Littlejohn Law - June/July 2022

Littlejohn Law - June/July 2022

Build It, Protect It, Preserve It.

740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com 10 MY ADVICE TO THOSE ENTERING THEWORKFORCE: Rise Up to the Occasion June/July 2022

Over the next few months, graduates of both high school and college will be entering the workforce for the very first time. Starting your first job is often a very stressful but exciting time in your life. Many people consider entering the workforce as one of the final steps toward reaching adulthood because, in most cases, you work alongside other adults and have the opportunity to learn multiple life lessons. I’m grateful for my first job; it taught me many lessons I needed to learn before starting my actual career. I didn’t take any breaks during my educational journey. When I graduated from high school, I immediately enrolled in college where I earned my bachelor’s degree in four years. From there, I jumped right into law

school and was definitely one of the younger students enrolled. Most of the people in my class had taken a break after graduating high school or college. Regardless, I graduated from law school at the age of 25. After graduation, I had to buckle down and take everything seriously because I still needed to study and pass the bar exam. Thankfully, I passed the bar on the first try and secured a job as an assisting prosecuting attorney in Jefferson County. So, there I was, at age 25, simply enjoying life and hanging out. I worked so hard throughout school that I thought I could continue living a fun and exciting nightlife. Soon, I realized I needed to be an adult in order to excel in my profession. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday, I was an assistant prosecuting attorney, but on the weekends, I wanted to live like I was in college again. I can vividly remember one particular night when I was in a local nightclub; it occurred to me that the people around me were the same people appearing in court on Monday morning. If they got a DUI, I would see them in court and have to ask why they were drinking, driving, and acting irresponsibly on a Friday night — and I was partying at the same club as them!

responsible and set an example through my actions. I had to make a decision: I could go out and be responsible or not go out at all. While I was never out drinking and driving or violating the law, it still didn’t sit well with me that I was partying with people on Friday night and then punishing them on Monday morning. So, I decided to stop going out on the weekends. It wasn’t necessarily an easy decision, but it was the responsible and best possible move for my future. To recent high school graduates and current college students, enjoy your life while you can, but once you’ve graduated from college, get rid of the excuses so you can step up and lead. Whether I am a seasoned prosecutor or a rookie, the expectation is still the same. I still need to represent law and order. Whether you go to school to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or any other professional, there will be an expectation and you will have to rise to it. Entering the workforce is an exciting experience that presents an opportunity to prove ourselves. It might not be easy, but with hard work and determination, we can all rise up to meet any challenge.

Happy birthday to Kyzlee and Zade! Zade’s first birthday is in June and Kyzlee turns 5 in July.

It dawned on me that I couldn’t live two separate lives anymore. I needed to be

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10 People to Thank

Retirement is what you make it, and the possibilities are endless. For many Americans, that has meant selling their possessions, packing up what they have left, and moving abroad. In some cases, an international retirement can be more affordable and provide better health care options. Plus, the opportunity to explore a new region is enticing. Others worry about being away from family, navigating foreign rules, and dealing with language and cultural barriers. If these obstacles don’t scare you away, an international retirement may work. Here’s how to prepare for it. Consider the monetary challenges. In many cases, retiring abroad can be preferable due to lower costs of living and affordable health care. Plus, you can receive and deposit Social Security overseas. However, there are a few hurdles. For instance, you could end up paying taxes to the U.S. and your new country, which means a double tax. You will also have to transition to a completely digital banking system and understand how your new residence may impact your American-based assets. Review your wants versus your needs. Who doesn’t love a tropical vacation, but do you really want to live there permanently? Tropical spots also include hurricanes, bugs, humidity, and lots of sand and water. Rather than packing up and moving to a new country outright, spend a few months in the place you want to call your new home. If you can live with the good and the bad, it’s the spot for you! If not, try somewhere else until it feels right. Say ‘Ciao!’ to Traditional Retirement THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE SPENDING YOUR GOLDEN YEARS ABROAD

A common but misguided belief is that only the old or sick need an estate plan. It’s simply not true. Everyone benefits from having an estate plan. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or whether you have kids — creating an estate plan will make things so much better if the unexpected ever does occur. Interestingly enough, the pandemic actually prompted many millennials to start creating their own estate plans. According to Care.com’s 2021 Wills and Estate Planning Study, only 16% of Americans aged 18–34 reported having a will or another estate planning document in 2020. That number rose to 26% in 2021. And 45% of those surveyed said they were motivated to start an estate plan because of the pandemic. Millennials and other young adults should create an estate plan for many reasons. One of the most important is that an individual can become vulnerable if they become incapacitated. Without an estate plan, your family will have to petition the court to appoint a guardian or conservator to take care of your legal, financial, and medical affairs, a lengthy and expensive process. Even then, the court may pick a family member you don’t want taking care of your affairs. Creating an estate plan allows all of your wishes to be honored if you ever become incapacitated. An estate plan will also allow you to name who inherits your assets in the instance of your untimely death. Again, without an estate plan, the court will make that decision. In some cases, your assets can even go to the state, which is not ideal for anyone. Having a plan will also help your family avoid probate and the infighting that can come from that time-consuming and stressful process. If you haven’t created an estate plan yet, what are you waiting for? Give our office a call and we’ll help you put together a plan that will take care of all of your potential needs. 2 LittlejohnLawLLC.com YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO HAVE AN ESTATE PLAN

