Shoup Legal - April 2022

Shoup Legal - April 2022

Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. APRIL 2022

The spring season is officially underway and with it comes one of the best times to start or continue planting all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and flowers in a garden. In our beautiful community, you can plant delicious and beautiful plants year-round, but April is the perfect time to plant cucumbers, eggplant, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelon, and so much more. Gardening is a great way to get outdoors and relieve some of the stress that’s in our daily lives. Personally, I love the idea of gardening and think it’s very beneficial for us. I have a flower and a vegetable garden at my home in addition to some fruit trees. My rose garden has definitely become my pride and joy. I love the beauty of the roses and become overjoyed when they bloom and their fragrance wafts through the air. My rose garden has truly become my peaceful place where I can take some time to center myself and instill some extra tranquility. Gardening is also a great activity to enjoy with your children. I’ve been planting tomatoes and strawberries with my kids lately. They love running out to the garden and picking out the perfect cherry tomatoes to enhance their meals or simply to eat as a snack. While it provides them with healthier food options, gardening also teaches our children and us quite a few life lessons. With gardening, you get to do something good now by planting your seeds then nurturing them so you have a successful harvest. It’s a peaceful process and can be therapeutic, but it also teaches you the importance of patience. You can plant your seeds and water them, but you won’t always see them grow. You have to be patient and have faith that your hard work will pay off so you can enjoy your harvest. In a way, it’s like being part of the creation process by bringing these plants to life. The idea of being patient with your garden goes hand in hand with persistence. You aren’t going to see the results immediately, but you have to stay committed to the work. You have to trust the process and believe it will work out for you. There may be speed bumps along the way, but we can’t let that bring us down GROWINGWITH OUR GARDENS LIFE LESSONS LEARNED FROM GARDENING

and keep us from gardening. Learn from your mistakes so your harvest comes in bigger and stronger than ever before.

Additionally, if you don’t nurture your plants, they aren’t going to grow. This is an important lesson we can all apply to our lives. When we start a new project or endeavor, we don’t always see results right away and can get discouraged. I’m not eating the tomato from the seed I planted today but the seed I planted six months ago. I’m enjoying the oranges from the tree I grew 10 years ago. In gardening and life, there are rarely opportunities for instant gratification. You need to have an understanding that success may take some time.

Gardening is a wonderful activity anyone can take part in. Even if you don’t have a backyard or the space for a traditional garden, you can still make one on your windowsill or balcony. If you haven’t tried gardening before, give it a shot. It might turn into a new favorite hobby. I hope you all have a successful harvest and grow some delicious produce or beautiful flowers this season.

–Andrea Shoup

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Should Couples CombineTheir Finances? THE PROS AND CONS

A few decades ago, almost all married couples combined their incomes into joint accounts. Since most households only had one earner, it just made sense. Today, a lot has changed, and only three- quarters of married couples combine finances. Now that there’s more than one way of doing things, it can be hard to determine which option might be best for you and your spouse.

Combining finances is the traditional way of doing things for a reason: It’s streamlined. With a joint account, it’s simpler to budget, save, and reduce debt. If one partner makes significantly more than the other, it also puts both people on even financial footing. But problems do arise. In some cases, the higher-earning spouse may feel taken advantage of, and someone who is previously used to managing their own money can bristle under new spending restrictions. Furthermore, if one person spends money foolishly, they’re spending it for both parties. And if the couple splits, separating assets becomes tricky. That’s why keeping finances separate is increasingly popular, especially as couples settle down later in life with established careers and salaries. This method provides more independence for each person in the relationship and generally results in fewer disagreements regarding disposable income. It also provides protection if someone’s partner makes a big financial mistake.

But despite all of the potential upsides, keeping finances separate can actually create the need for more conversations about money. First, couples should decide who is responsible for what. Disagreements can arise when determining how to split the bills, and getting both shares put against one payment can be annoying. Plus, money arguments aren’t eliminated — couples with separate finances can still face problems when one person always pays their part of the bills late or buys something frivolous instead of saving for a joint purchase. Some couples try to have the best of both worlds by opening joint and individual checking accounts. In the end, the only “right” way to handle money as a couple is the way that works best for your relationship. But no matter what method you choose, managing money together will require trust, difficult conversations, clear communication, and transparent expectations. Getting on the same page can save you from future problems — in both your relationship and your bank account.

UNDERSTANDING POWER OF ATTORNEY MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS FOR YOUR LOVED ONE

Last month, we discussed different ways to make certain situations easier for you and your loved one after they have been diagnosed or have begun showing symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This month, we’re taking a deep dive into how to step in and act for a loved one by using a power of attorney. Power of attorney is a legal authorization that gives a designated individual the power to act for another person. A power of attorney can be used to make medical, financial, and other life decisions for an individual who otherwise couldn’t make these decisions on their own. A power of attorney does need to be signed while the individual giving it is competent, which makes this process an incredibly important part of estate planning. If you have a loved one who becomes incapacitated without a power of attorney, neither you nor anyone else will be able to make financial or medical decisions on their behalf, even if you know what they would have wanted. The same goes for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. If the individual is not deemed competent, they cannot name a power of attorney. If you’ve been named as the power of attorney for a loved one, you may be wondering how to use it. You’ll need to bring the power of attorney or a copy to their bank, doctor, or another third party and explain that

you are acting under the authority of the document and are authorized to do this particular act. You may have to sign a document, but there shouldn’t be any issues if you possess the power of attorney. When signing, make sure you are not simply signing your name. You need to indicate that you are signing as the individual and not yourself to avoid becoming personally accountable for anything you’re signing on their behalf.

