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Common Contract Mistakes
How we use Contracts. Common Mistakes relating to contracts. Not only are contracts an important part of doing business, they are an important part of everyday life. In this post, I will address three of the more common mistakes people make when it comes to contracts....
Timeshare in a Trust
Should You Leave Your Timeshare in Your Trust? Timeshare in a trust. Do you own a timeshare? Over the past few decades owning a timeshare has become a popular investment. Whether you purchased it as a vehicle for a great family vacation, an occasional getaway, or to...
Capital Gains. What is Capital Gains?
What is Capital Gains? This post will provide a Capital Gains 101 overview. There are many special rules that apply to how you acquire your capital assets, how long you hold them, and how different assets are treated. I am not a tax lawyer, CPA, or other tax...
Do Domestic Partners Have Legal Rights?
Do domestic partners have legal rights? Sadly, very few to no rights as compared to married couples when it comes to estate planning.
Personal Inventory
It’s an esteemable act to see yourself clearly. It’s easy to be grateful when you receive compliments because they validate who we are and who we want to be. Positive feedback feels good. And some people believe we should only be given encouraging, appreciative...
Learn a New Skill
It’s an esteemable act to have the courage to learn something new. Have you ever avoided doing something because it was too hard or too scary? Have you ever not learned a new skill because you were afraid you’d make a mistake or just look silly? If you’re like most of...
Book Contract Key Elements.
Key Elements of a Book Contract. Whether you are being traditionally published or being published by a vanity (aka subsidy) press, you will almost always be required to sign a book or publishing contract. This agreement will spell out the terms of your relationship...
Courage to Risk Failure
Self-esteem comes from having the courage to risk failure. I’ve failed at many things in my life: driver’s tests, school exams, relationships. Yes, indeed, I missed the mark more often than I care to admit. I started fad diets and self-help programs and rarely got the...
Say No to Gossip
Recently I overheard someone who was sitting at the table next to mine talking on her cell phone. “Who does she think she is?” the woman said. “Everyone at work knows she’s sleeping with the boss. That’s why she always gets special treatment.” There was a pause as if...
Family Wealth. Estate Planning.
Fears When Talking about Money Studies have shown (https://www.thewilliamsgroup.org/our-history) that the largest contributing factors to the depletion of family wealth are lack of trust, lack of communication, and lack of preparation...
Focus is the Key
Outside our bedroom window is a hummingbird feeder. Each day one, two, and sometimes three birds at a time come and partake in the prepared meal of red sugar water. On this day, I was particularly fascinated by their swift-moving little bodies. One after another, the...
Copyright Protects What?
What is a Copyright? Copyrights are part of the intellectual property (IP) bundle of rights. Other forms of IP that are part of the bundle ar trademarks, patents, rights of publicity, and trade sectrest. A copyright is a legal form of protection for “original” works...
Courage to Dream
Are you living the life you really want to live? Are you doing what makes your heart sing and your spirit sparkle? Do you wake up most mornings feeling blessed that you get to do what you love? If your answer is a resounding yes, then bravo, for you are among those...
Fear and Money – Part 2
Fear and Money Conversations when talking about wealth. Here are a few more examples of common fears that prevent open, honest, and transparent communication about family wealth. Fear of Treating Heirs Unequally and Fostering Sibling Rivalry Fear and money. Each...
One Baby Step at a Time
I couldn’t believe my eyes. One day, the gravel inside our fish tank was pressed flat as if leveled by a steamroller. The following morning, there was a mountain sloping along the left side of the tank, almost reaching the top. I wondered what happened, but assumed my...
Fear and Money. Talk of Family Wealth
Fear and Money. When Talking about Family Wealth. Studies show that the largest contributing factor to generational wealth being lost is Fear. Fear and talk of money about family wealth create problems for future generations. Lack of trust, lack of communication, and...
Forgiveness: The Gift You Give to You
Paul and I hadn’t spoken to one another in more than two years. And not a day passed without my wishing it were otherwise. Whenever his name was mentioned in conversation, an uneasy feeling washed over me. In the early days of our not talking, that feeling would...
Mentors Are a Gift from God
Almost every time I give a talk and share my story, I’m asked, “Was there one person who helped you most along the way?” It’s a good question because for years I believed that everything I accomplished I did alone. Today I know that’s not true. When our lives are...
Live Your Life on Purpose
Recently, a woman came to me for help in defining her life’s purpose. “I’m forty-three years old,” she said, “and I haven’t a clue what I want to do with the rest of my life.” “What are you passionate about?” I asked. “What makes your heart sing and your spirit...
Journaling: A Tool for Success
Twenty-five years ago, I was introduced to journaling and didn’t like it one bit. But it saved my life. My greatest fear was that if others really knew who I was, they wouldn’t like me. Writing about my feelings was a surefire way to reveal myself. So why would I ever...
Action is Key | Esteemable Acts
I once had a beautiful plant. It sat on my dining-room table for three weeks as I waited for it to blossom. Each week, I waited for something to happen. By week three, instead of a luscious blooming bush, what revealed itself was a dry, shriveled piece of nothing. I...
Pet Trusts. Estate Plan. Lessons Learned.
Pet Trusts. As with anything in life, sometimes things don’t work out as planned. So, my belief is to always have a Plan B. When you prepare accordingly, it’s more likely you will have a successful outcome. Here are three examples of creative planning by pet owners....
Five Basic Principles | Esteemable Acts
The “esteemable acts” approach is a fresh new way to build self-esteem, one that suggests self-esteem comes from doing esteemable acts, those things that make you feel good about yourself. Based on the concepts that led to my recovery from drug addiction, alcoholism,...
An Estate Planning Inventory. Checklist
Estate Planning Inventory. Estate Planning Inventory and sometimes called an Estate Planning Checklist is an essential tool. Do you have an estate plan, which may include a trust, a will, a power of attorney, and healthcare directive? When was the last time you...
Copyright Small Claims
Copyright Small Claims - a Gift to Copyright Owners Are you a copyright owner with an infringement claim of less than $30,000? If so, there is possibly good news for you. In December 2020, Congress passed the Copyright Alternative in Small Claims Enforcement of 2020...
Francine D. Ward
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