Whether you are a serious cyclist or just want to take a cruise on your bike and enjoy the beauty of the Parkway, the American River Parkway has what you are seeking.
 
Start riding today in preparation for the 2016 Ride the Parkway event scheduled for September 11, 2016.

Join the Sacramento cycling community for a fun ride to benefit the best cycling spot in town--the American River Parkway! The ride features a 62-mile course stretching along the American River Parkway’s Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail from downtown Sacramento to Beal’s Point in Folsom. Ride as much or as little as you’d like; head upstream, downstream, or make it a challenge and ride the whole trail! Finish your ride at William B. Pond Recreation Area for a BBQ, live music, prize drawing and more. Ride the Parkway benefits the American River Parkway Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to maintaining the Parkway for all to enjoy.
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We hope to see you on September 11! Only 499 riders can participate, so reserve your spot now and get early bird pricing.

Hot Summer days are the perfect time to take a cool float down the lower American River.  A kayak is the perfect way to see the beauty of the river and all the local inhabitants.

The following information is from the California Whitewater Guide to Rafting and Kayaking.  Find out more by visiting the website at  www.californiawhitewater.com
 
The Lower American River flows through the scenic American River Parkway, but it is hardly a wilderness experience. You will see lovely river banks, flocks of ducks, and maybe a fish or two, but the most common wildlife sightings are of sunburned frat boys, squealing kids, and ubiquitous wielders of water cannons, super soakers, and good old-fashioned buckets. Most people rent rafts or kayaks for an easy day of water-fighting and floating on the water, but if you have your own stuff, by all means bring it!
          
The Lower American River in a Nutshell:
Difficulty: Class I – II
Length: 5 -6 miles
Season: Year-round
Put-In: Sunrise
Take-out: River Bend or William Pond
Who should gl: Families, do-it-yourselfers, serious water-fighters.
 
The only true rapid on the Lower American is San Juan Hole, a popular kayak surf spot when nothing else is “going off.” The American can actually be quite scenic, especially in the evening when the sun is setting.

Consistent, year-round flows are released from the upstream Folsom Dam, so boating is an option year-round on the Lower American, although float trips are usually only popular in the hot summer months.

                916-225-3570   cj@cjwatterslaw.com    http://www.cjwatterslaw.com

While at a workshop I was impressed by this post from Leo Babauta that was shared and I wanted to be able to share the "Rules for Slowing Down"  with you.  

POST WRITTEN BY LEO BABAUTA.  FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.

It’s an irony of our modern lives that while technology is continually invented that saves us time, we use that time to do more and more things, and so our lives are more fast-paced and hectic than ever.

Life moves at such a fast pace that it seems to pass us by before we can really enjoy it.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s rebel against a hectic lifestyle and slow down to enjoy life.

A slower-paced life means making time to enjoy your mornings, instead of rushing off to work in a frenzy. It means taking time to enjoy whatever you’re doing, to appreciate the outdoors, to actually focus on whoever you’re talking to or spending time with — instead of always being connected to a Blackberry or iPhone or laptop, instead of always thinking about work tasks and emails. It means single-tasking rather than switching between a multitude of tasks and focusing on none of them.
Slowing down is a conscious choice, and not always an easy one, but it leads to a greater appreciation for life and a greater level of happiness.
Here’s how to do it.

1. Do less. It’s hard to slow down when you are trying to do a million things. Instead, make the conscious choice to do less. Focus on what’s really important, what really needs to be done, and let go of the rest. Put space between tasks and appointments, so you can move through your days at a more leisurely pace. Read more.

2. Be present. It’s not enough to just slow down — you need to actually be mindful of whatever you’re doing at the moment. That means, when you find yourself thinking about something you need to do, or something that’s already happened, or something that might happen … gently bring yourself back to the present moment. Focus on what’s going on right now. On your actions, on your environment, on others around you. This takes practice but is essential.

3. Disconnect. Don’t always be connected. If you carry around an iPhone or Blackberry or other mobile device, shut it off. Better yet, learn to leave it behind when possible. If you work on a computer most of the day, have times when you disconnect so you can focus on other things. Being connected all the time means we’re subject to interruptions, we’re constantly stressed about information coming in, we are at the mercy of the demands of others. It’s hard to slow down when you’re always checking new messages coming in.

4. Focus on people. Too often we spend time with friends and family, or meet with colleagues, and we’re not really there with them. We talk to them but are distracted by devices. We are there, but our minds are on things we need to do. We listen, but we’re really thinking about ourselves and what we want to say. None of us are immune to this, but with conscious effort you can shut off the outside world and just be present with the person you’re with. This means that just a little time spent with your family and friends can go a long way — a much more effective use of your time, by the way. It means we really connect with people rather than just meeting with them.

