Littlejohn Law LLC - January 2021

Littlejohn Law LLC - January 2021

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM

740-314-4829

01/21

BUILD IT. PROTECT IT. PRESERVE IT.

THIS YEAR, TAKE THE FIRST STEP

TOWARD WHAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT

In my life, I’ve been fortunate enough to have made my dreams come true. For so long, it was my dream to become an attorney, to have my own practice, and to help the people in my community by doing something that I was both good at and passionate about. After a lot of hard work and help from others, those dreams have become a reality. While that certainly doesn’t happen for everyone, I do think it is possible for anyone to make their dreams a reality as well. For most of our lives, we are taught to conform to someone’s wishes, whether those be the wishes of our family, friends, or mentors. We go to school so we can get good grades, so we can go to a good college, and then get good grades there, all so we can get a job where we do our best to not upset our bosses, all while bringing home a paycheck. It’s really easy to grind nose-down through life without stopping. But take a moment to look up and ask yourself what kind of life you’re really interested in pursuing. Whether you work doing something you’re passionate about or just grinding along, we tend to make our job a major part of our identity. What we do for work becomes who we are, which can be dangerous if what we do is not what we’re passionate about. Since the pandemic started last April, millions of people have been forced out of work, resulting in

a potential nationwide identity crisis. While getting laid off, or even just getting reduced hours at your job, isn’t something I would ever wish on someone else, I do hope that in your spare time, you’ve been able to take a step back and consider what you’re really passionate about. Passion is found where gifts, talents, and interests align. It’s something you’re born to do, and it’s true regardless of what job you have or anyone else on earth says about you. If you haven’t thought about what you really want to do with your life in a while, well, there’s no time like the present. After all, it is the start of a new year — you have a clean slate in front of you! Then, once you do find out what you’re passionate about, all that’s left for you to do is take action. 2020 has been a reminder that we only have one life to live — one life to find the things that we’re passionate about. If we don’t ever share those passions with the world, we take them with us when we’re gone, and that’s of no use to anyone. Author and motivational speaker Les Brown once said that “the graveyard is the richest place on earth because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled … all because someone was afraid to take the first step …” As we go into the new year, I sincerely hope that you will find what you’re passionate about, if you haven’t found it already, and take the first step toward the rest of your life.

–Edward Littlejohn

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM | 1

Complex fields are often rife with misinformation, and estate planning is no different. If you’re a young parent, estate planning might not even be a blip on your radar yet, but it should be. While it’s not fun having to confront COMMON MISTAKES

THAT YOUNG PARENTS MAKE ON THEIR ESTATE PLANS

development, you’ll want to update your estate plan. Otherwise, after you pass away, your family might be left with a legally binding document that excludes family members whom you love. Those kinds of errors can be

your own mortality, creating an estate plan — and avoiding misinformation about the process — will be worth it down the road.

resolved, but they take a lot of time and effort when all that your loved ones want to do is grieve. NOT ACCOUNTING FOR EVERY PART OF THE ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS Estate plans are about more than just drafting a will to transfer your assets to beneficiaries after you die. You need to remember other components of a solid estate plan, such as a durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, and an advanced health directive. You might not fully understand what those components are, but that’s where hiring an experienced estate planning attorney can work to your advantage. The attorneys at Littlejohn Law can help you put together a sturdy estate plan, answer any questions you have about the process, and ultimately put your mind at ease. Give us a call today at 740-346-2899.

NOT HAVING AN ESTATE PLAN

The first mistake that many young parents make when it comes to estate planning is not having any sort of plan in place at all. After all, why would estate planning be on your mind? You’re young and just starting out, but the grim truth is that none of us know how long we will be here. The best thing you can do for your family is ensure that they’re prepared for when you’re gone, whether that means a seamless transfer of assets or the naming of a legal guardian.

