Sheppard Law Firm - October 2020

Sheppard Law Firm - October 2020

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AReason for Everything

and spend my dad’s remaining days with him. I moved to Florida in 1979 and connected with an employment agency that coordinated three job interviews in one day. I interviewed at a bank, with author and local developer Jim Newton, and with John Sheppard of Sheppard Law. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Sheppard, then you know why I just had to work for him. He was the kind of boss every employee wants, and even Mr. Newton agreed. When I called to notify him that I had taken the job at Sheppard Law Firm, he said, “Well, if I have to lose you to anybody, Johnny Sheppard is the only one I’d like to lose you to.” Ultimately, my dad lived for another three years — to this day, I’m grateful for this time I had with him — and by that point, I had put down roots in Florida. I met my husband, who refuses to move north of the Caloosahatchee line! And I continued to work at the Sheppard Law Firm. John Sheppard gave me the nickname “Mo,” which many of my coworkers still call me. It came from the initials I used to sign on the documents I reviewed because my last name was O’Neil. The name just stuck, and I’ve been Mo at the firm ever since. I eventually moved into a real estate paralegal position, where I worked for 30 years, and today, I work with Mr. Hugh Kinsey on his estate planning and probate work. I have loved this transition because I’m working more directly with clients than ever before. I spend countless hours on the phone with clients each day, reassuring them that we’re continuing to work on a solution, updating them on our next steps, and guiding them through their decisions. You develop an affinity for your fellow humans when you spend so much time assuring them that everything will work out in the end. Since this pandemic began, I’ve promised to reach out to my clients who have pending work with us every single week. One of my favorite quotes is “In all things, knowledge is power.” I want to empower our clients. I want them to know what they can do and expect. With so much uncertainty surrounding this pandemic, our need to be available to our clients is heightened. If I can offer them some peace of mind, then that’s what I’m going to do. My hope is that we have been able to alleviate some of the stress you’ve had to take on as a result of this pandemic. If there’s anything we can do for you, please reach out. After all, there’s a reason why I’ve spent 40 years here at the firm. I know I’m surrounded by caring people, who truly want to help.

‘Mo’ Phillips Offers Empathy to Clients During the Pandemic

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. We’re put in certain situations at certain times in our lives, and whether that situation is difficult or beautiful, we gain something from it. Personally, my experiences have given me a lot of empathy surrounding death and grieving. As the youngest child of nine, I’ve had more experiences with the loss of a loved one than others. I’ve said goodbye to my siblings, parents, and in-laws, and because of this, I have my bad days where I go home and cry in the shower. But I don’t view my grief as a negative — especially when it comes to the work I do every day. I consider myself a “Jill of all trades” here at The Sheppard Law Firm. I’ve been with the firm for the past 40 years, beginning as a backup receptionist with the intention of only staying in Florida for a few months. Originally from New Jersey, my parents moved here when I was just 16 years old. My four brothers and four sisters still lived in New Jersey, and since I was so involved in my high school, my parents allowed me to finish my schooling while staying with my sister. My father had seven major heart attacks before he turned 70, which left him with a grim prognosis. The doctor theorized he would have months left to live. So, when I was 19, I figured I was young enough to move to Florida for a few months

– Maureen “Mo” Phillips

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October 2020

How to Stop Procrastinating at Bedtime And Get a GoodNight’s Sleep

Though there are very real medical conditions, such as insomnia and sleep apnea, that deprive people of sleep, the reason most of us probably don’t get enough sleep is simply because we put off our bedtime. Instead another episode of our favorite show. This is sometimes called “bedtime procrastination.” We all know a good night’s sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, so how can we stop putting it off? of getting into bed, we opt to check off another item on our to-do list or watch

set amount of time to accomplish your tasks, like letting yourself watch TV for just one hour or blocking out three hours to help your kids with their homework. It might even help to set alarms on your watch or on your phone to let you know when your time is up on any of your activities. Another big part is creating an environment that is conducive to a good night’s sleep, and that starts with turning your electronic devices off well before you get under the covers. Smartphone screens, computer screens, and even some energy-efficient light bulbs emit blue light, which reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that tells your body it’s time to go to bed. Instead of looking at your phone, try reading a book before going to sleep. If your screens prove to be too big of a draw for you when bedtime comes, it might be a good idea to move your devices to another room so they’re out of sight and out of mind. Finally, don’t get discouraged if you don’t start getting better sleep right away. Setting up good bedtime routines takes time. But if you stick with it — and maybe have someone else in your house hold you accountable to your commitments — you’ll start to get better sleep and have more energy to take on the day in no time.

A good place to start is by keeping track of your day. The human mind isn’t meant to internalize checklists and task reminders, so use your phone or journal as a scheduling assistant. However you decide to keep track, make sure to give yourself a

We Help You Plan for It Don’t Fear the Future!

1. Powers of Attorney: By designating someone to make medical and

Fort Myers has a storied history, and during this creepy season, it also has plenty of ghost stories worth sharing. How can we forget the tales of apparitions seen in the windows of Old Lee County Courthouse or the spirits that have never left Bootleggers Alley? But there’s one fear, in particular, that seems to sneak into our lives regardless of the season: We all worry about the future. “What will happen if I suddenly become incapacitated? Will my family know what to do? What if I died tomorrow?” These are all questions that have likely sent a shiver down your spine as you shoved them out of your mind to focus on more pleasant things. Ignoring these concerns is detrimental to your future, but we can help. Every day we find answers to those very questions people are so afraid to think about. We help you create your estate plan so you can take a deep breath and relax. Consider these three protections — and many others! — that may be in your plan and offer peace of mind.

financial decisions on your behalf, you have a safety net in place should you become incapacitated. The key is to find someone you trust and someone who understands what you want.

