Gillette Law - June/July 2019

Call Now! 757-220-4529 GilletteLawGroup.com

ILLETTE

GAZETTE

JUNE/JULY 2019

EXPERIENCE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL FOR FREE

With the summer upon us, I’m sure many of our readers are looking for ways to get out and enjoy the sunshine. While going to a local park or just doing a lap around your neighborhood can be a great way to take in the warm weather, some may be itching to travel a little further afield. For the adventurous and the curious, the National Park Service (NPS) has quite the deal available. The “America the Beautiful Access Pass” is a program by the NPS to help those living with a permanent disability enjoy some of our nation’s most beautiful sights. Those who have been determined to have a permanent disability are eligible to receive a free, lifetime pass to any U.S. national park or federal recreation site. You do not need to be deemed 100% disabled to qualify. “But wait,” you might ask, “aren’t national parks free to visit anyway?” This is a popular misconception. Many parks do require some fee to get in, mostly to cover maintenance of the site. Depending on the park, these fees may be charged on a per-person or per-vehicle basis. With one of these lifetime passes, you and up to three adults (kids under 16 are always free) can enter these areas free of charge. If the park charges by vehicle, the pass covers one non-commercial vehicle, regardless of passenger count. In addition to free entry, the pass also provides discounts for what the NPS calls “Expanded Amenity Fees.” These can be everything from securing individual campsites to paying for guided tours. This makes it that much easier to enjoy the natural beauty and the historic significance of our country. In fact, many of these parks are right here in our own backyard. Here in Virginia, we have the pick of the litter when it comes to natural and historic sites. Just east of Williamsburg, there’s the Colonial National History Park that runs along the James River from Jamestown to Yorktown, which contains many important landmarks from colonial times through the end of the Revolutionary War. For the nature lovers out there, Shenandoah National Park lies to the northwest. Spanning a

portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this protected wilderness offers stunning vistas — and you don’t even have to leave your car to see it. The famous Skyline Drive runs the length of the park, allowing visitors to take in nature’s beauty with ease. These are just two examples of parks our state has to offer. There’s also the Assateague Island National Seashore, George Washington’s Birthplace, Appomattox Court House, Cumberland Gap, and many more. For those looking to travel a little further afield, Bluestone National Scenic River in West Virginia or the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina are both a short road trip away. With this pass, you’ll also be able to enjoy incredible sights like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite for free. You can find other national parks at NPS.gov/FindaPark. So, where do you get one of these access passes? Well, if you live near Yorktown, you can go to the Colonial National History Park in person, where they issue passes. Alternatively, you can fill out a form (found at Store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/access_pass_application.pdf) and apply by mail, though this will require a $10 processing fee. In either case, you’ll need to provide documentation of your permanent disability and proof of residency or citizenship. Want an easier way to get this lifetime pass for free? Just bring your documentation to our office, and we’ll help you mail the application. We’ll even cover the $10 fee. We have our fair share of nature and history lovers here at the firm, myself included. When we learned of these passes, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to give something back to our clients. If you’re looking to make some lifelong memories this summer, this pass is a great way to do it.

N e x t D o o r Bu

–Brian Gillette

Call Now! (208) 888-8888 • 1 757-220-4529 |

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

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BEWARE THESE RETIREMENT SPENDING MISTAKES

The bulk of retirement planning is spent discussing how you will save money in the years leading up to the end of your career, but that’s only half of the picture. Once you enter retirement, your focus shifts to the smartest way to divest your money for both your own enjoyment and your continued financial security. There are countless ways to wisely spend your nest egg, such as taking trips, providing for the education of your grandchildren, and more. However, this article isn’t about good ideas. Instead, let’s talk about some of the worst ways to spend your retirement funds. Timeshares The appeal of a timeshare seems obvious. It’s a space of your own for a few weeks of the year, and you get to enjoy a nice change of pace from your regular environment. The problem is that these properties are full of hidden costs and have been outpaced by other vacationing options. In a world where you can book an Airbnb with just a few clicks, timeshares are poised to become a relic of a past age. Online Scams Hackers and cyberscammers love to prey on the elderly. As gross as it may sound, they know that older generations tend to be less tech savvy than their younger counterparts. You should be wary of online offers that look too good to be true. If you have even the slightest doubt, have a loved one take a look at

the offer to ensure you’re not being scammed. Never provide your private financial >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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