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October 2023
Promise Law’s tagline is “Life happens. Plan on it.” Almost everyone knows that no one can predict the future, and none of us know when incapacity or death might strike. But part of how we deal with the randomness of life is to put it out of our minds. In part, people avoid estate planning because the topic makes them uncomfortable. But estate planning also tends to bring complicated family dynamics to the forefront. Some decisions can be incredibly challenging, and grappling with the reality of relationships in a legally binding document is intimidating. But during National Estate Planning Awareness Week this October, I’m reminded of how delaying preparation can have lasting consequences. One client’s story has always stuck with me. I met a gentleman who was mentally sharp but in poor physical health. He was a widower who had rekindled his connection with an old sweetheart from his pre-marriage days. She began acting as his caretaker, and he wanted to update his estate planning documents to ensure she could continue living in his home after his death. His wishes were unequivocal, so we drafted the documents and mailed him a hard copy to review. Unfortunately, his family was in town. They saw the revisions and were displeased. The client called me to reschedule his signing appointment due to their objections. Though he made clear WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and the factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 690-2470. Why Delaying Your Estate Plan Is Risky The Price of Procrastination
the documents I drafted reflected his wishes, and I expressed concerns about the delay, he wanted to wait until the dust settled and his family returned home. Sadly, that day didn’t come; he died within a week. His partner was confused and distraught; he’d told her he was updating his will to ensure she received a portion of his assets. But the plan was unenforceable, and she was wholly excluded from the estate. I like to remind my clients they can’t insure their house once it’s already on fire. Even when your wishes are apparent, there is no substitute for a legally enforceable estate plan. You must do this work in advance to protect your loved ones. Because estate planning is an emotionally fraught process, Promise Law takes an approach that combines gentleness with urgency. We help clients ease into estate planning with an educational workshop, helping them understand their options and giving them the language to discuss these matters with their families. We then meet to learn more about what our client wants their legacy to be. In a second appointment, we draft those provisions, and a review appointment ensures the client fully understands their documents. Finally, we try to have the signing within a week of the review — because time is of the essence.
We’ve seen people not make it over the finish line. If you need to create a plan or update an existing one, please contact our office today. The longer you wait to get an item off your to-do list, the less likely it is to get done.
–Geneva Perry
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In the 1800s, wealthy English families clamored to get their hands on the latest garden decoration trend, one that would showcase their affluence to other families while maintaining their image as intellectuals. No, this garden trend wasn’t a bench, windchime, or statue. It was alive . They were called “Ornamental Hermits” and were living men hired to inhabit the gardens of the elite. Aristocrats across England between 1727 and 1830 outfitted their landscape gardens with “hermitages,” or tiny structures for the hermits to live in, and would pay the men to dress like Celtic priests, refrain from bathing, grow their hair and nails, and sit in the gardens looking contemplative while reading and writing. The idea was that these men would add an air of mystique to the property, as the hermit life symbolized philosophical and scientific curiosity, which of course, reflected the values of the property owners. And at the The Hidden History of Ornamental Hermits
time, hermits were a great curiosity of many due to their alleged “mystic powers.” By the end of the 19th century, the ornamental hermit craze fad ended, largely due to complaints that hiring a human to be a garden decoration and forcing them into a silent, unclean life was exploitative. However, many wealthy garden landscapes throughout England still feature tiny overgrown hermitages where these living “decorations” once resided.
