THE HONOR AND RESPONSIBILITY OF SETTLING AN ESTATE HOW TO ENSURE YOUR LOVED ONE’S WISHES ARE FULFILLED
Losing a loved one is never an easy experience. It comes with grief, sadness, and a deep sense of loss. It can also come with a mass of paperwork if you happen to be the person responsible for settling the decedent’s estate. Being selected to perform such a task is a great honor, a sign of trust and respect between you and the deceased. Such a grand and important request deserves to be taken seriously. Responsibly settling an estate is a multistep process fraught with pitfalls and peril. You have to collect assets, pay bills, and ultimately distribute the estate to the designated beneficiaries. Failing to do so in a timely manner can lead to increased fees and market risks. Even scarier, you can be held personally liable for certain mistakes made during the settlement process. With careful planning and action, though, you can elude these threats. In designating you to execute their estate, your decedent didn’t intend to add any stress to your life. But if you don’t seek out
guidance in the settlement process, that stress can arrive as a matter of course. Whether we like it or not, the process can be complicated. That’s why it’s so important to work with a trusted attorney who can help guide you through each step. Odds are you’ve never done this before, while we have seen every type of estate you can think of, from the easiest to the messiest and most contentious. At Merlino & Gonzalez, we’ve created an Estate Settlement Roadmap that will take you from wishes to fulfillment. It begins by filling out a questionnaire where you state your needs and worries about executing the estate. From there, we create a game plan to ensure every last detail of an estate comes to fruition. We work with all parties involved to resolve an estate with as little stress as possible. The death of a loved one will always be trying, but settling their estate doesn’t have to be. Call our office at 718-698-2200 to find out more about how we can help.
CHOCOLATE-DIPPED FRUIT MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
take a break
This super easy and fun way to create homemade treats provides your kids with a healthier and more delicious alternative to packaged industrial candy. As a bonus, making it is an awesome Halloween activity for your family to enjoy.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 package melting chocolate • Assorted dried fruit, including apricots and mangoes
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. 2. Place a large, heatproof mixing bowl on top of saucepan so that no steam can escape. Place melting chocolate in mixing bowl and double boil until melted. 3. Dip half of each piece of fruit in chocolate before transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet to rest. 4. Let cool for 10 minutes until chocolate solidifies. 5. Place in school lunches, serve at parties, and indulge in a few for yourself.
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