Van Dyck Law - Q3 2020

Van Dyck Law - Q3 2020

VanDyckLaw

VANDYCKFIRM.COM

QUARTER 3 2020

A STRANGE CONVERSATION AT MCDONALD’S And How It Led Me to Go All-In onMy Future

I think most people who know me would say I’m an “all or nothing” kind of person. When I start something new, I always jump in with both feet. I’m either all in or not in at all — there is no in between. I understand that might seem like a nerve-wracking way to live life for some people, but that philosophy has served me well over the years. After all, it’s how I got started in elder law to begin with. Back when I was just starting my law career, I was working for a very large law firm as a product liability attorney. It was my job to defend the interests of large corporations whenever people filed product liability lawsuits against them. The cases I saw were not your average slip-and-fall cases, either. I defended corporate interests against cases where people were filing suits for really traumatic injuries. Nevertheless, I went forth with dogged pursuit of my assigned task. I made a lot of people cry, which didn’t make me happy at all. Then I began to grow numb to the crying, a fact which didn’t make me happy either. I needed a career change, but I didn’t know how to move forward. While I worked all day to make sure America’s corporations got their day in court, down the hall from my office was a group of attorneys who practiced estate planning and trust law. I got to see them working with actual human beings and truly help people. I wanted a career like that, but I’ll be honest. It would have been hard to leave a position where clients retained me specifically and ensured I did well for myself. As it turned out, though,

I just needed some motivation from a wholly unexpected conversation at a McDonald’s on an otherwise typical Thursday afternoon. My Thursday visits to McDonald’s were a treat I gave myself every week — a respite from the world of corporate legal defense. I would order a cheeseburger, a small fry, and a Diet Coke, and then I would read the paper for the next half-hour of my lunch break. Without warning, on this particular Thursday, an elderly Chinese gentleman sat down across from me in my booth. Now, anyone who grew up in the northeastern U.S. knows that isn’t something people normally do. So, suffice it to say, he had my attention before he said a word. But then he spoke. “You are at a crossroads in your life, and you will have to make a decision,” he began. “However, if you make that decision, you will

not regret it.” Then he got up and left me alone with my McDonald’s meal, my paper, and my thoughts. For whatever strange reason, that was the push I needed to go all-in on my future. I quit my job soon after that fateful Thursday at McDonald’s, and I began working in elder law. I’ve never looked back. It’s been 22 years since that conversation and nine years since I started Van Dyck Law. I love every minute of the time I get to work with my clients, hear about their hardships and struggles, and actually do something that helps people — something that actually matters. And it never would have happened if it weren’t for a conversation with a stranger and my willingness to dive in with both feet. -Fiona Van Dyck

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FEEL BAD ABOUT THROWING AWAY PHOTOS?

4Rules for Guilt-Free Photo Downsizing

If you’ve reached a point in your life where you’ve started to downsize, then you’ve likely grappled with the difficult task of getting rid of photos. After decades of life, how are you supposed to choose which memories are important enough to keep and which aren’t? These four rules can help make this daunting task easier. RULE NO. 1: CUT SCENIC VIEWS You don’t need dozens of photos of that campsite you went to on vacation one summer. If a location was really meaningful, like the beach at your honeymoon, then keep a few, but pictures of the places you’ve been to are far less special than pictures of the people you love. RULE NO. 2: TELL A STORY When you look at a photo, does it make you want to tell a story about the people or

places in the image? Could you share plenty of stories about riding around in Dad’s old truck or about how funny your best friend from college was? Keep those photos. Pictures of people whose names you can’t remember or blurry photos you can’t make out can all go. RULE NO. 3: EDIT WELL If you have a lot of photos from a specific event or part of your life, think about how long each “chapter” of your life story would be. How much time would you spend writing about your cousin’s wedding or high school prom? If a certain event didn’t have that much meaning in your life, why dedicate pages and pages of a photo album to it? RULE NO. 4: THROW PHOTOS AWAY If a photo isn’t important enough to put in an album or frame on the wall, then it

doesn’t need to stick around. Don’t put them in a box you’ll have to sort through later. Let the rejects go. After all that hard work, treat yourself to a photo album shopping spree so you can start organizing the meaningful photos you have left.

IN LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AFew Updates on the Education Center

Who would have thought there would be a time when we would not be able to “gather” for our monthly education sessions, professional events, and general family support sessions? We have shifted to a videoconference option for not only our client consultations but also our Education Center events, professional networking, and our support groups! Those who have participated have been pleased with the platform and this could possibly continue in the future for those who are unable to attend a live session due to the responsibility they have of caring for their loved one. For those who can attend a live session, we have some big news! We will be opening our new Education Center at Van Dyck Law in July! Be sure to check our Facebook page and website for updates. We are working on getting it ready for when things settle down a bit and it is safe to gather. We are currently in the process of becoming an approved support group facilitator through Alzheimer’s New Jersey, partnering with the Dementia Society of America to be able to provide you with some wonderful resources and have continuing

education programs for our care partners in the community! So many exciting things to come.