5. Appreciate nature. Many of us are shut in our homes and offices and cars and trains most of the time, and rarely do we get the chance to go outside. And often even when people are outside, they’re talking on their cell phones. Instead, take the time to go outside and really observe nature, take a deep breath of fresh air, enjoy the serenity of water and greenery. Exercise outdoors when you can, or find other outdoor activities to enjoy such as nature walks, hiking, swimming, etc. Feel the sensations of water and wind and earth against your skin. Try to do this daily — by yourself or with loved ones.

6. Eat slower. Instead of cramming food down our throats as quickly as possible — leading to overeating and a lack of enjoyment of our food — learn to eat slowly. Be mindful of each bite. Appreciate the flavors and textures. Eating slowly has the double benefit of making you fuller on less food and making the food taste better. I suggest learning to eat more real food as well, with some great spices (instead of fat and salt and sugar and frying for flavor).

7. Drive slower. Speedy driving is a pretty prevalent habit in our fast-paced world, but it’s also responsible for a lot of traffic accidents, stress, and wasted fuel. Instead, make it a habit to slow down when you drive. Appreciate your surroundings. Make it a peaceful time to contemplate your life, and the things you’re passing. Driving will be more enjoyable, and much safer. You’ll use less fuel too.

8. Find pleasure in anything. This is related to being present, but taking it a step farther. Whatever you’re doing, be fully present … and also appreciate every aspect of it, and find the enjoyable aspects. For example, when washing dishes, instead of rushing through it as a boring chore to be finished quickly, really feel the sensations of the water, the suds, the dishes. It can really be an enjoyable task if you learn to see it that way. The same applies to other chores — washing the car, sweeping, dusting, laundry — and anything you do, actually. Life can be so much more enjoyable if you learn this simple habit.

9. Single-task. The opposite of multi-tasking. Focus on one thing at a time. When you feel the urge to switch to other tasks, pause, breathe, and pull yourself back. Read more.

10. Breathe. When you find yourself speeding up and stressing out, pause, and take a deep breath. Take a couple more. Really feel the air coming into your body, and feel the stress going out. By fully focusing on each breath, you bring yourself back to the present, and slow yourself down. It’s also nice to take a deep breath or two — do it now and see what I mean. :)

​916-225-3570   cj@cjwatterslaw.com    http://www.cjwatterslaw.com

According to Bridges (1998) The major mission of caregiving is to promote independence by maintaining the person with dementia, or other illness, in his/her most functional state – physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

When taking care of others, the gift of our attention is valuable, virtuous, and effective.  It is also very difficult.  Forgive yourself for becoming annoyed, tired, lonely, frustrated, or any of the other emotions that may arise.  
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The need for respite – No one can maintain the constant keenness and intensity of mental attention or the constant level of physical assistance that is required in caring for a person with dementia or other illnesses.  Times of respite are essential to avoiding Compassion Fatigue. 
 
A Caregiver's Bill of Rights
By Jo Horne

I have the right:

• To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one.
• To seek help from others even though my loved ones may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
• To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
• To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
• To reject any attempts by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and/or depression.
• To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.
• To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
• To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer need my full-time help.
• To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers.

Life is not what it's supposed to be. It's what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.
Virginia Satir

           916-225-3570   cj@cjwatterslaw.com    http://www.cjwatterslaw.com

As an Estate Planning Lawyer I am in contact with people who have lost a loved one and I encourage my clients to plan ahead as much as possible. 

One of the greatest gifts my mother gave us was to plan ahead for her end-of-life arrangements.  When I meet with people regarding their estate plan I recommend they consider pre-planning their end-of –life arrangements as well.  


The information below is from the Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel.  For more information visit their website at HeritageOakseMemorialChapel.com

5 Steps Concerning Your End-of-Life Planning

Do realize that when you make decisions in advance regarding your end-of-life arrangements, you are telling your family that you care about them.  Making arrangements for a loved one after they have passed away is stressful!  You can remove this stress for them by taking care of your arrangements in advance. You will also have peace of mind knowing that everything is in order and you have your wishes in writing.

Here are some steps that will guide you in this process:

·        Decide What You Want.  What do you to have happen once you pass away?  Many people are concerned about the cost.  If money was not an issue, what would you like to see happen? Many people who come to Heritage Oaks are surprised at how little it will cost to do what they want. We can assist you with putting a plan into place so the money will be set aside in advance to cover the cost of your wishes.

