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Do You Need a Will?

THE TENNESSEE TRIBUNE — While the topic may seem gloomy, it’s a great time to think about getting one’s affairs in order by drafting a Will.

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By Christian West-Coleman

NASHVILLE, TN — Greetings Nashville!  We’ve entered a new year and it’s the perfect time to review our lives and prioritize for the future.  While the topic may seem gloomy, it’s a great time to think about getting one’s affairs in order by drafting a Will.  Wills are important legal devices for the distribution of assets after death.  In my practice, I am often asked “Do I really need a Will?”  The answer to that question is often, “Yes!”  In order to guarantee that your assets will be distributed to whom you want and in the manner you want, you should strongly consider a Will.

So, first, I’ll provide a little information about how to draft a proper Will and how assets are distributed without a Will under Tennessee law.  For a legal Will, Tennessee law requires that a person be 18 years of age and of sound mind.  The Will must also be signed before two witnesses, who also sign.  If you do not have a Will, Tennessee law decides how your assets will be divided.  Tennessee law has a default plan for how property is distributed after death called Intestate Succession.  If you have no Will, your assets will be automatically split between your spouse and children.  If you have no spouse, then it is split between your children.  If no children, then to your parents and so forth.

Thus, it is important to draft a Will so that your intentions can be carried out.  For instance, you may desire to leave money to a particular relative for a particular purpose.  Or you may have a business and need to specify how it should be managed in the future.  Or you simply favor one child over the other (sad, but it happens).  You can only do these things with a Will.

Christian West-Coleman is an associate attorney with McCullough Law, PLLC. She is spear-heading the firm’s Nashville Office, which is located at Washington Square, 222 2nd Ave. N., Ste. 326, Nashville, TN 37201.  The firm can be reached at 615-730-0073.

This article originally appeared in The Tennessee Tribune

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Activism

Hurlbut Benevolent Foundation Teams with RichmondWORKS to Feed Families

Over 300 families in Richmond received $100 food coupons during the holidays thanks to a partnership involving a local foundation and RichmondWORKS.

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A single mom and her daughter with Garry Hurlbut. Courtesy photo.
A single mom and her daughter with Garry Hurlbut. Courtesy photo.

Richmond Standard

Over 300 families in Richmond received $100 food coupons during the holidays thanks to a partnership involving a local foundation and RichmondWORKS.

Richmond residents Maryn and Garry Hurlbut and the Hurlbut Benevolent Foundation (HBF) Board of Directors partnered with Bouakhay Phongboupha, program manager for RichmondWORKS, to make the distribution possible.

“Bouakhay and her staff have been able to identify some of the most needy families in Richmond who could make the best use of the supplemental food over the holiday season,” Garry Hurlbut said.

The Hurlbuts are retirees and Richmond residents who are very active in the community. One of the pair’s significant contributions is starting the Richmond Tennis Association, which significantly amplified tennis participation and facilities in the city.

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Community

Coming Soon: MLK Jr. Day Celebration on Jan. 15

Marin City will be hosting its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Marin City will be hosting its Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The theme will be “Fan the Flames of the ‘Dream’ Into Reality!”

The celebration will have music, food, spoken word, youth presentations, songs of inspiration, speakers and fellowship.

For more information, contact Florence Williams at (415) 332-1441

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Activism

Kaplan, Councilmembers Support Expanded Safe Car Park Program for Unhoused

The need for safe overnight parking is crucial and well-documented, according to Kaplan. In January 2022, the Point-In-Time Homeless Count and Survey revealed that there are more than 3,337 unsheltered individuals in Oakland, and the number of people living in their vehicles has increased. Homelessness is a complex crisis that requires both short-term and long-term solutions, she said.

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Rebecca Kaplan. Courtesy of KRON4.
Rebecca Kaplan. Courtesy of KRON4.

By Post Staff

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan has released a statement saying she is encouraged that the Oakland City Council has approved resolutions she introduced in partnership with Council President Nikki Bas and Councilmember Carroll Fife to support local faith-based congregations who use their properties as safe overnight parking to help Oakland’s unhoused population living in their vehicles.

The need for safe overnight parking is crucial and well-documented, according to Kaplan. In January 2022, the Point-In-Time Homeless Count and Survey revealed that there are more than 3,337 unsheltered individuals in Oakland, and the number of people living in their vehicles has increased. Homelessness is a complex crisis that requires both short-term and long-term solutions, she said.

The data shows that while the proportion of unhoused people living in tents has decreased in recent years, the proportion living in cars has increased. Therefore, this effort partners with local faith-based organizations to help those living in their vehicles, Kaplan said.

The Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC) Safe Parking program provides safe and legal overnight parking at local churches. This program provides support for minor auto repairs, car registration and tickets, along with access to showers and laundry. It is an essential program for Oakland’s unhoused population that lives in their vehicles, including single adults, couples and families with small children, Kaplan said.“The Interfaith Council of Alameda County, in partnership with the Westside Missionary Baptist Church, has run a safe car park program for the last five years with many other congregations and partner nonprofits. With the leadership of Kaplan, on the Council, the Mayor’s office, Council President Nikki Bas, and Councilmember Carrol Fife, we were able to get a commitment of funding of $450,000 from the City of Oakland to expand our operations to three sites to continue to support the Oakland community living in their cars,” said Rev. Ken Chambers, ICAC president.Kaplan has pointed out that the city has money for the safe car park program but has not spent it.Oakland voters approved Measure Q with 68% of the vote. Measure Q promised voters park maintenance, litter reduction and homelessness intervention in and around city parks. However, the City Auditor found the City underspent collected taxes, accruing a fund balance of nearly $22 million as of June 30, 2023.

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