Page 6 - Jupiter West - October '20

Page 6, Jupiter West
Till Death Do Us Part, Too: Estate Planning Tips

For Commitment Without Marriage

Submitted by Anné related solutions, the benefits they provide cannot be easily or task typically passes to a close blood relative and typically
Desormier-Cartwright, J.D. reliably replicated with other planning options. On balance, also requires a court proceeding called a guardianship or
Advice columnist Ann a trust is the superior tool for virtually everyone; it should be conservatorship, depending on the type of help you need and
Landers once observed that the cornerstone of almost any comprehensive plan, especially what state you in live. Your lawyer can help you determine
“love is friendship that has for couples who have not formalized their relationships with which powers should be covered by documents like these to
caught fire.” If that’s true, a legal marriage. ensure that enough authority is granted while still providing
there are thousands of ways 2. Wills protection against unauthorized actions.
for that blaze to unfold. A pour-over will can be an effective “backup” and Whether you’ve been living with a life partner for decades,
For many Americans, such complement to a revocable trust. When you die, your assets and you’re now eyeing retirement options; or you’re just
devotion and passion do not get funneled into (or “poured-over” into) your trust and then beginning a family with a person who has not formally
need to be neatly formalized distributed to your beneficiaries per the terms and instructions and legally been recognized as your wife or husband, you
as marriage. of that trust. The pour-over will keeps things simple, making probably have questions. How should you protect yourself
In fact, our cultural norms the process less stressful (and prone to error) for your and family financially as you get older? What can you do to
are shifting, and quickly. Consider the following: executor and trustee. It also helps wrap up loose ends, in enshrine the values you hold dear for the next generation?
• Per the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 112 million case you didn’t transfer every last asset to your trust before What if an unwanted event happens, throwing you and your
people in the U.S. are unmarried; you die. partner off balance – what contingency plans can be put in
• 45 percent of our country’s households are “unmarried What happens if you die without a will or other estate place?
households.” plan? Courts refer to this as “dying intestate,” and it means Our experienced estate planning attorneys can help
• In 2013, the CDC found that “cohabitation (without that the rules that will apply to your estate will be those you identify a strategy to get the peace of mind you need.
marriage) is now a regular part of family life in the U.S.” written into your state’s laws. These laws rarely, if ever, Please call or email us to schedule a private consultation.
Unfortunately, the law has not kept up with these societal account for long-term unmarried partners, so a will is If you have questions about your estate plan and what
trends. If you and your significant other love each other but essential to protect the person to whom you are committed. documents you should have in place to plan your estate,
don’t want to tie the knot, you need an estate plan that takes As an unmarried couple, you simply cannot rely on the schedule a free consultation today by calling our office at
into account your specific situation while protecting you intestate laws to work for you. (561) 694-7827, Anné Desormier-Cartwright, Esq., Elder &
both, along with any other family members or loved ones 3. Beneficiary Designations Estate Planning Attorneys PA, 480 Maplewood Drive, Suite
you wish to include. Most retirement accounts and many other types of 3, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Estate planning for married couples can seem pretty accounts allow you to designate a “beneficiary,” or a person The content of this article is general and should not be
straightforward because it relies on long-standing, proven who will automatically receive what’s in the account when relied upon without review of your specific circumstances by
legal and tax strategies. Unmarried couples, however, may you die. Make sure you update your beneficiaries on your competent legal counsel. Reliance on the information herein
need to take a more individualized approach in order to 401(k), IRA, or other retirement accounts, as well as on life is at your own risk, as it expresses no opinion by the firm on
achieve their goals. Here are some of the documents and insurance and other documents. Depending on how your your specific circumstances or legal needs. An attorney client
methods you need to consider when creating or updating an trust is designed, your circumstances, and your goals, you relationship is not created through the information provided
estate plan. may name one or more trusts as the beneficiary rather than herein.
1. Living Trusts an individual person. To comply with the U.S. Treasury regulations, we must
Living trusts allow you to use your assets while you are 4. Power Of Attorney, Designation Of Health Care inform you that (i) any U.S. federal tax advice contained in
alive and then bypass the probate process when transferring Surrogate, And Similar Documents this newsletter was not intended or written to be used, and
