Sheppard Law Firm - March 2024

This Beautiful City Is Straight Out of a Fairy Tale Add Sintra, Portugal, to Your Travel Plans! As spring break nears, you might already have plans to travel to

Once you head back outside, the rest of the grounds are just as lovely. The enormous gardens have many trails, marked and unmarked. You can get lost in the beautiful oasis, and we encourage you to put aside at least half a day to explore the gardens. Quinta da Regaleira Quinta da Regaleira is the city’s second significant castle boasting beautiful gardens, but its main draw is the initiation well. This 80-foot-deep well is a wonder as it sinks into the earth with mossy walls. We suggest you go early, as this is another big attraction for those visiting the city, and officials try to keep people moving as they arrive, mainly as it’s one-way traffic on the steps themselves. Once on the grounds, you can explore many grottos by following their main paths. The castle itself isn’t as opulent as Pena Palace, but it’s still a lovely location to visit. Sintra is perfect for any vacation, and though these are the main draws for the city, by no means are they the only ones. We encourage you to check out this city and see if it fits your travel plans.

Punta Cana, London, Key West, Paris, or a similar destination city. One more

to add to your travel checklist is Sintra, Portugal. This beautiful town rests on the hills of Serra de Sintra, just outside the capital, Lisbon. The two castles within the city are the main draws, and it’s easy to see why. Pena Palace and Gardens The National Pena Palace and Gardens are absolutely stunning. The palace is adorned in primary colors, with intricately carved yellow, red, and blue buildings. It’ll cost you 10 euros to explore the grounds and a couple of extra euros to go inside, but it’s worth it! The carvings include many styles, including Neo-Islamic and Neo-Renaissance. Everything is opulent, and you’ll have a great time as you take in the extravagance. Some rooms are painted as an optical illusion, with doors and hallways looking three-dimensional when they’re just flat.

c k s o n ’ s H i d d e n

How Jackson’s Revocable Living Trust Shielded His Estate

While the global pop star had his entire private life aired out in the media, there was one thing Michael Jackson was able to keep under wraps: his revocable living trust. Michael Jackson’s estate planning strategy, centered around a revocable living trust, underscores the significance of privacy in managing one’s affairs. When you opt for a trust over a conventional will, you ensure that the details of your estate plan remain confidential, shielding your assets and beneficiaries from public scrutiny. Unlike wills, which become public record upon death and are subject to probate and court proceedings, trusts offer discretion and control over asset distribution. Using a revocable living trust enabled Jackson to transfer most of his assets into the trust during his lifetime, bypassing the probate process. This allowed for the

seamless transfer of wealth to designated beneficiaries without court intervention or public disclosure. The media was desperate to discover what his estate entailed, who it would go to, and what minute information they could glean from these documents. But a revocable living trust gave the superstar a much-needed level of protection and privacy. The trust provisions, including instructions for asset management and beneficiary designations, remained private, safeguarding sensitive information from prying eyes. Jackson’s estate planning approach is a compelling example for those seeking to protect their privacy and streamline the transfer of assets to loved ones. When you incorporate a revocable living trust into your estate plan, you can maintain confidentiality, minimize the risk of disputes, and expedite the distribution of assets upon death or incapacity.

Additionally, trusts offer flexibility, allowing grantors to amend or revoke the trust during their lifetime as circumstances change. In today’s digital age, where information is readily accessible, and privacy concerns abound, using a revocable living trust provides a secure and efficient means of estate planning. Whether one’s estate is modest or substantial, the benefits of privacy and control offered by trusts are invaluable. As Michael Jackson’s estate demonstrates, prioritizing privacy through trust-based planning can offer peace of mind and protect one’s legacy for future generations.

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