Douglass & Runger - February 2022

Douglass & Runger - February 2022

February 2022

The Right Dogs for Us OWNING A PET IS A BIG COMMITMENT — ARE YOU PREPARED?

Years ago, our first dog, Sophie, was really sick, and our veterinarian couldn’t find the source of the issue. As Sophie continued to get worse and worse, my wife and I knew we had to take a more proactive approach to her care. So, we took her to another vet for a second opinion. Today, we’re thankful we did. Because of that second veterinarian, we learned that Sophie had a liver problem — which was common for Westies, her breed — and she was within days of experiencing a catastrophe. Luckily, our new vet took immediate action, and Sophie lived a long, happy life, and we spoiled her endlessly, knowing full well that we had to keep monitoring her liver problems. To non-pet owners, this may seem like a burden, but if you have a pet, Sophie’s story isn’t unlike anything you would do for your animal(s). February is Responsible Pet Owners Month, and I believe this is something we should all pay attention to. Pet ownership goes far beyond the love you can give and the comfort they give back to you. It’s imperative that owners enter into these decisions having done all their research and with an understanding that they are legally and morally responsible for this living thing — no matter what it does or needs. Sophie passed in October 2020, and shortly after, we adopted a Havanese rescue, Thumper, and got a new cockapoo puppy, Birdie Bee. Both of their stories are unique, and just like with Sophie, my wife and I had to adapt in order to give our pets the best lives possible. Thumper was our first rescue and spent the first three years of his life in a puppy mill. Needless to say, he didn’t come without his mental and physical challenges. Most recently, we had to foot the veterinarian bill to remove four of his teeth — no doubt a consequence of poor nutrition and oral care he received at the mill. His younger sister, Birdie Bee, is just as wild as her name, and we purchased her from a breeder when she was just a puppy. Birdie is a perfect example of fully researching the breed before purchasing any pet. When you see Birdie, you can’t help but audibly say, “Awww …” at her cuteness; cockapoos are undeniably adorable. But they are also filled with energy, and they require a lot of personality training. My wife and I knew about the challenges we faced with Thumper and Birdie before we brought them into our home, and we have worked hard to remedy Thumper’s trauma and Birdie’s bad manners and lack of decorum. Furthermore,

we entered into this round of dog ownership knowing that Thumper and Birdie’s sizes and care requirements fit our lifestyle. They are smaller dogs; big dogs just don’t make sense for us. (The messes are easier to clean when you have small dogs, and smaller dogs are easier to control!) If you’re considering adopting a pet or bringing a pet into your home, I strongly encourage that you to take your time

in making this decision. Far too often, we get tricked by an animal’s cuteness and ignore the very real problems we may not be prepared to manage. And once you do decide to make a pet part of your family, be cautious. It will take time for them to feel comfortable around you and for you to understand their temperament. (As a reminder, pets are considered property in Tennessee, and you are responsible for what said property does in cases of negligence.) There is nothing like the love of a pet. Sophie, Thumper, and Birdie have been great companions for me and my wife. But what makes this even better is that we brought them all into our lives knowing they would be just the right dogs for us.

You can learn more about dog and pet ownership, including which breeds may fit your lifestyle best, at AKC.org and ASPCA.org.

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SOCIAL JET LAG: THE SILENT PRODUCTIVITY KILLER

As a general rule, to avoid social jet lag, aim for at least seven hours of sleep within your normal sleep-wake window.

While you may think that one way to combat social jet lag is by catching up on sleep, it may be a stopgap fix, but it certainly does not cure the problem. Instead, you must make changes in your daily routine so that your circadian rhythm, your internal clock that keeps your sleep-wake cycle normalized, is aligned and your sleep deprivation low. You can do this by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. If the temptation to sleep in on the days you don’t have to be at the office takes over, only allow yourself to sleep in an extra hour. This ensures that your circadian clock isn’t thrown off too much. But, if you can resist the urge to sleep in and keep your sleep-wake schedule on track, an afternoon nap is a quick way to catch some z’s. Because our chronotypes are mostly set in stone, it’s easier to work with them than against them. But, if you must shift it, do so gradually to allow your body time to catch up. And, most importantly, prioritize sleep. Without it, showing up at work on Monday morning with social jet lag can make it extremely difficult to get going.

Maybe it’s not a case of the Mondays after all. Social jet lag, the discrepancy between sleep on a workday and sleep on a weekend, is a real thing! Your chronotype — your body’s natural sleep and wake preferences — is deeply impacted when you switch up your schedule on a whim. The hustle and bustle of your busy weekends may be making your job at the office more difficult or even compromising the accuracy of your work. What can be done?

Update Your Estate Plan After Experiencing Grief

For many, an estate plan features a number of players. Beneficiaries and those with designations through health care and financial directives can range from spouses and children to neighbors and friends. But when someone named in your estate plan dies before you, complications can arise, particularly if your estate plan fails to address these situations. There are a few routes that can prevent this type of scenario from happening to you, and many estate plans list alternates for different scenarios. For example, you may have named your eldest child as your Attorney-in-Fact under your Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, but you can also list your youngest child as an alternate Attorney-in-Fact in the event that your eldest child is unable or unwilling to serve. However, if you do not designate backups or “contingent” beneficiaries and the person you name has passed, your estate plan will get more complex. Let’s say, for instance, you executed a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare naming your oldest child as your Attorney-in-Fact, but you failed to name a backup. If your oldest child predeceases you and you fail to update your estate plan after his or her death, you could end up in a scenario without someone present to make health care decisions for you in the event that you become unable to make those decisions for yourself.

