Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, April 13, 2019

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 13, 2019 

Jeff’s Book Pics By Jeff Brown

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett

 
6 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 
WHEN SELECTING BENEFICIARIES 
FOR YOUR LIFE INSURANCE 
POLICY—PART 2

Last week I discussed the first three of six questions 
you should ask yourself when selecting a life insurance 
beneficiary. Here I’ll cover the remaining three.

Selecting a beneficiary for your life insurance policy 
sounds pretty straightforward. But given all of the 
options available and the potential for unforeseen 
problems, it can be a more complicated decision than 
you might imagine.

For instance, when purchasing a life insurance policy, 
your primary goal is most likely to make the named beneficiary’s life better or easier in some way in the 
aftermath of your death. However, unless you consider all the unique circumstances involved with your 
choice, you might actually end up creating additional problems for your loved ones.

4. Are any of your beneficiaries minors?

While you’re technically allowed to name a minor as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, it’s 
a bad idea to do so. Insurance carriers will not allow a minor child to receive the insurance benefits 
directly until they reach the age of majority.
If you have a minor named as your beneficiary when you die, then the proceeds would be 
distributed to a court-appointed custodian tasked with managing the funds, often at a financial cost 
to your beneficiary. And this is true even if the minor has a living parent. This means that even the 
child’s other living birth parent would have to go to court to be appointed as custodian if he or she 
wanted to manage the funds. And, in some cases, that parent would not be able to be appointed (for 
example, if they have poor credit), and the court would appoint a paid fiduciary to hold the funds. 

Rather than naming a minor child as beneficiary, it’s better to set up a trust for your child to receive 
the insurance proceeds. That way, you get to choose who would manage your child’s inheritance, 
and how and when the insurance proceeds would be used and distributed. 
5. Would the money negatively affect a beneficiary? 
When considering how your insurance funds might help a beneficiary in your absence, you also 
need to consider how it might potentially cause harm. This is particularly true in the case of young 
adults. 
For example, think about what could go wrong if an 18-year-old suddenly receives a huge windfall 
of cash. At best, the 18-year-old might blow through the money in a short period of time. At worst, 
getting all that money at once could lead to actual physical harm (even death), as could be the case 
for someone with substance-abuse issues. 
If you set up a trust to receive the insurance payment, you would have total control over the 
conditions that must be met for proceeds to be used or distributed. For example, you could build 
the trust so that the insurance proceeds would be kept in trust for beneficiary’s use inside the trust, 
yet still keep the funds totally protected from future creditors, lawsuits, and/or divorce. 


6. Is the beneficiary eligible for government benefits?

Considering how your life insurance money might negatively affect a beneficiary is critical when it 
comes to those with special needs. If you leave the money directly to someone with special needs, 
an insurance payout could disqualify your beneficiary from receiving government benefits.

 Under federal law, if someone with special needs receives a gift or inheritance of more than $2,000, 
they can be disqualified for Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. Since life insurance 
proceeds are considered inheritance under the law, an individual with special needs SHOULD 
NEVER be named as beneficiary.

 To avoid disqualifying an individual with special needs from receiving government benefits, you 
would create a “special needs” trust to receive the proceeds. In this way, the money will not go 
directly to the beneficiary upon your death, but be managed by the trustee you name and dispersed 
per the trust’s terms without affecting benefit eligibility. 

Make sure you’ve considered all potential circumstances

These are just a few of the questions you should consider when choosing a life insurance beneficiary. 
Consult with us a trusted advisor to be certain you’ve thought through all possible circumstances and 
named your beneficiaries in the best way possible.


Dedicated to empowering your family, building your wealth and defining your legacy,




A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission to help parents protect what they love

most. His office is located at 55 Auburn Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Schedule an

appointment to sit down and talk about ensuring a legacy of love and financial security for your

family by calling 626.355.4000 or visit www.GarlettLaw.com for more information.

VASTER THAN SKY, GREATER THAN SPACE by Mooji 

Brilliant Illuminations for Awakening to the Absolute. What if all that you believe 
yourself to be—your body, mind, emotions, and conditioning—is actually 
what you are not? What if this is merely a self-portrait shaped by false identification, 
habit, and assumptions? In ever-growing gatherings worldwide, the 
revered teacher Mooji has opened the eyes of thousands through his rare ability 
to shine light on the ineffable with uncommon clarity, humor, and warmth. 
Now Mooji invites and inspires readers everywhere to discover the true essence 
from which we all arise. The Advaita Vedanta tradition teaches that through 
simple questioning and introspection, we can awaken to something far greater 
than the ego self, a nondual Oneness with the ground of Being. Mooji guides 
us into the adventure of deep inquiry, sparking direct Self-realization through 
parables, insights, wisdom teachings, and responses to the common questions of readers, such as: 
If I've always been one with the eternal Self, why do I feel so anxious, depressed, or angry? How do 
I attain a state of peace, joy, and timeless presence? As pure and infinite Being, of what importance 
are my personal relationships, aspirations, or efforts to help others in need? I’ve suffered so much 
trauma in my life—is psychotherapy helpful on this path? How do I forgive others who have hurt 
me? Are intimate relationships a help or a hindrance to awakening? I understand these words, but 
I continue to be filled with the chatter of the mind—what should I do? Through our own engagement 
and self-exploration, Mooji helps us to arrive at the answers, not from the limited perspective 
in which we’ve been conditioned, but from our own deepest Knowing—revealing the timeless, 
boundless love and freedom that is the natural perfume of the Absolute.

