DuPont Wealth May 2018

L.A.F.F. LAW ADVOCACY FAMILY FINANCE A monthly newsletter providing your family with insight about the law and finance (with an occasional dose of humor) from your friends and advocates at DuPont Wealth Solutions and the Law Offices of DuPont and Blumenstiel.

18 MAY

A NEW ADDITION THE DUPONT HOUSEHOLD GROWS

A few editions back, I mentioned that my daughter Sophie has been asking for a new puppy. At the time, I managed to rebuff her pleas. Bella, our beloved Bernese mountain dog, may be getting up there in age, but do we really want a puppy around the house? Despite Sophie’s constant campaigning, I’ve remained resolute — until about 15 minutes ago. At the time of writing, I’ve just come into my office after reading an ad in the paper for a Bernese puppy. Seeing it’s picture, I was reminded of Bella when she was that small. Well, my heart melted. I just got off the phone with the breeder, and “Chrissi” will be part of our family by Mother’s Day. I can’t think of a more fitting time, since Bella will have to act as a mother to this young pup! Bella probably could have benefited from having an older dog around the house when we brought her home in 2007. Our Newfoundland had recently passed away, and we were heartbroken. We didn’t think we were ready for a new dog, especially if it meant diving back into the drool-filled world of raising a “Newfie.” Then a client reached out to me about a rescue puppy that needed help. The client was a landlord, and she had some young tenants who were in over their heads. They had a puppy they didn’t know how to raise, and it was going to grow into a dog that needed a lot more space than they had. Initially, my client thought the puppy was a Newfoundland, but it turned out to be a Bernese. If she hadn’t been mistaken, she may have never mentioned Bella to me in the first place. “MY WIFE JULIAWAS DUMBFOUNDED WHEN SHE CAME HOME TO SEE ME WITH A NEW PUPPY. I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE WARNED HER FIRST.”

Being the big softy that I’m gradually revealing myself to be over the course of this article, I agreed in a heartbeat to adopt Bella. My wife, Julia, was dumbfounded when she came home to see me with a new puppy. I probably should have warned her first. I was the one who ended up in the doghouse that night.

A few weeks later, I left town to go watch the Buckeyes play Iowa, leaving Julia with the 6-month-old Bernese who was less than housetrained. Let’s just say the kennel was covered, and I had more than a bit of making up to do with the other ladies of the house. But as time wore on, and we got her properly trained, Bella grew. Now it’s hard to remember a time when she wasn’t part of the family. Bella is 11 years older now, and she isn’t as energetic as she used to be. Even just going out of the house is trouble for her. It may put some pep in her step to have a pup of her own to look after, or at least it might give her some much-needed company while Julia and I are at work and Sophie’s at school. We’re so happy Bella came into our family when she did. It may have been a messy start, and we certainly didn’t plan on it. But, despite the importance of engaging in planning, I have to admit that the best parts of life sometimes come from spur-of-the-moment decisions. -Greg DuPont

Wealth Solutions www.DuPontWealth.com | Law Office www.DandBlaw.com | 1 Published by The Newsletter Pro . www.TheNewsletterPro.com

ROAD TRIPS DON’T HAVE TO BE PAINFUL TRY GAMES, AUDIOBOOKS, AND PODCASTS TO PASS THE TIME

Summer is right around the corner, which means you’ll soon pile the whole family into the car, ready to brave the road for a vacation. Everyone knows that riding in the car for hours can be torture. But with a little creativity, you can turn the worst part of a long trip into a fun event. Pack aTravel Game When the excitement of the family vacation starts to wear off, keep the peace and entertain your kids with a travel game. Many board game manufacturers offer travel-sized versions that are easy to pack and play in the car. Before your next road trip, consider purchasing digitalYahtzee, which packs all the fun of the classic game without the dice, or IQ Fit, a logic game with over 100 challenges. Both games cost around $10 and can provide hours of entertainment. Include theWhole Family Once the travel games no longer pique anyone’s interest, try an activity that can be fun for the whole family: a traditional road trip game. If you have a car full of storytellers, try “Fortunately, Unfortunately.”The rules are simple.The

first person starts by saying, “fortunately,” and mentioning something good about the road trip or the destination. The next person (moving clockwise) then follows by saying something “unfortunate” about the previous person’s statement. Take turns with every passenger in the car. If someone stumbles, they get a strike; three strikes and you’re out. The last passenger standing wins. Play anAudiobook or Podcast We get it. Sometimes passengers don’t want to play games. Occasionally, they’d rather relax or take a nap. However, your listening material doesn’t have to be limited to Dad’s favorite music. Instead, consider listening to a family-friendly audiobook or podcast, which can make the longest and most boring parts of your trip an entertaining or educational experience. Almost any popular book is available in audio form, but it can be hard to find an enjoyable podcast. “Transistor” is a science-focused podcast that explores subjects kids and adults will find fascinating. Or if you’re looking for something fictional, try “Storynory,” in which the narrator tells fairy tales and legends from all over the globe.

REMARRIAGE AND ESTATE PLANNING

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

TalkWithYour Future Spouse

Despite the best intentions, a marriage may not last forever. If you are divorced or widowed and planning to remarry, you may want to take the opportunity to review and revise your estate conservation strategies. This is especially important if you and your future spouse have children from previous marriages. Regardless of the details of your situation, it is important to be aware of the potentially sensitive aspects of estate planning. With a little forethought before your wedding day, you can save your loved ones from a great deal of confusion and heartache in the future. LearnYour Options

Consider a premarital agreement to legally detail your property arrangements. While you may feel ambivalent about broaching this subject, a formalized agreement can help facilitate your wishes. It’s better to ensure you and your future spouse are on the same page about your estate plans before you tie the knot rather than putting off the conversation.

Revisit the Paperwork

Review your will and update the beneficiary arrangements of your life insurance policy to guarantee that your property is distributed according to your wishes upon your death. It’s important to ensure your plan accurately reflects your wishes today. As you prepare for and experience a major life change, such as remarriage, be sure to consult with an estate planning team comprising qualified tax, legal, and financial professionals. Our team would be happy to help as you plan the next important stage in your life.

Familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of different types of asset ownership. If you would like your assets to pass entirely to your children, you may want to put those assets in your own name. It is important to know that new assets acquired in joint tenancy with your spouse will automatically be passed on to the surviving spouse.

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STARTING A BUSINESS? THESE 3 ELEMENTS ARE CRUCIAL

Building your own business thrusts you into an odds-defying situation. There is a lot of conflicting >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6

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