FAILING TO UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN

If you’ve created an estate plan, congratulations — most of the hard work is done; however, it’s not all done. With every birth, death, divorce, and other important family

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE: HALO SALON & SPA

Over the years, we’ve heard great things about Halo Salon & Spa. Here’s their philosophy: “We believe in kindness, generosity, and care toward you and your hair. We are at our best when we feel good about ourselves. Our salon prides itself on creating the ultimate ‘you’ in a beautiful, contemporary-inspired atmosphere.” Check out Halo Salon & Spa.

Located at 108 Warren Lane, Wintersville, OH 43952

Phone 740-264-2580

2 | 740-314-4829 This newsletter is for informational purposes only and no legal advice is intended. Be sure to consult with this law firm if you have a specific question about your situation. And remember, Edward and Jeff don’t take any unplanned inbound telephone or in-person meetings. We believe each case deserves our undivided attention.

SEE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US! “I am with the Jefferson County Land Bank. We utilize Littlejohn Law for title searches on properties in which we are researching to possibly acquire and demolish. We are extremely pleased with the services of Littlejohn Law. They have never missed a deadline and answer any questions that we may have in a timely and professional manner.”

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN?

Jeff and Ally are celebrating their third wedding anniversary! Here are a few pics from some football games they were able to attend toward the end of 2020. They enjoyed a game in Texas while practicing social distancing, then continued their Thanksgiving tradition of attending a Dallas Cowboys game. Below is Kyzlee striking some holiday poses and playing with her butterfly wings.

–Five-Star Google Review From Tabatha

BIRTHDAY CAKE BAKED OATMEAL FOR ONE (YES, REALLY)

Inspired by ItsTaylerMarie.org

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats • 1 browning banana, mashed • 1/2 cup milk • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp baking powder • Splash of vanilla extract • 1 tsp brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup • 2 tsp sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and prepare a small oven- safe dish. 2. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the sprinkles.

3. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish.

4. Bake for 25 minutes or until the oatmeal is golden brown.

5. Let the oatmeal cool slightly, top with sprinkles, and dig in!

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM | 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

352 FRANK LAYMAN BLVD. WINTERSVILLE, OH 43953

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM 740-314-4829

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

FIND YOUR PASSIONS AND LIVE THEM THIS YEAR

DON’T MAKE THESE COMMON ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKES!

2

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN

3

SEE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US!

BIRTHDAY CAKE BAKED OATMEAL FOR ONE (YES, REALLY)

4

THESE OLD-SCHOOL HOBBIES ARE MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK

OUT WITH THE NEW, IN WITH THE OLD!

January is National Hobby Month — and for good reason! As people set goals for 2021, they’re also thinking about trying new hobbies. But with so many out there, picking just one can be a hobby in itself. Thanks in part to COVID-19, many people have rediscovered old-school hobbies. Some of these have been around for decades or even longer, and others have established communities that can rely on one another for support, sharing information, and more. Here are four great examples.

through the roof, and online card communities lit up with activity from all over the world.

RESTORING CARS

MAKING BREAD

Car restoration is a hobby that lets you get your hands dirty, and it's one that you can do with your kids or grandkids. It can be not only educational for them but also fun! Together, you can track down parts, talk to folks who are also interested in restoration, and learn about the history of your car. Though car restoration can be a bit costly and time consuming, it’s certainly a journey worth taking.

Over the last year, interest in this ancient hobby has skyrocketed. Homemade bread is tastier and more nutritious than store-bought, and it’s so satisfying to watch it come together. Not to mention it’s a great skill to have! With so many types of bread to try, you’re not going to run out of ideas any time soon.

COLLECTING CARDS

EMBROIDERING

No matter what people were into during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, there was a trading card game for it. And even going into 2021, that tradition has been kept alive. When many people were stuck at home last year, they rediscovered their card collections and remembered how much fun they were. As a result, card sales went

Embroidery has taken off because it’s both inexpensive and fairly easy to get into. Plus, many people have fallen in love with its meditative quality. One of the great things about embroidery is that you can use it to make amazing personalized gifts, like pillows, wall hangings, and kitchen towels!

4 | 740-314-4829