Page 18 - Boca ViewPointe - April '24

Page 18, Viewpointe April 2024
My Superstitious Family

By Sandra Friedman be true. Dropping a knife meant company was coming. She My husband laughs when I tell him about my family’s
cautioned me to never step over a baby or young child. If I did, beliefs. He claims these silly superstitions did not exist in
While growing up, I thought I had the wackiest family on the child would never grow. As foolish as it seems, I would never his family. Yet, I remind him that when our daughter was
earth. My mother appeared to live by instinct and rely upon take a chance and followed that rule with my own children. Too born, his mother placed a red ribbon in the carriage to keep
superstitious beliefs to get through each day. It seemed to me that embarrassed to ever discuss my family’s nuttiness, sometimes our daughter safe. After careful consideration, he admitted
she had one to fit every occasion. In some outlandish way these these same superstitions surfaced among my own friends. that he knocks on wood for good luck.
superstitions have penetrated my soul and are ingrained in my My father, an Eastern European immigrant, fled his birthplace My family’s superstitions and traditions live within me.
own thinking. My mother is long gone. But, when I recall her as a young boy in the early part of the twentieth century. He Of course, being a part of this world, I have developed
superstitious admonishments and dismiss them as ridiculous, I arrived at Ellis Island with his own set of superstitions. Growing others….I never walk under a ladder and fear black cats
find myself thinking twice before doing something that would up, I attributed his beliefs to the hardships he endured during crossing my path. If I should break a mirror, heaven forbid,
not meet her approval and wondering if I will live to regret my his escape. He seemed to fear making future plans. He made all I hope I will not have seven years of bad luck. I know I am
modern thinking. advanced arrangements “with God’s help”. For example, “With not alone in my thinking. Triskaidekaphobia is alive and
During chaotic mornings in our tiny apartment, with one God’s help, we will go to the Catskills next summer.” When well. Hotels and cruise ships omit the number thirteen from
foot out the door to school, a loose button meant a quick sew I married, before I moved into my first apartment, he brought their elevator buttons. This confirms that there are others as
without removing my blouse. My mother always told me to eat along kosher salt and bread for good luck. When I moved into superstitious as me. I tell myself believing in superstitions
something while she fastened the button. One hurried morning my new home, I brought along kosher salt and bread. My father is ridiculous. But, this morning, I slipped on my lucky shirt,
I asked, “Why do I always have to eat something?”. While also feared the evil eye and never praised anything he deemed right side out, with no loose buttons before I sat down to
focusing on the needle and my flesh, she said, “So I don’t sew precious. Of course, that included me. my computer. n
your brains”. Who could argue? I had an exam on that particular
day and would not chance failure. If I wore a shirt inside out, Make Sure Your Revocable Living
she predicted that I would have a surprise that day. Believe it or
not, sometimes these omens came true. Another of her favorites:
If you sneeze while speaking, whatever you are saying must Trust Is Not An Empty Box

Move Over LAW By Martin Zevin, Attorney will then complete a form with the institution which will result

A Revocable Living Trust is

in the account being changed from the individual name to the
(FS 316.126) a very valuable estate planning name of the Trust. Future statements will then show the client’s
name and the word Trustee or an abbreviation such as TTE. At
tool. If done properly, it can
that point, you know that the account is in the name of the Trust.
avoid probate, as well as protect
you and your assets if you are
beneficiaries listed for the particular account, then the account
incapacitated. If this administrative work is not done, and there are no
By Elyse Weintraub However, unlike a Last Will will need to be probated in order for the Trust to get it. This is
Brown, Community and Testament, it does not done via the “Pourover” Will that is typically executed at the
Education Specialist, automatically apply to all of the same time as the Trust. This “Pourover” Will names the Trust
as the beneficiary of any asset that is only in the name of the
assets that you own. When a
Palm Beach County Fire client comes in to discuss doing a individual with no beneficiaries designated. Of course, if you
Rescue Revocable Living Trust, I analogize the Trust to a box that we are already have beneficiaries designated on all accounts, it is not
(561) 616-7051 or building. Typically, the first thing that we put into the box is your necessary to name the Trust.
ewbrown@pbcgov.org home. We prepare a Quit Claim Deed where we transfer your If you already have a Revocable Living Trust and you want
home from yourself individually to yourself as Trustee of your your Trust to cover all of your assets, you should contact your
Trust. Your homestead remains the same, your real estate taxes brokers, banks, investment advisors, etc. to be sure that your
This message is remain the same, your ability to sell the property or mortgage it Trust is either named as the beneficiary of the account or that
brought to you by your remain the same; however, upon your death, the property avoids you as the Trustee are the owner of that account. Also, be sure
friendly Firefighters probate. We also transfer non-homestead real estate to the Trust. that you own your home and any other real estate as Trustee of
from Palm Beach County We then provide an instruction letter that explains what the your Trust. If you do not, you should see an attorney to do a
Fire Rescue…. client needs to do to transfer other assets to the Trust, such as Quit Claim Deed. If you sell your home and buy a new one, be
brokerage accounts and bank accounts. You can also name the sure you buy it as Trustee of your Trust.
Every day firefighters and other Trust as a beneficiary for IRA accounts; however, there are tax Remember, your Trust is only an empty box until you put
emergency responders drive benefits to name an individual as beneficiary. This should be something into it.
to emergencies. What’s more, discussed with your accountant. But it is generally up to the client Please feel free to call me for a free phone consultation
oftentimes the emergency they (unless the attorney is hired specifically to do this administrative regarding any issues pertaining to Wills, Trusts and Estates.
are driving to is actually in work) to follow-up with the banks and the brokers to be sure that I am also available for a free consultation regarding any
the proper paperwork is completed to change the name of the issue pertaining to personal injury claims or car insurance
the roadway. Although they are account to the Trust. Usually, the financial institution will require coverage. Call me at (954) 569-4878. My address is 3275 W.
helping others and rendering aid, a copy of the first page of the Trust which indicates the name and Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 204, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442. My
they are also at risk of being injured and killed on our the date that it was executed. The institution may also require website is www.martinzevinpa.com and my e-mail address is
roadways by motorists. Help protect them…because if copies of the last pages with the witnesses and notary. The client martinzevin@netzero.com.
they can’t help you in your time of need…who will?
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