property to loved ones after you die. A trust can also keep These documents allow you to designate your significant cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of avoiding
your business out of the public record, and it can empower other as the person who has the right to make certain types of U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed on such
someone else to handle your finances if you become unable decisions and sign documents on your behalf if you become person and (ii) each taxpayer should seek advice from their
to do so. Even though trusts tend to cost more up-front than incapacitated. If no such power exists, the decision-making tax advisor based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances.
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends Indie through Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch.
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, October 2020 “Indie has already made a difference in my mental health
and family life. He is able to influence my behaviors in
“For the Love of Animals” a positive way and shower me with happiness. Spending
features real stories happening time with him allows me to forget the stress, anxiety, and
at Furry Friends in Jupiter. We worries that usually surround my mind. Indie is able to
are The Humane Society of make an impact on my everyday life by lessening the trauma
Greater Jupiter/Tequesta and the associated with triggering events. His calm behaviors help
only no-kill shelter open to the me better cope with fear, depression, and anxiety. Whenever
public in northern Palm Beach we go out, Indie provides a physical barrier between me and
County. We’ve been rescuing, the public. He also applies stress reducing pressure on my
rehabilitating, and re-homing legs as a social bridge from the crowd. Because of Indie, Meet Piper, a Murphy Cat! Her Elizabeth is a 5 1/2 year old
adoption fee is sponsored by A mixed breed girl who was adopted
the homeless animals in our I am comfortable to leave home for grocery shopping or Place to Heal Counseling and she from Furry Friends 2 years ago
community for more than 30 years. Our not for profit for other daily tasks. Indie offers me love, comfort, and will go home with all the goodies but unfortunately came back to us
501c3 organization consists of our Jupiter based adoption companionship and protects me from others, especially she needs to help her settle in. Piper, because her owner could no longer
center, veterinary clinic (open to the public), thrift store, when we are in a crowd. I feel like I am starting to live my at 3 years old, is full of character care for her. She is very sweet,
and an absolute beauty. She enjoys although confused as to why she is no
and Palm City Ranch. life again with the help of Indie because I used to feel scared spending her time laying in the longer in her home and now in a noisy
and not have good days.” window and watching birds. She kennel. She is located in our Jupiter
After proudly serving his country for 10 years, Shruestha gets along with other animals, but location. Give us a call... we need
recently retired from the Army and now lives with his wife tends to keep to herself. She loves to to get this wonderful girl a home!!!
and three children. “I am still trying to adjust to a civilian be pet and can’t get enough of it. She
life, especially with PTSD symptoms; however, my days can be seen at our Jupiter location.
seem to be getting better with Indie by my side.”
When considering adding a furry family member to Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
your family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
Zarrella Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100 Street, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Capital Street in the Jupiter Commerce Park. PLEASE 2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
Chief Warrant Officer Sudhir Shrestha was born in Nepal. CALL 561-747-5311 PRIOR TO VISITING EITHER 3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311
At age 13, he made the journey to the United States alone LOCATION DUE TO COVID19. ext. 3
to live with an uncle in hopes of a better way of life. After Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
putting himself through college, he got a job with a Fortune for the LOVE of animals! happen for our Furry Friends”
500 company which afforded him the lifestyle he had always
dreamed of - a beautiful family, home, cars and a boat. He
felt overwhelming gratitude to the United States for the life Patricia Deshong, President
he had and felt the need to give back. In 2010, at the age
of 39, Sudhir left his successful career and enlisted in the
Army, “I felt very fortunate after coming to this country
with nothing, as I was able to get an education and lead a
successful life. As such, I resigned from my professional
career to serve this magnificent country with honor and
dignity.”
In 2013, he deployed to Afghanistan and was exposed to
serious injuries, deaths, and violence that affected his mental
health. Having gone through severe mental trauma, he was
fortunate to participate at a retreat organized by Renewal
Coalition. During that retreat, he was introduced to the idea
of receiving a service dog to help with his post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Months later, he was introduced to Paid Advertisement