If you’re named the power of attorney for a loved one, you may have to make some difficult decisions on their behalf. Always keep their best interests in mind when making these decisions. If you are interested in beginning your estate plan or need to make some updates, give our office a call. We’d be glad to help you and answer any questions you may have.

Plan today for peace

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One-Pan Chicken Tacos Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

From New York to Murrieta Our team at Shoup Legal consists of some of the most caring, experienced, and dedicated professionals in the legal field. Every member of our team works hard to ensure your needs and your family’s needs are fully taken care of. One of our professionals who has truly excelled in this area is Nini — and she has been impressing her peers in the legal field for decades. Nini was born and raised in the Philippines, where she had a deep affinity for art. She was always drawing or creating comic books in her free time. She would go on to pursue a degree in economics before making the move to New York City. Nini found a job with a law firm in New York before getting married and making another big move to San Francisco. In San Francisco, Nini started working for a law firm right on the water in the financial district, where she discovered her love of estate planning. Even after moving to another law firm, Nini gravitated toward estate planning because she genuinely loved working with clients who needed her expertise. After 30 years in San Francisco, Nini and her husband decided to downsize and move to Murrieta. Nini did not plan on working in Murrieta but quickly grew bored of the retired life. She found an opening at Shoup Legal for an estate planning legal assistant. She still wasn’t completely sold on coming back to the workforce before walking through our doors. She’s now been here for six years, and we couldn’t be happier to have her as part of our team. Nini does plenty of behind-the-scenes work here at Shoup Legal, but you may have an opportunity to meet her if you need your will or trust notarized. She loves seeing the look of relief spread across people’s faces after they’ve signed their estate planning documents and are better prepared for the future. When Nini is not in the office, she spends her time traveling, bowling, singing karaoke, or spending time with her Shih Tzu, Charlie. If you see Nini in the office when you stop by next, don’t be afraid to say hello! Nini’s Decades of Estate Planning Experience

Ingredients

•

1 lb chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch pieces

• • • •

Canola oil (for frying)

Corn tortillas

• • •

2 tbsp garlic powder

Grated cheddar cheese

2 tbsp cumin

Pico de gallo and guacamole salsa (to taste)

2 tbsp chipotle powder

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, garlic powder, cumin, and chipotle powder. Mix until the chicken is coated. 2. In a frying pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken mixture. Cook on medium heat for 5–8 minutes. 3. Remove the chicken from the pan, and add the corn tortillas (avoid overlapping) so they soak up the juices. Flip the tortillas and repeat. Then, add chicken and grated cheddar to each tortilla and fold it over the filling — in the pan. 4. Cook the tacos for 3 minutes per side until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. 5. Top with pico and guacamole salsa, and serve!

TAKE A BREAK

e of mind tomorrow.

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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | www.shouplegal.com

1 | Harvest More Than Produce From Your Garden 2 | Should Couples Combine Their Finances? 2 | Understanding Power of Attorney 3 | Introducing Nini, Our Estate Planning Assistant 3 | One-Pan Chicken Tacos 4 | Welcome Spring With Open Arms Inside This Issue GET SPRUNG 4 WAYS TO HARVEST

POSITIVE VIBES IN SPRING

Have you ever noticed that springtime just feels lighter and brighter? That’s because, believe it or not, the seasons affect us. When spring rolls around, the energy shifts, and it’s up to us to maximize those positive vibes. Let’s examine how we can make the most of spring and inject some color and vibrancy into our lives again after a long winter. Rely on color. Colors have the ability to elicit certain emotions and feelings. Tropical tones and pastels are everywhere in spring — the clear sky, grass, and flowers — so allow them to fill your space and take them with you as constant reminders to smile. If you’re up for it, wear some new colors to brighten up your wardrobe, and don’t forget to take in a sunset when you’re able! Enjoy more hours of daylight. Spring brings more hours of sunlight and warming temperatures that can give you more time to enjoy your morning cup of coffee outside. You can take an early stroll around the block, get in a workout

outdoors, or just enjoy the fresh air. Also, many areas observe daylight saving time, which extends sunlight into the evening, so no matter how you choose to spend your extra daylight, make it an adventure.

Welcome spring-cleaning. It isn’t called spring-cleaning for nothing!

Decluttering, dusting, reorganizing, and tidying up feels great! It’s empowering and refreshing. There is something special about creating more space in your living space that gets the positivity flowing. Eat fresh, colorful foods. During spring, many delicious fruits and vegetables come into season. Berries, oranges, apples, carrots, avocados, cherries, spinach, and kale are all at their peak. Your local farmers market is a great place to get the freshest produce to fuel your body! Spring is a time for new beginnings and positivity. Make the most of this spring season by welcoming a fresh abundance of love and life.

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