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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
Choosing to Live ‘On-Purpose’ A New Year, a New Kind of Resolution
“When I choose to be intentional, I can squeeze more joy, fulfillment, and gratitude out of every single second.”
January always arrives with that familiar mix of freshness and pressure. We have new goals, different habits, and a fresh planner with perfectly clean pages. But tucked inside this month of resolutions is an invitation that doesn’t demand reinvention so much as awareness. January is National Be On-Purpose Month, a time to pause and ask ourselves an important question: Why am I doing what I’m doing? It sounds easy, but intentionality is something we often misplace in the rush of daily life. We move from task to task on autopilot, and somewhere in the mix, the purpose behind our actions starts to fade. But when we reconnect with that purpose, everything shifts. Tasks become meaningful, moments feel fuller, and we enjoy the life we’re actively living rather than sleepwalking through it. When I think about being on purpose, a funny memory from my kids always comes to mind. One of my sons would get so upset when his brother accidentally knocked over his blocks. He’d come running to me, insisting, “He did it on purpose!” It wasn’t the blocks that bothered him, but it was the idea that the action was intentional. Even in childhood, we instinctively understand that intention carries weight. It shapes how we interpret everything. That lesson has shown up in my own life more times than I can count. For example, at the end of a long day, I love lying next to my kids before bed. We talk, pray, and sing, and sometimes, just when the routine is complete and I’m sure I’m headed for sleep myself, my 8-year-old daughter looks up at me and asks, “Mom, can you braid my hair?” My first reaction used to be frustration. Now? Why not 15 minutes ago? But then I caught myself and remembered my purpose in that moment wasn’t efficiency. It was connection and being present with my daughter. It was enjoying the gift of a little girl who still wants me close, who still wants me to be part of her tiny nighttime rituals. There was a time when I didn’t even know if motherhood was possible for me, and now I have four beautiful children and a sweet girl who wants wavy hair in the morning after her braids come out. When I let that purpose guide me, everything softened. Braiding her hair stopped feeling like an interruption and started feeling like a blessing. Now, I even look forward to it. Sometimes I wonder whether I should remind her or wait for her to ask because it’s become a moment I treasure. Being intentional lets me savor this fleeting season of motherhood instead of rushing through it.
That focus on purpose spills into my work, too. I remind my team often that what we do matters. We’re not just printing documents or placing “Sign Here” stickers. We’re helping families avoid conflict, confusion, and heartache they may never even realize we spared them from. When I remember that purpose while serving families and protecting their peace, my entire day feels different. Even repetitive tasks feel meaningful because I can see the bigger picture I’m contributing to. It’s like the story of the three bricklayers I once heard. One said he was making bricks. Another said he was building a wall. The third said, “I’m building a cathedral.” The work was identical, but the intention transformed the experience. I often ask myself: Am I just making bricks today, or am I building my cathedral?
Being on purpose doesn’t require massive gestures, but instead, it asks me to stay aware and remember the “why” behind what I’m doing so I can actually
enjoy it. This moment, right now, is not a placeholder or a warm-up! It’s my real life right now, and when I choose to be intentional, I can squeeze more joy, fulfillment, and gratitude out of every single second.
–Andrea Shoup
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3 Daily Habits That Will Transform Your 2026
As we enter another new year, there’s no better time to adjust your daily habits to help you become the healthiest version of yourself mentally and physically. Here are three strategies you can incorporate into your New Year’s expectations and resolutions that will help ensure 2026 is your healthiest year yet! Start every day strong. Many Americans fall into the same routines year after year, and most are dangerous for their overall well-being. They stay up too late, wake up to an alarm a few hours later, scramble to get ready, and jump in the car as soon as possible to get to work. Your morning routine sets the tone for your day. If you’re in a hurry every morning, you will feel rushed and exhausted. Give yourself ample time in the morning to take care of yourself and some simple chores. Make your bed, have a glass of water, take good care of your hygiene, eat something, and incorporate some movement into your mornings. It will be hard initially, but you’ll feel the benefits within a few weeks. Diet and exercise matter. This is probably not news to you, but we can’t downplay the importance of diet and exercise. Listen to your body; it will tell you what it needs. Many
people fall into the trap of overeating without realizing it or starving themselves when they want to lose weight, but this won’t make them feel good. Eat when your body tells you to, stick to a healthy diet, and find time for exercise. You need to find ways to motivate yourself, especially when you want to stay in bed and stick to comfort foods. Your body will thank you. Drink more water. How much water do you drink each day? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men should drink about 15.5 cups of fluids daily and women should drink 11.5 cups. If you aren’t hitting these numbers, it’s time to adjust. Start and finish each day with
a glass of water. Walk around with a refillable bottle. Staying hydrated will help your body function much better.
Medi-Cal Rules Have Shifted Asset Limits, Enrollment Freezes, and New Care Options
Keeping Your Coverage • If you already have Medi-Cal, make sure your contact info is up to date and complete your renewal on time, or you risk losing coverage. • If you expect to rely on dental services, and you’re in the affected group, try to get needed care before the July 1, 2026, change. Planning Ahead With the return of asset limits, proactive planning is more important than ever. Shoup Legal offers a specialized trust designed to help individuals protect their assets while preserving Medi-Cal eligibility, providing a lawful way to plan ahead without jeopardizing essential benefits. Have questions? Our team is here to help. Contact us today!
