Take a look at the first edition of our new newsletter!
B & A BULLETIN Q3 2024
FROM INDIA TO ILLINOIS
Janki’s Journey Through Independence Day
Hello, everyone. My name is Janki Patel, and I am grateful. As an associate attorney at a fantastic estate planning firm, Bott & Associates LTD, I am thankful to have always felt welcomed by my peers and coworkers. This supportive work culture aligns with the meaningful nature of our profession, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Helping clients navigate challenging conversations and plan for the future is fulfilling, especially when I can relate to my clients. As an immigrant from India, the Fourth of July holds great significance for me and my family. For us, it is a day to celebrate the independence of this great nation and the liberties that come with living in the U.S. Every day, I feel privileged to live in a country where freedom is a given, where individuals can live life to the fullest without restrictions. This
feeling is something I cherish, and I know this is also shared with many other immigrants who have found their new home in America. It’s a day when I can enjoy the festivities as the country honors its nation’s birth with fireworks, barbecues, parades, and other vibrant summer activities. My favorite Fourth of July traditions have the most to do with family and community. Living in Illinois, I enjoy the vibrant local parades and the excitement of the mini amusement parks and roller coasters in different towns throughout the state. These activities create lasting memories of children’s laughter and the sun’s warmth. One of my all-time favorite memories is when our family made early morning trips to downtown Chicago to secure a perfect spot by Lake Michigan. The bustling energy of the city, combined with the serene backdrop of the lake, represents the true spirit of America. My gratitude extends beyond the holiday festivities. I recognize my parents’ many sacrifices to provide our family with a better life in the States. The lessons my parents taught me of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of chasing your dreams are core values that are part of my identity. In America, you can choose any path or journey; I never take this for granted. As much as I love Illinois, I know the freedoms are the same in all 50 states, which fills my heart with peace. It is a time to honor the sacrifices my parents made and the privileges that come with living here. This holiday represents the spirit of freedom, the joy of community, and the endless possibilities here, making it an extraordinary day for me and my family. Let’s celebrate this holiday with joy, peace, and love. Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
–Janki Patel
1 847-818-9084
Take a Literary Adventure THE KEYS TO A
THRIVING BOOK CLUB
People of all ages crave human connection, and book clubs are an increasingly popular path to that common ground. Book clubs bring together people with common interests and offer opportunities to build friendships through discussion. If you want to be in a book club, one of the best ways is to start one yourself. Setting guidelines for how your club will work can take time and discussion with prospective members. Some
The potential rewards are worth the effort. Reading opens the mind to new ideas and improves memory. Staying connected and socially active can enrich your life in numerous ways, from improving your cognitive health to easing the negative effects of loneliness.
Many book clubs take on a character all their own, such as a monthly wine-and-cheese party with a little casual reading
groups focus on the month’s bestseller, while others select from lists published by groups, like PBS Books Readers Club or the Seattle Public Library’s “Staff Picks for Adults 50+.” Others focus on a specific author, such as Jane Austen, and some clubs focus on a genre, such as mysteries or memoirs.
on the side. Social media influencer Katie Iwanski illustrated this option in a hilarious TikTok video. Among the 11 guidelines she posted for her book club, she included the following: Everybody brings a bottle of wine; guests choose a food theme, such as “crostini night”; and discussion devolves
If starting your own isn’t realistic, many public libraries host book clubs for seniors, and you can join at little to no cost (outside of finding a copy of the book, obviously). Check with your community library for groups in your area. Also, the AARP retiree organization sponsors a virtual book club called Senior Planet.
from discussing the book and making cast picks for the movie version to opening more wine and letting the night end in chaos. And a good time was had by all!
Probate Problems: From Grief to Relief MASTERING THE PROBATE PROCESS
Many individuals are unaware of the dangerous and slippery slope that is probate. Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets, such as bank accounts, real estate, and financial investments, are distributed. It involves the administration of a will or the estate if there is no will. When a person dies, an executor (named in their will) or an administrator (appointed if there is no will) manages the probate process. We’re here to introduce readers to the intricacies of probate with and without a will. Probate Without a Will This form of probate, at its simplest, involves the executor or administrator collecting the deceased’s assets, paying
any remaining debts, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. To decide who that executor will be, as there was no will naming one, a probate court will search for a next of kin if one exists. If one is found, the court supervises the distribution of assets to ensure compliance with the decedent’s wishes or state law. Probate With a Will When a will exists, the deceased is referred to as a testator. The named executor, often a family member, files the will with the probate court, initiating the probate process. Each state has different rules regarding the time frame from filing a will after death. The probate court verifies the will’s authenticity, officially approves the executor, and
grants them legal authority to act on behalf of the deceased.
