Littlejohn Law LLC - August 2020

Littlejohn Law LLC - August 2020

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM 740-314-4829

8/20

BUILD IT. PROTECT IT. PRESERVE IT.

IN APPRECIATION OF MY NEW FIREPIT

AND SPENDING TIME WITH OTHERS

A few months ago, at the beginning of the summer, I bought a firepit for my backyard. It’s nothing super complex or luxurious; it’s just a little gas-powered one that hooks up to a propane tank. A buddy of mine up the street had one, and I really liked it. The next time I saw one at the store, I decided I would get one for myself. During a summer that hasn’t quite felt like any other, it’s become a defining element of the season, and — not to get overly dramatic — a symbol of resilience in the face of uncertainty. Most people who know me know that I’m a pretty outdoorsy person. I love hunting, I love shooting, and I just generally love being outside. Living where I do, however, in a townhouse in a little subdivision, I naturally can’t be in the great outdoors all the time — or even very often, right now. Back when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the U.S. in late March of this year, my wife and I took that stay-at-home order pretty seriously. We only left our house when it was absolutely necessary. During those first few months, I missed out on a lot of outdoor activities that I normally do in the early spring, like shooting and yardwork. I didn’t want to risk a trip to Lowe’s for supplies, so I didn’t even get to spend time landscaping my own property.

still wasn’t much opportunity to really get away from home. That’s where my new firepit has really come in handy. It’s no campfire in the woods, but in a pinch, it’s turned out to be just what we needed this summer. Because we’re at home and in our neighborhood a lot more, my wife and I have a chance to get to know our neighbors. We’ve seen them more than we normally would because, just like us, everyone else nearby decided to stay home as much as possible. One day a few months ago, we bumped into some of our neighbors while we were out on a walk who we’d never really become acquainted with. We ended up inviting them over to our home one evening, and we roasted some hot dogs and marshmallows over my new firepit. It was a great time, and it wouldn’t have happened without the conditions the pandemic created. It goes without saying that the coronavirus has taken a lot from everyone, whether that be time spent doing the activities we love, working at our jobs, or even spending time with some of the people we love. However, even in the midst of the uncertainty and turmoil, I think many of us have gained opportunities to be in community with those around us in ways we wouldn’t have imagined. Sitting around a campfire with friends is a very communal experience, even if it’s just a firepit powered by a propane tank. While it might not always look like we envisioned, we can always create opportunities to weather challenges with one another — and maybe eat some fire-roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, too.

–JeffreyMenoski

Luckily, after a few months, it seemed like we were on our way out of the worst of the pandemic, but there

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COMMON FACTORS IN PROBATE DELAYS WHY A WILL JUST WON’T CUT IT

It's not easy to think about death, but most of us know we want our passing to be as easy as possible on our children and other heirs. Unfortunately, many families have to endure a long probate process because of estate planning steps that were not taken by the decedent. A comprehensive estate plan created with the help of a lawyer can avoid many of these delays. But if you only have a will, your family could be subjected to a long, costly, and contentious process.

4. No transfer-on-death designation. If assets with liens, such as a house or car, do not have a transfer-on-death designation, you will not be able to transfer the asset without paying the creditor what they are owed. Claims for these debts will be filed against the estate and will take time to settle. 5. Conflicts among heirs. If heirs don't get along, they might file objections to the will and drag the process out. Before an estate can be settled, all heirs must sign a waiver. If there is disagreement among heirs, they often won't sign off to finalize the estate. 6. Multistate assets. If the decedent owned property in another state, it will have to go through that state's probate process before the Ohio probate process can be completed. 7. Taxes. If the estate owes personal income tax or is subject to capital gains tax, the taxes cannot be filed until the following year. The estate will have to be kept open until the taxes are paid or refunds are issued. Many of these potential issues can be avoided by using certain trust instruments that allow property and assets to pass directly to the named beneficiary without going through probate. Call Littlejohn Law to discuss your options.

