Douglass & Runger - May 2022

Douglass & Runger - May 2022

MAY 2022

Harrowing Adventures

RECOUNTING THE GREATEST ROAD TRIPS I’VE BEEN ON

Ten years ago, my wife Jodi and I went on the road trip of a lifetime. Starting in San Diego, we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway in California, stopping at famous cities along the way. We traveled through and stayed at all of the must- visit spots, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Big Sur, and Monterey. It was one of the most gorgeous places I had ever been to — and it scared me to death! See, I have a fear of heights. Any time there’s a cliff’s edge or a high scenic overview, you can find me gripping the handrail or about as far away from the ledge as possible. As we drove along the beautiful western coastline of California, the ocean breezes whipping off the beach just down the cliff face below us, I white-knuckled the steering wheel. Drops of sweat pooled on my forehead. Jodi, who isn’t afraid of anything, saw that I was starting to panic and offered to take over. I was glad to give up my role as driver. She slid into the driver’s seat and took off like it was nothing. I still don’t know how she did it! Somehow, not being in control of a vehicle that could plunge off the side of the cliff at any moment — a bit dramatic, I know — made me feel more at ease. I could do what other people do when driving along the Pacific Coast Highway: actually enjoy the view.

Road trips are easy to do, affordable, and a great opportunity to see some new places. I always end up as the driver because I enjoy doing it. The past two years, my wife and I have trekked to Florida to just get out of town for a few days, and I’ll often drive while we listen to podcasts ranging from personal development and

I’ll never forget that road trip. Despite my looming terror, it was one of the best road trips I have ever been on, and I’ve taken quite a few! In college, it was common for

a few buddies and I to pile into a vehicle and head to Charleston, SC, Athens, GA, or even New Orleans, LA or another nearby city for a road trip. Another amazing road trip my wife Jodi and I took was a couple years back, pre-pandemic. We flew into Portugal, rented a car, and traversed across Portugal and Spain. We traveled from Porto in the northern part of Portugal down to Lisbon, then to Lagos before popping into Seville, Spain. It’s interesting and fun to take a road trip in Europe! The roads are completely different, and the vehicles don’t drive like we are used to in the U.S. (at least where

self-improvement podcasts to murder mysteries. Then, we switch her music playlist, and after a while, we go back to a podcast. We have a pretty good system! Through it all, I’ve found there’s a sense of peace you can find on a road trip that you can’t get anywhere else. It’s just you, the highway, and your thoughts. It’s a good time to contemplate and unwind.

“AS WE DROVE ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL WESTERN COASTLINE OF CALIFORNIA, THE OCEAN BREEZES WHIPPING OFF THE BEACH JUST DOWN THE CLIFF FACE BELOW US, I WHITE- KNUCKLED THE STEERING WHEEL.”

Nothing can replace a great road trip. Flights may seem convenient, but really, are they actually that convenient? You have no control over your travel, you have to wait for others, and you have to deal with so many other people. Sometimes, it’s better to hit the open road and explore. As you take off on summer road trips, I hope wherever you go you find a way to enjoy the ride — even if it’s along the edge of a cliff.

we were). It’s always exciting to explore the local spots these cities offer and we were able to tour wineries, visit the famous Livraria Lello in Porto (the library that inspired J.K. Rowling to write “Harry Potter”) and even take in a bull fight in Seville, Spain. There were a few stressful moments and heated conversations about where we were going, but overall, we had a great trip. I recommend it to anyone who loves to travel and explore.

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WHAT ARE CRAVINGS? HOW DO I STOP THEM?

HOW PLAYING THE LONG GAME HELPS OVERCOME CRAVINGS

Cravings — they can feel like a comforting friend or a gut-punching enemy, depending on what you’re craving. An estimated 90% of people experience cravings, and, believe it or not, not all cravings are bad. Leaning into our healthy cravings can help establish a healthy diet. Don’t worry, we’re thinking the same thing: “If that’s the case, why do we crave sugary snacks and fatty foods the most?!” It’s complicated, but understanding your brain is a great place to start. What are cravings, really? Decades of research have proven that cravings start in our brain, not our body. This might be shocking for some, since it was commonly believed for a long time that if you were craving a steak, you were probably low in iron.

circulating excess sugar that can lead to health complications, or does your brain enjoy sugar more? After all, sugar releases the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, which our brains love. A chocolate milkshake or lemon bar helps us feel good by literally triggering our brain’s pleasure centers.

For example, if you’re craving potato chips, why not try kale chips or another crunchy but healthier alternative that you already enjoy? If you’re craving soda, why not crush some fresh fruit into sparkling water instead? Make it a treat, make it special, but make it healthier.

Eating more filling, nutrient-dense food and getting more sleep are also great ways to fight cravings. It leaves little time or room for binging on bad foods. However, a 6-month 2018 study in the National Institutes of Health has shown that flexibility in your

That means when we’re unhappy, stressed, or needing a pick-me-up, we might start craving foods that comfort us, such as ice cream.

How do I stop craving unhealthy things?

One thing is for sure: Restrictive diets don’t always work. It’s hard to “rewire” the brain by completely rejecting how it currently operates. Instead, you might want to consider accepting your cravings, but make slow and deliberate changes to how you satisfy those cravings.

diet can make a difference for making real, meaningful changes to your lifestyle long term.

By overcoming shame and accepting your cravings, you won’t fear making a single mistake as much. It’s all about playing the long game.

However, the brain connection makes way more sense. Think about it: Does your body love

Pros and Cons of Trusts

SHOULD YOU USE A REVOCABLE TRUST OR IRREVOCABLE TRUST?

