Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning - October 2021

Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning - October 2021

Peace of Mind Post

HALLOWEEN MEMORIES AND A POIGNANT REMINDER OCTOBER 2021 Nothing to Fear

able to hand out candy to a trick-or-treater — I have some great memories of Halloween.

Halloween looks very different when you grow up in the middle of nowhere.

However, it’s not just candy that dominates this holiday. Halloween also conjures up the idea of fear and what scares us the most. Some people choose to dress up like other worldly creatures, while others purposefully walk through haunted houses for just the right dose of terror. As for me, I had enough fear for years when I was petrified of needles. I know this fear is totally irrational, but I used to pass out whenever I had to get my blood drawn or come into contact with a needle. It was paralyzing! One day, I decided I had enough of this foolish fear, and I started mentally preparing myself to handle every experience with a needle. I would plan ahead — look away from where the nurse was poking me, close my eyes, take deep breaths, and try to think of something pleasant to get through it. And it worked! Today, I can give blood or get vaccinated without fear of the tiny needle next to me. Surprisingly, that’s not unlike the work I do every day at Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning. Some people believe that confronting or talking about death, becoming incapacitated, or what will happen after they die invites that bad karma. I know there are people who avoid discussing or planning their estate for fear that it will create some sort of bad luck or hasten their demise. Ultimately, I believe this boils down to the discomfort we all feel discussing our

Because that was how I grew up, my mom would drive us to my grandparents and other elderly neighbors every Halloween night to go “trick-or-treating.” Unlike other kids, who were given gobs of candy, we were given many different kinds of treats. (There were always apples.) Then, our family would spend a few moments with each person we visited, chatting with them about the farm, their family, and other pressing news of the day. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized how meaningful this night must have been for those we visited. Like us, they lived in rural Pennsylvania, and their daily interactions with others were few and far between. I can imagine how lonely it was for those who lived alone, too. But every Halloween, a few kids dressed like whatever was “cool” at that time would show up on their porch, eagerly awaiting whatever it was they could give and sparing a few moments to talk.

mortality and fragility and the lack of control we feel from these moments.

Using the same ideas that helped me overcome my fear of needles, I try to help my clients find comfort in the education of the work we do. Creating a plan and discussing your wishes for after your death is actually about creating control. While the source of many fears comes from a lack of control, estate planning gives you that power back. It allows you to control what happens in the moments leading up to and after you pass, creating peace of mind for you and comfort for your loved ones. This isn’t a realization some people come to easily. We take tremendous care to explain this to each client, and, for those who need it, we’re cautious and careful in our discussions. Our goal is to create peace of mind and comfort, not fear. If you take anything away from this month’s newsletter, I hope it’s that there is comfort in planning your estate, and there really is nothing to fear.

So, while I may not know what it was like to actually trick-or-treat — nor have I ever been

–Julie Anderson

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KNOW SOMEONE WITH

SELF-HELP BOOKS CAN’T DO IT ALL HOW READING FICTION CAN BENEFIT YOU Many CEOs and other successful individuals continually espouse the benefits of regular reading. Many times, leaders read self-help books to improve their leadership skills and become more successful. This is all well and good, but even the most successful people in the world could be missing out on the unique benefits that come specifically from reading fiction. But what are those benefits exactly? Greater Empathy When a psychologist analyzed 86 functioning MRI (fMRI) studies, he found that the same parts of the brain that fire up when reading fictional stories also fire up when we’re seeking to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. That’s because when the characters in the book we’re reading are thinking or feeling a certain way, we tend to think or feel that way with them. Less Stress and Better Sleep

Refer T

The pandemic changed humanity’s approach to a lot of things, and among those was estate planning. Caring.com reports that the number of young adults with estate plans has increased to 63%, and 18–34-year-olds are more likely to have a will than those ages 35–54.

However, we’re not ready to celebrate this progress just yet. Caring.com also reports 2 out of 3 people in the survey still don’t have proper estate planning documents.

This can be a devastating reality for families.

We’ve all heard the stories about celebrities dying tragically without leaving a valid or legal estate plan in place. Sonny Bono famously had his ex-wife, widow, and a child that was previously unheard of claiming to be his estate administrator after he died without a will. Meanwhile, Prince’s estate is still a tangled mess of illegitimate documents and family wishes. While the average person may not have an estate the size of Sonny Bono’s or Prince’s, the complications that can arise when a person passes without a legally valid estate plan can be all the same.

When you pass without a legal plan in place, you die “intestate.” This means all of your possessions and money

When we read fiction specifically, we tend to disengage from the world — and that’s a good thing! Our brains can’t always be functioning at their peak capacity. We need breaks, or else we’ll stress ourselves out and negatively affect other areas of our lives. Stress tends to keep us from sound sleep, but reading fiction before bed engages the imagination, taking us away from the stresses of everyday life before we drift off.

