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June 30, 2022 by Joan Neuffer

A Real Whistle

Dear Readers:  I have added two new categories to Law Blog: Probate Administration and Random (not necessarily law-related).  This is my first post under the Random category.

Last week I had the rare opportunity to backpack into one of the many Alpine lakes in the Desolation Wilderness for an overnight stay. I borrowed some gear and packed up everything I thought I would need to make the trip and get through the night (and then some). Having no reliable water purification system, I stuffed enough bottled water in my backpack to get me through the next 24 hours.  Packing bottled water was a mistake that won’t be repeated in this lifetime.

My pals were experienced backpackers and having done this trip before were moving along much faster than me with my unnecessarily heavy load.  We arrived at the lake just in time to take an icy dip before sundown.  Tents were up in no time leaving the rest of the afternoon and early evening for exploring, eating dinner, talking, and simply enjoying the beauty of the lake and our surroundings.  It was the perfect setting for my first experience of “packing in” for the night.

Morning came peacefully; the lake was calm.  We broke camp and were soon on our way back to the trailhead.  After a couple of hours, I lost sight of my friends who had gone ahead.  The trail continued up the ridge through a crop of granite boulders, and then seemed to disappear.  I looked down below me and saw another trail that looked promising, so I backtracked and went on my way. It wasn’t long before I realized I was on a trail heading in the wrong direction.  I stopped and called out to my friends, but there was no answer, and I was alone.  I looked for my whistle but remembered I had borrowed my backpack and had forgotten to attach it.  I was going to have to improvise.

Growing up as a middle child in a family with five brothers and four sisters, I taught myself to whistle “like the boys did” with my two fingers pressed up against my tongue. It takes a while to learn, but once you get it right, the result is a powerful high-pitched, ear-piercing shriek that travels all the way across the playground. Having not done this since my teens, I doubted that I could still do it, but I gave it a try and there it was. Once, twice, three times, and louder and longer each time.  I was pleasantly surprised, and my mood improved. After a few minutes, I heard my pals yelling for me.  They were high up on the ridge, looking down at me, waving their arms.  They had heard my whistles! Relieved, I climbed up the ridge to meet them.

All it took was a real whistle.

Interested in learning more?  Give me a call at 775-392-4223 or email me at feedback@dterralaw.com.

 

Filed Under: Law Blog, Random

June 10, 2022 by Joan Neuffer

My Best Friend (Part 2)

Dear Readers: In my last post, My Best Friend, (Part 1), I promised you a list of ideas to write about and share with your designated caretaker and/or trustee of your Pet Trust.  Here it is.

When creating a Pet Trust, I encourage my clients to draft a paragraph or two about their pet and describe how they want them to be cared for.  Your specific directives can be included in your will or trust or can be attached as a separate document, along with a photograph.  Here are some ideas to consider:

  • Age, medical history and current veterinarian
  • Personality, favorite foods and normal time for meals
  • Favorite toys and activities
  • How he/she interacts with other pets
  • Lifestyle (indoors, outdoors, or combination)
  • Transportation issues, i.e., fear of crates or traveling in the car
  • How well he/she acclimates to a new environment
  • Your thoughts about euthanasia and when it is time
Photo courtesy of Carolan Harris and the girls, Maya and Koba

Planning ahead by creating a Pet Trust for your loved ones provides peace of mind.  Write and tell me something about your pet.

Interested in learning more?  Give me a call at 775-392-4223 or email me at feedback@dterralaw.com.

 

Filed Under: Law Blog, Wills and Trusts

June 8, 2022 by Joan Neuffer

My Best Friend (Part 1)

Having recently lost both of my beloved cats to illness and old age, I can surely relate to those who have gone through the same thing with their pets.  I miss them terribly and think of them every day.  Losing your best friend is overwhelming at first but time does heal, and we can cherish those memories with them forever.

Our pets are family: they rely on us to provide food and water, shelter, love and affection.  But what happens when we are not around anymore to provide for them?  Nevada law provides for the creation of a “Pet Trust” that does just that.  The provisions of a pet trust can be included in your Last Will and Testament and your Revocable Living Trust.  Many of my clients have taken advantage of these laws and have created plans for their pets in the event they outlive them.

The trust for your pet can be simple with a recitation of the statute, or more detailed and complex.  Typically, the grantor (person making the will or trust) sets aside a dollar amount from their estate to be paid to the pet trustee upon their passing. In the case of a living trust, the pet trust can become operative upon the grantor’s incapacity. The money in the pet trust can be used for food, shelter, medical care, training, etc. The most important decision, however, is to determine who will act as the trustee and caretaker of your pet. One trusted person can serve in both roles.

When my clients need a pet trust, I give them a list of ideas to help them write, in their own words, what they want the caretaker to know about their pet.  Stay tuned for the list.

Interested in learning more?  Give me a call at 775-392-4223 or email me at feedback@dterralaw.com.

 

Filed Under: Law Blog, Wills and Trusts

June 4, 2022 by Joan Neuffer

Can I get a visual?

Lawyers who do estate planning like I do must be able to explain legal concepts and show the logical steps in the process not only in words, but in charts, graphs, diagrams or even pictures.  Contrary to what you may have heard, we are all visual learners and when you combine the written word with a corresponding image, the magic happens.

To meet that need, I have created visual diagrams for my Nevada estate planning clients, both single and married.  These are “snapshots” of basic plans with descriptions of the documents you will need to prepare a comprehensive trust-based plan. You can find them on my website under Wills and Trusts, or just click on the links below and download for free:

SinglePlanVisual

MarriedPlanVisual

Your estate plan is unique to you and your family. Every plan is slightly different.  Let me create one for you.

Interested in learning more?  Give me a call at 775-392-4223 or email me at feedback@dterralaw.com.

 

Filed Under: Law Blog, Wills and Trusts

May 27, 2022 by Joan Neuffer

What’s Your Name?

Think back to when you first started your business, and how you chose your trade name.  Most likely, you chose a name that described the goods or services to be provided.  Perhaps the name was drawn from a childhood memory, an element of nature, or a personal experience that changed your life. Maybe you used your own name in some form.

Finding the right name for your company may take some time, so best not to rush it.  Experiment with more than one idea or concept, and let your imagination go. Be creative with a name that sets you apart from the rest. Ultimately, the name you choose for your company will become a reflection of you, the owner.

If you decide to form a partnership, corporation, or a limited liability company, your company name will become public and will be listed on the Nevada Secretary of State’s website, along with the names of its owners and officers.  Members of the public can check the website to see whether your company is in good standing and actively doing business in this state.

If you have a particular trade name in mind for your business, you can search the Nevada Secretary of State’s website to determine whether the name is already in use. If you are sure about the name, and it is available, you can reserve it for 90 days while you set up your company.  There is a reservation fee of $25.00.  In addition to preparing and submitting Articles of Incorporation/Organization and the Registered Agent Acceptance, you’re going to need a Nevada business license.

Once you receive your company charter and business license, it’s time to celebrate (very important). You are going to accomplish great things!

Interested in learning more?  Give me a call at 775-392-4223 or email me at feedback@dterralaw.com.

 

Filed Under: Business, Law Blog

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Joan E. Neuffer, Esq. | d’terra law, LLC
1692 County Road, Suite C
Minden, NV 89423
Email: joan@dterralaw.com
Phone: 775-392-4223
www.dterralaw.com

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