ONCE & FUTURE by Cori McCarthy and Amy Rose Capetta 

King Arthur as you've never imagined! This bold, young adult sizzling tale retells 
the popular legend with the Once and Future King as a teenage girl -- and 
she has a universe to save. I’ve been chased my whole life. As a fugitive refugee 
in the territory controlled by the tyrannical Mercer corporation, I've always had 
to hide who I am. Until I found Excalibur. Now I'm done hiding. My name is Ari 
Helix. I have a magic sword, a cranky wizard, and a revolution to start. When 
Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting 
place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she 
meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and 
together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? 
Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind. No pressure.” 
All hail this worthier-than-ever, fresh, and affirming reincarnation of the legendary king and 
her round table of knights which dazzles with heroic flair, humor, and suspense." --Kirkus

The Highway by C.J. Box

Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel. When two sisters set out across a 
remote stretch of Montana road to visit their friend, little do they know it will 
be the last time anyone might ever hear from them again. The girls and their 
car simply vanish. Former police investigator Cody Hoyt has just lost his job 
and has fallen off the wagon after a long stretch of sobriety. Convinced by his 
son and his former rookie partner, Cassie Dewell, he begins the drive south to 
the girls' last known location. As Cody makes his way to the lonely stretch of 
Montana highway where they went missing, Cassie discovers that Gracie and 
Danielle Sullivan aren't the first girls who have disappeared in this area. This 
majestic landscape is the hunting ground for a killer whose viciousness is outmatched 
only by his intelligence. And he might not be working alone. Time is 
running out for Gracie and Danielle…Can Cassie overcome her doubts and lack of experience and 
use her innate skill? Can Cody Hoyt battle his own demons and find this killer .The 3 reviews are 
form Amazon.com


All Things By Jeff Brown

PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THIS ABOUT THE WORLD ARE FAR HAPPIER

Those who believe in the concept of oneness — that all things are connected and interdependent 
-- are more satisfied with their lives than people who don’t share this belief, according to research 
published by the American Psychological Association on Thursday. That’s true regardless of religion. 
The research, published in the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, was composed of two 
surveys of nearly 75,000 people. People who agreed with statements like the ones below were more 
likely to believe in the concept of oneness; they were also tested on concepts related to oneness like 
social connectedness, connectedness to nature and empathy.1. I believe that everything in the world 
is based on a common principle. 2. All things in the world have a common source. 3. I believe that 
everything in the world is connected to each other. 4. I believe in a divine principle underlying all 
being. 5. Everything in the world is interdependent and influenced by each other. Other studies 
on oneness find a correlation between that belief and compassion for others and concern for human 
welfare. And it’s a popular philosophy among spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama. So can you 
develop or further a belief in oneness? Maybe. Most religions believe in oneness to some degree or 
another, so it could help to worship with others. Not your thing? Some scholars recommend meditation 
to achieve oneness.

THE MISSING PAGE

Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual


LIVING THIS DAY

Over two thousand years ago, there was a rabbi, a preacher who taught 
us how to pray, today we call it the Lord's Prayer. In it, he reminded 
us to value every day and to appreciate the singularity of each moment.

Give us this day our daily bread. 

Each day we are gifted with a new day. We get to choose whether we 
will rise to meet a day in its new, and magnificent splendor. Or we can 
be shackled with regret over the days in the past. Will we allow our mind to race ahead worry about 
the time that hasn't arrived yet? Is it possible to rejoice in this life now while we are living it?

"Someday there will be no more time." Pablo Cuelo

What does it take to live a vision driven life, while appreciating this moment? 

It requires a decision. We must ask ourselves who do we want to be? 

It requires truth and rigor. 

To have what we truly want we must be willing to face our desire and the absence of the of our object 
of desire. We must stay in the habit of telling ourselves the truth. Sometimes it will require risk and 
leaving behind the familiar.

If we fail to devote our attention to our life at this moment, it is very easy to fall into bad habits and 
routines. We must become rigorous with monitoring our thoughts and banish those that don't bring 
us life. We must set aside activities that do not support our vision. The Latin root of the word decide 
means to cut away. We must excise things not in alignment with our vision. 

When you are having difficulty, and we do. Remind yourself that every condition is temporary, it 
came to pass, not to stay. As thoughts come to mind that are frightening or worrisome, reject them, 
you can even speak to your self and say, "no." You will need a replacement thought. It's not enough 
to tell yourself, "be positive." Actively conjure more pleasing thoughts. Instead of worrying about 
your kid who's out late at night, think a good thought. Imagine the child walking in the door, safe and 
happy to share the story of their adventure. Decide to reject suffering. There is no more important 
and rigorous work than directing your mind.

Decide to sieze this day.

Lori A. Harris is a Certified Life Mastery Consultant. With her coaching, she helps her clients return 
to a life that they love living. Learn more at her website www.loriaharris.com


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