Stivers Law - January 2022

Stivers Law - January 2022

JANUARY 2022

305 - 456- 3255 | PROBATEF IRM.COM

It’s Here — My First Year as a Dad! THE STORY OF BABY SOPHIA’S ARRIVAL

In last month’s newsletter, I mentioned my new baby Sophia and told you all about our special plans for her first Christmas. Since that article came out, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about Sophia’s birthday, how she and Alexandra are doing, and how I’m holding up as a first-time dad. Thank you for asking! Now that we have our baby routine down, I’m ready to share the whole story. Sophia Grace Stivers was born on Nov. 17, 2021, at 7 pounds, 2 ounces. Her arrival wasn’t nearly as wild as most birth stories I’ve heard. Alexandra required a C-section, so we knew exactly when we’d get to meet our daughter. It was a relief to know we didn’t have to worry about waiting for Alexandra’s water to break and rushing her to the hospital. On the morning of Nov. 17, we arrived at the hospital around 8:30 a.m. for Alexandra’s appointment. We had to wait for an hour and a half to see our doctor, but the C-section itself went smoothly! It only took 20 minutes. I got to be in the room the whole time, and seeing the birth was an amazing moment.

little slice of time. I was standing over my brand-new daughter, just looking at her. She came out with a full head of dark hair, just like Alexandra’s! While I watched, she opened her eyes and looked at me. It was completely surreal. I thought, “Wow, this is crazy. I’m this little girl’s dad!” Life with Sophia has been pretty easy so far. I get up to feed her early in the morning (no more 5 a.m. workouts for me!), and Alexandra stays home with her during the day. So far, she sleeps through the night (apart from feedings) about 70% of the time. It’s not perfect, but I’ll take it. So far, my friends with kids have been amazed by what a good baby Sophia is. When she was just 12 days old, we took her to meet up with our friends at the park. She slept through the whole thing! They were shocked and told me there’s no way they could have done that with their 1-year-old at that age without tears and screaming. 2022 is going to be my first full year as a dad, and my biggest goal is to appreciate this time while Sophia is tiny. It sounds cliche, but I’ve already noticed the days going by too fast. Babies change so quickly, and I don’t want to miss a second of Sophia’s growth. Right now, my favorite part of the day is the 45 minutes I spend alone with her in the early morning. After I feed her, I usually lie down with her and she falls asleep on my chest. It’s a really cool experience and one of the most awesome things about fatherhood so far!

Afterward, the nurses cleaned Sophia up and I had about 15 minutes alone with her while they wrapped up Alexandra’s procedure. I’ll never forget that

In addition to watching Sophia grow and finding a new work-life balance with a baby, I’m excited to double down on our firm’s estate planning work in 2022 under our new name, Stivers Law. Like I said in November’s newsletter, I think this transition will help hundreds of people have a smoother probate experience.

If you have any questions about estate planning or diaper changing this year, I’m your guy.

PROBATEF IRM.COM | 1 –Justin Stivers

Skills That Enrich Us THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A HOBBY

Hobbies are stress relievers. Hobbies offer a healthy escape from your busy lifestyle by keeping you engaged in something you find pleasure in. Instead of just relaxing on the couch and turning off your mind for a bit (which is totally acceptable sometimes), hobbies allow you to remain mentally productive while winding down at the same time. Hobbies also provide eustress . Believe it or not, one type of stress is deemed beneficial: eustress. If you aren’t overly stressed and are feeling a little under-stimulated, a hobby can provide activity for both your mind and body to keep you feeling excited about life and ready to take on new challenges and adventures. Hobbies offer a social outlet. Some hobbies involve group activities, such as bowling, sports teams, book clubs, and even wine tasting. Connecting with others offers the social support humans depend on to lead a healthy and fruitful life. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some great friends who share the same passions as you! Hobbies develop patience. When you take on a new hobby, you are tasked with learning something new. Whether you’re practicing a new instrument, learning a different language, or figuring out how to make jewelry, a learning curve is involved. Building new skills takes patience, a very important attribute for success. Finding a hobby that suits you may take some exploration and trial and error, but it is all in good fun! Make it your goal to try something new or learn a new skill each month until you find something that sticks. Once you do, you’re sure to find that hobbies are both enjoyable and enriching!

January is National Hobby Month, and since it falls at the beginning of the year, it’s the perfect time to try something new! Hobbies add variety to your life and ensure you aren't just living to work, so to speak. The best way to find a hobby you enjoy is to be open to new things. Whether it’s gardening, reading, drawing, running, fishing, crafting, or even beekeeping, finding an activity you enjoy is important. Here’s why!

This Home Decor Is a Little Overboard Estate Planning for Your … Pirate Ship?

