Swerdloff Law Firm July 2018

SWERDLOFF In The Know

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SUMMER 2018

THE JOY OF FAMILY

Late May of this year brought a lot of excitement for me in the form of a big family gathering. My brother’s family all came down for his middle son’s wedding in Santa Barbara, and it brought our family, young and young at heart, together. It was something of an informal family reunion, with new additions meeting older generations. My son and daughter-in-law introduced their 4-month-old to her great grandmother, who is in her 90s now. My brother came from Portland, my son and daughter-in-law from New Mexico, my nephew came from Hawaii, and another from Houston. We all converged on a dot to be together here in sunny Southern California.

and it was something of a debut for the new baby. Of course, everyone was over the moon to meet her — this happy, chuckling little thing. I know the two of them enjoyed the chance to reunite with people they don’t see too often. The wedding itself was really wonderful, and everything went off without a hitch. Both my boys, my granddaughter, and her mother all got to the church in time for the ceremony. The baby was very quiet until the service was over. As soon as it was finished, though, she wanted everyone to know she was there! She didn’t really need to — she was already the belle of the ball. All the women took turns holding her and playing with her. She was laughing and smiling the whole time. On Monday morning, our fantastic weekend came to an end, and it was time to say our farewells. We woke up early for a send-off breakfast for all our visitors. We sent them off in high style. It was so nice to see the family together, have a nice time, and share in great conversation and laughter. Baby traveled well there and back home; she slept a lot and made it easy on her parents. In some ways, infancy is the best time to travel. I’m just tickled that they made the effort so we could all be together. It truly was a joyous occasion. Family brings a lot of joy, doesn’t it? Our last major gathering was three years ago, for my brother’s birthday, and we had an official reunion some years ago in Hawaii, but it’s incredible how easily time slips by and you go years between seeing one another. The occasion of the

wedding this May was a welcome reason to see each other. I’m not going to let so much time go by before the next one. I hope that you had a safe and happy Fourth of July with your family and friends and enjoyed your time together as much as I did with mine. –Arthur J. Swerdloff

A few days before the wedding, my son and daughter-in-law attended a barbecue hosted by some of their longtime friends,

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THESE MALLS WERE MADE FOR WALKING THE EXERCISE VENUE THATWILL KEEP YOU COOL AND FIT

In addition to the clients, Andrew also enjoys working with and learning from a seasoned legal pro like Arthur Swerdloff. “Art has been a great mentor to me. We make a great team,” says Andrew. When he’s not providing compassionate service to clients, Andrew enjoys spending time with family and friends. He loves water sports and swims competitively. “I’m getting back into it,” Andrew says. “I’m spending time enjoying the outdoors and reading for leisure when I’m not in the office.” After several years away from home, he’s happy to be back in LA. “This is where my roots are,” Andrew says.” LA is my home, and I always knew this is where I’d end up. I’m glad to be back in the area and servicing the people of LA.” We couldn’t be happier to have Andrew back here, either, and we’re glad to add his passionate and knowledgeable perspective to our team. SQUEEZE IN SOME SHOPPING It is still a mall, after all. Why not check a few items off your shopping list or reward yourself with a new pair of sneakers? Getting things done as you exercise makes the experience that much more rewarding. Just remember not to overdo it. Carrying too many shopping bags can place undue stress on your back — and your wallet. YOU WON'T BE ALONE Today, malls are the second-most popular places to walk in America, after neighborhoods. Mall walking has become so big that many communities and senior living centers have put together official groups to stride together. Your local mall may already open early to accommodate walkers. So if you’re looking to make friends in an active, fun-loving community, do some research. Chances are there’s a mall-walking club near you!

“mall walking” has become one of the biggest trends in senior fitness.

graduating from UC Hastings and working in personal injury law in San Francisco, Andrew realized he wanted to help people in a lasting way. When he connected with attorney Art Swerdloff and learned about his practice areas in estate planning, Andrew knew it was the right fit. “Estate planning is a service that’s valuable for someone’s entire life, and beyond that. It’s an invaluable service that I’m happy to provide,” says Andrew. Andrew relishes the opportunity to help families protect their assets and plan for their loved ones. “I enjoy getting to know clients and understanding their distinct needs, financial or otherwise,” Andrew explains. “It’s about finding the solution to meet their needs and ultimately provide peace of mind. I’m committed to working with my clients to ensure that their families will be taken care of into the future.” COOL IN THE SUMMER, WARM IN THE WINTER This time of year, heatstroke can be a real concern when exercising outside. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a homebody. Because malls are spacious and climate- controlled, they make great year-round walking venues, especially when summer temperatures spike. You don’t even need to put on sunscreen! REST STOPS ABOUND While the average American shopping center isn’t as scenic as the Appalachian Trail, they are far more convenient. Replete with bathrooms, cool drinking water, and plenty of benches, the mall lets you focus on exercising and removes all of the “what ifs” that come with aging. Most malls are also outfitted with EMT kits in the event of a medical emergency.

