Page 11 - HH_3_24

Legal BriefsI Know I Need A Will, But I Don’t Know Where To BeginIBy Kathleen Cassidy Goodman, PLLCn these uncertain times, many of us are suddenly faced with the reality of our own mortality. Putting offpreparing your Will is something most people do for years and even decades. But with the Corona Virus situation, more and more people are coming to the realization that putting off the preparation of their Will has gone on far too long.Even though you may have decided that it is time to stop the procrastination, a new excuse frequently emerges, namely, “I don’t know what the attorney will need to prepare my Will.” Most people believe they need to gather all of their important papers, deeds, account balances, and itemize all of their valuables prior to meeting with the attorney. This is not necessary.For the initial consultation, the only thing the attorney will need is your presence. At the initial meeting you and the attorney will discuss your family structure, your assets in general terms, and to whom you want to leave your assets. It is relatively painless and generally takes about 30 minutes to outline what needs to be done for your personal situation.Based on your conversation with the attorney, most Wills can be prepared without any other documentation being presented to the attorney. Occasionally, if you have numerous pieces of jewelry, art, or collections that you want distributed to different individuals, then you may have some “homework” before your Will can be prepared.If your only specific distributions involve sentimental gifts, such as Grandma’s pink quilt or pictures of long-deceasedSt. Patrick’s - continued from page 7music for a captivated crowd. Hosts can keep that in mind when curating their St. Patrick’s Day playlist, which can include music from artists and bands such as Finbar Furey, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, The Chieftains, The Pogues, The High Kings, The Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, and more.• Serve traditional Irish fare. It might take some advanced planning and effort to provide a menu one might find in Ireland. Blood pudding is served in many pubs across the Emerald Isle, but it might be hard, though not necessarily impossible, to find outside the country. Some large chain grocery stores might carry blood pudding in March, and it might be possible to find it in specialty grocery stores around this time of year. Irish soda bread, bacon and cabbage, Irish stew, and boxty are some additional dishes to give a menu some traditional Irish flavor.• Cut an Irish rug. Irish dancing is another of Ireland’s many exports, as dancers acrossA multi-part series on Human TraffickingPARENTS, WISE UP!Your children are being exploited and controlledbefore your eyes, right here!By Lou Duggan“Children are being sold in San Antonio,” said April Molina, Director offamily members, then we provide a blank form for you to take home with you to fill in these gifts. In this Memorandum of Personal Belongings, you can handwrite the sentimental gifts and the name of the individual you want to receive each gift.In our office and in most attorney’s offices, the initial consultation is now taking place via Zoom or by telephone. However, it is necessary to come into the office to actually sign your Will.Kathleen Cassidy Goodman is an attorney in areas of estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and business law. She can be reached at her office in Helotes at (210) 949-1000 or for more information, visit www.bexarlaw.comthe globe have embraced traditional Irish dance. Hosts can learn a dance or two and teach guests a few simple steps during the party. Keep it light and fun and allow even non-dancers to tap their toes.These are just a few of the ways hosts can make their St. Patrick’s Day parties more fun this March.Communications for Ransomed Life. “We’re calling it what it is. We want people to know children are being sold in San Antonio,” Ransomed Life is one of the experts for sex trafficking awareness in San Antonio. As such, they have released a map showing San Antonio zip codes and how prevalent child sex trafficking and exploitation exists within every corner of the city.Yes... right here in the San Antonio area. This article is part of a series that will address the who, what, where, when, why, and how of this crime; the series will also describe aspects about your society, families, neighbors, co-workers, business associates, and others whom you may meet daily.“Sadly, children are sexually exploited in Texas every day. They are forced to engage in sexual activity, often for the financial gain o f t h e i r a b u s e r ,” s a y s t h e C h i l d S e x T r a ffi c k i n g Team’s post on Governor Abbott’s web site.Child trafficking refers to the continuous exploitation of children to generate profit. These children are often sold for commercial sexual exploitation or for labor. The University of Texas School of Social Work estimates that AT ANY GIVEN TIME there are 79,000 TEXAS children and youth who are victims of sex trafficking. Experts now estimate that this inconspicuous evil has become THE NUMBER ONE REVENUE SOURCE for gangs and Cartels, surpassing their drug trade.“It is so profitable,” says Elsa Ezell, Executive Director and Co-founder of Meant to Soar Foundation. “Predators have learned that selling a child can be done over and over.”“They have no concern for humanity, none; it’s pure exploitation,”said Jack Staton, former Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge. “They look at people as merchandise, as a way to make money, pay off debts, or feed their addictions.”Boys and men are just as likely to be victims of human trafficking as girls and women. However, boys and men are less likely to be identified and reported. Generally, the victims are used and sold for sex repeatedly by someone they know, such as an acquaintance, a friend, a family member, or a romantic partner.“It’s the person you least expect, right among us.,”says Ezell.“We need to be talking about this. Predators don’t wear a villain’s costume. They look just like you and me.”Parents, wise up! Most sex trafficking victims are not kidnapped by strangers! Most trafficking victims are preyed upon by someone they know, and traffickers rarely take their victims by force. “Most of the timesuch predators are slowly grooming the child for sex,” said Staton. “In many cases the child does not see themself as trafficked believing they have some level of free will.”Controlling the child can occur through threats, coercion, deception, or drug addiction. Then the child is used for commercial sex, stripping, pornography, forced begging, magazine crews, au pairs or nannies, restaurant work, hair and nail salons, agricultural work, drug sales and cultivation.Those at risk are not just high school students. Traffickers are known to prey on children as young as 9. They may target such minors through social media websites, telephone chat-lines, after-school programs, at shopping malls and bus depots, in clubs, or through friends and acquaintances who recruit students on school campuses. The physical sex act is often arranged through online social media and occurs at hotels, motels, truck stops, and even B & Bs.If you suspect human trafficking and the crime is in progress call 911 or if it is not life- threatening call Non-Emergency SAPD at 210-207-7273.Special thanks to Meant to Soar Foundation, Coya Cares Foundation, Ransomed Life, Law Corner, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, Save the Children, Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, University of Texas School of Social Work, and Jack Staton of INS Consulting LLC. Contributions to this series are being made by these organizations fighting Human Trafficking. In future articles prevention, protection, prosecution, and avenues for help will be featured. Watch for these articles as the information may just protect your child.Next Month: Human Trafficking and Social Media.March 2024www.heloteshighlights.com11