Irrevocable Trusts Once an irrevocable trust is created, it cannot be modified without the beneficiaries’ permission. This means that grantors must be absolutely certain of their designations before creating the trust, but the benefit is that an irrevocable

There are many options within estate planning that allow a person to protect their assets and provide for loved ones all while ensuring their assets pass outside of the “probate process,” so that their loved ones avoid opening an estate in Court upon their death. One such tool is a Trust, which is an estate planning document which ensures a person’s assets go to the correct individuals in a manner designed to avoid the probate process. The Grantor, the individual who creates the Trust, designates a trustee in the Trust to manage the control any assets placed in trust. That trustee ensures that the Trust assets are distributed to the correct individuals or entities in a manner consistent with the Grantor’s desires. But there can be a lot more to Trusts than meets the eye. In fact, there are two primary kinds of Trusts, each with its own perks and limitations, which should be carefully considered when preparing a Trust. Consider this a go-to guide! Revocable Trusts Sometimes called “living” trusts, Revocable Trusts are an attractive estate planning option for many individuals. In a Revocable Living Trust, grantors can modify the terms of the trust and put assets in and pull assets out of the trust at any time. Revocable Living Trusts provide an individual more control over the use and protection of the assets. It can also be a powerful way to protect your child if you should pass before they become an adult. So long as the trust is correctly funded, a revocable trust usually bypasses probate; therefore, your assets will be accessible to your beneficiaries quickly upon your death. That being said, Revocable Living Trusts are accessible by creditors. So, while you have more flexibility, this kind of trust is not as protected as an irrevocable trust.

trust protects assets from creditors should you face

legal or financial trouble. This trust is often best used by those who want to limit tax obligations for their beneficiaries or protect generational or large assets. Oftentimes, our firm prepares irrevocable trusts for the benefit of individuals who receive state or federal benefits and need to maintain their eligibility for said benefits. Because these individuals oftentimes can’t receive or inherit money without jeopardizing the status of their benefits, an irrevocable trust such as a Supplemental Needs Trust or Special Needs Trust is a great way for someone to financially provide for an individual without jeopardizing benefits. While this trust can be complex in nature, it does have valuable protection opportunities. Ultimately, there is no “one size fits all” Trust. You have to find the tool that best suits your family, assets, and wishes. To learn more about Trusts, contact our team today! Our seasoned estate planning attorneys will help you determine which Trust, if any, works best for you and your family.

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Will or Will Not? 2 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONTESTING A WILL Creating a will is one of the best ways to ensure your family is taken care of and that your assets are given to people you trust. Perhaps more important to some families, a will can also prevent potential rifts over “who gets what” and how to best divvy up your assets.

One-Pan Baked Salmon and Veggies

Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com

It’s asparagus season! Celebrate with this easy one-pan salmon dish for two.

But sometimes even a valid will has its problems, so you have the right to contest it in Court. Before you do, take in mind the following considerations:

INGREDIENTS • 1 lb spring potatoes, halved • 2 tbsp olive oil (divided) • 8 asparagus spears, trimmed and halved

Reasoning Will contests may seem like “greedy” lawsuits, but in some cases, these lawsuits are necessary. You may feel that a testator — the person who made the will — was not of sound mind or competent when the will was created and that, as a result of diminished capacity, the will contained provisions inconsistent with your beliefs regarding the testator’s intent. You will need medical proof of diminished capacity, which typically will require a physician’s testimony regarding the testator’s lack of mental capacity. Another reason that you may contest a will is due to conflicting documentation. After a will is admitted to probate before a Judge, you may discover that the testator created a subsequent will that serves to revoke the will admitted to probate. The newly discovered will could contain provisions drastically different from the previously executed will, such that you must contest the will admitted to probate and bring the newly discovered will to the Court’s attention. Time To contest a will, you must take action within a certain time frame. In Tennessee, will contests must be initiated within two years from the date the will is admitted to probate. (Note: This is not the same as the date of the testator’s death. Instead, this is the date the will is filed with the Court for probate.) While not a traditional will contest, surviving spouses who are unsatisfied with the distributions provided in their deceased spouse’s will may choose to file a Petition for Elective Share and request that the Court provide them more assets from the Decedent’s estate than the Decedent left them in the will. This Petition must be filed within nine months of a person’s death, not nine months after probate filing. The other time component to consider is how long will contests can take. Claiming that a testator’s will is invalid is a very serious allegation requiring a high level of proof. The Court will consider all angles of the issue, and in the process, you may end up spending a lot of money and time in court to contest a will.

• 2 handfuls cherry tomatoes • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 2 5-oz salmon fillets • 1 handful fresh basil

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. In an oven-proof dish, combine the potatoes and 1 tbsp olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes. 3. Remove the dish from the oven and add the asparagus. Toss, and bake for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the dish from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes. Toss. Drizzle with balsamic, then nestle the salmon fillets into the vegetables. Drizzle with the remaining oil, and bake for 10–15 minutes. 5. Remove the dish from the oven, garnish with basil leaves, and serve! INSPIRATION “Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see further.” – Thomas Carlyle

Will contests can be time-consuming and expensive, but it can also be necessary. For more information or for details on will contests, contact Douglass & Runger today. You can also visit DouglassRunger.com to learn more about our other practice areas.

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1 Experience Curt’s European and Californian Road Trips! 2 Cravings — And How to Stop Them Irrevocable vs. Revocable Living Trusts 3 2 Considerations Before Contesting a Will Inside This Issue

One-Pan Baked Salmon and Veggies

4 Strengthen Your Entire Body!

Paddle Your Way to Better Health BIG BENEFITS OF CANOEING AND KAYAKING

strength. Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance, enabling you to go longer distances faster. While canoeing or kayaking, your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus.

The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits. Paddling can help improve your upper- body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. Physical Benefits •

of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep. Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system.

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Mental Benefits •

Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!

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You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower- body muscles. While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core

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These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability. This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one

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