On Jan. 1, 2026, Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, changed in several important ways. If you’re enrolled now or thinking about enrolling, here’s what you need to know. Asset Limits After years of eligibility being based solely on income, beginning in 2026, Medi-Cal will once again look at what you own (your “assets”), such as cash, savings, property, bank accounts, etc. For non-expansion beneficiaries (like older adults, people with disabilities, and those in long-term care), the new asset limit will be $130,000 for an individual. For couples or larger households, the limit increases accordingly. If your assets exceed the threshold, you could lose eligibility. Enrollment Freeze and Immigration Status Restrictions As of Jan. 1, 2026, adults 19 and older who are undocumented or otherwise have “unsatisfactory immigration status” can no longer enroll in full- scope Medi-Cal. If you’re already covered, you may
keep benefits, but only if you renew on time and meet Medi-Cal’s general eligibility rules. Children (0–18) and pregnant women remain eligible for full coverage regardless of immigration status. Dental Coverage and Premium Changes If you are an adult 19 or older with unsatisfactory immigration status and full-scope Medi-Cal coverage, beginning July 1, 2026, you will no longer receive routine dental coverage. You’ll only be entitled to emergency dental care (pain, extractions, infections). Furthermore, for that same group, a monthly premium requirement of $30/ month will begin on July 1, 2027.
Extended-Care Plans for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries
On the brighter side, starting Jan. 1, 2026, the state is expanding access to integrated care plans, called Medi-Medi Plans, for people who qualify for both Medi-Cal and Medicare. That means more people with complex health needs or long-term care needs will get streamlined care under one plan.
Plan today for peace
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Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Tanisha, our Welcome Intake Coordinator here at Shoup Legal. With her warm demeanor, eye for detail, and genuine passion for helping families feel confident about their planning, Tanisha has quickly become an essential part of the experience we strive to create for every client who walks through our doors. In her role, Tanisha is often the very first voice and face our clients encounter. She guides new and returning clients through their initial steps with us, ensuring they feel supported, informed, and fully prepared for their first appointment. For Tanisha, this is about shaping the beginning of each client’s journey by offering clarity, comfort, and a sense of belonging from start to finish. Although she’s only been with Shoup Legal for a little over six months, her thoughtful approach and natural ability to connect with people have already made a meaningful impact. Before joining our team, Tanisha spent several years in the beauty industry as a manicurist and eyebrow technician. That background honed her skills in communication, customer care, and meticulous attention to detail, qualities that now show in the way she supports our clients. Guiding Clients From the Very Start A Warm Shoup Legal Welcome to Tanisha
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
Ingredients •
3 dried guajillo chiles 2 dried ancho chiles
• • • • • • •
1 tbsp dried oregano 2 tsp ground cumin
• • • • • • •
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
4 garlic cloves
1 tsp salt
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes 3 lbs beef chuck roast
Pepper, to taste
Corn tortillas
Fresh cilantro and diced onion for garnish
2 cups beef broth
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Directions 1. Soak dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes. 2. Process chiles, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in a blender until smooth. 3. Place beef in a slow cooker and pour the chili mixture over it. 4. Add beef broth, vinegar, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until the beef is tender. 6. Shred the beef using forks, then mix back into the sauce. 7. Fry tortillas in oil until crispy, then assemble tacos as desired.
Her path to Shoup Legal is a unique one: After attending one of our estate planning workshops for
Inspired by SimpleWhisk.com
her own personal planning needs, she found herself impressed by the clarity, organization, and depth of information provided. She connected strongly with the level of detail and care she saw, and when the opportunity arose to join the workshop team, and later the welcome team, she didn’t hesitate.
Today, Tanisha loves being part of the process that helps individuals and families understand the value and urgency of estate planning.
She especially enjoys working with younger couples or clients who may not realize how important it is to plan early. Being able to share insights from her own experience, in a non-legal but personal and relatable way, is one of the aspects of the role she finds most rewarding. Outside of work, Tanisha is a devoted mom to adult children, an avid in-line skater, and a lover of small, family-owned restaurants and rooftop spots. She enjoys baking, especially cakes and cookies. Pound cakes are her specialty! She also still loves to do some nail art here and there.
TAKE A BREAK
We’re thrilled to have Tanisha on our team, and we know our clients feel the same!
e of mind tomorrow.
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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | ShoupLegal.com
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1 | Being ‘On-Purpose’ Matters 2 | Make 2026 Your Healthiest Year Yet 2 | Medi-Cal’s 2026 Overhaul Explained 3 | Welcoming Tanisha to the Team 3 | Slow Cooker Birria Tacos 4 | Lunch & Learn Inside This Issue
Lunch & Learn Save the dates for our monthly Lunch & Learn events, exclusive to current clients of Shoup Legal! Each month, we cover important topics to help you protect your family and assets — plus, lunch is on us! Jan. 13 | Feb. 3 Email marketing@shouplegal.com to learn more!
Thank You — Again! Shoup Legal is honored to be named to the Inc. 5000 list, recognizing America’s fastest- growing private companies, for the third year in a row. Thank you to our amazing clients and team who made this possible!
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