Monitor your comfort level. It’s difficult to ask your neighbor for flour when you don’t speak the same language. While it’s true that many countries have numerous English speakers, you may run into situations where communication or customs are difficult. You should learn the basics of your new country’s language and be prepared to be more independent. Until you find a community in your locale, you may not have the same support you have back in the states.

As with all your plans for retirement, consult with a professional to determine if an international retirement is right for you. And if it is, then bon voyage!

CREATING A PET TRUST Take Care of Your Furry Friends

Our pets bring so much love and joy into our lives that it’s no surprise many people want to ensure their furry friends are taken care of as part of their estate plan. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as approaching your estate planning attorney and saying you want to leave your house to whomever looks after your pets. When it comes to estate planning, clarity is essential to avoid any confusion in the future. If you want to leave assets to your pets, you should create a pet trust. Setting up a pet trust requires four distinct steps. The first thing you must do when creating a pet trust is to determine which animals are covered . It sounds simple enough, but issues often arise if your pet has any offspring. Is the money you’re providing going to the offspring, too, or is the caregiver free to keep the offspring as their own? You need to be very clear about which pets are covered in your pet trust. The second step is possibly the most important. You need to actually name a caregiver who will take care of your animals. This person will have custody of your pets and be responsible for their day-to-day care. Once you’ve determined who will become the

caregiver to your pet, you need to decide how much money you want to leave for your pet’s care, the third step. Depending on the age, health, and the number of pets, this amount can vary greatly. Be sure to set enough aside to cover any future medical expenses.

In the final step, you need to leave instructions for the new caregiver. Your pets can’t tell the new caregiver what they like or dislike, so it’s up to you to leave detailed directions to ensure the happiness and comfort of your pet(s). Specify their favorite food, toys, and sleeping arrangements, just to name a few. Many different details are important to consider when creating a pet trust. If you have any questions or need help creating a pet trust, give our office a call.

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers

TAKE A BREAK

INGREDIENTS For the Marinade •

1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp soy sauce

• • • • • • •

2 tbsp chili garlic sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

For the Skewers •

3 tbsp honey Juice of 1 lime

2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes

3/4 tsp smoked paprika

•

1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!

AQUARIUM BALLOON BICYCLE CHILDREN

FATHER FLAG GRILL MOONSTONE

PRIDE ROSE WATERMELON WEDDING

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

INSIDE

THIS ISSUE

1

Lessons Learned From My First Job

2

Estate Planning for Young Adults

Is an International Retirement Right for You?

3

Create a Pet Trust in 4 Steps

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers

Take a Break

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Father’s Day Gift Guide

6 GIFTS DAD IS SURE TO LOVE IT’S DAD’S DAY!

Dad is a very important person in your life! Every year when Father’s Day rolls around, it can be tough to come up with the perfect gift, whether it be for your dad, a new father, your grandfather, or a father figure. Getting creative can be tricky, but this list is sure to help you with an idea or two for all different price ranges! Wallet Why not go really classic and opt for a thoughtful and practical gift? Most men’s wallets see a lot of wear and tear. After all, they’re sat on, toted around in pockets all day long, and sometimes forgotten about and sent through the wash. A new one just may be in order! Massage Gun Massage guns are rising in popularity. To help Dad recover from soreness and injury or just

a tough workout, a massage gun will do the trick! The best part is that they range in price, and you can even purchase one on Amazon! Apple Watch Strap Does the dad you’re celebrating own an Apple Watch? If so, help him customize it with a new Apple Watch strap. You can choose from many materials, colors, and designs so he can blend in or stand out as much as he wants. A New Cooler Men love their coolers — it’s a foolproof Father’s Day gift! Whether Dad loves to camp, fish, tailgate, go to the beach, or barbecue in the backyard, he’s sure to appreciate a new way to store ice, drinks, food, or bait! Tool Bucket Organizer Is your dad a bit of a handyman? Help him get organized and never lose track of his

tools again. Tool bucket organizers come in many forms and, again, can be purchased right online, making your shopping easy! Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers If your father doesn’t have Bluetooth headphones or speakers yet, he’s missing out. The opportunity to jam out wirelessly while working out, cutting the grass, doing hobby work, or just relaxing is effortless with this thoughtful gift.

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