Stivers Law - May 2022

Stivers Law - May 2022

MAY 2022

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GET THE MILLIONAIRE’S ESTATE PLAN No Matter What Your Income Is!

May 20 is National Be a Millionaire Day, and learning about it reminded me of something funny. When I tell friends that a big part of my day-to-day work as a lawyer is estate planning, they sometimes come back with this question: “Wow, so you work with retired millionaires all the time?” I love when people ask that, because the millionaire stereotype is a big estate planning myth — and then I get to bust it wide open. I do help some millionaires in their 60s and 70s, but most of my clients are “ordinary” people: young or middle-aged families with a few thousand dollars in the bank. Sometimes they own their own homes and have other assets, and sometimes they don’t. The truth is that getting your will, power of attorney, and other estate planning documents in order is important regardless of your income level or asset size. I honestly can’t think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from estate planning, although there are different benefits depending on your family and lifestyle. Here are four examples of what I mean:

do have minor children, so an estate plan is important for them. Without one, if the parents pass away or become incapacitated, they’ll have no say in who will care for their kids. With an estate plan, they can choose the guardian who will be best for their children and make sure their family members never have to fight over custody. Middle-aged parents with older kids don’t have custody battles to worry about, but they do usually have significant assets. They’re in their prime working years and might own a home. They’re probably also thinking about their golden years and how they’ll pay for a nursing home, assisted living, or in-home care one day. An estate plan can ensure their assets are protected and that they never go broke or lose their home because of medical bills. Retired people in their 60s and above might have already figured out a plan for end-of-life care for themselves, but now that their passing feels real, they need a plan for their families. Estate planning can help lower their tax burden to give their children a better inheritance, keep the government out of their estate (no courts,

no probate), and clarify their wishes for their kids so there’s no risk of fighting.

Single people or married couples without kids can also benefit from estate planning. It’s a way to protect what you have — no matter how much there is — and pass on your life experiences, wisdom, values, and life lessons to the people you leave behind. It’s also a way to avoid government interference, family feuds, fees, creditors, and predators. Who doesn’t want that? Estate planning isn’t just for millionaires, but I give everybody who walks through my office door the “millionaire's estate plan” treatment. That means diving deep into what they want for their money and their family, beyond the basic “leave everything to my spouse and split it evenly between the kids.” I find answers to tough questions like, “If you pass away, your spouse remarries, and then they get divorced, how can we protect your money from the angry ex?” The “millionaires only” myth is one of my favorites to bust because I’ve seen what happens to families when they don't properly plan for their estate: shouting matches between siblings in probate court, backstabbing at home, endless arguments and heartbreak.

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Young families with kids under 18 might not own a home yet or have hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank. But they

I don’t want that to happen to your family. To make sure it doesn’t, visit ProbateFirm. com/upcoming-events today and watch our FREE on‑demand webinars . They’ll give you next steps!

PROBATEF IRM.COM | 1 –Justin Stivers

The Art of Quieting Your Mind Before Bed

Keep your bed for sleeping. If you aren’t sleeping, get out of bed! Getting in the habit of scrolling through your phone, watching TV, reading, working, or even eating in bed teaches your brain that your bed is for things other than sleeping! If you find yourself tossing and turning, get out of bed and try a relaxing activity such as reading, journaling, listening to music, or meditating. When you get tired, try getting back in bed. Breathe deeply. Breathing exercises can not only help calm your mind and spirit, but they can lower your heart rate, which is especially beneficial in relieving stress or anxiety when things are upsetting you. Write it down. Instead of letting thoughts fill your mind right before bed (such as the next day’s tasks or any worries you have), set aside time before bed to write it out. Whether you are a fan of journaling, writing letters, or simply just listing out your problems, goals, and thoughts, grab a pen and paper and make it a nightly routine. This way,

All day long, thoughts run through your mind, and by the end of the day, your head is probably ready to explode. After all, it's estimated that in 24 hours you can have between 60,000–80,000 thoughts. At some point, your brain needs a break, and that’s especially true before you try to go to bed. Here are some ways to quiet your mind, so you can get a full night’s sleep!

your thoughts will be freed before your head hits the pillow.

Try a light snack. When you can’t sleep, the last thing that you want to do is eat something heavy. In fact, when you eat a large meal right before bed, your digestive system can become overwhelmed. But, studies have shown that eating a light carbohydrate snack such as crackers or popcorn when you can’t sleep may be helpful. Turn your room into a sleep haven. Keeping your bedroom neat, relaxing, and calm can help improve your sleep! Keep all televisions, computers, and screens out of the bedroom and furnish it with soft colors and textures that are tranquil and soothing to you. Pumping the brakes on worrisome thoughts racing through your mind can be tough, but trying these tips and tricks may earn you some relief and much needed sleep.

