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The Works Everything you need to know for greater peace of mind.
November 2017
913-214-1884
www.kcestateworks.com
Celebrating 1 Year
With JB’s surprise arrival, last year was the first time ever that both Al and I missed our respective family’s thanksgiving festivities. Not that I am complaining. We were so lucky to have a kid on the mend this time last year that nothing else really mattered to us. It also didn’t hurt that we came home from the NICU to find our fridge stocked with all the requisite trimmings thanks to our amazing families. Looking back over the past year, we have survived the NICU, countless sleepless nights (with the occasional relapse), teething, adjustments to work and social schedules, and all the hurdles that new parents face. We have heard his first word: Da-da (and yes, I’m gloating). We watched in simultaneous glee and terror as he started crawling, exploring electrical sockets, and the like. He is now waving and clapping and doing other silly things that only his parents really care about (but we will insist on boring you with it anyway). We have fallen in love with his infectious laugh and will do anything not to hear him cry. Overall, it has been a pretty fantastic year, and it is about to get a whole lot better. It is time to jump back on the Colahan/Sheridan/ Sollars Thanksgiving circuit, sporting drawstring pants and a healthy kid in tow. Fire up those ovens family, the Thompsons are coming to town, and we’re hungry! To all my clients, family, and friends, I hope you have a truly wonderful Thanksgiving and stay safe this holiday season.
It is mindboggling to me that my son, JB, turns 1 this November. As Al and I prepare for the big day, I am reminded of the three constants to any Thompson household celebration: 1) dessert; 2) a blended assemblage of Thompsons, Colahans, Sollars, Bullards, and Sheridans; and 3) the glue that holds it all together — libations. JB’s party will be no different, and I can think of no better way to cap this wonderfully strange year.
‘Tis also the season of breaking bread. Al and I are really big fans of breaking bread. It is probably our favorite thing to do as a couple. Not surprisingly, we like this time of year. It also doesn’t hurt that we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to cooks in our family. In years past on Thanksgiving, Al and I would hop on the blended-family holiday circuit and stockpile enough leftovers to keep us in good supply until spring.
“I’ve always been focused on my work, but I cherish the times I get to go home early and hang out with him.”
-John Thompson
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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
3 FAMILY ACTIVITIES
for Thanksgiving
Unless you have a child auditioning for “MasterChef Junior,” you’re probably not going to let the little ones cook the turkey this Thanksgiving. Just because the kitchen might be off limits, though, doesn’t mean you can’t find a few creative ways to make the holiday extra special for your kids. Spice up Thanksgiving with these fun, family-friendly activities. Coloring-Book Tablecloths If you have a big family, you are probably familiar with the Thanksgiving tradition of the kids’ table. It may be smaller than the grown-ups’ seating arrangement, but it doesn’t have to be any less special. Turn your kids’ table into a canvas for a colorful, creative dining experience. To do this, use craft or art paper to cover the table. Tape everything down tightly and provide crayons and colored pencils for every place setting. If you want to add some extra holiday spirit, put the drawing supplies in empty cranberry sauce and pumpkin cans.
Gratitude Mobiles Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t just about delicious food. It’s also about reflecting on the parts of our lives we are grateful for. Teaching kids about gratitude is the most valuable Thanksgiving lesson. Bring that concept to life with a gratitude mobile. Grab some colored paper circles — or cut them out — and have your children write down things that they are thankful for. A silver Sharpie is great for this. Punch holes in the tops of the circles and run string through them. Tie the other end of the string to a coat hanger or embroidery hoop and hang it from the ceiling. Stuff the Turkey Game Want to get the kids outside so you can get to work in the kitchen? Create a Thanksgiving-themed game for them to play outside while you prep the stuffing and put the turkey in the oven. To create a holiday-themed “Stuff the Turkey” game, all you need is a few paper bags. We’ll bet you have some left over
from shopping. Use two small bags stuffed with scrap paper to create legs and glue them to a larger bag folded to look like the body of a turkey. Now that you have your turkey, you need some balls to stuff it with. Anything
soft and baseball-sized will work, even some balled-up paper. Kids will take turns trying to toss the balls into the turkey, scoring points for every shot made.
Testimonials
Your Referrals Make a Difference
“Absolutely amazing service! Everyone should have estate documents, and I know we all stress about the hassle of getting it all done. John and his team could not have made it easier for my husband and me. They listened and created documents that take care of everything. He even came out to my office on a SATURDAY to notarize the paperwork for us. Thank you so much!”
