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September 2023
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Thank You for Making Me a Father Again Green Is Turning 3!
On Sept. 30, 2020, my life changed forever — my daughter, Green, was born. And now, we are celebrating her 3rd birthday this month!
It’s mind-blowing how fast time flies by. I still remember the day my wife told me she was pregnant. I was so ecstatic because I was given another chance at fatherhood. When Matias passed away, I thought my days of being a father were behind me. But I’m so happy that wasn’t the case. Although Green is still a baby, she has a huge personality! Every day, she reminds me of Matias more and more. I remember when Matias was Green’s age and how he became curious about the world around him. He was always playing and letting his imagination soar. And now, Green is doing the same. I love watching her play — she’s so intelligent and creative! There’s never a dull moment when she’s around. On top of her bubbly personality, she’s such a sweet girl. Everyone’s face lights up when she enters a room, and she smiles and hugs those she loves any chance she gets. I think the person she loves the most is her little brother, Theo. She will walk around the house saying, “Baby brother” and “Baby Theo.” When they’re together, she is so kind to him. They play together, and Green even shares her toys with him! While they fight sometimes (like siblings do), it doesn’t last long. She can never stay away from Theo! She wants to be around him at all times. Green is also fearless. When I first starting taking her to the pool, she was terrified of the water. She cried just at the sight of it. But now, while she’s still unsure how to feel about it, she’s adjusting to it rather quickly! She doesn’t cry anymore, and you can tell by the expression on her face that she doesn’t hate it, but she also doesn’t like it. Regardless, her courage and confidence inspire me. Reflecting on this past year, I’d say the most significant change within Green is that she’s learning Spanish! Every day, I speak to her in both English and Spanish. I tell her I love her, say commands, express my feelings, and point to different things in our home and tell her how to say them in Spanish. At first, Green just looked at me and grinned when I spoke to her. But then, a few months passed, and she would repeat some of the words I told her. She’s so bright! Some friends tell me how difficult it is to teach children another language. But that doesn’t mean you should stop trying! Green is a testament to that.
Although she wouldn’t speak in Spanish at first, the repetition of talking to her in English, then transitioning to Spanish really does help! Don’t feel defeated or discouraged if you’re trying to teach your children another language. It will take some time for them to process what you’ve said. But as soon as they hear the language enough, the dots start connecting in their brains. So, what’s next for Green as she turns 3? Currently, she’s attending a summer camp where she’s learning many things! She’s socializing with other kids and does amazing in group settings. Besides that, she stays home with her mom and little brother, and we’re making as many memories as possible. In a few years, she will be entering kindergarten. While I’m so excited to watch her grow and enter school, it’s happening too fast! I couldn’t be prouder of the little lady she’s becoming, and I can’t wait to see what she does in the future.
Happy birthday, Green! Daddy loves you more than you know. Thank you for allowing me to experience fatherhood again.
–Horacio Sosa
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2. Your Funeral Wishes and Preferences — You should avoid placing your funeral wishes and preferences in your will. It can take multiple weeks before your heirs or attorneys consult your will, and by then, your funeral wishes may have been completely ignored. Rather than adding these desires to your will, leave them in a letter to your closest relative so they can have it on hand when the time comes. Consider things like whether you’d prefer to be buried or cremated, what you’d like included in your obituary, and where you want your funeral to take place. 3. Inheritance for Your Children With Special Needs — One of the most crucial elements to keep out of your will is any assets or funds left for a child with special needs. If you leave funds for them in your will, the government can cut any federal benefits they may be receiving, which can cause a significant reduction in their income. Instead, you should create a special needs trust, which will set money aside for your child that will supplement their government benefits. 4. Your Wishes for Your Pets — Lastly, your will should not include any assets or desires you have for your pets. No pet has any lawful claim to an estate or property. After you designate a guardian for your pet in the event of your passing, you should make arrangements directly with them about your wishes and what you want to leave for your pet. Another great option is to create a pet trust that officially establishes funds meant for your pet’s care and well-being. This is a favorite strategy of celebrities, who often love to pamper their pets. In 2007, wealthy real estate tycoon Leona Helmsley, for example, famously left $12 million to her Maltese, Trouble. The fluffy pup quickly became a millionaire! This is just a short list of additives that may be harmful when left in a will. The details are much more complicated! To learn more about what should and shouldn’t be part of your will, speak with an experienced estate planning attorney who can help you properly place your property and final wishes. Want to Protect Your Assets? Avoid These Inclusions in Your Will
When creating your will, you may be tempted to include directions for every single piece of your property and every personal wish that you have. This instinct makes sense, but the “better safe than sorry” approach can actually come back to bite you! In truth, you’re better off leaving some personal properties and directives out of your will. Adding these specific things to your document could backfire. Instead of successfully protecting your assets, you’ll leave an enormous mess behind for your loved ones. We’d hate to see that happen, so we’ve put together a list of the things you should never include if you want to keep your legacy safe. Here are the top four. 1. Your Business — You must never add your business to your will. All wills must go through a probate process, which can take a significant amount of time. Not only can the time delay cause issues with your business, but this probate process also opens the door for someone to challenge your will and whatever wishes you intend for your business. You don’t want your will or the company you worked so hard to operate to be subject to this challenge. Instead, work with your lawyer to create a business succession agreement to bypass these problems entirely.
