Littlejohn Law LLC - June 2021

Littlejohn Law LLC - June 2021

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM

740-314-4829

06/21

BUILD IT. PROTECT IT. PRESERVE IT.

What’s your favorite song? Your favorite band? Your favorite genre of music? Everyone has those jams, tunes, and tracks that just speak to how they’re feeling in the moment or that can bring about intense emotions the minute they come on the speakers. Nobody confines themselves to just one artist or one genre, but we’ve all got those few songs and artists we’ll turn on to pump ourselves up, get in the zone, or relax after a long day. My favorite song of all time is probably “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. I should be clear before I explain any further: I do not like R. Kelly as an artist, but I can’t deny that I like that song a lot. Anytime I listen to it, I just feel like I can do anything — and when my day consists of bringing value to my clients and helping them through the toughest times of their lives, it helps to believe you can touch the sky and beyond. After all, as the saying goes, why believe the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon? When I think of artists who have left a lasting impact on my music tastes, I can’t deny that 50 Cent’s debut album, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,’’ has been, and continues to be, full of tracks I can use to motivate myself and compete at a high level. When I was a sophomore in high school and I was playing on the football team, I would listen to this HOW IT CHANGES AND ACCENTUATES HOW I’M FEELING THE PURPOSE OF MUSIC IN MY LIFE

album to get myself ready to be an animal on the field. Full disclosure: This is definitely a “rated R” album. Parental advisory is 100% warranted. While I no longer need “Get Rich or Die Tryin’’’ to bring myself to commit 110% in football, I do still listen to some of the tracks on 50 Cent’s first album when I feel like the deck is stacked against me before a trial, and I need to pump myself up. I don’t always want to be in that dark part of my brain that helps me to compete at a higher level, however. Sometimes, I need some music that will help me de-stress and just chill out. For those times, I have the Dave Matthews Band (who I saw in concert when I was in law school), Coldplay, and the Zac Brown Band. They’re all artists whose songs just have a more relaxing flow. They’re pretty much the opposite of 50 Cent! For me, music is how I get in touch with my feelings in order to either change them or accentuate them. If I need to get motivated, I’ll listen to motivating music. If I need to unwind, I’ll listen to music that’s relaxing. Music is more than just something enjoyable in that regard — it’s a tool for accomplishing goals. Whatever your goals may be, I would encourage you to find music that will help you accomplish them, even if your goal is to simply unwind. If you feel like you’re in a rut, maybe it’s time to try a different artist or a different genre. There’s a lot of music to try, which means that whatever you’re feeling or going through, you'll definitely something for you!

–Edward Littlejohn

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THE 10 STEPS OF THE PROBATE PROCESS

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AFTER A LOVED ONE PASSES AWAY

10. The remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries , usually after the personal representative gets permission from the court. Even broken down into these 10 steps, exacting the wishes of a deceased loved one can be difficult, especially if they have property in multiple counties or states, saddling you with multiple probate proceedings. At Littlejohn Law, we’ll help you streamline the probate process as much as possible, leaving you and your family time to grieve. Call us today at (740) 346-2899 to schedule a consultation.

When someone dies and leaves behind a will, their assets go through what’s known as the probate process. Basically, probate is what happens when the will is verified and the final wishes of its writer are executed. For a clearer understanding of the process, however, below are 10 steps that happen during probate. 1. The will is located , determined to be the genuine final wishes of the testator (the writer of the will), and filed with the probate court in the county in which the testator died. 2. A personal representative is appointed by the will or the court to execute the testator’s final wishes. 3. Probate bonds , which ensure personal representatives fulfill their duties and comply with state laws, are posted. 4. The personal representative receives letters of administration , which gives them authority to take care of the decedent’s (another name for the deceased) estate. 5. All assets are placed under the personal representative’s control , including bank accounts, portfolios, real estate, vehicles, and collectibles. 6. The value of each asset at the time of the decedent’s death is determined , and the inventory is filed with the court. 7. The decedent’s creditors are notified of the person’s death and are given a window of time in which they can file a claim against the estate. 8. The decedent’s debts are paid off by liquidating the appropriate assets. 9. The personal representative files the decedent’s income tax return , with taxes due being paid from the estate account.

