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Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024 DISINHERITING A CHILD A s part of most estate plans, parents will leave their estate to all children in equal shares. In some cases, parents elect not to leave anything to one or more of their children. There may be a situation where the parents believe one child to be more financially successful than others, or not wanting to provide assets to a special needs child so as not to lose any governmental benefits. In some cases, parents may not want to leave assets to an irresponsible, spendthrift or drug-dependent child. There are sometimes situations where the parents want to disinherit a child who is estranged from the family, or to even use the disinheritance as a way to get even or to have the last word so to speak. One of the risks of disinheriting a child is that it may be hurtful in the child’s mind and will often affect the child’s relationship with the other siblings. There are, of course, countless court cases wherein siblings are suing each other over money and disagreements about inheritances. However, even if there is no subsequent lawsuit, it is very possible that the siblings will no longer be speaking and/or spending time together which might end up being a parent’s worst nightmare. Some things to consider when you are contemplating disinheriting a child are: 1. A child who might appear to be more successful financially may be having trouble behind the scenes. He or she may actually need the inheritance now or in the future. Financial situations can change quickly. Divorce can wreak chaos on a child’s finances. So too can illness. Also keep in mind that if you disinherit a child, you are also disinheriting that’s child’s children (your grandchildren). 2. You may have a spouse, child, sibling, parent or other loved one who is physically, mentally or developmentally disabled, from birth, illness, injury or even substance abuse, who may be entitled to governmental benefits now or in the future. Most of these benefits are available only to those with very minimal assets and income. In these situations, you do not have to disinherit this person or persons. You can easily establish a supplemental needs trust that is carefully designed to supplement and not jeopardize the benefits provided by local, state, federal or private agencies. 3. You may also have a child City of Everett holds monthly Lunch and Learn City staff discussed the importance of managing stress during the holiday season Special to The Advocate T that is irresponsible with money or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You should consider that this child may actually need financial help now or in the future, and may actually become a responsible and/or sober adult. Instead of disinheriting this child, you might think of establishing a trust giving a certain trustee discretion in providing or withholding financial assistance. You may also stipulate any requirements you want your child to meet. The manner in which you decide to include your children in your estate plan may say a good deal about your values and faith. Not disinheriting a child who may have caused you grief and heartache may convey a message of love and forgiveness. Disinheriting a child, even for what seems to be a good reason, may convey a message of lack of love, anger and resentment. If you have previously disinherited a child in your Will or Trust and you have reconciled, you should consider updating your estate planning documents accordingly. If your decision to disinherit is final, be sure to discuss this with your estate planning attorney. Lastly, consider telling your child that you are disinheriting him or her so it does not come as a complete surprise. Explaining your reasons will allow for honest discussion and may help to deter the child from blaming his or her siblings later on, after you are no longer alive. It might be better that your child ends up not being happy with you rather than not being happy with his or her brothers and sisters. After all, they will be the ones around long after you are dead. I see this all of the time. The great investor Warren Buffet recently disclosed he had his children review the terms of his estate planning documents so they would be able to provide input while he is still alive. he City of Everett recently held its Lunch and Learn for the month of December at Everett City Hall. This month’s program, which was titled “All is Calm… All is Bright! Managing Holiday Stress in the Workplace,” focused on learning about the sources of stress during the holidays and offering different techniques to help manage it. City staff were pleased to be joined by Trish Hart from Hart Mind Body Solutions to discuss stress inside and outside of the workplace during the holidays. Additionally, Hart offered various techniques on how to utilize breathing techniques to help reduce stress. Throughout the presentation, attendees were encouraged to participate in breathing exercises and discuss some of the different stressors in their lives around the holidays. Lunch and Learn is a monthly program created and moderated by the City of Everett’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department. The program is an opportunity for City staff to come together, share ideas and experiences and discuss new topics while enjoying lunch. The series is a part of the City’s commitment to engage, educate and elevate. City staff joined Health & Well-Being Coach Trish Hart for the December Lunch and Learn program. Health & Well-Being Coach Trish Hart speaking to attendees City staff joined Health & Well-Being Coach Trish Hart for the December Lunch and Learn program. Revere Man Pleads Guilty to Ammunition Offense in Connection with Everett Shooting B OSTON – A Revere man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a January shooting in a residential neighborhood of Everett. Kenneth Munoz, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for April 9, 2025. On the afternoon of Jan. 2, 2022, three individuals fired over 20 shots in an Everett neighborhood causing ballistic damage in the surrounding area, including bullet holes inside of bedrooms and living rooms in surrounding residences. The shooting was captured on video surveillance from nearby residences. Munoz was identified as one of the two shooters. Munoz is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior convictions. The charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines REVERE | SEE PAGE 26

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