Hopeful Ever After #023

July 2026

Dear Followers,

This past week was the 18th anniversary of my late husband, Jack’s, death. The odd thing about this time of year is that it seems like yesterday and feels like it never happened at the same time. One of things about grief is that it evolves. The experience is one that is never forgotten but I truly can say that what I remember more now is the person and the many memories we created over the years we were married. It takes time. Don’t be hard on yourself through your grief journey. Allow the memories to embrace you and hopefully put a smile on your face.

Sending love and hugs,

Carolyn

Love doesn’t disappear when someone is no longer physically present.”

SSI

This Month’s Financial Tip

Financial Tip: Do not execute a “Lady Bird” deed without professional legal counsel in drafting a “Lady Bird” deed for your home if you live in one of the few states that have this option. In other states, you may have other options.

“Lady Bird” Deed:
A Lady Bird Deed (also called an enhanced life estate deed) is a special type of real estate deed available only in a handful of US states. It lets you transfer your home to beneficiaries upon your death without probate, while allowing you to keep full control of the property during your lifetime.

Here is how it works:
a. You remain the owner while you are alive.
b. You can sell, mortgage, or even revoke the deed at any time without beneficiaries’ permission.
c. When you die, ownership automatically passes to the named beneficiary (or beneficiaries’), avoiding probate.

These are the following states that recognize Lady Bird Deeds per
FindLaw.com and reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq. 9/5/2025 and Legalclarity.org 4/3/2026:
Florida, Michigan, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia.

ALWAYS VERIFY YOUR STATE RECOGNIZES THEM. IT DOES NOT REPLACE ESTATE PLANNING.

Please reach out if you have questions about how you may want to
designate your beneficiaries on your Real Estate.

Carolyn can be reached at [email protected] or 877-328-4037 ×700. 

Lady Bird Lbj GIF by lbjlibrary

Gif by lbjlibrary on Giphy

Lady Bird Deeds in Action

As a hypothetical example, Louise came to me asking about Lady Bird Deeds. Louise lives in Florida. We were in the process of reinstating her Revocable Living Trust and updating the titling of her assets including her home in her planning process. Louise’s owns her home. She plans to live in it the remainder of her life. She wants to avoid probate on all assets and real estate. Her big concern was how to avoid probate on her home.

Her attorney advised her to use the “Lady Bird” deed for her home. In this case, her beneficiary will be her Trust. It keeps the home in her name with full control but it avoids probate at her death. Her attorney drafted the language for the Deed to file with the Registry of Deeds in her County in Florida.

Please let me know if you have any concerns about how to avoid probate
with your home or other real estate you may own. We can be a resource to answer any concerns you may have.

Please call 941-841-6564 or email [email protected]

Women Working with an Advisor

I recently found this interesting study on women and their finances. Investment News article by Steve Randall, 7/14/2026, from a Beacon Pointe Study survey of 10,000 women.

ACTIVE~1.PDF96.43 KB • PDF File

Books Worth Reading

I don’t know if you are playing games or not but the current rage is Mah Jongg. It certainly can keep our minds busy and active.

There are groups springing up everywhere. Enjoy if you want to get involved. This book may give you some tips.

This Month’s Recipe

Salad Nicoise

1 1 /2 pounds plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise 

A splash of extra-virgin olive oil, 

1/2 cup Salt and freshly ground black pepper 

5 anchovy fillets, mashed 

1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard (mashed) 

Juice of 1 large lemon

1 / 4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 / 2 pound green or wax beans, trimmed 

3 large, cold eggs 

1 pound baby potatoes 

1 pound boneless steelhead trout fillet 

4 cups arugula

1 / 4 red onion, thinly sliced 

1 cup Niçoise or Kalamata olives 

Flaky salt,for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a sheet tray with parchment
    paper and place tomatoes skin side down. Generously drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until soft and starting to caramelize, about 2-2 1 / 2 hours. Remove and set aside. Increase temperature to 400 degrees.

  2. Make the dressing: In a small mixing bowl, add anchovies, mustard, lemon
    juice, vinegar, 1/ 2 cup oil, season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine.

  3. In a large-size bowl, prepare an ice bath. Bring a saucepan filled with salted
    water to a boil. Blanch beans for 1-2 minutes, then use a spider, tongs or
    slotted spoon to transfer to the ice water for a few minutes. Strain and dry
    completely. In the same saucepan, use a slotted spoon to lower eggs into gently
    boiling water.
    Remove after 7 minutes and transfer to ice bath. Peel and cut into quarters.

  4. In the same saucepan, boil potatoes until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Cut
    the potatoes in half while warm, place in a large mixing bowl, and toss in half
    the dressing.

  5. Meanwhile, on a parchment- lined sheet tray, place the trout skin side down.
    Lightly rub with oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast until fish is opaque
    and easily flakes with a fork, 10-12 minutes.

  6. On a large platter, arrange arugula, onion, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, eggs
    and olives. Serve fillet and remaining dressing on the side. Alternatively,
    divide among individual bowls and top each salad with bite size pieces of trout,
    and dress. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky salt. 

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE DISCLOSURE

The client scenario presented above is hypothetical and intended for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent an actual client, and any resemblance to a real person or situation is coincidental. The assumptions used (contribution amounts, employer match, and product selection) are simplified for educational purposes and do not reflect all variables that may apply to your individual situation. Hypothetical illustrations have inherent limitations. They do not account for taxes, fees, market fluctuations, product-specific restrictions, or other factors that could materially affect outcomes. Past results are not indicative of future performance. This example should not be construed as a recommendation or guarantee of any specific financial result. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

 

TESTIMONIALS & ENDORSEMENTS DISCLOSURE

Any testimonials or endorsements featured in Accurate Advisory Group's marketing materials are provided by current clients of Accurate Advisory Group, Inc. and/or Accurate Wealth Management LLC. Clients were not compensated, directly or indirectly, for providing their testimonial or endorsement. Testimonials reflect the individual experiences of those clients and may not be representative of the experience of all clients. Testimonials are not a guarantee of future performance or success. Accurate Advisory Group and its affiliates have a material conflict of interest in presenting client testimonials, as positive testimonials may encourage prospective clients to engage the firm's services. Clients providing testimonials may have a pre-existing personal or professional relationship with firm personnel.

 

ANNUITY RISK DISCLOSURE

Any reference to lifetime income, guaranteed payments, or other financial benefits associated with annuity products is subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Annuities are insurance products and are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency. Annuity products vary significantly by issuer and contract terms. Surrender charges, fees, and withdrawal restrictions may apply. Tax-deferred growth does not imply tax-free withdrawal; distributions are generally subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% IRS early withdrawal penalty. Fixed annuities carry inflation risk, as fixed payments may lose purchasing power over time. The discussion of annuities in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation to purchase any specific product. Individual suitability depends on your financial situation, goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Please consult with a qualified financial and tax professional before making any annuity-related decisions.

Important Disclosures

This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax or legal advice. Accurate Advisory Group, LLC does not provide tax preparation or legal services. Individuals should consult with a qualified tax professional regarding their specific situation before making any tax-related decisions.

Examples provided are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. They do not reflect actual client experiences or guarantee future outcomes. Tax rules and IRS penalty rates are subject to change and may vary based on individual circumstances.

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