If you’re young at heart and looking to stay (or get) in shape this summer, consider taking a trip to the mall. No, not to pick up some hot new exercise product or dietary supplement, but to walk a few laps. Safe and convenient,

Our New Attorney Brings Compassion to Each Case ANDREW JOINS THE HOME TEAM

We’re happy to welcome a new associate to our Swerdloff Law team this summer, Andrew Le. An LA native, Andrew is passionate about serving others through legal counsel. After

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FIND FREEDOM FROM YOUR BIGGEST WORRY OFFERING CONTINUITY FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

You’ve probably noticed how passionate our attorneys are about estate planning. It’s because they know how important family is. Just like you, they have families they care about deeply and want to protect. An estate plan is like a built-in cushion of comfort and security for all of you. Knowing that you’ll be taken care of and your offspring won’t want for anything after you’re gone sounds like an important sense of security to have, doesn’t it? As attorney Art Swerdloff says, “My vision is that every family I serve can look to the future with optimism and excitement knowing that, no matter what, they are well-protected." Estate planning offers continuity of life that spans generations, from your grandmother all the way down to her 4-month-old granddaughter, who doesn’t yet know what life has in store for her. At the

least, that baby can grow up with a cushion when an estate plan is in place.

Working with an experienced attorney can help you and your family come together to create a plan that meets your needs and keeps your interests at the forefront. Attorneys ask in-depth questions and think of areas you may not have considered to make sure your plan is comprehensive. An estate plan can also help save money by making sure the estate doesn’t go to probate and by minimizing estate taxes. It can even provide for long-term care in the event of a disability. In the state of California, if a person passes away without an estate plan, California law will determine the beneficiaries of your estate. This could mean everything the goes to a spouse, children, parents, siblings, or other relative. If no relatives exist, the State of California becomes

the beneficiary. Don’t let the honor of bestowing your estate fall on someone else. Start planning today. When you’re looking for an attorney to help you create your plan, Mr. Swerdloff is a specialist in this area. Contact Swerdloff Law today to learn more about building an estate plan you can depend on.

SUDOKU

BLUE CHEESE BUFFALO DOGS AND CELERY SLAW

No matter where you stand on the great ketchup versus mustard debate, you’ll love these spicy, tangy, easy-to-make buffalo dogs. They’re the perfect way to elevate your Fourth of July cookout.

Ingredients

For Celery Slaw • 4 celery stalks, very thinly sliced • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice • 1 teaspoon olive oil • Celery salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

• 1 package of your favorite hot dogs • 1 package hot dog buns • 1 bottle Frank’s RedHot sauce • 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

Instructions

1. For slaw, toss all ingredients together and season with celery salt and pepper. 2. Grill hot dogs and toast buns. 3. Assemble hot dogs, douse with hot sauce, and top with celery slaw. 4. Top with blue cheese, add another splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling extra spicy, and serve.

Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Address Service Requested

4640 AdmiraltyWay, Suite 800 Marina del Rey, CA 90292

INSIDE

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The Joy of Family

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The Benefits of Mall Walking Meet Our New Attorney

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Offer Lifetime Security to Your Family Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw

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6 Dog Mayors From Around the U.S.

WHEN POLITICS GOES TO THE DOGS 6 Dog Mayors From Around the US

was called. Then, he too died in office in 2008. Later that year, Lucy Lou, a border collie, was elected into office and became the town’s first female mayor. The good news is she saw her term through to the end, but she didn’t run for a second term. Instead, pitbull Brynneth Pawltro, or Brynn as his friends call him, ran and won. Today, you’ll find Brynn roaming Rabbit Hash, staying carefully out of Health and Safety’s way.

Most towns and cities around the country play it safe: They elect humans to hold political office. But a few towns decided to do something a little different. They threw political formality to the wind and elected dogs to office. Here are a few popular pups from around the country. Duke. This Great Pyrenees became one of the most popular pups to hold elected office. He first ran for mayor in 2014 in Cormorant Township, Minnesota, and won by a landslide. He’s been in the mayoral race every year since then — and he’s won every time! Today, Duke is still in office, where he never misses a photo-op or a pat on the head. Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller. This golden retriever was first elected to office in 2012 in Idyllwild, California. His election was part of an initiative put together by an organization called Animal Rescue Friends, or ARF. As part of the election,

area residents could nominate their cat or dog for mayor. During the inaugural event, 14 dogs and two cats ran for mayor, with Max leading the pack. Max was elected to a second term in 2013, but soon passed away after a battle with cancer. Thankfully, his successor was quickly appointed: Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II. Brynneth Pawltro, Lucy Lou, Junior Cochran, and Goofy Borneman. These four dogs all hail from Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. Back in 1998, the people of Rabbit Hash decided to elect a dog mayor. That year, Goofy Borneman, a mixed breed, became the first in what would become a continuing tradition. He held the office until 2001, when he passed away at age 16. In 2004, Junior Cochran, a black Labrador, took on the role of mayor, but his term was plagued by scandal after he spent too much time hanging around the town’s general store — and Health and Safety

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