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OFFICES: Brighton | Bloomfield Hills | Livonia | Novi
A POSITIVE
THANKSGIVING
So Much to Be Grateful For
Growing up as an only child, I didn’t often experience massive Thanksgiving get-togethers. Instead, my parents would always take me to see the Detroit Lions play their annual Thanksgiving Day game. Those games are the source of many cherished childhood memories. Even when the Lions weren’t topping the standings, they always managed to pull off a strong effort for the holiday. I was also lucky enough to attend the games during the Barry Sanders years, and I’ll never forget watching him run. Those cold afternoons at the old Pontiac Silverdome — these were the days before the Lions moved to Ford Field — were always magical.
than going around the table to say what we’re thankful for, we prefer to offer up a reason we have for being positive. In fact, this positive focus (I can’t take credit for coming up with the catchy name) is something we do in my household at every dinner. It’s a small gesture, but it’s a way for us bring a little of that Thanksgiving spirit to all family meals. This year, I have no shortage of things to be positive about. Topping the list is the incredible response to our participation in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. For the second year in a row, the Elder Care team was the top-donating group for the Brighton walk, raising over $10,000 combined. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who donated to help make the walk a success. A special thanks goes out to the Downtown Main Martini Bar & Grille for their incredible support. They basically cosponsored the fundraising efforts with us, and their desire to do good in the community is truly inspirational. As a whole, the Brighton Walk to End Alzheimer’s raised over $130,000 to help fund research for preventing Alzheimer’s and dementia. We came in just behind cities much larger than ours, and that’s the result of an incredibly giving community. As I read the final numbers, I was struck by how special the people of our area are. It’s certainly something to feel positive about and thankful for. Of course, I’d be remiss to not thank our incredible clients for all they do all year long. It’s you who make the Elder Care Firm what it is. Working alongside our clients never fails to bring me
“This year, I have no shortage of things to be positive about. Topping the list is the
joy. When we’re going around the dinner table sharing our positive focus, I’ll often bring up a client interaction that moved me during the day. My family might be growing a little tired of it, but the folks we are lucky enough to serve are extraordinary. As you gather around the table this year, I hope you have the chance to enjoy delicious food and create special memories with the people who matter most to you. If you have a cause for celebration and positivity, I urge you to share it with your family. Focusing on the things that bring us happiness enlivens everybody’s spirits. Let me close with one word that you’ll probably hear a lot over the coming weeks: Thanks! – Christopher J. Berry
incredible response to our participation in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.”
These days, we spend Thanksgiving with the family. Alternating between my family down the street and my wife’s family has allowed us to establish a fun routine. I have to be totally honest: I’m not a huge turkey fan. The upside is that we’ll often do a roast or steaks for Thanksgiving, and the results are usually pretty delicious.
More than the food, though, I cherish Thanksgiving for the chance to sit down with loved ones. Rather
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Plan. Protect. Preserve.
DON’T FALL VICTIM TO THESE FINANCIAL SCAMS
TELEMARKETING AND PHONE SCAMS Fake telemarketing calls are one of the most common types of scams. With no face-to-face interaction and no paper trail, they are incredibly hard to trace and identify. Also, once a deal has been made, the buyer’s name is then shared with similar scammers looking for targets. Examples of telemarketing fraud include ...
leaving you in a vulnerable position with little time to recoup your losses. Here are some common scams and what you can do to avoid them.
MEDICARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE SCAMS In these types of scams, perpetrators may pose as Medicare representatives in order to obtain personal information. Sometimes they will go so far as to provide bogus services at makeshift mobile clinics, then use your personal information to bill Medicare and pocket the money. To avoid this scam, know that a legitimate Medicare employee would never ask for your personal information over the phone or via email, since they already have it on file. If you suspect that Medicare is being charged for a service you didn’t request, call the federal government’s official Medicare hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE. COUNTERFEIT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Most commonly, counterfeit drug scams operate on the internet. Those who fall victim to this scam find themselves paying money for a drug that does not help their medical condition, and some run the risk of unknowingly purchasing unsafe substances. This scam can be hard on the wallet and the body.
The pigeon drop: A con artist tells the victim that they have found a large sum of money and are willing to split it if the person makes a “good faith” payment.
Fake identity ploy: The con artist gets the victim to wire or send money on the pretext that the victim’s relative is in the hospital and needs money.
Charity scams: The con artist solicits the victim for money for fake charities. This often occurs after natural disasters.
If you have fallen victim to a scam, notify the police, the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org/consumer-complaints), and the Federal Trade Commission (1-877- 438-4338). Further, obtain the contact information for the Adult Protective Services organization in your area by calling the Eldercare Locator national hotline at 1-800-677-1116 or visiting eldercare.gov and filing a complaint. You are not alone; there are people who can help.
WELCOME HELENA KAMPWERTH
The Newest Member of the Elder Care Team
Whenever a new addition joins the Elder Care Firm family, we get excited. When they are as devoted to our values as Helena Kampwerth is, that excitement gets magnified. Helena’s only been with us for a couple of months, but she’s been on our radar for a while. As soon as we had the chance to add her to the team as a paralegal and assistant, we knew we couldn’t pass it up. “I met Chris about five years ago at an event,” Helena says, “and I’ve been in touch with Lori for over a year. Once there was an opening at the firm, I made it my first priority to fill it.” She’s already making an impact on our clients. “I absolutely love it here,” Helena adds. “The commitment and care devoted to our clients is unlike any firm I’ve ever seen. From the first time I met Chris, I knew he was special. And working alongside the team here has only proved that further.”
