Absolute Law Group - December 2021

Absolute Law Group - December 2021

Absolute Law Group THE ABSOLUTE INQUIRER BUSINESS - TAX - ESTATE PLANNING

(352) 205-4455 • ABSOLUTELAWGROUP.COM • DECEMBER 2021

How I Fell in Love With Elder Law THE GENESIS OF ABSOLUTE LAW GROUP Hi, everyone! Welcome to our very first print newsletter. I’m so incredibly proud of our work at Absolute Law Group, but you could say I was lucky to realize that this was my ultimate dream. Being a lawyer wasn’t part of my original plans. My initial goal in life was to go into journalism. I specialized in TV news, but I really enjoyed the production side of journalism (i.e., finding and writing stories). By the time I graduated college, I had an opportunity to work full-time in the field, but I realized how frustrating it was to report on issues that I couldn’t make a real difference on. I decided the best way for me to affect change was to enroll in law school instead. While I was a law student, I married my then-fiance, who was a geriatric physician with his own practice. I used to help him run it part-time as well as follow him into different hospitals and facilities. Before I’d decided on my specialty of law, in hospital waiting rooms, I saw the terrible messes and tragedies that had occur in people’s lives — not just loss of life, but the ruins of a family’s financial safety net without any legal planning. “I never knew we had to do this” was an unfortunate phrase I heard a lot (and still do). I began to wonder what I could do about it and started taking classes that related to elder law, such as estate planning, long-term care planning, and probate law.

Educating people became a huge passion for me — I knew I had to start my own law firm to pursue it to the fullest.

Another reason I started Absolute Law Group is because I wanted to create a highly personal, relationship-focused client experience at our firm. I had no interest in seeing 10–15 clients every day without getting to know every single one of them. I wanted to hear their stories; I didn’t want to churn people in and out. Following our clients’ journeys and becoming part of their life team has been a huge blessing for all of us at Absolute Law Group. We’re there when our clients need our advice the most as well as when they need a shoulder to cry on. Our work is more than just assembling a legal document. It’s about making difficult life transitions easier. It’s so rewarding when people tell us how relieved they are to have overcome a concern that used to keep them up at night, like how their sick spouse would get the care they needed without losing their home or life savings.

It’s a huge compliment for us when our clients tell us these things or pass on a referral to a friend — it tells us that they trust us, and that’s the best we

can ask for. Thank you so much for reading, and I can’t wait to share more insights, reflections, and much more with you very soon. Happy holidays! P.S. Take a look inside if you’d like to learn more about how to participate in our free educational webinars! –Sarah K. Elyaman

The more I learned, the more I fell in love.

As I started researching my career in elder law, I realized that not a lot of firms in my area provided free educational resources for families. It broke my heart to see families like deer in headlights, with no clue about what to do after a family member passed. I hate to say it, but even today, many clients approach us when it’s too late to prevent the disastrous issues they face from lack of pre- planning. Plus, there’s a great deal of misinformation about elder law.

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KATY PERRY’S LEGAL BATTLE WITH NUNS FIGHTING FOR CONVENT REAL ESTATE

Photo: Los Angeles Public Library

Katy Perry is known around the globe for having multiple No. 1 hits, including “I Kissed A Girl,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework,” but two nuns in Los Angeles know Perry for a completely different reason. They were in a multiyear legal battle with Perry and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the purchase of a convent. In 1972, the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary pooled their money and purchased an 8-acre, French-style chateau in Los Angeles. Sisters Rita Callanan and Catherine Rose Holzman lived in the chateau-turned-convent until 2011, when the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reportedly forced them to relocate.

Two years later, Archbishop José Gomez sold the property to Perry without any input from the sisters, but the nuns felt that the archdiocese did not have the right to do this. Gomez accepted a $14.5 million cash offer from Perry, but the nuns refused to sell to her. Believing they had sole ownership of the convent, they instead sold it to restaurateur and developer Dana Hollister. The archdiocese and Perry both sued Hollister for her involvement, claiming she took advantage of the nuns, and a judge invalidated her purchase months after it was made. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the archdiocese, creating an opportunity for Perry to buy the estate due to the fact that the

nuns did not have the approval of the pope, the Holy See, or the archbishop.

In 2017, a jury found that Hollister intentionally interfered with Perry’s legal purchase. She was ordered to pay both Perry and the archdiocese millions of dollars. The sisters continued to support Hollister, and they both accompanied her to bankruptcy court, where Sister Holzman collapsed and died during the court proceeding. Sister Callanan blamed Perry for the death of Holzman. The convent is back on the market, and it does not appear that Perry will move forward with the purchase.

Learn the Secrets of Our Trade — For FREE! SIGN UP FOR OUR MONTHLY WEBINARS

When a loved one dies suddenly, their family can be haunted with unsolved mysteries, such as distribution of assets, for decades. But you don’t have to feel paralyzed by fear. You can feel assured with the right knowledge and preparation.

At Absolute Law, we pride ourselves on educating our clients and anyone who is interested in learning more about preparing for their family’s future. It all starts with our FREE webinars.

