Absolute Law Group - August 2022

Absolute Law Group - August 2022

Absolute Law Group THE ABSOLUTE INQUIRER BUSINESS - TAX - ESTATE PLANNING

(352) 205-4455 • ABSOLUTELAWGROUP.COM • AUGUST 2022

Helping People Is What I Love Most

MEET OUR NEW ASSOCIATE, DIANA!

Hi newsletter friends! My name is Diana, and I am the new associate attorney at Absolute Law Group. I started working here two months ago, and this is my first time working in this area of law. Before coming here, I did public interest work during law school, and after I passed the bar, I began working as an insurance defense attorney. These experiences influenced my desire to help others in a time of need. I found a passion for law because it was an opportunity to help people solve problems and prepare for the future. I’m the type of person who enjoys helping others and making a difference in their lives. This passion grew after

with clients, but I never got to learn more about them or form a relationship with them. That’s what was missing in my profession, and I’m grateful I can now create deep connections with my clients while helping them plan the next steps in their lives. Helping people and providing them with the security and relief they’re looking for is so rewarding. I remember one of my

taking a trust and estates class in law school, one of my favorite classes. It showed how estate planning documents help people plan and prepare for their future. After that, I fell in love with this line of work.

“I found a passion for law because it was an opportunity to help people solve problems and prepare for the future. I’m the type of person who enjoys helping others and making a difference in their lives.”

clients asked me if what they wanted was possible. Knowing we could ensure their assets are allocated correctly and watch the stress lift off their shoulders was a great feeling. I feel like I am helping them enjoy their golden years. Another aspect of my job I love is the people I work with. My colleagues motivate me daily. If I have any questions, they are always happy to lend a helping hand. I can bounce ideas off of them, and if I’m working with a client, they will assist in providing resources to help me better serve them. We are a team and work together to reach the best possible outcome for our clients — our extended family. I would like to thank everyone at Absolute Law Group for welcoming me with open arms and providing me with this opportunity. Because of them, I can grow, learn, and have new experiences each day. I look forward to what the future holds for me here at Absolute Law Group.

For my undergraduate degree, I attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and went to Miami for law school. I missed living in Gainesville because I loved the city. But my husband got a job offer in Gainesville, so we packed up all our belongings and returned to the town I knew and loved. Once we settled in, I began looking for a job. Because of my trust and estates class in law school, I wanted to work at an estate planning and elder law firm. Then, I came across Absolute Law Group. They had everything I was looking for, so I applied. I was nervous at first because I didn’t have any experience in this field, but they took a chance on me and offered me the position. It was like all the pieces finally came together. What I love about working at Absolute Law Group is the people I speak to. I love to be prepared in my personal life, and I enjoy helping others do the same. In my previous experience as an insurance defense attorney, I spoke

–Diana Johnson

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AbsoluteLawGroup.com

HELPING BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER ONE LAWN AT A TIME

Today, there is a divide between younger and older generations, but one man is trying to bridge that gap by encouraging boys and girls to give back to their community. In 2016, Rodney A. Smith Jr. saw an elderly man struggling to mow his lawn and decided to finish the job for him. It inspired him to start a movement for children aged 7–17 to give back to their communities by taking on the 50-yard challenge. Kids contribute by mowing lawns for single parents, veterans, seniors, and people who have disabilities. Once they reach their goal, kids will receive T-shirts, a brand-new mower, a weed eater, and a leaf blower. Smith Jr. will also come out to your community and help you with your lawn care services. At first, the 50-yard challenge took place locally in Alabama. But in the last few years, kids across the U.S. have begun participating. “Right now, we have over 2,400 kids nationwide taking part in our challenge. We also have kids in eight other countries taking part as well,” Smith Jr. says. This challenge teaches children the value of giving back to their communities, but it also encourages them to learn skills in lawn service — which not a lot of young adults know how to do. It also helps them interact with others who they wouldn’t typically talk with. “[Unity and interaction] is important in this day and age. A lot of elderly people are stuck at home, Showing Interest in Older Adults’ Lives IS A GREAT WAY TO SHOW GRATITUDE Aug. 21 is World Senior Citizen’s Day! The older adults in our lives have impacted us so much. We can show gratitude by asking and listening to their stories about life experiences. It will make them feel valued and appreciated that you want to learn more about them and their life. Who knows, you may learn something new! Here are three topics you can discuss with the older adults who are in your lives. 1. CHILDHOOD Most people’s childhoods are far different from what you experienced — especially older generations. Ask them what they did for fun, what roles each family member played in their household, whether they had any childhood/teenage jobs, and if any memories stand out to them. By asking these questions, you can learn a lot about the past. Sharing these memories is fun and nostalgic, and it’s a great way to connect. 2. LESSONS LEARNED Older generations lived through significant historical events such as the Great Depression, world wars, the first moon landing, and more. What

