Littlejohn Law LLC - November 2020

Littlejohn Law LLC - November 2020

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM

740-314-4829

11/20

BUILD IT. PROTECT IT. PRESERVE IT.

THE THINGS I’M (STILL) THANKFUL FOR

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A CRAZY YEAR

Especially in a year like this one, it pays to stay positive, surround yourself with similarly positive people, and find reasons to be thankful. This Thanksgiving, as families across the country gather around dinner tables (or, depending on where you are, call their family members over Zoom), I hope that everyone is able to find some reason to be thankful, even if it seems like everything is going wrong. This year has been tumultuous for me, my family, and my office, to say the least. Regardless, I want to try and remember all that I have to be thankful for before I start saying “woe is me.” First and foremost, I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful for my wonderful wife, who keeps me grounded and helps me keep my priorities straight. With her help, our family’s emotional and financial well-being always remain my No. 1 priority. I’m thankful for my fearless 3-year-old daughter and that we can provide her with a great lifestyle that will hopefully lead her to a life filled with great opportunities. I’m also thankful for my parents and their continual help and support. They provided for me during my undergraduate years and during law school, and they continue to offer me advice and support. My dad, and my brother for that matter, both have a lot of business experience (my dad owns a karate school and invests in real estate, and my brother owns a carry-out restaurant), and their input on how

I can ensure that Littlejohn Law weathers the current economic storm has been invaluable.

Any article about the things I’m thankful for wouldn’t be complete without my talking about Littlejohn Law. Not everyone can say they get to do work they absolutely love every day, but I can, and that’s something I am immensely grateful for. I’m also thankful for the fantastic people I get to work with every day and for how much they truly care about helping our clients. On top of those things, we’ve actually been blessed to consider growing our business during a time when many businesses are more concerned with deterioration and death. We've expanded our office during this time, and it's thanks to having great clients — the type just like you. Folks who trust us to handle their Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Probate matters. It is a blessing to be able to help you in your time of need, even during today's economy. Finally, I’m thankful for all my mentors and coaches for offering their guidance and advice to me and to other business owners who need it. I want to thank Shaun Buck of The Newsletter Pro, Ben Glass of Great Legal Marketing, and Tom Foster of Foster Web Marketing, in particular, for continuing to put out helpful, positive content during this time. I’m grateful to surround myself with positive, successful people who have the foresight to help others during this troubling time. I hope all of you reading this have a great Thanksgiving to look forward to and some things you can pick out of this crazy year to be thankful for as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

–Edward Littlejohn

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HOW A TRUST CAN HELP YOU LEAVE A LEGACY

A well-designed trust can ensure that your estate planning wishes are honored. When we ask clients what they want to happen with their assets and property after they are gone, their answers are as unique as they are. Their wishes depend on the property they own and the relationships they have with their heirs. While a

There are two main types of trusts: revocable and irrevocable. A revocable trust can be changed or even terminated at any time by the grantor, but an irrevocable trust cannot be changed or terminated before the time specified in the trust. Irrevocable trusts offer tax and other benefits that may offset the loss of flexibility.

will is sufficient in some situations, many people need an estate planning tool that allows them to have a greater say in what happens to their assets. At Littlejohn Law, our estate planning team will discuss the benefits of certain types of trusts to accomplish your goals. WHAT IS A TRUST? Simply put, a trust is a legal document that holds ownership of certain assets. A trust generally involves at least three people: (1) the grantor or settlor, who creates the trust; (2) the trustee, who holds and manages the property for the benefit of the grantor or another; and (3) the beneficiaries, who are entitled to the benefits. The grantor names a trustee and places certain property into the trust with instructions on how the assets should be managed. The trustee agrees to manage the property in the way the grantor has specified in the trust agreement. Throughout the entire trust arrangement, the trustee has legal title to the trust property, while the beneficiaries retain the right to benefit from the property specified in the trust.

Generally speaking, you may want to consider a trust if you fall into one or more of the following categories: • You have young children and want to provide for their futures. • You have dependents who will need help managing property responsibly. • You own property that is hard to divide, such as a small business or other income-producing asset. • You want to control what happens to your property after you die.

• You are concerned about estate taxes.

• You have too much money to qualify for Medicaid to pay for a nursing home but not enough to pay for a nursing home.

Give us a call today 740-314-4829!

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE: SMITH OUTFITTERS

Smith Outfitters is my go-to shop for firearms and accessories. The customer service is exceptional. If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for an outdoorsman, Smith Outfitters is the place.

Located at 236 Avery Ave. Steubenville, OH 43952

Phone 740-381-5149

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! “He was so helpful in answering our questions and putting our minds at ease. I will definitely recommend Mr. Littlejohn to anyone who might need these services.” –Five-star Google review from Cynthia M.

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN?

We are celebrating Nicole’s two-year anniversary with Littlejohn Law. Nicole is my “go-to” for getting our estate plans and real estate transactions together. She has also assisted with litigation matters and is a great asset to our team. She’s someone you can count on — a true team player. She even went out with me to do estate plans during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And I can’t believe I forgot to share Kyzlee’s first haircut and her first day of school. She’s growing up fast … good thing it’s only one day a week for two hours.

ZESTY ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Inspired by OnceUponAChef.com

Skip the can-shaped cranberry sauce this year and bring a jar of homemade sauce to Thanksgiving instead. This easy recipe can be made ahead of the big event and keeps for 10 days in the fridge.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed • 1/2 cup water • 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar • 12 oz fresh cranberries • 2 tsp orange zest • Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the orange juice, water, and sugar to a boil. Add other ingredients, then bring mixture back to boiling. 2. Reduce the heat to medium and cook gently for 10–12 minutes, until the cranberries burst. 3. Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until serving.

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352 FRANK LAYMAN BLVD. WINTERSVILLE, OH 43953

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

THE THINGS I’M (STILL) THANKFUL FOR

2

WOULD YOU BENEFIT FROM A TRUST?

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

3

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN

SEE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US!

ZESTY ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE

4

5 THANKSGIVING MOVIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

BORED ON THANKSGIVING? PLAN A MOVIE MARATHON!

After a giant Thanksgiving meal, it can be tempting to sink down onto the couch and never get up — so embrace it! This Thanksgiving, try planning a family movie night to enjoy while the turkey settles. Movie nights are about as low maintenance as family hangouts can get. According to Elle magazine, actress Angelina Jolie credits family flick marathons for helping her survive quarantine with six kids at home. Her secrets to success are comfortable clothes like pajamas and robes, along with plenty of movie snacks. This Thanksgiving, plan your marathon around these holiday-themed films. 1. ‘FREE BIRDS’ — This hilarious 2013 animated film stars Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson as turkeys who have escaped the Thanksgiving table. Together, they go on a mission back in time to break up the first Thanksgiving and get turkey off the menu for good. 2. ‘A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING’ — This old-school television special from 1973 is a Thanksgiving classic. In it, Charlie Brown and Snoopy navigate football, an ever-growing Thanksgiving guest list, and a backyard feast of junk food.

cat himself is another Thanksgiving mainstay. The vet puts Garfield on a diet at the worst possible time: right before Thanksgiving.

4. ‘AN OLD-

FASHIONED THANKSGIVING’ — This 2008 period drama is based

on a short story by Louisa May Alcott and tells the tale of an estranged family who find themselves back together just in time for the holidays. It’s historical, heartwarming, and fit for all ages. 5. ‘A FAMILY THANKSGIVING’ — This Hallmark comedy is a funny combination of “A Christmas Carol” and “17 Again.” A high-powered lawyer is transported to an alternate universe and gets a look at what her holiday life could have been like if she’d made different choices.

3. ‘GARFIELD’S THANKSGIVING’ — Everyone loves Garfield, and this 1989 television special starring Jon, Odie, and the fat

With these five films on your watch list, you won’t need any other Thanksgiving entertainment!

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