If the deceased has no assets, probate might not be necessary. Otherwise, the probate court assesses the estate, identifies legal heirs, and ensures proper asset distribution. In intestate cases, the court follows state laws to divide the estate among surviving family members. Probate is a court-supervised process essential for transferring a deceased person’s assets, whether they left a will or not, ensuring all debts are paid, and beneficiaries receive their rightful inheritance. To avoid the tricky and complicated process of probate, Bott & Associates LTD is here to assist you with all your needs.
2 BottEstatePlanning.com
Your Comprehensive Guide to Litigation
Disputes can be resolved through litigation, a civil court process that addresses personal injury claims, divorce, and breach of contract disputes. From personal injury to messy divorces, everything is fair game in litigation court. There are rules for litigation at the state and federal levels, making it vital to have an experienced attorney to steer you through the legal maze. The litigation process begins when a plaintiff files a complaint with the court stating the legal grounds for their action. This could involve petitions for divorce or personal injury claims under tort laws. The defendant is then served with the court paperwork and must respond to the complaint. It is essential to note that if you value your privacy, the discovery phase of litigation will expose your personal information. Trust administration is a more private process than probate, as it does not involve the court, ensuring a smoother transition during a difficult time. However, if disputes arise in that process, a trust litigation lawsuit can aim to secure
a beneficiary’s rightful inheritance. Additionally, trust litigation may involve a lawsuit filed by a trustee to recover property that belongs to the trust or to seek a court ruling on the legitimacy of the trustee’s actions. In this event, you could hope for common sense to prevail or for frivolous complaints to disappear.
However, you must put your safety in your own hands to ensure peace of mind.
It is essential to take control of your situation by building protective armor around your family and business assets to avoid the litigation process. But if you do end up in litigation, navigating it
involves complex rules and deadlines, so having experienced legal representation is crucial to ensure all procedural requirements are met and to improve the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Bott & Associates, LTD is here to protect you and your family.
Don’t Miss Our Next Seminar Trustee School: What Does a Trustee Really Do? Aug. 15, 2024 5:30 p.m. First Floor Conference Room 3701 Algonquin Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Light meal and refreshments to be served
Take a Break
3
847-818-9084
3701 W Algonquin Rd #712 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-818-9084 BottEstatePlanning.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1 • Meet Our Associate Attorney: Ms. Janki Patel 2 • Launch a Successful Book Club Inside This Issue • Essential Probate Tips for Executors and Heirs 3 • Tips and Insight on the Litigation Process • Don’t Miss Our Next Seminar 4 • Decoding the World’s Secret Languages
HIDDEN MEANING EXPLORING THE ORIGINS OF SECRET LANGUAGES
Secret languages, born from a mixture of pragmatism, seclusion, and boredom, are spoken and understood only by a select few. From Pig Latin uttered in schoolyards to whispers of Lunfardo in the prisons of Argentina, the secretive languages of the world have origins that may delight and surprise you.
originated among the women and children who toiled in the local hop fields and quickly spread throughout the community. Somehow, despite existing only in a small farm town, it has an expansive 1,600-word vocabulary and around 100 fluent speakers! Pig Latin Ancay ouyay understandyay isthay entencesay? You may decipher that question if you remember Pig Latin from elementary school. Despite disagreements about its linguistic credibility, Pig Latin has existed since Shakespeare’s time (around 400 years ago). Ironically, it is completely unrelated to Latin, and the origin of its name is a mystery. Famous speakers
of Pig Latin include founding father Thomas Jefferson, who reportedly wrote letters using the light-hearted language. Lunfardo This language is so secretive that it’s practically criminal. Lunfardo began in the prisons of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where inmates masked their words from the nosy guards. The language has components from Portuguese, Galician, French, and German. For example, if an inmate wanted to compliment a pretty woman, they would call them a papirusa , which means “beautiful woman.” These days, Lunfardo exists mainly in the lyrics of Argentine tango music.
Boontling In Northern California, a small community speaks a unique
amalgamation of an Appalachian dialect, Spanish, and the language of the Pomo tribe called Boontling. It originated in the late 19th or early 20th century in Boonville. There, you can find locals referring to doctors as shoveltooths and roaring flames as jeffers . It supposedly
4
BottEstatePlanning.com
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator