Littlejohn Law - August/September 2022

Littlejohn Law - August/September 2022

Build It, Protect It, Preserve It.

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740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com

August/September 2022

TO FIND YOUR PLACE Be Your Authentic Self

The start of a new school year is often pretty exciting for young people. That’s especially true if they’re starting their first year of middle school, high

I went to that first day of orientation, which was really cool since they had gathered all of the freshmen in one area so we could mingle. As expected, most people gravitated toward others who shared similar interests. I played football throughout my youth, so I initially joined up with the football group, but since I wasn’t playing in college, it wasn’t the best fit. Over time, I found my own friend group. I met two guys early in my college career while I was on a trip to the capital who ended up being lifelong friends. They were both in my wedding! I also met a guy from Chicago and a girl from Canada who I became great friends with. I made sure I stayed true to who I was, and my friends stayed true to who they were. We didn’t have to pretend to be people we weren’t, so our friendships stayed true.

school, or college. Heading into these new environments can certainly be frightening at times, but through each experience, they will see growth as they learn valuable lessons and make new friends throughout their academic adventure. In my opinion, one of the most important things kids and young adults need to keep in mind is to be themselves in their new situations. People will always tell you to do things a certain way or to act in a certain way, but it’s much more important to be who you

Many people worry they’ll stand out from the crowd if they are their authentic self, but that’s not necessarily

a bad thing. Fitting in isn’t worth abandoning your own values. We face many difficult decisions in our lives, and we usually make our choices based on our principles.

really are. By being your authentic self, you’ll find the friends who share the same values you hold. Sometimes, it takes trial and error, but continually putting yourself out there will lead to a group you fit right into. When I was growing up, I went to the same school district from elementary to high school. This meant I didn’t meet many new people and most of my friendships were crafted in elementary school. It wasn’t until I went to college that I had the opportunity to meet new people.

Being your authentic self should absolutely be one of your principles. Decisions will be much easier to make and you will find friends who value you for who you are.

I hope your kids have a wonderful school year and have the opportunity to make many new friends!

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10 People to Thank PREPARING FOR PROBATE WHAT TO EXPECT AT A COURT HEARING

When people attend a court hearing due to probate, it’s often their first time participating in a court hearing. This can cause nervousness and anxiety as you might

You can tour the country without ever having to leave your home — motor home, that is! Seniors around the country are all hopping aboard the RV train because it’s a great way to get up close and personal with nature while being free to go where you want. One morning, your backyard can be Yellowstone National Park, and the next, you’re in the Mojave Desert! If you’re looking to purchase an RV in your golden years, here are some tips. Rent one first. Renting an RV before you make the commitment to buy one is the way to go, especially if you’ve never taken a trip in one before! This way, you can take it for a nice long test drive and determine which features are must-haves and which you can do without. It’s also a great way to make sure you’re okay being in such a small space with your family, partner, or travel buddy! Don’t rule out pre-owned RVs. RVs can be expensive, depending on which model you are looking into. In some cases, opting to purchase a pre-owned RV can save you a great deal of money. And, if you get a great deal on a pre-owned one, you can repair, renovate, and redecorate it to your liking with the money you saved. An additional perk is that insurance is usually cheaper on pre-owned RVs! Do your research. There is much more to buying an RV beyond the actual shopping experience. You have to also learn to drive and/or tow it! Before making a purchase, be sure to research and look up reviews on the driving experiences of other owners of the same make and model. An RV can be a second home, so take your time and make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. Before making your decision and pulling the trigger on your brand- new RV, make sure you’ve done your homework and are prepared for life on the road! A huge adventure awaits — the best thing you can be is prepared! EMBARKING ON AN RV JOURNEY 3 TIPS FOR SENIORS BEFORE BUYING AN RV

not know what to expect. The good news is that probate court hearings are usually not as

intense as your traditional court

hearing. If you have an upcoming probate court hearing, you should not get worked up about it unless

you have been told that witnesses will be involved.

During a probate case, a hearing is an opportunity for your attorney and any other parties to communicate with the judge about what is going on with your particular case. You begin the probate process by filing a Petition for Administration of the case, which usually involves asking the court to admit the last will and testament or to simply proceed to intestate. You can expect these hearings to proceed rather rapidly unless there is a dispute or issue involved. If there is no dispute, the attorney will simply verify the information within the petition and answer any questions or concerns that the judge may have. If there is any type of dispute, you can expect the hearing to take a little longer as witnesses will most likely be involved going forward. These disputes usually revolve around who is appointed the personal representative of the estate, whether an individual is an heir to the estate, or beneficiaries that felt as if they didn’t get their fair share or what was rightfully theirs. It’s important that you discuss your role at the hearing with your attorney. It will give you a better idea of what to expect and if this hearing will be more in-depth. If you have questions or concerns about the probate process or are in need of representation, give our office a call. We’re committed to helping you navigate the probate process. 2 LittlejohnLawLLC.com

Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com Stay calm and relaxed. In many cases, a defense attorney may try to catch you off guard or make you nervous during a deposition. They want to make the case go away. It’s imperative you stay calm and collected during the legal process. We will work with you to make sure you are prepared for any situation. We’ll teach you methods to help reduce Tasty Bruschetta Chicken Going to court can be incredibly stressful, especially for those who aren’t used to being in a courtroom or dealing with attorneys and judges. It’s not unusual to feel nervous if you’re giving a deposition or are involved in a court hearing. I’ve worked with many people who have felt uncomfortable, stressed, and anxious about playing a role in a court case. Here are three tips I give to my clients before they brave a court hearing or deposition for the first time. Answer the question being asked. When you’re involved in a deposition, you will be asked to answer a number of questions. Be sure to answer the questions being asked instead of the question you think is being asked. You don’t want to give more information than what’s being asked for, and you definitely don’t want to give false information, so try and be as direct as possible in your responses. 3 TIPS TO SURVIVE A COURT HEARING OR DEPOSITION Calm Those Nerves

anxiety and keep you calm so you’ll be ready for anything the defense attorney throws your way. Be comfortable saying ‘I don’t recall.’ If you’ve watched the news or any legal drama, you’ve probably heard someone say “I don’t recall” when asked a question in a hearing or deposition. This is a perfectly fine response to give if you don’t remember the specifics of the situation or if you don’t have an answer to the question being asked. I’d rather you say “I don’t recall” than guess. Being involved in a deposition or court hearing does not have to be a stressful experience. It can even be considered fun if you look at it in the right light — we’ll certainly do our best to make it so. By following our tips and advice, you’ll calm your nerves and maybe even enjoy the experience.

TAKE A BREAK

INGREDIENTS

•

4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness

• • • • • • •

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

• • •

4 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice, divided

1/4 tsp pepper

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 FRIENDSHIP GLADIOLUS

HEAT MARSHMALLOW MOTORCYCLE MUGGY

RELAXATION SANDWICH SWIMMING VACATION

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352 Frank Layman Blvd. • Wintersville, OH 43953 740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

1 2

Be Your Authentic Self in a New Setting

Understanding Probate Court Hearings

What to Consider Before Buying an RV

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Advice for Attending a Court Hearing or Deposition

Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

Take a Break

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Dealing With Negativity? Try These 3 Things!

Choosing Joy Every Day 3 WAYS TO FOSTER A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

In today’s society, we are faced with tragic stories and upsetting information, no matter where we turn. This can quickly lead us to a negative mindset where we believe things can’t be fixed and will only get worse, so it’s even more important now to establish a positive mindset. Though it might be easier to bury your head in the sand, fostering positivity in your life will provide you with many benefits. But doing so is easier said than done. If you’re unsure where to begin, try out some of these methods to help you get started. Focus on the silver lining. When something bad or unfortunate happens, we are quick to think about the negatives and how they will impact us in the future. Instead, we should be searching for a silver lining. You can find a positive in any situation, but you’ll have to put in the effort to flip your perspective. Keep a gratitude journal. When we think about gratitude and thankfulness, our minds usually think about Thanksgiving. But we don’t need to wait for a special day to show gratitude. Things happen to us every day that we

should be grateful for. If you’re struggling to acknowledge your blessings, keep a gratitude journal and

write a few things you are thankful for each day. Over time, that thought process will seep into your daily life.

Surround yourself with positive people. The people we associate with play a huge role in our mental well- being. If you’re constantly around people who put you down or tell you that you can’t accomplish certain things, you will feel worse about yourself — or even believe them. You need to block the negative people from your life and surround yourself with those who think optimistically.

Establishing a positive mindset in today’s world may be difficult, but it is not impossible if you develop a strategy and follow through with it.

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