Check out our July newsletter!
OVERRULED
Louisiana Estate and Injury Attorneys
New Orleans • Covington
July 2024
(504) 384-7978
www.ScottVicknair.com
THE COST OF SUCCESS AMERICA’S WORK-LIFE IMBALANCE
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center, titled “How Americans View Their Jobs,” painted a grim picture of our nation’s work-life balance. Of the workers surveyed, only 48% said they took all the time off offered to them. That means over half of us are leaving vacation days on the table and working more than we should. At the same time, people are suffering from too much stress, high cholesterol, and heightened blood pressure. Americans are overworked, and it is taking a huge toll on our mental and physical well-being — so much so that July 5 has been named National Workaholics Day to raise awareness of this issue! If you are one of the many allowing their vacation days to lapse in favor of more days at the office, then you need to hear me out on this. 2 Buckets Many of us spend our lives carrying two buckets: one is our career and how we earn our living, and the other is our personal life and the time we
spend at home. For the most part, we are either at home or at work. During COVID-19, we were strained when work and home collided. While some could adjust, it did not work out well for many. In my view, our work buckets are chronically overfilled, and our home buckets are nearly empty. This comes down to issues with what we choose to prioritize and how we manage our time. Sharpening the Saw An important reason we have time off is to recuperate from the toil and stress we endure in our work lives. If we don’t spend time sharpening our saw, we become much less useful and productive when we are at our jobs. Utilizing your full allotment of vacation time is a perfect example of sharpening the saw. The time is yours to use, and taking that time for yourself will pay dividends. There is a book I am particularly fond of by Steven Covey, called “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” The book explores this topic closely and highlights the importance of caring for ourselves before prioritizing others. Think of when you are on an airplane. What is one of the first announcements the flight attendant makes? In an emergency, put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. In other words, when we aren’t able to navigate times of strife at our full capacities, we can’t effectively aid others in theirs. Take the Time If you are reading this, please grab a calendar and take the time to care for yourself. We can’t have half of us letting our vacation days go to waste. We earned that time with our hard work and owe it to ourselves to use it and become the best version of ourselves possible. In your free time, read for pleasure, take classes to learn new skills, visit museums, and seek ways to improve your mental and physical health. Self-improvement is key to success, and we can’t focus on ourselves without taking the time to do so. REFERRALS WELCOME! We sincerely thank everyone who has sent us a referral this past month. We appreciate being your personal trusted legal advisor; even if we cannot handle your case, call us and we will work on finding someone who can assist you. CALL NOW – OPEN 24/7 (504) 384-7978
– Brad Scott
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It may be hard to believe, but for much of our nation’s history, you would be more likely to find lobster on the menu of a prison cafeteria than an upscale restaurant. For centuries, these crustaceans harbored a reputation as protein for the poor. In fact, lobster has only recently become a luxury item. This is the story of the lobster and how it rose from a side dish to the main course. Seafood for Settlers When settlers first arrived in America, they soon discovered the shores were teeming with shellfish, which the Native Americans often used as fishing bait and fertilizer. Lobster was so plentiful that settlers did not need to dive to catch them: They would simply pile up on the shore like produce at a grocery store. The crustaceans, some weighing up to 40 pounds, were so prolific and cheap that it was the primary food for prisoners, workers, and children. Servants ate so much that they got sick of them and reportedly included stipulations in their employment contracts that an employer would only serve lobster a maximum of two times per week. Canned Crustaceans While lobster became known as a ready food source for those living on the coast, its short shelf life made it inaccessible to those living farther inland. This all changed in the 1870s with the advent of canned foods and train travel, which made lobster even more affordable and plentiful nationwide. However, their affordability led to increased demand, which resulted in overfishing. Eventually, lobster numbers dwindled, and they became less accessible. Shellfish Revival In the 1920s, people LOBSTER TALES The Culinary Odyssey of America’s Favorite Crustacean
Attorney Caitlin Carrigan returns to co-host with David to chat with Micah Smith, the creative mind behind KIXXSOCLEAN, a venture blending traditional shoe cobbling with modern sneaker culture. From humble beginnings during the pandemic to a flourishing storefront, Micah’s entrepreneurial story is a testament to innovation and community in New Orleans. Caitlin discovered Micah’s business while searching for sharp-looking shoes for her son’s first school dance, and “OVERRULED” was excited to spotlight another talented owner and proprietor of a local small business. This episode tells an inspiring narrative of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of local businesses. Tune in to learn how Micah is revitalizing footwear and making waves in the cobbling world. Brad and David then dive into the world of podcasting for legal professionals with Robert Ingalls, the founder and CEO of LawPods. As a self-described “recovering attorney,” Ingalls shares his journey from law practice to podcasting, emphasizing how LawPods helps lawyers voice their expertise and reach a wider audience. Key highlights include insights on listener growth, content creation, and strategically leveraging podcasts to attract leads and establish thought leadership within the legal industry. Two very different businesses with a united goal of growth through client service! CHECK OUT THE LATEST ON ‘OVERRULED’!
yearned to taste lobster once more. This yearning only grew once chefs discovered that boiling the crustaceans while they were still alive helped to enhance their flavor — much to the lobsters’ dismay. Restaurants in New York and Boston began serving
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lobster on their menu, but the increased demand and scarcity turned them into the expensive treat we know today. Lobster’s rise from bottom feeder to a top-shelf
delicacy has changed the culinary landscape worldwide — the scrumptious shellfish is now a delicacy served worldwide.