“We met John through a family referral and couldn’t have been more pleased. With the birth of our first child, this was our first experience with estate planning, and he explained everything in the perfect amount of detail along the way — enough for us to feel confident, but not so much as to confuse or overwhelm us. He was patient with our multitude questions and delivered a package of documents that allow us to rest assured that our health, family, and estate will be properly managed if the unthinkable should happen.
At KC Estate Works, we are dedicated to your estate, tax, and business succession plans. We’re here to help you achieve peace of mind by getting your affairs in order and minimizing the burden placed on your loved ones. That’s why every referral you send our way makes a difference. We get to help even more people. And for that, thank you for your referrals and thank you for placing your trust in us — not only to help you, but to help the people you care about.
–Christina A. Carter
“Thanks, John! We’ll be coming back to you when it’s time for an update.”
-Katie Redhair
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Wills and Living Trusts WHICH IS BETTER FOR YOU?
Estate planning can be intimidating.
A will does not protect you in the event of incapacity or serious illness. If you have minor children, a will is the only document that allows you to legally appoint a legal guardian for your kids. A will must be executed within the formal requirements prescribed by the specific laws of your state. To make sure your will is effective, it should be prepared and reviewed by a qualified estate planning attorney. Living Trust A living trust is a legal document that allows you to name a trustee to manage and distribute your property for your loved ones. Unlike a will that becomes operative upon death, a living trust becomes effective immediately upon execution. While you are living, the trust property is managed for your benefit. Upon your death, the remaining property is then either managed or distributed to your loved ones in accordance with your wishes. Perhaps the biggest advantage to a
living trust is that it is not subject to probate. Using a living trust also allows the distribution of your estate to remain private, and it typically occurs much sooner and at a lower cost than a will. Parents who desire a fair amount of flexibility over their children’s inheritance may want to consider a living trust. Similarly, affluent clients subject to federal and state estate taxes will want to evaluate the use of a living trust to incorporate taxes into their estate plan. Generally, the formal requirements of executing a living trust are less cumbersome than those for wills. To make sure your living trust is effective, it needs to be prepared and reviewed by an estate planning attorney. If you need help determining whether a will or living trust best fits your circumstances, give KC Estate Works a call at 913-214-1884. We can fulfill all of your estate planning needs.
However, properly conveying your
values, wishes, and experiences to your family and loved ones is a critical component of the estate
planning process. Here are a few general guidelines to help you better understand the difference between wills and living trusts. Last Will and Testament A will is a legal document that the probate court uses when distributing your assets to your loved ones. It is important to remember that a will-based estate
plan will always be subject to probate, and a will only becomes effective upon your death.
ROASTED PARMESAN PESTO POTATOES
Laugh Out Loud
Ingredients
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2 pounds red potatoes, quartered
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Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons basil pesto
3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In large bowl, combine potatoes and pesto. Toss to coat. Transfer potatoes to large baking sheet or shallow roasting pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast 20 minutes and remove from oven. 3. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over potatoes and put pan back in the oven. Roast for additional 10–15 minutes or until potatoes are tender and crispy. Remove from oven and serve warm.
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Recipe courtesy of TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com.
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I nside T his I ssue
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Celebrating 1 Year
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3 Family Activities for Thanksgiving Your Referrals Make a Difference The Difference Between Wills and Living Trusts Roasted Parmesan Pesto Potatoes
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Iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons
Iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons
Thanksgiving is a holiday full of traditions, from turkey and stuffing to football and naps. Since 1924, the Macy’s Parade has grown to become not only a Thanksgiving staple but also the world’s largest parade. Over 3.5 million people attended the parade last year, with another 20 million tuning in from home. The main attraction is always the massive character balloons, which first graced the skies in 1927. Over the decades, some of these balloons have become nearly as famous as the character they depict. Felix the Cat When the Felix the Cat balloon appeared in 1931, it set the standard for all characters to follow. Sadly, the original balloon got tangled in wires and caught on fire, so it has been lost to history. Felix’s influence on the parade is so
immense, however, that when Macy’s brought him back in 2016 for the parade’s 90th anniversary, they recreated his original design. Without Felix’s debut, the parade might look a lot different today.
Snoopy When it comes to balloon characters, none is more famous than the classic “Peanuts” beagle. His first balloon floated through the sky in 1968, and he’s been a regular fixture ever since. Charles Schultz’s famous pooch holds the record for most variations in a parade (eight) and most total appearances (40). Though Snoopy doesn’t come out every year, he usually closes the showwhen he does.
Pikachu The Pokémon mascot didn’t appear until 2001, but he’s become a star attraction, showing up every year since. Bright, expressive, and impossible to miss, Pikachu checks off all the boxes for a successful balloon character. For 16 years, those who predicted that Pokémon was just a fad have gotten a big, yellow reminder of just howwrong they were.
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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
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