Douglass & Runger - August 2024

New babies, weddings, and first homes — so many exciting changes and milestones can happen throughout your lifetime. But, as you celebrate these momentous life events, it also means it’s time to review your estate plan. Your plan is a foundational safety net that will provide for you and your family in the future, and it should evolve alongside you and all the changes you experience. Ready to give your estate plan a modern makeover? Let’s explore the telltale signs that it’s time for a review. YOU HAD A CHANGE IN YOUR FAMILY. Several significant shifts in your family could signal that it’s time to review your plan. If you have just married, you may want to add your spouse as a beneficiary. You’ll also need to update the documentation in your estate plan, so you refer to your partner as your spouse. Similarly, you may want to remove them from your plan if you get divorced. A child is also a solid reason to review your plan. It’s essential to add a child quickly so they are provided for if the unexpected occurs. YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. Your estate plan should consider your current budget and salary, so you should update your plan if you have gotten a raise, a new job, or inherited a large sum of money. You must have the most updated and accurate information about your current situation for your plan to work for you. The same is true for a loss of income or valuable assets. YOU HAVE MOVED. If you have moved to a different state or country, ensuring your estate plan complies with the laws of your new home state is a must. The rules can vary from various locations, and you may need to modify certain documents to ensure you adhere to your jurisdiction’s requirements. If you have recently purchased a new home, you’ll want to get that covered in your plan to protect it. As you experience life’s surprises and changes, remember that your estate plan must also adapt, just like you and your family. Whether you’re planting roots in a new state or celebrating a work promotion, these changes deserve a plan that reflects your current situation. Growing Families and Changing Plans Why Your Estate Plan Needs an Update

Tasty Cucumber Sushi Rolls

Ingredients • 1 cup uncooked sushi rice • 1 1/2 cups water • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt • 2 sheets of nori • 1/2 a cucumber,

sliced lengthwise into thin strips

Directions 1. To make sushi rice, combine rice with water in a small saucepot. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until water is absorbed. Let cool. 2. Lay a piece of nori on a flat surface. Spread half of the sushi rice evenly over the nori, leaving a 1/2- inch border on one end. 3. Place half the cucumber strips along the other end of the nori. 4. Using your fingers, moisten the 1/2-inch border of the nori with water. 5. Gently roll up the nori, starting from the end with the cucumbers. Then press to seal. Repeat with a second sheet of nori and remaining cucumber. 6. Slice with a serrated knife into 1-inch sections and serve. INSPIRATION “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” —Roger Crawford

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