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For many parents, the end of the school year begins a long, challenging stretch of unstructured time when children need something to do. Social media personalities are rushing to fill the gap by suggesting activities to inspire parents and kids alike to make the most of their time off. The term “bucket list” was popularized by a 2007 film of the same name. It originally denoted an inventory of experiences Adventure Awaits Craft a Bucket List of Fun Activities for Your Kids
Olympians Are Like Lawyers With the 2024 Summer Olympics beginning in Paris this month, the similarities between elite athletes and the attorneys at Scott Vicknair Law become apparent. While our team won’t be breaking any track
and field records, and no Olympian will be bringing a million-dollar personal injury case to trial, there are parallels worth exploring. Elite athletes and elite attorneys share a common trait — they understand the dedication and hard work required to achieve success. They invest years of training to hone their skills and present effectively in
or achievements you hope to accomplish before you die. But the idea of figuring
out what you want to do in the future is handy at other stages of life, too. Young adults and parents have embraced the term as a tool for planning summer activities.
front of a judge. They value crafting long-term strategies that guide decision-making and are in harmony with their teams’ objectives. Whether they’re facing breakthroughs or setbacks, triumphs or challenges, the journey to excellence demands 100% commitment; there are no shortcuts in the quest for gold. Competition. Performance. #FIGHTFORTHEWIN
Instant Pot Beef Stew
Framing her suggestions as a
“summer bucket list,” one YouTuber, Advice by Angel, suggested no less than 70 summer
activities, from painting old shoes or taking pictures with a Polaroid to camping on the beach, and included beautiful photos to illustrate each suggestion. Among her more creative suggestions are making Nutella pizza, cliff jumping, and a trampoline sleepover. To get your children involved, one resourceful mom, Amy Pettiford, shows on a TikTok video how she listed about 70 summer bucket list choices on a posterboard in various colorful markers and mounted it on the refrigerator. She suggests checking off activities as you do them and adding the date. Among her entries are making a leaf scrapbook, jumping over waves, painting outdoors, and building a blanket fort. Making and using these lists can teach children some valuable lessons. For example, it can inspire parents and kids to think about how they spend their days. It encourages them to do things they might not otherwise pursue, such as Pettiford’s suggestions to dance in the rain, serve a neighbor, gaze at the stars, or perform a random act of kindness. Some items a parent might add, such as Pettiford’s “go garage sale hopping,” can create an opportunity to teach children how to earn money. When fall arrives, your children can return to school with a sense of satisfaction that their summer vacation has been well spent!
Ingredients
• 2 cups beef broth • 1 14-oz can diced tomatoes • 2 tbsp tomato paste • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tsp dried thyme • 1 bay leaf • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 carrots, diced • 2 stalks celery, diced • 2 potatoes, diced
Directions 1. Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and heat olive oil. 2. Add beef and cook until browned, then add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes. 3. Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. 4. Secure the lid and set the pressure cook feature to high for 30 minutes. 5. When the stew is done cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure. Serve and enjoy!
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Louisiana Estate and Injury Attorneys
(504) 384-7978 www.ScottVicknair.com 909 Poydras St., Suite 1225 New Orleans, LA 70112
Inside This Issue
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The High Price of America’s Unhealthy Work-Life Balance
Fighting for the Win Like an Olympian Instant Pot Beef Stew Plan a Special Summer With a Bucket List Unraveling Lobster’s Colorful Culinary History Check Out the Latest Episode of ‘OVERRULED’
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An Inside Look at Matthew Perry’s Living Trust
TRAGIC LOSS AND LEGACIES
The Lasting Impact of Matthew Perry’s Estate
beneficiaries. His half-sister, Caitlin Morrison, and ex-girlfriend, Rachel Dunn, were also listed. Perry also indicated that any children he had would not be entitled to access his estate. (He never had children.) According to FindLaw, “The Alvy Singer Living Trust trustees are Lisa Ferguson and Robin Ruzan. Ferguson was Perry’s business manager, and Ruzan was a friend and executive producer. Perry’s estate is valued at over $120 million.” The passing of Matthew Perry marks the end of an era as fans mourn the loss of a talented actor whose work left a significant impact on the entertainment industry. However, beyond his artistic legacy, Perry’s death highlights the importance and benefits of estate planning, the significance of living trusts, and the blessing of orderly distribution of assets. His family is the fortunate recipient of his generous gift.
guardians for minor children to ensure they are cared for. Matthew Perry, well-known for his role in “Friends,” proved to be one step ahead when he set up a living trust in 2009. The 54-year-old Hollywood star was found unresponsive after drowning at his Los Angeles, California, home on Oct. 28, 2023. According to NPR, “His drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine — a medication used to treat opioid use disorder — were noted as factors that contributed to his death, but were not the primary cause, according to the autopsy results. The death was ruled an accident.” According to a recent filing, most of Perry’s belongings will be placed in the Alvy Singer Living Trust, named after Woody Allen’s character in “Annie Hall.” His father, John Perry, and his mother, Suzanne Morrison, are the trust
An estate plan is crucial for several reasons: It ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away and minimizes potential disputes among family members. You can also designate
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