested in your routine. They’ll keep you motivated and accountable — it’s much harder to skip a workout if someone’s relying on you. Even better, a partner can keep you safe if you’re weight training. Consider enrolling in a class if you have trouble finding someone to work out with. Not only can you learn new fitness tips and tricks, but you can also make friends. SPRINGIFY YOUR DIET Winter typically involves plenty of warm comfort meals, such as soups and hot chocolate, but spring is blooming with other options. It offers an array of refreshing and delightfully light dishes. Strawberries, pineapples, and avocados are best these months, along with many other delicious foods perfect for salads and smoothies. Shake up spring and keep to your regimen. There’s no better time to build healthy habits, especially in May’s warm weather. Take a jog with a friend, and afterward, enjoy a strawberry smoothie, and you’ll surely have an exceptional season.
Spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, so there’s no better time to revitalize your health and wellness routine. New routines can boost your motivation and keep you engaged. From workouts to diet, it’s time to get out and take advantage of the sunshine! GET OUTSIDE Winter is fierce, unrelenting, and notorious for derailing outdoor fitness routines. It’s finally warm enough to exercise outside, so mix things up and get outside. Jump on a bike and ride through the wind. Slip on your jogging shoes and run through the neighborhood. Put on your swimsuit and head to the pool. Nature is full of challenging and fun activities, so take advantage of the warm weather before the next winter arrives. SPICE UP YOUR ROUTINE If you’re into yoga or weight training, try new exercises. A new routine ensures you won’t miss any muscles while keeping you engaged. When the treadmill becomes a dreadmill , do your cardio on an elliptical or stationary bike. Grab some free weights if you’re starting to find weight machines dull. There’s always an alternative to keep things interesting.
BUILD YOUR ESTATE AROUND YOUR CHARITABLE HEART HOW TO EMBED PHILANTHROPY IN YOUR ESTATE PLAN
Giving back to the charitable organizations you are passionate about is a great way to make a difference. You can incorporate philanthropy into your estate plan to help others after you are gone. Along with positively contributing to society, embedding philanthropy into your estate plan can also bring various financial benefits. Let’s look at ways you can guarantee your assets go where they will make big changes in the world. DO WHAT YOU LOVE It all starts with selecting charities or causes dear to your heart. Pick nonprofits with a mission that resonates with you and will use your contributions well. When your estate plan aligns with your deepest passions, it can drive your beneficiaries and trustees to honor your charitable intentions with just as much enthusiasm. DESIGNATE YOUR ASSETS Determine what you wish to leave to your selected charities. You can designate money, real estate, and other valuable assets for philanthropic causes. There are a few different methods you can utilize to give: A charitable bequest lets you allocate a specific
amount or percentage to charities in your will. You can also name a charitable organization as a beneficiary of a portion of your remaining estate in your will or living trust. You can direct specific accounts like bank accounts and life insurance policies to transfer to a charity upon your death. Establishing a charitable trust or foundation will allow you to create a structured framework to distribute funds to your chosen charities over time. REAP TAX BENEFITS There are some immediate financial benefits, such as tax deductions, when you add charitable giving to your estate plan. Giving a portion of your estate to a qualified organization can reduce your tax liability. This allows you to provide more for your heirs. If you want to leave a legacy of kindness and support the causes that matter most to you, including philanthropy in your estate plan is a beautiful way to make an impact. Bring your family into these discussions so the tradition of charity becomes multi-generational. Give us a call so one of our skilled attorneys can help you.
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IT’S TIME TO PHONE A FRIEND! We absolutely love getting to know you and helping you preserve your family’s legacy. Learning about your relatives and friends who mean so much to you and how they’ve impacted your life is an honor. We would love opportunities to help your loved ones preserve their legacies and ensure their wishes and needs are protected. If you love the service you receive at Morris Hall, we’d appreciate it if you would share our contact information with those in your life who may need assistance planning or administering their estate. We want your friends to be our friends, too!
This season is the perfect time to do a little spring-cleaning, but it’s not just your closets and drawers that could use a refresh! It’s a great practice to get into the rhythm of periodically updating your estate plan as the circumstances of your life are constantly evolving. Here are some excellent ways to dust off your current plan and ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes next! MILESTONES Have any significant changes in your life happened that might mean updates to your will or trust? If there has been a death or marriage in your family, think about what you might want to do in your plan to address it. Sometimes, minor details, such as an address change for a beneficiary, can cause the biggest headaches for your heirs in the future. ASSETS Journaling is an excellent way to declutter your mind, and you can also use it to organize your estate this spring. Jot down a list of your assets and note any changes that may have occurred. Life events like purchasing a home or starting a new business may change your finances and plans for your assets. DOCUMENTS As you empty drawers and file cabinets in your home, look for outdated documents related to your will and other aspects of your estate. Shred the old paperwork because it can confuse your heirs later on. You only need to ensure the most recent copy of these critical documents is available. You should keep any estate planning documents in a secure, designated location. As you spruce up your home this spring and prepare for the rest of the year, don’t sweep your estate planning under the rug. Regular reviews and updates to your plan will ensure that your wishes will be faithfully carried out. When the cold dissipates and flowers bloom, it’s time to make your estate plan squeaky clean and fresh. TIDY UP YOUR LEGACY THIS SEASON HOW TO SPRING-CLEAN YOUR ESTATE PLAN
Citrus BBQ Chicken
INGREDIENTS • 8 skin-on chicken leg and thigh pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/3 cups ketchup • 2 tbsp brown sugar
• Juice and zest of 1 orange • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
DIRECTIONS
1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce and add the rest to the plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and marinate overnight. 3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken sauce, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 4. On grill set for medium-high heat, arrange chicken skin side down. Cook until grill marks form, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken, cover grill, and cook until a thermometer inserted into thighs reads 165 F, about 20–25 minutes. 5. Serve with remaining sauce.
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Meet Our Attorney Michael Halliday PAGE 1 Rejuvenate Your Routine With 4 Spring Wellness Changes PAGE 2 Ensure Your Assets Benefit Others PAGE 2
Citrus BBQ Chicken PAGE 3
Tips to Spruce up Your Estate PAGE 3
Navigating the No-Spend Challenge PAGE 4 Financial Detox Succeed in Your No- Spend Challenge
Thanks to clever advertising and a lack of discipline in spending habits, many people spend too much on trinkets and other things they don’t need. To help us all stop impulsive spending habits, the No-Spend Challenge was developed and has gone viral on the internet. This financial detox
challenge encourages us to break free from the mindless spending we may be partaking in. It’s a challenge that pushes mindfulness to reassess financial habits rather than deprive us of necessities. The first step is creating clear budgeting goals. Whether paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a specific milestone, having a concrete and well-defined objective helps you stay motivated throughout the process. This should also include an end date to achieve your goal — a year, month, or week are all options. Your plan should also identify and anticipate potential roadblocks during the no-spend period. This structure will make the challenge feel like more than just a temporary spending freeze.
reflect on how often you’re spending your hard-earned money. You can also rediscover the value of experiences that don’t cost anything and develop healthier financial habits. These help dismantle a consumer mindset, enabling you to use funds to fulfill goals rather than a quick adrenaline hit. When you complete the challenge, you will emerge armed with newfound financial freedom, awareness, and discipline, and you’ll be more inclined to reach short-term financial goals, practice healthy spending habits, and work toward long-term financial health. A No-Spend Challenge can foster a community of others who gain these new skills and inspire others to halt their own consumption. This intentional approach to spending will assure participants that they’re in control of their aspirations and the finances that can fund them.
This accountability and the communal nature of the trend encourage you to
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