by Micaela Williamson We were honored to be featured as a great family resource by Laura Evans on Fox 5 Washington DC. Watch the clip. Our favorite part was when she mentioned our book is a great gift for baby showers, grandparents, and new families.
Naturally, we are drawn to local children's authors and were pleased when Laura Canetti reached out to us about her second picture book, Monster Noises. Find out more about this delightful, rhyming book below: 1.) What is the inspiration behind Monster Noises? For my second book, I wanted to write a fun book. I just started sketching some silly monsters and went from there. I wanted kids to see the monsters as having problems and fun just the same way they do. I also always try to include a message in my books so I included the part of the boy having empathy for his poor monsters squished under the bed. 2.) Why did you decide to compose the book in a rhyming pattern? I wrote my first book in rhyme and received a lot of good feedback that children are drawn to the rhyming patterns. It also helps children with their reading skills. 3.) When working with characters that are monsters, how did you keep the book "funny" and "not scary" for children? I work with kids so I thought of things that make them laugh. Underpants always gets a giggle so I drew underpants on one of the monsters tails. I tried to use a lot of bright colors and drew the monsters doing things you would never expect (having a party, typing on a computer, etc.) 4.) Do you currently have plans for any future books? Yes, I am working on my last book which will be about a girl whose super power is being nice and helping people. Also, head over to the Canetti Books Facebook page to enter the monster drawing contest to win a free copy. The start of 2014 is the perfect time to get your family's affairs in order, and we asked attorney Rebecca Geller of The Geller Law Group to share her expertise about creating a legal will. Besides doing legal work for local families. Rebecca is passionate about working with women-owned businesses and serves as general counsel for many small, local businesses. 1) Why is it so important for families to have a legal will in place?
No parent likes to think about what would happen to their kids if something were to happen to them. We are supermom and dad, we are invincible, right? But that kind of thinking does our kids a disservice. Most parents don’t realize that in failing to make a will or select a guardian, they are actually making a decision. For example, families who don’t have a will are taking an unnecessary risk that their children could end up in the foster system or the court could appoint a guardian who does not share the parents’ values. It’s just like life insurance — plan for the unexpected and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your children and your spouse will be taken care of if the unimaginable were to happen. 2) What are some things to consider when making a will? Choosing a guardian or guardians for your children is one of the hardest decisions you will have to make. Sometimes spouses do not agree on who they want to be the guardian — or they worry that they will offend a relative by not selecting them as guardian. We work with many couples who cannot agree and we help them work through this decision. However, this is not the proper time to worry about who will take offense to your choice — your job is select someone who shares your parenting philosophies and will provide the best care for your children. A guardian doesn’t have to be a relative; many of our clients choose a close friend or godparent, for example. But you should not delay having your will written simply because you can’t decide this issue. Without proper legal documents, your kids could potentially end up in foster care. We can help you and your spouse with this very difficult decision so that you have a plan in place and peace of mind. 3) Approximately how much does it cost to create a legal will? Each family's situation can vary drastically, so the fees will be different depending on each family's circumstances. For example, do you own a house? More than one real estate property? Do you have life insurance? Do you have children from a previous marriage? Are either of the parents non-U.S. citizens? Do you have a pre-nuptial agreement? Do you own a business? Because each person's documents are personally customized to their specific needs, the fees can vary widely. We offer a free initial phone consult to best determine your family's needs and can quote you a fee based on that conversation. 4) What are the most frequently asked questions from clients about estate planning? I am asked these 3 questions most frequently: ***“We want to save money. Can I create my own will through a ‘do it yourself’ legal website, such as LegalZoom, rather than hiring a lawyer?” I use this analogy when clients ask me this question: imagine diagnosing and treating a major, life-altering disease through a medical website, without actually visiting your doctor. What would happen? The answer is the same with both situations: you generally end up doing much more harm than good, and ultimately, you could end up paying a lot more money than if you had simply used in-person, professional help from the beginning. In September 2012, Consumer Reports released a scathing report about the inadequacy of legal “do it yourself” websites for writing wills and encouraged consumers to hire attorneys. Many of the online tools create documents that do not actually accomplish what you hope they will accomplish. Some people say “why does it matter, who would ever challenge my will?” You’d be amazed how frequently wills are challenged unexpectedly. If you wouldn’t take such a risk with your own health, why do so when it’s your children’s future at stake? ***“Only rich people have ‘estates.’ We aren’t rich and we have very few assets, so why do we need a will or trust?” For starters, most families have more assets than they realize. Do you have life insurance policies? Do you have retirement accounts? What about real estate? All of these assets are considered part of your “estate.” Don’t you want to ensure that your teenager would use the proceeds from a $250,000 life insurance policy to pay for college, rather than using the funds for designer clothes and a fancy car? These legal documents are essential to make sure that your estate is used in the manner you want. We draft documents to ensure you flexibility and security, so that you know that, if the worst ever happens, that you have adequately provided for your family. ***“I have never worked with an attorney before and am not comfortable with the legal system. How do I know which attorney to use? Choosing an attorney is a very personal decision, and I understand how tough it can be to find the right one. First of all, you need to look for a person who you trust and connect with. Find out it they offer a free consultation, so you can talk to them about your family’s personal and financial information, and use this as an opportunity to see if you feel comfortable with them. Ask the tough questions, and see how they answer, and whether their discussion with you is direct and frank. Also consider how quickly they respond to your emails and phone calls—that could indicate their future responsiveness. Find an attorney who can relate to your life – perhaps a fellow mom! by Micaela I grew up in the New York metro area and visit family and friends there many times each year. When my new niece was born in November 2013, I google searched "New York baby board book," expecting to get something with the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty, but instead, I came across this gem. Baby Book for the Boroughs (NYC & Long Island Too!) celebrates the distinctive New York accent. Unlike traditional sound button board books, these books pronounce words the New York way saying "kaw-fee" for coffee and "waw-duh" for water. It was a huge hit at our Christmas celebration, and my relatives of all ages couldn't get enough of pressing the buttons. This book is a must for every little New Yorker in your life! Learn more about the book, and check out my exclusive interview with its author, Bridget Bendo below: |
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