 

·         Keep in mind that services are for the living, not the deceased.  The customary visitation, funeral or memorial celebration of life are what many family members need to bring closure after their loved one dies.  Showing you care includes providing them with a formal opportunity to say goodbye and honor you together with your family and friends.  It is normal for people to grieve the loss of a loved one, and this is an important first step in that grieving process.

 

·         Decide where your final resting place will be. Local communities in Sacramento and Placer Counties have municipal cemeteries that provide a lower rate on burial plots and niches to their residents.  These cemeteries are very well maintained and the cost is 40% to 60% less than commercial cemeteries.  Plus, if you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable discharge, you’ll appreciate knowing that you are entitled to a free burial plot or cremation niche at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA. We will assist your family with making the arrangements at the National Cemetery at no charge to them.

 

·        Don’t procrastinate!  Putting things off does not bring peace of mind. Once this is done, you can relax!  A few minutes now will save your loved ones a lot of unnecessary pain.

 

·        Write down your plan. 

  We can help you get started by providing you with a complimentary Personal Memorial Planner that will guide you through organizing the important information your family will need.  We will also provide Estate Planning Tools including an Advanced Directive.

 We encourage you to request our free “Personal Memorial Planner” which will not only help answer your questions, but also guide through the planning process. Please just call us to request your planner, if you have any other questions, or if you would like to set an appointment.

Call 916-791-CARE (2273) or 800-316-1987 or email,

RonHarder@HeritageOaksMC.com JimBeeding@HeritageOaksMC.com Call, or visit, Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel, a veteran, family-owned and operated, full service funeral home & beautiful chapel serving the areas of Rocklin, Roseville, Citrus Heights, Antelope, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Folsom, Sacramento, Elk Grove, West Sacramento, Davis, Granite Bay, Loomis, Auburn, and Lincoln.

916-225-3570   cj@cjwatterslaw.com    http://www.cjwatterslaw.com

Saving for education of your grandchildren now, or are you planning to help your children, grandchildren or another child close to you with their education expenses?  There are many options to help you achieve this goal.

• Custodial Accounts (UTMA)
  
• 529 college savings plans
  
• Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA)
  
• Traditional/ROTH IRAs
  
• Personal Investment
  
• Zero  Coupon Bonds
  
• Savings Bonds – Series EE & I
  

Each of these has differing uses, benefits, and drawbacks.

• Who can contribute?
  
• Contribution limit?
  
• Who has control?
  
• Qualified distributions?
  
• Income Tax considerations
  
• What happens to the unused balances?
  
• Financial Aid considerations
  
• Gift and Estate tax benefits
  
• Contributions may be irrevocable gifts
  
• Bonds may not receive the tax-free benefit for education expenses if issued incorrectly
  

The list goes on.  Are you confused yet?   When a client asks me about a complicated financial decision such as this, I always recommend they seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner.  Planning of this type requires a complex review of your assets and your intent to assure the plan you put in place will fulfill that intent and is a sound financial decision.

I work with Certified Financial Planners regularly and can provide referrals upon request.  Please contact me for more information and to discuss how your estate planning documents may be affected by this type of education planning.

Colleen J. Watters
Estate Planning Attorney
916-225-3570
cj@cjwatterslaw.com

www.cjwatterslaw.com

Pets are a joy to have, but did you know that they also help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and can even help us live longer?

Recent studies show that pets have a significant and positive effect on humans.

In short, researchers found that:

• Petting and talking to an animal lowers blood pressure and stress levels
  
• Aquarium viewing is a proven stress buster
  
• Pet owners make fewer visits to the doctor
  
• Pets increase the survival rate of people with heart problems
  
• Pets Help Lower Blood Pressure
  

A recent study by Dr. Karen Allen at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet.

Pets Help Reduce Stress
Walking with a pet helps soothe nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. The studies were done by Josephine M. Wills at Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in the United Kingdom.

Pets Help Prevent Heart Disease
Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows that companion animals may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus offering a measure of protection from heart disease. This according to a study at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets.

Pets Help Lower Health Care Costs
The NIH Technology Assessment Workshop also found that people with pets actually make fewer visits to the doctor, especially for non-serious medical conditions.

Pets Help Fight Depression
Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security, according to Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship by Alan Beck and Aaron Katcher.

And, don’t forget to include your pet(s) in your Estate Plan.  Contact me today to discuss how to assure your pet is safe should you become incapacitated or pass away. 

Colleen J. Watters
Estate Planning Attorney
916-225-3570
cj@cjwatterslaw.com
www.CJWwattersLaw.com

Many people assign beneficiary designations to their assets over the years and then forget about it.  I have seen beneficiary designations that name an ex-spouse or deceased family member with no contingent beneficiary named.  Bottom line is, the beneficiary designations that are indicated on your assets may not work the way you intended.