LITTLE SNACK SHACK BY MY BROTHER

JONATHAN LITTLEJOHN. LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

Make the most of your Fourth of July party by pre- ordering your Meat Pack. It comes with juicy burgers, jumbo brauts and hot dogs, chicken, and ribs. It’s the party pack that will keep your guests hungry and coming back for more. 301 N. Seventh Street, Steubenville, OH 43952 Give them a call at 740-314-9019!

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.

FEATURED RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN?

The month of June is always a busy one for me because of my wedding anniversary, Father’s Day, my dad’s birthday, and preparation for Kyzlee’s birthday in July.

Several years ago, Attorney Littlejohn wrote the consumer

book “Ohio Real Estate Litigation — Fighting for What’s Yours.” He wrote it with the idea that if people have access to information, then they

Happy Father’s Day — Thank you, Dad, for all your support over the years. You’ve been by my side every step of my journey.

can make well-informed decisions. This book covers the real estate litigation process, common pitfalls, and what you can do to handle your real estate litigation matter on your own.

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years of marriage

GRILLED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

to my beautiful and wonderful wife, Kellee.

Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp ground cumin • 2 tbsp ground coriander • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • 2 tsp turmeric • 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 2 tsp allspice • 8 garlic cloves, minced • 6 tbsp olive oil • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

DIRECTIONS

1. To create marinade, whisk all spices with the garlic and olive oil in a medium bowl. 2. Add chicken to the bowl, coat well with marinade, cover, and let sit in the fridge for at least 20 minutes — or up to 48 hours. Strain off excess marinade before cooking. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill thighs for 10–12 minutes on each side, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 F. 4. Serve with rice, vegetables, or pita bread with tzatziki.

Here we are celebrating Jozi’s big win for competition cheering.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

352 FRANK LAYMAN BLVD. WINTERSVILLE, OH 43953

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

THE PURPOSE OF MUSIC IN MY LIFE

2

THE 10 STEPS OF THE PROBATE PROCESS

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

3

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN?

FEATURED RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

GRILLED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

4

HAVE YOU EXPLORED A NATIONAL FOREST?

EXPLORE A NATIONAL FOREST FOR FREE

Many people in the U.S. and across the world have a national park trip on their travel bucket list. While Zion, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains are all awesome locales, outdoor enthusiasts often overlook a resource that is less busy, less expensive, and usually right in their backyard: national forests. All but 10 states have a national forest (or more than one!), so if your home state doesn’t have one, it’s very likely a neighboring state does! And there’s no better time to hike, bike, forage for mushrooms or berries, or camp at a nearby national forest than this month. The tree- filled landscape will provide shade and help you beat the summer heat, and to further incentivize visitors, the U.S. Forest Service (the organization that oversees the national forests) is offering a fee-free day on Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day!

While parking and day-use fees to access national forests tend to be relatively modest, fee-free days open up the opportunity to all visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has a great interactive map tool that prospective park-goers can use to learn more about the forests in their area, amenities and activities, and accessibility. Visit FS.fed.us/ivm to access the map and see what’s near your hometown! If you’re dreaming up travel plans beyond your state’s border, consider visiting these notable U.S. national forests. • El Yunque National Forest: Located in Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. • Tongass National Forest: Spanning 16.7 acres and several islands across Southeast Alaska, the Tongass is the country’s largest national forest.

• Salmon-Challis National Forest: This Idaho forest is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 and contains the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. • Cibola National Forest and Grassland: Spread across north-central New Mexico, west Texas, and Oklahoma, this forest and grassland area is notable for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The Sky Islands portion of the park is also home to over 200 rare plant and animal species.

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