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Planning for Your Pet Don’t Throw Your Companion Animal to the Dogs!
October has a lot to celebrate. The weather is changing, the kids are back in school, and football season is underway. I have always been a college football fan and look forward to the big Florida vs. Georgia game every year. (Go Gators!) Then there’s my birthday on Oct. 28. Add in Halloween, and you probably won’t be surprised to know this was a favorite time of year for me as a kid. Halloween continued to be a lot of fun once I had kids too. Trick-or- treating always became a big production. Jamie used to make them homemade costumes when they were young, and I have a photo of our oldest, Connor, dressed as a pumpkin when he was just around 1 year old. Eventually, they wanted fancy store-bought costumes, then they graduated to handing out candy. We can barely get them to think about costumes anymore, but it’s all part of growing up. Some people continue to get in on the Halloween fun by dressing up their animals, and October hosts several pet-themed holidays like Global Cat Day — and it’s even Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Unfortunately, most of my kids are allergic to animals, so pets weren’t in the cards for our family. But I had birds and cats as a kid and greatly enjoyed their company. Thanks to those experiences, I understand why people see their animals as family members. But not everyone accounts for their pets in their estate plans. Unfortunately, when pets outlive their humans, there is often no place for them to go. So, how do you prevent your beloved pet from becoming that previously mentioned shelter dog? Start by considering the people who’d best care for your pet in your absence. The new guardian might be a family member, neighbor, or close friend, but they should ideally love your pet (almost) as much as you do. Then, have a conversation with them to explain your wishes before putting this in writing. Though you can transfer ownership of a pet to someone through a will (just like other property), a reluctant or resentful new guardian is unlikely to care for your pet in the way they deserve. They might even relinquish your pet for adoption, ruining your careful plans.
Once you have an animal lover in mind, you’ll need to consider the financial implications of
having a pet. Food, boarding, and other necessities add up quickly. That’s not to mention veterinary care, which can total
thousands of dollars. If you want your pet cared for in the same way that you cared for them, it’s wise to leave funding behind.
Some people choose to provide an additional cash amount in the will to the new guardian with a request to use it for future pet care. But once they inherit the cash, the money is theirs, and how they spend it is up to them. That’s why some people choose to take out a pet trust instead. A pet trust will stipulate care and funding for the pet, and the instructions are legally binding. But they have their downsides, like expense and inflexibility. If you are considering it, you should talk to your estate planner to understand all the implications beforehand. How you handle your pet’s guardianship doesn’t have to be complicated, but you should consider it in advance. Too many pets end up without homes because their owners never thought about what would happen to them. Don’t let your beloved companion become one of those statistics. Secure your pet’s future by having a plan.
–Mike Hill
1 (239) 265-9779
OCTOBER 2022
Fall in Love With the Scenery! 3 Places to Travel This Season
Fall is the perfect time to plan a scenic vacation. You can find lower prices and fewer crowds at many popular destinations right now. Best of all, the views are incredible. From the changing colors of leaves to sunsets and mountains — a picture- perfect getaway awaits you! Here are three popular destinations to fall in love with this season. 1. Asheville, North Carolina Everyone can find something to enjoy in the mountains of the Carolinas. You can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway or hike the Appalachian Trail for breathtaking views of mountains and sunsets. For history fans, get lost at the Biltmore Estate and learn more about the Vanderbilts. If you’re a fan of the nightlife, Asheville is known as Beer City USA, with more than 30 breweries and over 100 local brews. 2. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming The wildlife in Yellowstone is active in the fall, so you’ll get a chance to see bison, elk, and eagles during your stay. You may even observe bears preparing for hibernation. If you love to be outdoors during the cooler months, then you will love biking, fishing,
and hiking here during the fall. However, be aware that some roads will close for the winter in mid-October, so review park information ahead of time for accessibility. 3. Sedona, Arizona It may be too hot to visit Arizona during the summer, but the fall months are perfect because the temperatures drop somewhat. If you love to see
trees bursting with colorful leaves, hike the Baldwin Trail and Cookstove Trail. Sycamore, oak, and maple trees will shade you with their colorful canopies. Also, each year, the city holds a Day of the Dead celebration you can attend at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in late October.
These are only three of the many breathtaking destinations you can visit this season. For more locations, go to TravelAndLeisure.com/trip-ideas/fall- vacations/best-fall-vacations. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip now, and don’t forget to pack a camera to capture the picture-perfect views!