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Give Your Pet’s Kibble a Healthy Upgrade!
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We’ve heard time and time again that dry kibble isn’t exactly the best food for pets, but it’s undoubtedly the leading product on the market. If your busy schedule doesn’t allow for homemade meals for your canine or feline friend, you can keep them in tip-top shape with their usual food with these four health-boosting tips!
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Hydrate dry kibble. This may be the most crucial step when enhancing your pet’s meals because, without hydration, it can be difficult for them to digest and even absorb the nutrients in dry food properly. You can ensure your furry friend stays nourished by soaking their food in warm bone broth or goat’s milk. If you don’t have either on hand, that’s perfectly fine — warm water works too! Add fish oil for omega-3s. We humans often talk about the benefits of fish oil for its supportive omega-3s, and that applies to your pets too! Not only does fish oil help pets have shiny coats, but it also supports healthy joints, hearts, cognitive functions, and more. You simply pump some fish oil onto hydrated kibble, and it’s ready for your pet to eat. Top with raw food. Your pet will love devouring a highly nutritious pile of raw food on top of their kibble! Freeze-dried, air-dried, or frozen raw toppers are all outstanding options for increasing your pet’s protein and vitamin intake, as they’re a mix of meats, fruits, vegetables, and sometimes even ground bone! Dried or frozen toppers also retain their nutritional value and health benefits while staying storage-friendly. Pack in the vitamins! Every pet can benefit from a multivitamin, just like people! Because the nutrients in kibble can be difficult to absorb, a multivitamin can help fill any gaps left. Countless pet multivitamins are available on the market, and they include incredible supplements like probiotics, immune support, joint support, and more! Speak with your pet’s veterinarian to learn what nutrients you should prioritize for their diet. Then, you can start filling their kibble dish with everything they need to live a happy and healthy life!
WALNUT AND BLUE CHEESE TOMATO SALAD
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
Ingredients
• Chopped fresh Italian parsley, to taste • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp red wine or balsamic vinegar • 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1/2 cup walnuts • 2 lbs ripe heirloom tomatoes • Kosher salt, to taste • Black pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup smoked blue cheese, thinly sliced • 1 tbsp fresh dill
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. On a baking sheet, toast the walnuts in the oven for 12–14 minutes. 2. Wash and slice the tomatoes. Place slices on a platter, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. 3. Scatter toasted walnuts and blue cheese on top, followed by dill and preferred amount of parsley. 4. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, wine or vinegar, and garlic to make the dressing. 5. Spoon dressing evenly over salad and serve.
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954-532-9447 www.SosaLegal.com 2924 Davie Rd., Ste. 102 Davie, FL 33314 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Happy Birthday, Green!
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Want to Protect Your Assets? Avoid These Inclusions in Your Will
Walnut and Blue Cheese Tomato Salad
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Improve Your Pet’s Health With These Kibble-Enhancing Tips
Step-Up in Basis Will Save You Tax Dollars
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USE THIS ESTATE PLANNING LOOPHOLE TO SAVE Don’t Pay More Capital Gains Tax Than You Should!
two decades, the home’s appreciation can easily be hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a result, they could be left with little profit after forking over the capital gains tax. Meanwhile, if your child were to inherit the property after your passing, they would only need to pay the capital gains tax from the market value at the time of your death instead of when it was initially purchased. The basis of the asset’s value is stepping up in time to adjust the appreciation value. That’s why it’s called a step-up in basis! The result? Your child will save on expensive taxes and start building wealth with this property’s profit.
There are plenty of estate planning maneuvers, but when done without the guidance of an attorney, these techniques may end up costing your family a fortune. One action that can do more harm than good is transferring your assets into your children’s names. While it might seem like you’re helping them, they could miss out on a significant tax break: step-up in basis.
What is the step-up in basis loophole? When you want to transfer a physical property or stocks into your child’s name, they will often need to pay a substantial capital gains tax. The value of these assets increases over time, and
when you transfer them to your child, they will have to pay tax on all the appreciation, or the increase in value, from when you first purchased the property to the sale date.
Instead, try putting your assets in a living trust. So, how can your child take advantage of the step-up in basis? You can put your assets in a living trust and add them as a beneficiary. Instead of being considered an owner, your child will only inherit your estate after your death. While a living trust has plenty of benefits, you should always consult an attorney to understand if this is the right move for you, your specific assets, and your children.
Regarding homes, the value can significantly increase over just a few decades. After
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