When she’s not assisting our clients in developing all types of plans, from estate matters to VA benefits, Helena has a number of hobbies that occupy her time. “I enjoy golfing and cooking,” she says. Of course, we had to ask what sort of delicious food she makes. “Learning new dishes is a passion, but comfort food is definitely my go-to. I do try to moderate that with some healthier dishes.” Another of Helena’s interests is remodeling her house. Maybe she shouldn’t have told us that, though, because now we know who to turn to the next time one of our offices could use freshening up. All kidding aside, we’re so happy that Helena has come aboard, and we can see the positive effect she’ll have on our clients. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re certainly thankful for Helena’s arrival.
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Sad as it is to say, resolving an estate can be a major cause of interfamily strife. Siblings who believed they would never argue about who inherits Grandma’s china can find themselves in a heated battle. Most of these arguments are usually resolved personally, without the need for a judge. But there are certain issues that can turn a family feud into a legal battle, and an allegation of undue influence is one of them. WHAT IS UNDUE INFLUENCE? Consulting your children during the planning of your estate does not count as undue influence. To rise to the level of undue influence, the requests must be made at a time when the person is in a compromised state, such as being physically disabled or mentally ill. In addition, the person making the request must have had the opportunity to make these requests in confidence or in private, and the person had a reason for using undue influence. Lastly, there must be evidence of the suspicious alteration. Undue Influence and How to Avoid It A Thorny Estate Planning Issue
you draw up documents. You should work with an experienced lawyer and have a physical exam prior to signing all documents. With a clean bill of health, challenging your competency to make decisions will become a nonissue. Once you’ve finalized your decisions, you should hold a group meeting with your lawyer present. This conversation might be difficult and contentious, but it will leave no confusion surrounding your desires for your estates. Squabbles often arise because multiple family members assume they know best what their loved one wanted. If you make your decisions known, there’s a much lower risk of fighting. With thoughtful planning and clear communication, you can ensure that no allegations of undue influence will arise after you’re gone. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your plan will be executed and your loved ones will be on board with it.
These cases often arise when changes are made to a will late in life, such as cutting out certain heirs in favor of others.
HOW CAN I AVOID IT? Plan your estate early and on your own. Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask your loved ones for their wishes, but they shouldn’t be in the room when
Chris’ Paleo Corner:
SLOW COOKER SWEET POTATO SOUP RECIPE
Thank You! For us to be able to help family and friends just like you, we depend on referrals.
DIRECTIONS
1. Place all the ingredients except for the coconut milk in a slow cooker. 2. Season everything to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. 4. Puree everything until smooth, using a blender or an immersion blender. 5. Add the coconut milk, give everything a good stir, and cook for another 30 minutes. 6. Adjust the seasonings and serve warm.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 pounds sweet potatoes, roughly chopped • 1 onion, chopped • 2 stalks celery, sliced • 2 medium carrots, chopped • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced • 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock • 1 cup coconut milk • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Thank you to the following people for your support!
John Acker
Carol Reeve
Bryan Bradford
Danielle Villani
Lisa Lukkari
RecipecourtesyofPaeloLeap.com.
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Plan. Protect. Preserve.
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INSIDE this issue
A Positive Thanksgiving PAGE 1
Don’t Fall Victim to These Financial Scams PAGE 2
Spotlight on Helena Kampwerth PAGE 2
Undue Influence and How to Avoid It PAGE 3
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup Recipe PAGE 3
Iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons PAGE 4
ICONIC
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons
Thanksgiving is a holiday full of traditions, from turkey and stuffing to football and naps. Since 1924, the Macy’s Parade has grown to become not only a Thanksgiving staple but also the world’s largest parade. Over 3.5 million people attended the parade last year, with another 20 million tuning in from home. The main attraction is always the massive character balloons, which first graced the skies in 1927. Over
immense, however, that when Macy’s brought him back in 2016 for the parade’s 90th anniversary, they recreated his original design. Without Felix’s debut, the parade might look a lot different today.
SNOOPY
When it comes to balloon characters, none is more famous than the classic “Peanuts” beagle. His first balloon floated through the sky in 1968, and he’s
been a regular fixture ever since. Charles Schultz’s famous pooch holds the record for most variations in a parade (eight) and most total appearances (40). Though Snoopy doesn’t come out every year, he usually closes the show when he does.
the decades, some of these balloons have become nearly as famous as the character they depict.
PIKACHU
FELIX THE CAT
The Pokémon mascot didn’t appear until 2001, but he’s become a star attraction, showing up every year since. Bright, expressive, and impossible to miss, Pikachu checks off all the boxes for a successful balloon character. For 16 years, those who predicted that Pokémon was just a fad have gotten a big, yellow reminder of just how wrong they were.
When the Felix the Cat balloon appeared in 1931, it set the standard for all characters to follow. Sadly, the original balloon got tangled in wires and caught on fire, so it has been lost to history. Felix’s influence on the parade is so
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