In the meantime, we will continue our online support group with our co-sponsors from Akin Care Senior Services called COVID-19 and the Family Caregiver, which is held every Monday at 2 p.m. We will be holding our Grieving the Living continuing education class for social workers, assisted living and nursing home administrators, and front-line staff on July 9 and July 28 with Artis Senior Living. Please email Sheli at [email protected] if you would like to join us for support and education for family caregivers or our professional continuing education events. We are so looking forward to the time you can join us in person in our new Education Center. Until then, we will see you at our virtual events. Please visit our website to see our schedule.

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3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes

That You Should Avoid

Estate planning can be challenging, and without proper guidance, it’s easy to make mistakes or oversights. At Van Dyck Law, it’s our hope that no one will feel like they’re going into the estate planning process unprepared or worry they will make any mistakes that could lead to challenges and headaches for their family and beneficiaries down the road. With that in mind, here are a few common estate planning mistakes to avoid. FAILING TO UNDERSTAND YOUR ESTATE PLAN “I have no idea what I just signed” is a disturbingly common phrase among people creating estate plans. While no estate planner reasonably expects their clients to be experts in the estate planning process, everyone should understand the different components of estate planning and why they’re important. As experts in the estate planning field, we can help you understand what you’re doing so your family doesn’t have to sort through it later. STOPPING AFTER WRITING THE WILL There’s more to planning for your death than just a last will and testament. That’s only one part of the process. Other important elements to include are powers of attorney for both finances and health care and advanced directives. Additionally, you might want to think about creating a revocable living trust in place of a will since wills are subject to probate.

FORGETTING TO UPDATE CHANGES TO YOUR BENEFICIARIES

It’s not enough to create an estate plan once and then expect it to work out when you pass away. Family situations change over time, and it’s entirely possible that some of the beneficiaries you list originally may no longer be your desired heirs because of death, divorce, or other circumstances. After you create your estate plan the first time, plan on revising it as your family’s circumstances change. This list of common mistakes is far from exhaustive, but don’t let that worry you. At Van Dyck Law, our expert attorneys will help you sort through any questions or concerns you might have. To get started, give us a call at (609) 580-1044.

The Best Grilled Summer Vegetables

Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com

Look Out for These Events AT VAN DYCK LAW In the wake of COVID-19, we unfortunately don’t have any seminars coming up at the Van Dyck Education Center. However, we want you to know about a few other events we’re holding at our offices. COVID-19 AND THE FAMILY CAREGIVER Our office has partnered with Akin Care Senior Services to create a support group for family caregivers in the wake of the pandemic. Meetings are on Mondays at 2 p.m. COMING SOON: THE NEW EDUCATION CENTER AT VAN DYCK LAW We have increased our space and resources to provide even more quality education opportunities for families and professionals in our community. Stay tuned for more details!

INGREDIENTS • 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning • 1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced

DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic. 2. Brush vegetables with olive oil and place in a large bowl. Top with lemon juice and seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes but no longer than 2 hours. 3. Prepare the grill at medium-high heat. 4. Grill vegetables in batches, cooking 3–5 minutes on each side until browned and tender. (Carrots will cook longer, 6–9 minutes per side.) 5. Remove from the grill, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot. • 2 lbs assorted vegetables, trimmed and halved (asparagus, mushrooms, red onion, red bell peppers, baby carrots, and yellow squash are great on the grill) • 5 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped

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707 State Road,, Suite 102 Princeton, NJ 08540 VANDYCKFIRM.COM | 609-580-1044

Inside 1

A Strange Conversation at McDonald’s

4 Steps to Finally Sort Through Old Photos Updates on the Education Center Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid The Secret to Delicious Grilled Veggies

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Harvard’s Tips to Keep Your Brain Young

KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG 3 Tips for Good Brain Health FromHarvard Medical School

As we age, our bodies change, including our mental functions. Cognitive decline is one of the biggest fears of aging, but it’s not inevitable. Though we’re still learning new things about how our brains work, there’s a lot of scientific research that shows how to keep your brain young. If you want to keep your mind sharp throughout your lifetime, then follow this advice from Harvard Medical School. 1. GET A GOOD WORKOUT. Exercising regularly helps all the muscles and organs in your body, even your brain! A good workout can lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels, which help your brain and your heart. Harvard Health Publishing, a website of Harvard Medical School, also notes that “animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought.” 2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. Poor mental health can lead to impaired cognitive function. Chronic anxiety, depression, and exhaustion tend to cause low scores on

cognitive function tests. But test scores aren’t necessarily a sign of future cognitive decline, and Harvard Health Publishing urges readers to maintain good mental health and get restful sleep, as they are “certainly important goals” for improving cognitive function and overall well-being. 3. STAY CONNECTED. It’s not enough to focus on yourself. In order to maintain your long- term cognitive health, you should also focus on your connections with other people. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Strong social ties have been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure and longer life expectancy.” Make new friends, stay in touch with family members, and maintain positive relationships in your life. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true when it comes to your brain health. Do what you can today to protect your mental functions tomorrow.

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