Happy National Pet Month! Our team loves animals — starting with Justin and his sidekick, Oliver, the 12-year-old poodle. They’ve been best buddies ever since Justin met his wife. MEET OUR FIRM’S PETS! Furry Friends of Stivers “Technically, Oliver is Alexandra’s dog, but over the last few years of living together, we’ve fallen for each other hook, line, and sinker,” Justin says. “Honestly, no one was more surprised by that turn of events than me!” Justin wasn’t really a dog person before Oliver, but now he gets it. Which is a good thing, because we have a lot of animal lovers on our team! We also help our clients take care of their pets with strong estate planning. Yes, that’s right — you can use your estate plan to make sure your pet (whether it’s a dog, cat, horse, or parrot) is taken care of when you pass away. There’s an option called a pet trust that will let you outline exactly who will get custody of your furry friend if something happens to you. You can also leave money to the animal and even outline their care, right down to the type of food they eat and which doggy day cares you approve of. Putting those things in writing can be a big stress reliever, especially if your pet has special needs. If you want to set up a pet trust, just let us know during your estate planning appointment or give us a call. In the meantime, enjoy these photos of our team’s furry friends. They may not be in the office, but they’re still part of the Stivers Law family!

Justin and Alexandra's dog Oliver

Rebecca's dog Dillon

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Thank You for Your Referrals in March!

Felipe Blanco RBC Wealth Management Miami, Florida Rob Boyers Boyers Law Group Coral Gables, Florida Jon and Cristina Gilman Coldwell Banker Coral Gables, Florida Roderick Vereen Law Office of Roderick D. Vereen, P.A. Miami, Florida Melinda Grimaldi Grimaldi Law Firm Hollywood, Florida Todd Michaels Haggard Law Firm Coral Gables, Florida

Brian Stivers Stivers Financial Knoxville, Tennessee Eric Shane Ferrer Shane Gonzalez Miami, Florida Christopher Guerrero Guerrero Legal, PLLC Doral, Florida Drew Kern Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Miami, Florida Eric Bluestein Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein Coconut Grove, Florida

ESTATE PLANNING MADE EASY Sit Back, Relax, and Watch Our Webinars! On Pg. 1 of this newsletter, Justin laid out all of the reasons a family might want to think about estate planning. If one of those resonated with you, we have good news: You can take the next step toward leaving a legacy right now, without leaving your home. All you have to do is visit ProbateFirm.com/ upcoming-events today and watch our FREE on-demand webinars .

There are two webinars to choose from, and both will give you valuable insights:

Webinar No. 1: Protecting Your Family and Leaving a Legacy In this webinar, Justin goes over the legal strategies we can use to make your wishes known, keep peace in your family, and ensure life is as easy as possible for your loved ones, no matter what happens to you. It’s a great guide to estate planning and the perfect place to start if you’re not sure what you need. Webinar No. 2: Protecting Your Children’s Future When You’re Not There to Guide Them If you have children under the age of 18, this webinar is for you. In it, Justin dives into the question that keeps every parent up at night: “Who will take care of my children if the worst happens and I die today?” Even if you have an answer to that question, you may not have jumped through the legal hoops to make it official. Justin will also go over how to do that and help you address other important questions, like “Do you have a legal guardian named for your kids?” and “Do they have access to money necessary to provide for your children?” He’ll walk you step by step through the actions you MUST take TODAY if you want to protect your kids and keep them from spending even a minute in child services. Since these webinars are available on demand, you can watch them any time! Just visit ProbateFirm.com/upcoming-events , click “Details and Registration” for the webinar you’re interested in, and click “Register” at the bottom of the page to get started.

Every year, there is a meteor shower around May called the Eta Aquariids meteor shower. Discovered in 1870, this meteor shower will pass by Earth this year between May 4–5. It’s easiest to view it from the equatorial regions of the world, and can be glimpsed passing by just before dawn.

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

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The Truth About Millionaires

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5 Solutions for Quality Sleep

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The Pets of Stivers Law

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Your Estate Planning Questions — Answered

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Thank You for Your March Referrals!

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Strengthen Your Entire Body!

Paddle Your Way to Better Health Big Benefits of Canoeing and Kayaking

Mental Benefits • While canoeing or kayaking, your

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.

body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus . • These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability . This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one 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.

Physical 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.

• You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower‑body muscles .

• 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.

• While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core 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.

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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