Monthly Tips
June 2026
TIP 1 Brain Awareness Month
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month. With two thirds of the American populace at risk for a brain-related illness, it’s a topic that can weigh heavily on the minds of the aged, and the people who are their caregivers. Brain health is something that many organizations are continually trying to combat with research, and raising awareness of the topic can be done in June by wearing purple.
If you are looking for a few simple tricks to try to protect yourself or a loved one, these “10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain” from the Alzheimer’s Association are worth a look.
https://gstrustco.com/assets/GST-What-If-brochure.pdf
TIP 2 Writing an Obituary
Obituaries may be considered pretty commonplace, as they have largely been similar in the newspaper as we’ve grown up. However, newspapers are becoming scarcer, scammers exploiting personal information are on the rise, and thus creating an obituary might involve new angles. Read more in our latest blog: New Considerations for Publishing Obituaries
https://gstrustco.com/trusts-estates/executor-services/
TIP 3 Father’s Day
Another Father’s Day is upon us, and one might be thinking about gifts. However, the often-heard refrain that “you don’t need to get me anything” may be serious instead of empty words. According to a survey by YouGov about a third of the fathers surveyed said they would prefer no gifts. The majority responded that their favorite activity on Father’s Day is spending time with their kids.
One way to spend time together and connect might be by watching a movie centered around the love and struggles of a father, and Parade.com has put together a list of 55 movies that might fit the bill for Father’s Day.
Regardless of whether you celebrate with a gift, some time together, or something else entirely, we hope all the fathers have a marvelous Father’s Day this year.
https://gstrustco.com/about-us/why-garden-state-trust/
TIP 4 Pets In a Will?
Being a pet caregiver has been shown to both extend lifespans as well as quality of life, but there are also many times when the pet outlives its owner. An often-overlooked part of estate planning is considering who will take care of pets. Sometimes, it is not feasible for someone to suddenly take on the responsibility of the pet, or doesn’t have the accommodations needed for it. Perhaps they live in a building that doesn’t allow pets. On the other hand, there might even be fights among heirs over who gets to keep a favorite pet. Sometimes the pet shares the grief and can be a living remembrance of the relationship and person.
What can an estate planner do? One can leave a letter of instruction to be opened on death. While not legally binding, it can dictate preferences about what should be done, and the instructions about the pet’s care might be included there. A provision can be included in a will to direct who will take care of the pets and provide funds for their care. Should there be no family or friends that can take on the responsibility, there are organizations that could help rehome the pet. An addendum to a larger trust might be made to provide funds for the pet as well.
https://gstrustco.com/solutions-services/trustee-services/