Florida-based basketball player Kyle Swanston had a trash talk advantage when he dribbled for the Akita Northern Happinets: If other players annoyed him, he could threaten to make them literally walk the plank!

the Zillow listing puts it, “If luxury and privacy are high on the list, this is the property for you.” The next owner is sure to be a pirate king or queen. Most of us can’t afford to have pirate ships in our backyards, but we do have our own treasured homes and possessions — which can all be protected with smart estate planning. If Swanston weren’t selling his Tampa Bay pad, for example, he could work with his lawyer to make sure his fancy pirate ship was

How? Well, Swanston’s former home in Tampa Bay has a backyard pool complete with a full-size pirate ship . It’s an incredible sight! The boat is perched near the edge of the pool and includes sails, a Jolly Roger, a life-size pirate figure, and even functioning water cannons! The rest of the cove features a waterslide, hot tub, and kitchen cabana, too. Rumor has it the installation cost $1.5 million. In addition to the pool, Swanston’s walled and gated home — which was listed for sale in November 2021 at $2.5 million — sports five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a three-car garage, a half basketball court, and a private office secured with a key code. The bright white living space adds up to 4,700 square feet. As

handed down to a specific beneficiary after he passed, even if that person was different than the one he left the home to! Estate planning while you’re still young and healthy is the best way to ensure your assets (including homes, cars, family heirlooms, and poolside pirate ships) are distributed exactly the way you’d like. If you’re ready to safeguard your legacy or need advice on a family member’s estate, call our office today at 305-456-3255.

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Once you’ve sat down with a lawyer and created an estate plan, you might think you’re all set until your death — but that’s not true! Your estate plan isn’t a static document. When circumstances in your life change, your estate plan needs to change with them! If one of the following things happened to you in 2021, it’s time to refresh your estate plan for 2022. RESOLVE TO UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN! 5 REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED A 2022 REFRESH

Thank You for Your Referrals in November!

Brian Stivers Stivers Financial | Knoxville, TN

Matthew Mazzarella Boyers Law Group | Coral Gables, FL

Rob Boyers Boyers Law Group | Coral Gables, FL

1. You got married or divorced. If you got married, you may want to include your spouse as a beneficiary of your estate or even as the trustee. Similarly, if you got divorced, you’ll likely need to remove your ex from your documents. 2. You lost a close friend or family member. If someone you had listed as a beneficiary, your trustee, or a medical or health care power of attorney passed away in 2021, you’ll need to replace them with someone else on your estate planning documents.

McKinley Augustin Blaise Law office | Pompano Beach, FL

Ron Rodman Friedman, Rodman, Frank & Estrada | Miami, FL

Todd Michaels The Haggard Law Firm | Coral Gables, FL

London is famous for its extensive subway system, nicknamed The Tube. This underground railway system opened on Jan. 10, 1863, and is the oldest in the world. Fun Holidays in January Jan. 1: Polar Bear Plunge Day Jan. 3: J.R.R. Tolkien Day Jan. 14: Dress Up Your Pet Day

3. You had or adopted a child. Congratulations! It’s time to add this new family member to your estate plan if you’d like them to inherit from your estate. 4. Your assets changed. Did you buy or sell a business in 2021? Did you acquire a valuable piece of property? Did you inherit a fortune or lose one in Vegas? If so, you need to update your estate plan to reflect this change in the value of your estate. 5. You had a falling out with someone you love. If you and your sister no longer see eye to eye, you may not want her to inherit your house or act on your behalf. This is a good time to consider updating your estate plan to remove people you now find problematic. Every January, we suggest that our clients look over their estate plans with their current circumstances and wishes in mind. If you’ve had a major life change — or if you don’t have a written estate plan yet — call our team to make an appointment. We’ll ensure you’re prepared for whatever life throws at you in 2022.

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110 Merrick Way, Ste. 2C Coral Gables, FL 33134 305-456-3255 ProbateFirm.com

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Baby Sophia’s First New Year

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Why Hobbies Are Important

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Step Inside a Basketball Star’s Florida Home — Pirate Ship Included

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5 Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan Now

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Thank You for Your November Referrals!

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Why Do Your Ears Pop on Flights?

AIRPLANE EARS When it comes to flying on an airplane, you can avoid cramped legs by upgrading to first class or catch a view by picking the window seat. However, there’s no getting around your ears popping during takeoff and landing. Believe it or not, there is a scientific explanation behind this common annoyance. Usually, the ear popping is irritating but nothing more. However, in rare cases, the pressure can lead to ear pain and even loss in hearing, especially if your ears don’t pop. In this case, you may need to make an effort to get your eustachian tube to open by yawning, talking, or swallowing. Sucking on a piece of candy,

The Science Behind Your Ears Popping on Flights

As you read this, you’re likely not on an airplane, and the air pressure on either side of your eardrums is equal. Air is currently passing right on through your eustachian tube, a narrow passage that leads from your middle ear cavity to your pharynx and allows for pressure to be equalized on each side of your eardrums. When you’re in flight on an airplane, air pressure is not equal. During both ascent and descent, your eardrums stretch to try to adapt to the changes. In order to equalize the pressure, your eustachian tube needs to open and close. When it does, your ears pop!

swallowing some water, or chewing gum may also help! One of the best things you can do is make sure you are not sleeping as the airplane takes off or lands because your eustachian tube isn’t able to open and close normally. If you commonly struggle with congestion or sore ears on flights, taking a nasal decongestant before you board may ensure that your eustachian tube is not blocked. If your hearing and ears do not return to normal shortly after the flight, be sure to schedule an appointment to see your health care professional as soon as possible.

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