TYPICAL FACTORS IN PROBATE DELAYS

In our experience in Ohio, the following issues cause delays in the probate process for many families:

1. Problems with wills. The original will — not a copy — must be presented to the probate court. If this cannot be located, probate will drag on. In addition, not having a will at all slows down the process considerably. 2. Missing contact information for heirs. The next of kin and all potential heirs will have to be informed of the person's death and notified about probate. Heirs have to sign off on assets in the estate and waive their right to a hearing. If they cannot be located, the law requires a public notice be run for six weeks in newspapers where heirs could live. 3. Uninformed estate administrator. If the executor of the will or administrator of the estate doesn't have intimate knowledge of the deceased's assets and liabilities, it will take time to discover all the bank accounts, retirement funds, and unpaid debts before the estate can be closed.

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

CLANCEY PRINTING

Get all your custom clothing design needs from Clancey Printing. Check out the custom paralegal T-shirt and Littlejohn Law jackets.

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! “My wife and I went to Littlejohn Law in a last-ditch effort to settle boundary issues with our neighbors. The local sheriff kept telling us it was a matter for civil court. We were given expert advice and came away getting exactly what we wanted.”

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN?

We’ve been focusing on improving our client experience during this turbulent time. Sometimes, it’s difficult when you don’t know what to expect next, but you have to have faith. “Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. You choose.” –Bob Proctor. Catching up with a law school friend, Attorney Ryan H. James (middle), and Judge David Hamilton (right).

Judge Hamilton was also kind enough to bring down his Corvette and let the team check it out.

Kyzlee’s first Karate class!

–Hank T.

RESTAURANT-STYLE FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

Inspired by The New York Times

INGREDIENTS

• Salt • 2 tbsp butter • 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream • 1 large egg yolk • 1 lb fresh fettuccine

• 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano • Freshly ground pepper, to taste • Fresh parsley, chopped, to taste • 1 lemon wedge

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of generously salted water to a boil. 2. In a large, deep skillet, while the water heats, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant and sizzling (about 2 minutes). 3. In a bowl, whisk heavy cream and egg yolk until blended and pour into garlic butter. 4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir until hot, not boiling. Keep warm on low heat. 5. In the large pot, cook pasta until al dente. (The pasta will float once it’s done.) Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water and drain pasta. Pour hot pasta into cream mixture and toss to coat on low heat. 6. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano and keep tossing gently until cream is mostly absorbed. If the sauce is absorbed too much, toss with extra pasta water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 7. Serve with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

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352 FRANK LAYMAN BLVD. WINTERSVILLE, OH 43953

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

IN APPRECIATION OF MY NEW FIREPIT

2

WHY A WILL JUST WON’T CUT IT

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

3

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN

SEE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US!

RESTAURANT-STYLE FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

4

THE BEST ACTIVITIES FOR HELPING KIDS COPE WITH STRESS

HELP YOUR KIDS HANDLE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS

With These Sensory-Rich Activities

You can see it happening, almost in slow motion: Your child goes from playing and laughing to frowning in less than a second. They start to cry, and suddenly, a meltdown is underway. Is this just the way raising young kids is? Does a lack of sleep, change in routine, or intense hunger always have to lead to a meltdown? While it’s human to feel emotions and express them, you can use certain strategies to help your child navigate major emotions and calm down. The key is helping them tap into their central nervous system with activities that engage their senses. Just like adults, younger kids sometimes need support to regulate their emotions, especially in situations that are stressful for them. That’s where activities that engage the five senses can be really beneficial. Sensory activities that utilize the five senses can help your little one connect their body to their immediate surroundings and the larger world around them.

Here are some sensory-rich activities that can help kids feel calmer in stressful times:

• Make a pile of pillows and jump into it. • Put on some fun music and dance.

• Bounce your little one on your lap or an exercise ball. • Take them for a spin around the house in a box or laundry basket; kids can even race each other. • Create a slide by propping a mattress or exercise mat against the couch. These are activities you can use right where you are to help your child find their calm again, even in a meltdown. According to early childhood development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell, sensory input stays in the system for about two hours, meaning even just five minutes of these types of activities can give you and your child hours of calm throughout the day.

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