Kind Words FROM OUR CLIENTS Online reviews are one of the best ways for you to help us help others! We would greatly appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Google or Facebook if our team has helped you in any way.

More Comfort With Uncertainty Even though many stories (particularly those portrayed in popular movies) have nice happy endings, most people would agree that life sometimes leaves things a little more open-ended. While this fact might stress out some people, researchers have discovered that fiction readers don’t need “cognitive closure” as much as nonfiction readers. Greater Happiness Even if none of the benefits of fiction interest you, everyone wants to find ways to make themselves happy — and for many, that is reading fiction. According to one survey, 76% of participants said that reading makes them feel good and improves their lives. So, what are you waiting for? Dust off that novel you’ve been meaning to read and crack it open!

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HOUT AN ESTATE PLAN?

ENJOY THESE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COFFEE SHOPS! GET LOCALLY ROASTED There are few better ways to spend a fall morning than with a cup of locally brewed coffee in your hand. If you’re looking for a new favorite hotspot for your caffeine fix, check out these local places! Cummings Coffee & Candy

Them to Us!

become property of the state, which then is allowed to determine what to do with it. This could mean that regardless of what was verbally promised or written in an illegitimate document, your wishes may not have any bearing on what happens to your physical legacy or what you leave behind. These scenarios can often cause family rifts and further pain as your family

struggles with the courts after your death.

Where: Various locations across Butler, including Main Street, Evans City Road, and Pittsburgh Road When: Every day, time varies by location Website: CummingsCoffee.com With a long history in Butler, Cummings Coffee & Candy is a must for tourists and locals alike. The shop began on Main Street in 1905, and for 90 years, the confectionery store remained a favorite.

If you know someone who does not have a valid estate plan or will in place, it is imperative that you discuss their options with them. We love referrals, so we can do our part to help your loved one . But regardless of what legal entity they rely on to create their estate plan, it’s absolutely vital that they do. Our team at Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning is focused on creating legally binding documents that protect monetary, real estate, and other physical assets after someone passes. Everyone deserves to leave the legacy they want. Please refer us to those who do not have an estate plan and please let us know when you do! We would love to thank you personally.

In 1995, it grew to include a small coffee shop modeled after European spots. Today, Cummings is still a favorite — we love it here at Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning — and it serves fountain drinks, ice cream, candy, and, of course, coffee. Go for the history and stay for the welcoming environment! Saxonburg Coffee & Tea Where : 211 W. Main St., Saxonburg When: Monday–Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Website: SaxonburgCoffee.com If you love a variety of coffee flavors or tea, then you can’t go wrong with Saxonburg Coffee & Tea. The shop opened in 2014 and began roasting beans that soon became must-have cups of joe in Saxonburg. You can make any cup of coffee or tea your own with a wide array of flavor additions and options and don’t forget to opt for a baked good! There’s also ice cream for an afternoon treat, too. Commonplace Coffee Where: Multiple locations across Pittsburgh and Indiana, Pennsylvania When: Varies by location Website: CommonplaceCoffee.com Julie and TJ Fairchild first experienced the joys of what they call “coffee shop culture” when they worked in shops during their college careers. The duo wanted to recreate that atmosphere in their new town of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and they did so by opening Commonplace Coffee in 2003. Today, Commonplace has eight locations across Pittsburgh and Indiana, and they are most known for their locally roasted brews and the experience inside their shop. Check them out on your next trip out of town!

Apple and Carrot Dog Treats

Inspired by CommuniKait.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour • 1/2 cup carrots, shredded

• 1/2 cup apple, peeled and shredded • 1 cup broth of choice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, carrots, apples, and broth and mix together well. 3. Sprinkle the countertop with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll the dough flat to about 1/2-inch thick. 4. Cut the dough into your favorite shapes. (Cookie cutters are encouraged!) 5. Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes. 6. Cool before serving and refrigerate to store.

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340 N. Main St., Suite 103 Butler, PA 16001 724.256.8850 www.TrinityElderLaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

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Don’t Fear Estate Planning!

The Unique Benefits of Reading Fiction Tell Your Friends About Trinity Elder Law Apple and Carrot Dog Treats Enjoy Locally Brewed Coffee

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Is Your Bathroom Ready for the Holidays?

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Bring New Life to Your Bathroom for the Holidays

BE BOLD Everyone loves a clean white bathroom, but don’t be afraid to liven things up with a splash of color. An accent wall or a handful of vibrant accessories will make your bathroom stand out. BRIGHTEN UP Statement lighting is in. To wow your whole family, select a chandelier that will stand out and draw eyes upward. This is one small change that will see big returns. GO WILD Bring life to your bathroom — literally! — with a bit of vegetation. Select plants that both fit your space and bring playfulness and dimension. If you don’t have a green thumb, then try picking colorful, low-maintenance succulents.

Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner! That means company — which means a lot of people will be using your bathroom. Here are some low-budget ideas to freshen it up after a year of lockdown.

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