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Snowbirds are starting to return to Florida to enjoy our year-round warm weather, and we can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces. Splitting your time between two states has many perks, but it also requires careful planning. We compiled some last-minute reminders for those still in the preparation stages in hopes of helping your winter go off without a hitch. Winterizing Your Home Usually, people who move to Florida for the winter come from a cold climate. But while you escape the elements, don’t leave your house to fend for itself. Lower the heat, but don’t turn it off entirely since low temperatures can freeze your pipes or cause other types of damage to your home. Add an extra layer of security by shutting off your water to prevent destruction from a freeze or leak. And don’t forget to turn down your water heater to maximize energy savings. Protecting Against Theft Your presence is one of the best deterrents against burglary, so how do you ensure your possessions stay inside your home where they belong? Consider setting light timers to create the illusion of your presence and use a security system that can notify you of suspicious activities. And don’t give would-be thieves reason Don’t Forget These Last-Minute Tasks
to believe you’re gone! Hire a snow service to clear your driveway, stop or forward your mail, and don’t let newspapers pile up
on your stoop. Finally, consider traveling with your most valuable items in a carry-on or storing them securely in a safe deposit box. Keeping It Clean Who wants to come home to a mess? When you return in the spring, the last thing you’ll want to see is an unmade bed or clutter all over the kitchen. Give your home a good clean so you can kick back and relax after traveling all day. Most importantly, empty the garbage and remove any food that could spoil from the fridge, or you might return to bad smells or pests. Don’t forget your outdoor projects, either. Clean the gutters, replace that missing roof shingle, and rake up the leaves to prevent potential problems. Lastly, ask a trusted neighbor or family member to watch for any signs of trouble. Having them check for tampering, house damage, or piling up door hangers will give you the peace of mind you need to make the most of your months down south.
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Clutter, Confusion, and Decision Fatigue I’ve heard that my career as an estate planning attorney will end as artificial intelligence (AI) improves, much the same as the web did away with travel agents. Proponents of AI feel that consumers flock to anything that’s faster, easier, and cheaper. Why AI Won’t Displace Wise Professionals
With that said, wisdom is hard to come by. In my mother’s case, we traveled to a renowned Houston cancer center to get the most up-to- date knowledge. Thank God for those professionals, as they served to extend my mother’s life for another 12 years. Many clients similarly understand that our estate, trust, and tax laws impose numerous traps for
Knowledge is vastly different post-internet. Prior to Google and similar search engines, professionals were the gatekeepers of knowledge. Today, one can look up nearly anything without having to attend medical, law, or trade school of any kind. In my experience, however, the explosion of available information hasn’t led to the extinction of the best professionals. When my mother developed acute myeloid leukemia, I immediately went to WebMD and other sites to learn about the disease and available treatments. After several hours of searching and reading, I felt more alone and confused than ever about what we should do. It was only after visiting the wise and extremely knowledgeable physicians at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston that we understood what treatments, chemotherapies, and bone marrow transplant options my mother would need to try. As good as the internet may be in breaking through knowledge gatekeepers, it also causes information overload, mental clutter, confusion, and decision fatigue. Patients, clients, and customers will always value the counsel of a wise professional over that of mechanical, artificial “intelligence.” Wisdom is more valuable than knowledge.
the unwary, and they need expert assistance. But it’s difficult for consumers to know where to place their trust. That’s why I like to remind everyone that my law partner Michael Hill and I are board- certified in wills, trusts, and estates, joining only 290 other such attorneys within the entire state of Florida. Will AI replace many professionals? I don’t believe it will displace true specialists. There will always be a need for exceptional knowledge and keen wisdom to bestow the same comfort that MD Anderson provided my mother several years ago.
–Craig Hersch
Want more? Read Craig’s unedited blog post at FloridaEstatePlanning.com/learning- hub/blogs.
Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
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5 cups of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
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Pepper, to taste 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
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2 cups Arborio rice
2 cups of pumpkin, diced 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin purée 1/2 yellow onion, minced
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese
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2 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat the oven to 400 F and arrange a rack in the middle. 2. In a 3-quart baking dish, combine broth, rice, diced and puréed pumpkin, and onion. 3. Season with salt and pepper, then stir until evenly combined. 4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until water has been absorbed and rice granules are puffed. 5. Remove from the oven and stir in basil, grated Parmesan cheese, mascarpone cheese, and olive oil.
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INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
Is Your Pet in Your Estate Plan? PAGE 1 3 Picture-Perfect Destinations PAGE 2 Snowbirds, Don’t Forget These Chores! PAGE 2 Will Technology Replace Estate Planners? PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto PAGE 3 Benefits of Volunteering for Older Adults PAGE 4
The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.
o i n g
Build the Community Through Giving Volunteering not only strengthens the community but also benefits the person who serves. For those who enjoy spending their time giving back, check out how volunteering opportunities can benefit you! Improves Mental and Physical Health When you do good, you feel good. Those positive emotions lead to emotional resilience, which helps you in the face of crisis or stress. They also decrease stress while increasing positive, relaxed feelings. Volunteering gives you a sense of meaning and appreciation, which can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Volunteer activities also keep people moving. Whether it is carrying donation boxes, walking around the neighborhood, planting a community garden, or even cleaning litter from the roads, this moderate physical activity can help strengthen muscles, reduce blood pressure, and even alleviate symptoms of chronic pain. Prevents Isolation and Promotes Socialization Many older adults face social isolation, and it can have negative impacts on their overall health. Volunteering is a great way to
network with members of the community and meet new people.
Likewise, after moving to a new neighborhood or leaving a career, it is difficult to find a new social group.
But when you work with people toward the same goal, you may find you have common interests with other volunteers. You can even invite your family or friends to help, and then catch up while doing something good for the community. Gives a Feeling of Purpose Sometimes as life changes and you grow older, your sense of purpose may begin to fade. Volunteering can help recharge a zest for life and may even motivate you to set and accomplish new goals. You should volunteer for many reasons, whether it’s to give back to the community, help the environment, or satisfy your own personal needs. No matter why, it’s a great way to get out there and do some good.
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