If your goal is to avoid probate, a transfer on death, or beneficiary designation will accomplish that goal.

However, if you become incapacitated and have not executed a valid power of attorney which includes the ability to access your various types of account, then no one will be able to access your accounts for your needs. 

A valid power of attorney will allow the named agent to access the funds for your benefit to pay for care, rehabilitation, medical needs, etc. Conversely, the named beneficiary has no right to the funds until you have passed away and a death certificate has been issued.  Issuance of a death certificate can take several days/weeks.  Any costs related to your needs, including your end of life issues like burial, medical, etc. may have to be paid by someone else if your loved ones have no access to your accounts. 

Alternatively, execution of a trust and titling of your assets to that trust will allow your named Successor Trustee to access your accounts when you pass away or if you should become incapacitated.

In order to cover all situations, it may be necessary to execute a power of attorney and a trust.

I talk to people every week that have hit a wall when working to assist loved ones because there are no documents in place,  the documents in place are not executed properly,  or do not contain the necessary language.

Seeking the counsel of an experienced Estate Planning attorney is essential.  The online forms do not offer the level of customization, counseling, and expertise you receive from an attorney that meets with you in person and performs a full interview regarding your specific needs.

If you have questions or would like to meet with me please visit my website at, CJ@CjWattersLaw.com , call my office at 916-225-3570, or e-mail me at cj@cjwatterslaw.com.

Proper planning is a gift to your loved ones that will be one of the best gifts they will ever receive. 

While nobody wants to think about death or disability, establishing an estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.  Proper estate planning not only puts you in charge of your finances, it can also spare your loved ones the expense, delay and frustration associated with managing your affairs when you pass away or become disabled.  What Estate Planning does not control is the succession of a business. Many people want to assure the business they worked so hard to build will continue to grow and prosper after their death.  While this may seem like the American dream, it can be disastrous unless a good business succession plan is in place, expectations carefully outlined, and good choices made when appointing the future decision makers.

A Business Exit Strategy Specialist can help forecast issues and assist with implementing a plan to avoid as many issues as possible.  The books below will give business owners some ideas of what can go wrong and how to assure things go right.

Ruling From the Grave is not always a good idea.  


Keep the Family Baggage Out of the Family Business:  Avoiding the Seven Deadly Sins That Destroy Family Businesses

-   Quentin J. Fleming, Author

Family businesses epitomize the best of the American Dream: you work hard, you're your own boss, you leave a lasting legacy to your children -- or do you? Statistics show that only 30% of family businesses survive to the second generation, and a paltry 10% survive to the third generation. Family businesses are in trouble, and their survival is crucial to us all. Their success ensures our country's success -- and their failure can drastically affect our economic health. 
In Keep the Family Baggage Out of the Family Business, family business expert Quentin Fleming has identified the Seven Deadly Sins that are invariably responsible for a family business's demise. Keep the Family Baggage Out of the Family Business presents practical and accessible advice geared toward the average family business owner or employee and is an invaluable tool for helping family businesses not only survive but thrive.


Family Wars – The Real Stories behind the Most Famous Family Business Feuds

-    Grant Gordon & Nigel Nicolson, Authors

Many of the world's greatest businesses are family owned, and with this comes the threat of family feuding, sibling rivalries, and petty jealousies. Family Wars takes readers behind the scenes on a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of some of the biggest family-run companies in the world, showing how family in-fighting has threatened to bring about their downfall. Covering families such as Ford, Gucci, McCain, Guinness, Gallo, and Redstone, Family Wars is an astonishing expose of the way families do business and how family in-fighting can threaten to blow a business apart. Whether it's Brent Redstone's court case with his father and sister or the family feud over Henry Ford's $350 million trust fund, the book reveals the origins, the extent, and finally the resolution of some of the most famous family feuds in recent history. Family Wars also provides valuable advice for anyone involved in a family business, offering suggestions on how to avoid such problems.


Perpetuating the Family Business: 50 Lessons Learned from Long Lasting, Successful Families in Business

-    John L Ward, Author

John L. Ward, a leading world expert on family business, offers the best practices of the most successful and long-lasting families in business, including Ford Motors, Marriott Hotels, Levi-Strauss, and the New York Times. He provides a framework of five insights and four principles in which to position his fifty "lessons learned" for family business longevity. This is a comprehensive book on sustaining family businesses that contains international examples, cases, essential tools, and checklists of best practices; a how-to every entrepreneur should have.

For more information contact The Law Offices of Colleen J. Watters at  cj@cjwatterslaw.com