With Your Family in Mind

I live in a modest home in Santa Clarita – small by most American standards.  However, with each passing day, my postage-stamp sized house seems to be getting larger and larger.
I’m writing this from the home of a friend of mine in England where his living room is so small it would fit neatly into the too-small guest room I can barely tolerate in Valencia. 

The Boy Scouts of America and event title sponsor Total Financial Solutions announced the honorees for the Fifth Annual Santa Clarita Valley Leaders of Character Recognition Dinner.  The list of distinguished honorees from Santa Clarita Valley business, government, and philanthropy include the Honorable Howard P. “Buck” & Patricia McKeon, and Greg & Chell Amsler.  The honor is presented annually to individuals and couples who personify the character, values, and leadership demonstrated in the Boy Scout Oath and Law in their daily life.  

When you think of reading to children, you probably think of reading a storybook.  However, a variety of opportunities for reading present themselves daily, and the simplest thing can become a teachable moment.
Read recipes when cooking.  At a restaurant, read the menu. 

Dianne Curtis, local Zontian, was  installed as Zonta International (ZI) President at the Convention held in San Antonio, Texas from June 24 through June 30 2010; 1370 members were in attendance representing 31,000 members from 1,200 clubs in 66 countries.  Dianne will preside for the next two years – through June, 2012.

The dog days of summer are upon us, so that means it’s time to take steps to protect elderly family members, neighbors and friends.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, elderly people (age 65 and over), are more prone to heat stress than younger people for several reasons:

This community is suffering from an invisible illness: A large percentage of our kids and family members are addicted to drugs; most prominently opiates such as Oxycontin, Norco, Vicodin and other “prescribed” medications as well as heroin which is typically smoked, but more and more we’re...

The federal estate tax expired at the end of 2009, and this has created a serious problem for many people who haven’t revised their estate documents in a while.
The tax applied in 2009 to estates of more than $3.5 million.  It is slated to come back in 2011, and apply to estates of more than $1 million.  Most people expected that Congress would “fix” the estate tax before it expired, and there would be a new exemption amount, such as $3.5 million, for 2010 and beyond.  However, Congress has done nothing so far — at least as of April, 2010. 

If you are thinking about creating your own estate planning documents through an online do-it-yourself legal document preparation service, think again.  The money that you “save” in the short term will likely cost your family far more down the road.  Through the years, I have seen many such wills and trusts come across my desk for review.  I am often shocked by the poor quality of the documents that I see.

Everyone has the right to appeal. Keep in mind that about 98 percent of all cases settle at some point.
A small percentage of cases do go to trial, and a percentage of those cases will be appealed. Family law cases are different than civil appeals because in family law trials, there is no jury. You have either a judge or a court commissioner. That person will make all of the determinations of facts and law. In a civil action, the court decides questions of law while the jury makes findings of fact. The judge instructs the jury on the law.

Sometimes awful things happen in our lives, and we may feel stuck.
When those horrible things happen, you may have several choices.
We may continue to suffer, feeling there is no hope, believing that life is just a “Valley of Tears.”

Everyone has the right to appeal. Keep in mind that about 98 percent of all cases settle at some point.
A small percentage of cases do go to trial, and a percentage of those cases will be appealed. Family law cases are different than civil appeals because in family law trials, there is no jury. You have either a judge or a court commissioner. That person will make all of the determinations of facts and law. In a civil action, the court decides questions of law while the jury makes findings of fact. The judge instructs the jury on the law.

The Magazine of Santa Clarita readers keep submitting great questions about the voiceover business.  This month, voice actors ask about accents and agents.  
Q: Marc, I really enjoyed your tele-seminar through VoiceOverXtra.  I love having access to the recording of the event so I can listen to it several times.  I always pick up little details each time I do.  One question: What is the best training method to minimize a regional accent?  I want to train myself to be able to “turn it on and off” more easily, rather than try to eliminate it entirely.  –Laurie B., Los Angeles, CA

Most people have clear ideas about what should happen if they are sick or incapacitated, and who should receive their property upon their death.  However, many people are confused when choosing a person to serve as trustee, personal representative (what we used to call an “executor”), and agent under health care and financial powers of attorney.
When naming someone in your documents (a “fiduciary”), there are some important considerations.  First, choose someone who you trust, and who will act appropriately. 

What if you can no longer care for your children due to death or incapacity?  If you can’t take care of your minor children, the court must appoint legal guardians for those children.  Anyone who wants the job can petition the court.  Your kids can easily end up with people who probably have no business raising your kids or don’t share your same values.  However, by legally naming guardians for your children beforehand, the court will appoint the people that you’ve chosen.  Wouldn’t you rather choose who gets to raise your kids?  Wouldn’t you rather lay down the rules and guidelines for your children’s guardians? 

As an insurance agent, we’re too often sadde

ned by client losses that could have been prevented.  For example, there are several concerns homeowners commonly neglect that can lead to fires and serious injury.  I would like to share some of the things that you can do to help prevent accidents and disasters in your home.
Kitchen

There is no finer way to make someone happy than to become a foster parent for a child who has suffered.  Whether you are married, or single, working or retired, you can be among a group of outstanding citizens who commit themselves to helping others.  Though economists are claiming the recession is behind us, many families are not able to provide for their children.  Out of work parents can barely make ends meet. 

“Fill what’s empty, empty what’s full, and scratch where it itches.” - Duchess of Windsor
In a previous article we explored the development of child support, its purpose, and how it benefits children.  This month we look at additional commitments surrounding the needs of children and their parents’ resources.

Ever been to church, heard a so-so message, and left thinking, “Good.  That’s done.  Now back to the things that matter.”  Or, have you found yourself really trying hard to hang with a speaker but all the while wondered, “What does this have to with me, my life or the things I care about?”
At NorthPark, our messages are thoughtful, practical, and inspiring.