2. Disability Trustee: Similar to your medical power of attorney, the disability trustee can make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. However, as a trustee, they are granted rights to make decisions in regard to assets you have in a revocable living trust. Where a power of attorney can pay your bills, a disability trustee can make decisions on the allocation of, or changes to, the assets in your trust when you cannot. 3. Administrative and Testamentary Trustee: Your administrative trustee is tasked with ensuring your trust is administered properly after your death. This ensures your beneficiaries receive what you have outlined. The testamentary trustee will govern the after-death trust shares for your loved ones. Both designations ensure your desires are met and honored. The only haunting questions that should be in your mind this season should come from the spooky tales of Fort Myers’ past. If you have questions about other protections in your estate plan, call our team today.

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Prevent the Fights What Happens to Your Beloved Items After You Die?

We all have sentimental items, but what happens to these possessions when we pass? In his October 2016 column “It’s Not the Money or Property They Fight Over,” Sheppard Law Firm attorney Craig Hersch outlines the steps you can take to ensure your loved ones don’t argue over heirlooms after your death. You can read the full column at FloridaEstatePlanning.com. I was very close to my great grandmother, whom I called Bubby. A framed picture in my home includes her image along with an 1890 silver dollar. She told me that her father handed her a silver dollar bearing her birth year when she arrived in America. When she died, that silver dollar was invaluable to me. I was only 12 years old, but I dearly wanted it. My sister, incidentally, has our Bubby’s soup spoon framed in a box in her dining room. Generally speaking, the very few disputes I’ve refereed in my more than 30 years of practicing estate planning law involved tangible personal property items like rings, watches, jewelry, and other items just like coins and soup spoons. If you own such items that you would like to see passed down to a certain child or grandchild,

your first course of business is to discover whether he or she wants it. Stay to them, “I intend to hold on to my [insert item name here] for quite some time. I just want to make sure that if I leave it to you that this is something you would treasure as I have. Or perhaps there’s something else that you find more valuable sentimentally.” Once you’ve decided who is to receive each item, then make a list. Florida law actually gives us an easy mechanism to make a list of our tangible personal property outside of our will or trust and to easily amend it. So long as our will or trust mentions the list properly under the Florida statute (this would be the job of you working with your estate planning attorney), then you may create a list, and it need only be signed and dated. If you should choose to update the list, do so and sign and date it again. Creating a list can mean more than leaving thousands of dollars to your loved ones, and it can prevent arguments in the wake of your passing. Although my Bubby didn’t have much in the form of monetary wealth when she died, she left me a real treasure, one that can never be replaced.

S p o o k y S t r a w b e r

These adorable chocolate-dipped strawberry ghosts will be the stars of your Halloween party!

INGREDIENTS:

• • •

16 oz white chocolate, chopped

24 strawberries

1 package mini dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate at 50% power for 30 seconds. Remove it and stir, then repeat the process until melted. 2. Lay out a sheet of parchment paper. 3. One by one, dip the strawberries into the melted white chocolate and set them on the parchment. Allow the extra chocolate to pool to form a “tail” effect. 4. Before the chocolate coating fully cools, add three mini chocolate chips to each berry to form two eyes and a mouth. 5. Let chocolate set, then serve your spooky snacks!

Take a Break

Inspired by Candiquik.com

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INSIDE this issue

Supporting You Through This Pandemic.....1

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep. ...............2

You Don’t Have to Fear the Future With These 3 Estate Plan Designations. .............2 Craig’s Wisdom: How to Stop Sibling Fights Over Your Items...............................3

When ‘Star Wars’ Invaded Halloween..........4

The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.

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A long time ago … in October of 1977 to be exact, Halloween was fast approaching and many parents faced a major dilemma. That year, kids didn’t want to go trick- or-treating dressed as vampires, witches, or ghosts. The classic costumes simply wouldn’t do. That Halloween, almost every child in the United States wanted to dress as their favorite character from the new hit movie, “Star Wars.” Today, you can walk into a Halloween City on Oct. 30 and easily pick up a costume for Rey, Darth Vader, or Princess Leia. But in 1977, less than five months after the release of the first movie in the popular franchise, getting your hands on “Star Wars” merchandise was a bit more difficult. Ben Cooper, a costume company in Brooklyn, had the foresight to license “Star Wars” for costumes right after the movie came out. Unfortunately, they didn’t foresee how great the demand for these costumes would be.

Retailers across the country were selling out of “Star Wars” costumes as fast as they came in. Some stores reported selling more “Star Wars” costumes than pumpkins. Kids who got their hands on an authentic Han Solo or C-3PO costume were considered

lucky. But kids who arrived at the store to find the costume shelves empty didn’t throw in the towel. Instead, they went and found some brown towels to make their own Chewbacca costumes.

In the current age of cosplay, homemade costumes based on movie characters are commonplace, but in 1977, this was uncharted territory. Kids searched for white dresses to be Princess Leia and bathrobes they could cut short to mimic Luke Skywalker. Moms everywhere broke out their sewing machines and created costumes using only action figures for reference. It was grueling work, but it showed how much kids wanted to spend Halloween in a galaxy far, far away. The “Star Wars” costume shortage marked a new era for Halloween — one where making your own costume was just as cool, if not better, than buying it.

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