Behind the Plate: Unveiling Food’s Mysteries
You probably think you know the foods you eat pretty well. Otherwise, you wouldn’t put them in your body, right? But you might be surprised to learn that common dietary staples like eggs, pineapples, and even chocolate cake are hiding some shocking secrets! The stickers on fruit are edible. According to the Food and Drug Administration, they have to be! Since these stickers come in contact with something we do eat, manufacturers must make them from safe materials in case any substance from the sticker transfers over. So yes, the stickers are indeed edible but have no flavor or nutritional value. Pineapples are not a single fruit but many berries grown together. Have you ever noticed the pentagon-shaped pattern on the outside of a pineapple? Each of
those pentagons is its own berry, called “syncarp,” and they all grow together onto the pineapple’s main “core,” which is that hard column in the middle most people cut around. German chocolate cake isn’t German. It was simply named after baker Samuel German who created a sweet baking chocolate used in the original recipe. Eggs sold in the U.S. would be illegal in the U.K. It’s all thanks to the fact that eggs in the U.S. must go through a washing and sanitizing process before they hit the shelves. While in the U.K., it’s illegal to wash or clean eggs in any way before selling them.
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TAKE A BREAK
In the U.S., 21 million people report having at least one major depressive episode, while 17.3 million adults live with major depressive disorders. When someone feels depressed, there isn’t much anyone can do to help them. However, someone suffering from depression can do a few things to help ease their symptoms. No. 1: Be gentle with yourself. When you feel depressed, you’re not going to accomplish the same number of tasks or be as productive as you usually would — and that’s okay! Be open and accepting of your current state, and take pride in your progress that day, no matter how small. No. 2: Take a walk — literally ! SMALL JOYS, BIG DIFFERENCE: Overcoming Depression
Candy Costume Gourds Halloween Haunted Moon Raven Tricks Vampire Werewolf Witch Zombie
THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Research shows that for some people, even a little bit of exercise
(like a short walk) not only reduces their current symptoms but can also prevent future depressive
Ingredients
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp salt • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 large eggs • 2 cups (12-oz package)
episodes. Even if you can only walk around the block, it will still help your mind and body. No. 3: Do things YOU enjoy.
semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. 3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until creamy. 4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended. 5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 6. Stir in chocolate chips. 7. Arrange dough in rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets. 8. Bake 8–10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; move to wire racks to cool completely.
The fatigue that depression brings can feel more powerful than your desire to enjoy your hobbies. Push back against this as much as possible and do something enjoyable, even if it seems minor. This will boost your mood and motivate you to continue engaging in activities.
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PromiseLaw Life happens. Plan on it. ™ (757) 690-2470
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Why You Should Address Your Family’s Future Today The Bizarre Trend of Living Garden Decorations From Stickers to Cakes: Food Revelations! The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Walking Towards Happiness: Depression’s Antidote Revamp Your Space on a Budget With Furniture Flipping
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Furniture Flipping: Your Wallet-Friendly Ticket to a Stylish Home Makeover!
One of the easiest ways to refresh your home is to change your furniture, but that isn’t always cheap. According to Furnishr, a turnkey home-furnishing platform, refurnishing a living room can cost you nearly $2,500 on the low end , and that’s just one room. But if you don’t have thousands to spend on an interior facelift, don’t give up hope! Furniture flipping is a great way to revitalize a living space without breaking the bank. What is furniture flipping?
You’ll likely reupholster any chair or couch you buy, so don’t worry about the fabrics; instead, focus on the frames. Consider the structure of the furniture and let your creativity imagine what color or material would look perfect in your home. What are some ways to upgrade old furniture? Change the color! Give that furniture a good cleaning, strip off the old finishes, sand down the surface, and apply a fresh coat of paint so it looks new!
You “flip” furniture when you purchase old or outdated furniture from a local thrift store or online resale marketplace and then update it to a new, trendy condition!
Change existing hardware. Many handles on furniture pieces require only a screwdriver to change out. Visit your local hardware store and pick out some in your style! Reupholster couches or chairs. While it may require some work, reupholstering fabric furniture can save you a TON of money. If you want to learn how to do it, search “DIY reupholster” on YouTube. Hundreds of flippers are there waiting to give you advice!
We know what you’re thinking: “Ew! I don’t want to sit on someone’s used couch,” or “Why would I buy used furniture for my home?”
Remember, flipping means work . The whole point is to give old and cheap furniture a complete makeover to make it uniquely yours.
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