You’ll get similar insights by remaining subscribed to this print newsletter; however, one of the best ways to learn and interact with our expert legal team is to sign up for a webinar, where all your questions (and many more) can be answered. To sign up, just go to our website at AbsoluteLawGroup.com , click on “Upcoming Events” (on the blue bar with white lettering), and click on the listed event you’d like to attend. From there, input your information and we’ll make sure to email you with all the attendee information you’ll need. Confused? No worries. You can call our office at (352) 205-4455 to sign up for the upcoming webinars.

At our webinars, you can learn wonderful insights, such as:

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Legal strategies that are available to cover the costs of long-term care while providing for your immediate needs and preserving your quality of life How to keep your home and assets safe from an unforeseen, catastrophic health care event Current trends in long-term care and options you might not have known about

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Myths and truths about Medicaid Why estate planning is not just for “rich” people

Thanks so much for reading, and we can’t wait to see you there.

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How to lessen your tax burden and legal documents that are a MUST!

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(352) 205-4455

Impacted by Alzheimer’s or Dementia? WE HAVE 3 FREE BOOKS FOR YOU

“You’re Not Alone: Living With Dementia” was written for those who have been diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers, sharing information and resources to protect their loved ones and maintain independence for as long as possible.

When Alzheimer’s or dementia impacts you or a loved one, it can feel like you’re the only one in the world who is forced to handle it. But you’re far from alone. In 2021, an estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are affected by dementia and its most common form, Alzheimer’s disease. It can be an overwhelming, isolating experience, especially when you don’t know what to do. However, you can definitely act as soon as possible to get the right knowledge in your hands, and we’ll help by providing any of these three books. Each book is designed to be read in an hour and gives readers a helpful path of information and encouragement that is based on years of experience helping others on the same journey. “You’re Not Alone: Living With Alzheimer’s Disease” is written for someone who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and both encourages and guides them to prepare for this chapter of their life. “You’re Not Alone: Living as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver” is written for family members and loved ones who are caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and offers a vast collection of tips, ideas, and available resources for them.

Sarah said she published these books because, “As a resident of this area, I have seen hundreds of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. The news of diagnosis and the responsibility of care that goes along with it are very profound and life-changing.” If you want to learn more about the journey ahead in the comfort and privacy of your own

home, with a printed book, don’t hesitate to call our offices at (352) 205-4455 or email us at [email protected]. We’ll mail it to you for free — that’s an Absolute promise.

DIY Holiday Eggnog Making your own eggnog is easier than you think! This creamy, delicious drink will be a hit with your holiday guests.

Take a Break

Ingredients • 6 egg yolks • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 2 cups milk • 1/2 tsp nutmeg • 1 pinch salt • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract • Cinnamon and whipped cream, for garnish

Directions 1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and creamy. Set aside. 2. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a simmer. 3. Add a spoonful of the milk mixture to the egg mixture. Whisk vigorously and repeat, one spoonful at a time. 4. When most of the milk is whisked in, add the egg mixture to the saucepan. 5. Whisk until the liquid thickens slightly or reaches 160 F. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. 6. Pour the eggnog into a glass container and cover. Refrigerate. 7. When the eggnog has thickened, pour it into glasses, garnish, and enjoy!

Inspired by TastesBetterFromScratch.com

CANDLES CELEBRATION JINGLE JOLLY

MISTLETOE ORNAMENT PRESENT SANTA

SLEIGH STOCKING WASSAIL WREATH

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6035 SW 54th St. Suite 200 Ocala, FL 34474 (352) 205-4455 AbsoluteLawGroup.com

1 The Origin Story of Absolute Law Group 2 Katy Perry’s Real Estate Battle 2 Sign Up for Our FREE Monthly Webinars 3 Love Our Newsletter? Enjoy 3 FREE Books 3 Take a Break 3 DIY Holiday Eggnog 4 Your Neighborhood Could Make You Unhealthy!

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH? Consider Your Neighborhood’s Impact on Your Well-Being

We all know that cigarettes can damage our lungs and that a diet high in sugar can increase our risk of chronic conditions, but did you know that where you live can be just as detrimental to your health? That’s the conclusion of a 2017 report that was conducted by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), a private research institute that examines population, environment, and health effects. The organization found that areas with higher poverty rates also saw increases in health concerns, stress, and mobility issues. In 2021, the American Heart Association (AHA) corroborated these findings. In its report, the AHA highlighted a 2017 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology that found that those who lived in “low socioeconomic” areas were 60% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. A 2020 study found similar results. For older adults, these findings can be eye-opening. As we age, our body experiences natural wear and tear, and many health experts believe social factors expedite the natural aging process. For example, if you live near a factory, the air pollution it emits could weaken air quality near your home and be detrimental to your health.

The resources surrounding our neighborhoods can be just as impactful.

PRB reports that older adults are more likely to rely on neighborhood resources — like community centers and libraries — for means of social interaction and assistance. When their neighborhoods don’t have these resources or access to places like grocery stores and walking paths, older adults face the risk of accelerated aging due to limited access to exercise, healthy food, and health-related resources. If you live in a neighborhood with poor mobility options or limited resources for support, consider partnering with a relative, friend, or neighbor. Make regular plans to walk in a nearby park or go grocery shopping at a healthier store together. Older adult ride services or in-home care services can also help you live independently in your home and neighborhood by bringing resources to you! You may not be able to change your neighborhood, but you don’t have to fall victim to its shortcomings. With a little support, you can thrive wherever you live.

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