$100,000.00 to your only grandchild. If your grandchild sadly predeceases you and you don’t update your estate plan before you die or have provisions in your Will that state what happens to that $100,000.00 if your grandchild predeceases you, that $100,000.00 may end up being distributed to someone you do not want to take. Our estate planning team at Douglass & Runger understand that who you name in your estate plan may need to change over time. We incorporate provisions in your estate planning documents that protect your assets and your loved ones from these complex scenarios. If you need to update your estate planning documents, please contact us. You can also learn more about our estate planning offerings at DouglassRunger.com.

This same idea could protect you should a beneficiary in your Will or Living Trust predecease you. In the context of a Will, let’s say you choose to leave

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Celebrity Estate Plans Too Unique to Be Fake Celebrities — they’re just like us. Well … maybe their estate plans aren’t! When you have money and fame, your death isn’t always that simple. Here are three unique stories about famous people and their quirky estate plans.

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com

This succulent chicken stuffed with cheese, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes is impressive on the plate but easy in the kitchen! Our recipe makes 2 servings.

The Queen of Mean’s Dog Faces Probate Problems

Leona Helmsley’s life included four marriages to three men, a 16-year prison sentence for tax evasion — of which she only served 19 months — and an impressive real estate resume that included the Empire State Building. But the supposed “Queen of Mean,” as the press dubbed her, had one final sweeping declaration that turned heads. Rather than leaving most of her more than $12-million estate to her grandchildren, Leona left it to her dog upon her death in 2007. The dog, Trouble, would later receive death threats and required security to protect it from angry outcries. Trouble lived for another five years in luxury in Florida — after a judge decreased the inheritance to $2 million.

INGREDIENTS • 2 chicken breasts • 2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed • 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped • 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped • 10 large basil leaves, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

The Plight of Charles Manson’s Body

Charles Manson is infamous for leading a cult on a murdering spree in the 1970s, with the hopes of inciting a race war. Upon Manson’s death in 2017, the rights to his body and estate were met with major issues. First, there was the battle between Jason Freeman (Manson’s grandson) and Michael Channels. Freeman claimed his familial right, while Channels claimed to have the “only valid” copy of Manson’s will. Ultimately, a judge decided Manson’s body could be released to Freeman. As of 2020, Manson’s estate is still being contested by Channels and Freeman. Two additional people claiming to be Manson’s children have been eliminated as beneficiaries, per the courts.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!

A Love Story Fit for Valentine’s Day

Comedian duo and real-life couple Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone had a loving 50-year marriage and a career that made them synonymous with radio entertainment. Upon Jack Benny’s death in 1974, Mary received long-stemmed roses every day, and only later would she learn that, in his estate plan, Jack had “included a provision for the flowers in his will.” Upon her death nearly 10 years later, Mary’s obituary would cite this grand gesture. As she wrote in her biography of Jack, Mary received a long- stemmed rose every day until the day she died.

INSPIRATION

“We shine bright so that others may shine brighter.” –Yohancé Salimu

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2820 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 www.DouglassRunger.com

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Advertising Material

1 How to Know You’re Ready for a Pet 2 Beating Social Jet Lag Updating an Estate Plan After a Loved One Passes? 3 This Hotel Heiress Left Millions to Her Dog Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast 4 3 High-Tech Solutions for Long-Distance Couples Inside This Issue

3 Valentine’s Gadgets FOR LONG-DISTANCE COUPLES If you’re in a long-distance relationship or friendship, you probably think you’ve tried everything to stay in touch. Texting? Check. FaceTime? Check. Old-fashioned phone calls? Double check! But have you tried high-tech gadgets that can bring you closer without words? This Valentine’s Day, consider treating your romantic partner, or platonic friend, to one of these three handy devices. While these items may be on the pricier side during most of the year, keep an eye out for any holiday sales! The Hey Bracelets (FeelHey.com) These paired bracelets look like fitness bands, but they can do a lot more than count your steps! When you activate your bracelet, it will communicate with the band on your partner’s wrist through the HEY app and give it a gentle squeeze to let them know you’re thinking about them. The bracelets come in classic black or sleek white, are totally weatherproof, and can go for three days between charges. Pillow Talk Wristbands (LittleRiot.com/pillow-talk) This package includes wristbands with heart rate sensors, small speakers, and various cables — for you and your partner! When you sleep, simply wear your wristband and slide your speaker under your pillow. From there, the

Pillow Talk app will broadcast your heartbeat to your partner’s speaker in real time! It’s the next best thing to sleeping next to each other.

Friendship Lamps (FriendshipLamps.com) Like the Hey Bracelets and Pillow Talk Wristbands, these lamps come in pairs. One goes to you and one to your partner. Tap your lamp, and your partner’s lamp will glow to let them know they’re on your mind. You can even send different colors that communicate different messages. (For example, maybe you agree that pink means, “wish you were here.”) You can also sync more than two lamps to connect with additional people you love.

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