and they don’t get to have a lot of human interaction. So when kids come by, they can talk, get to know each other, and build relationships. They can learn things from each other,” Smith Jr. says. Are you and your kids up for the 50-yard challenge? Send a picture of your child holding a sign that says, “I Accept The 50 Yard Challenge” to WeAreRaisingMen.com/The-50-Yard-Challenge to join. If you’re looking for someone to tend to your yard, you can use the form on WeAreRaisingMen.com/Find-A-Mower to search for kids who are mowing lawns in your area. have they learned about life because of these experiences? Is there something you can take away and apply to your own life? Would there be anything they wished they’d done differently? Why or why not? This gives older adults an opportunity to look back at all of their milestones and accomplishments and see how far they’ve come. 3. FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS Allow your loved ones to talk about the value of friendship and how they met their friends. Ask them how their friendships changed over the years. Ask how they met and fell in love with their spouse. What was their experience like raising kids and living as a married couple throughout the years? Creating long-lasting friendships is one of the best parts of life. This is the time for them to show appreciation for the ones who impacted them the most. Discussing these memories is an excellent way for senior citizens to make the most of their time. It allows them to keep their minds engaged and spend time with the ones they love. By listening to their stories, you will learn more about history from a personal perspective. You can keep your

family’s legacy alive with the information you receive from your elder loved ones. From everyone at Absolute Law Group, happy World Senior Citizen’s Day! We are so thankful to be a part of your lives. Thank you for allowing us to assist you while you plan for your future.

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(352) 205-4455

Trust Alone Isn’t Enough WHEN CHOOSING YOUR DECISION-MAKERS

One of the most significant challenges of estate planning is choosing the right individual to serve as your decision-maker. The person you choose will greatly impact how your wishes are carried out. Of course, you want to pick someone you trust, but trust alone is not enough when dealing with serious matters.

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Can make personal decisions for you and carry them out

• Will get along with the person you’ve chosen as your financial power of attorney

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken If you need to update your estate plan, add decision-makers to your documents, or outline what your wishes are, your friends at Absolute Law Group will be happy to help. We can go over what skills your decision-makers need to have and answer any questions. So, give us a call today! We look forward to working with you. FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKER This individual doesn’t have to be a financial genius but someone you trust to make financial decisions. Therefore, you want your agent to be someone who: • Is responsible for themselves, pays their own bills, files their taxes on time, and will do the same for you • Can deal with everyday issues like repairs in the home, interacting with utility companies, banks, pharmacies, etc. • Is capable of selling your home, valuing the price, and what needs to be remodeled before selling • Can deal with government agencies, retirement accounts, Social Security, and bank accounts • Will be able to work with your medical decision-maker

Here is what you need to look for when choosing a decision-maker.

MEDICAL DECISION-MAKER This role is complex because it can be a matter of life and death. A lot of responsibility comes with this role. You need someone who understands your approach to health care and quality of life decisions. Your agent should be someone who:

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Can discuss your medical conditions, history, and treatment preferences

Take a Break • You trust to act on behalf of your wishes, morals, and beliefs (Choose wisely to ensure the agent’s beliefs don’t conflict with yours. Asking someone to go against their own morals can put them in a difficult situation.) • Has the skills to be your advocate in a hospital setting and with your health care providers

Ingredients • 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice, divided • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 3 tomatoes, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 slices mozzarella cheese • Parmesan cheese, grated Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.

Inspired by Delish.com

Directions 1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag.

2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.

ADVENTURE DOGS

MOTORCYCLE MUGGY RELAXATION

FRIENDSHIP GLADIOLUS HEAT MARSHMALLOW

SANDWICH SWIMMING VACATION

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6035 SW 54th St. Suite 200 Ocala, FL 34474 (352) 205-4455 AbsoluteLawGroup.com

1 Absolute Law Group Took a Chance on Me 2 The 50-Yard Challenge 2 3 Topics to Discuss With Older Adults 3 Choosing a Decision-Maker 3 Take a Break 3 Tasty Bruschetta Chicken 4 4 Senior-Friendly Technologies

SENIORS CAN BE TECH-SAVVY, TOO! 4 Senior-Friendly Electronic Devices

In today’s world, technology has taken over, making many day-to-day activities easy and more manageable. Even for earlier generations, technology is easily available in many forms to assist with health and wellness, communication, and entertainment. Here are a few of the best innovative products for seniors.

full of educational and interactive games. Well, a tablet exists for seniors, too! The GrandPad is loaded with senior-friendly ways to connect with others, store photos, play games, listen to music, and more. It’s an easy way to pass the time and stay in the loop! ELECTRONIC TRACKER Misplacing things is the name of the game for many people as they age. But have no fear because with Tile Sticker, you can place small stickers on the backs of items that frequently go missing such as TV remotes, keys, wallets, or even the dog’s leash. Whenever these items are lost, simply open the Tile Sticker app on your phone, and their location is revealed. INTERACTIVE DOORBELL Sometimes, when visitors come to visit or a package is being delivered, it can be difficult or inconvenient to get up to answer the door right away. However, the Nest Doorbell system allows you to see and speak to anyone at the front door

AUTOMATIC MEDICATION MANAGEMENT Move over, pill box, there’s a better way to manage and keep track of your daily medications! With the Hero smart pill

dispenser, gone are the days spent stressing over your medications. All you need to do is set a medication schedule in an app on your phone, load up to a 90-day supply of medications into the Hero dispenser, and press a button to release the medication when it’s time to take it! A TABLET FOR SENIORS Toddlers have their own smart tablets that are easy to navigate, damage-resistant, and chock-

with the touch of a button. Now, you can tell the delivery man to leave it at the front door without leaving the couch! Technology has opened up so many doors to make our lives easier as we age, so don’t wait any longer to get connected!

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