SHARE:  

The Ledbetter Ledger - March 2024

A Message from...

Callie W. Cowan, Esq.

A heartfelt shoutout to our amazing client by sharing this delightful photo on our

Google Business page!

Millennials Unite:

Crafting a Secure Tomorrow

with Estate Planning

Millennials are facing a new set of challenges when looking forward to their financial future – from student loans to the growing economy. Estate Planning can be a pivotal tool for navigating these complexities and shaping a strong financial future for millennials and their loved ones.  


Digital Assts: Digital assets are now part of our daily lives. From cryptocurrencies to social media accounts, it is important to consider how those assets will be handled in the event of your death or incapacity. Planning for the transfer and management of these assets is an essential part of Estate Planning for millennials. 


Diverse Family Dynamics: As millennials redefine traditional family structures, Estate Planning adapts. Ensuring assets align with each client’s individual preferences allows for a tailored approach that reflects unique familial and personal relationships.


Values-Driven Legacy: Estate Planning offers millennials the opportunity to infuse personal values into their legacy. Through charitable bequests and creative giving strategies, millennials can ensure their estate plan reflects broader societal impact, leaving a meaningful imprint for generations to come.


Estate Planning for millennials goes beyond a financial checklist; it is a proactive strategy, a roadmap for navigating uncertainties, and a means to shape a future that aligns with individual values and aspirations, securing not just assets but a lasting legacy.

Click Here to Learn More

-6th Annual Client Appreciation Luncheon-

A sincere thank you to all our esteemed Lifetime Peace of Mind Program "LPMP" Clients for gracing our 6th Annual Client Appreciation Luncheon with your presence! We were delighted to host you at the Plantation Golf & Country Club for a memorable event.


Special thanks to our keynote speakers, Joseph Lovinsky who serenaded us with his French horn melodies, and Susie Ledbetter, who enlightened us with captivating insights into Monet’s private picture gallery spaces at Giverny and Van Gogh’s iconic “Bedroom in Arles”. Additionally, we were honored to welcome Christine Kasten from The Venice Symphony as our guest speaker!


Our Lifetime Peace of Mind clients truly embody the essence of their program's name - they enjoy genuine peace of mind knowing our dedicated attorneys are always available to assist with any changes or concerns regarding their Estate Plan. Your trust and loyalty are deeply appreciated, and we feel privileged to serve you. Here's to many more years of fruitful partnership and shared success!

Click Here to View Photos & Download

Note: Right click on photo and select save image

-WELCOME TO THE TEAM-

Jada W. Terreros, Esq.

Associate Attorney

A Kansas native, Jada relocated to Las Vegas and worked many years in the hospitality industry. A proud graduate of UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, Jada received the prestigious CALI Excellence for the Future Award.  

        Jada began her legal career as a law clerk for the 8th Judicial District Court in Las Vegas handling criminal and drug cases before moving to civil and probate work.

         In 2021, Jada and her husband moved to Sarasota County where she joined an Estate Planning firm. This has become her career focus and she recently co-authored several chapters in an Estate Planning book.

         Jada’s hobbies include fishing, biking, the beach, and greater outdoors with her family. She looks forward to helping our clients as a member of the Estate Planning section at Ledbetter Law Group.

Brittany Russell

Estate Planning Paralegal

Although born in Miami, Brittany’s family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and Brittany graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, with a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice.  

         Brittany moved back to Florida in 2012 and began a career in the legal industry working for a process and cyber security firm in Boca Raton, FL. In 2019, she relocated to Sarasota to join a start-up process server to manage their office.

         Excited to join Ledbetter Law Group, Brittany will be supporting the work of the Estate Planning section as a paralegal.

-HAPPY WORKAVERSARY-

Kathy Shanley

Firm Administrator

Kimberly Parker

Probate & Trust Senior Paralegal

Mercedes Niz

Estate Planning Paralegal

Heidi Fraley

Real Estate Coordinator

-OUT IN THE COMMUNITY-

THANK YOU VENICE!!!

Thank you, Venice community and clients, for voting Ledbetter Law Group as the Best of Venice! Your trust and support inspire us to continue delivering exceptional legal services.

We are truly honored to be a part of this wonderful community!

Venetian Nights

The Venice Symphony’s 50th Anniversary Celebration was a golden success filled with memorable cultural moments. Ledbetter Law Group, a corporate sponsor, felt honored to be on hand to celebrate this landmark occasion for our beloved Symphony.

Big Red Bus at Ledbetter Law Group

A heartfelt thank you to all who donated blood at our drive with the Big Red Bus here at Ledbetter Law Group! Your compassionate contributions are making a genuine impact and saving lives. Thank you for being the heart of our community.

Veterans Helping Veterans Golf Tournament

Ledbetter Law Group proudly served as a tent sponsor for Veterans Helping Veterans Golf Tournament with Attorney Steven W. Ledbetter, Heidi Fraley (Real Estate Coordinator), and Sandy Winkler (Real Estate Paralegal) in attendance.


This not only is an opportunity to have fun but also a fundraiser for Canines for Heroes - a highly specialized PTSD service dog that is funded and trained for local Veterans or First Responders.


Our commitment went beyond sponsorship; it was about creating a welcoming space for camaraderie and giving back!

10th Annual Stephen L. Lingley Splitt'n Clays for Charity

Ledbetter Law Group proudly participated in the 10th Annual Stephen L. Lingley Splitt'n Clays for Charity! We extend our applause to all participants and supporters who made it a fantastic charity event - All funds raised went to The Twig, helping foster children shop for clothes as they enter new homes.

A special shoutout to Attorney Carolyn S. Smith and Heidi Fraley (Real Estate Coordinator) for representing us at this incredible gathering!

Sarasota County Bar Association 13th Annual Sporting Clay Event

The 13th Annual Sporting Clay Event was a tremendous success! Locked and loaded with legal prowess with our Attorneys Callie W. Cowan, Carrie S. Smith, and Jada W. Terreros, joined by our Real Estate Coordinator, Heidi Fraley, formed the core of our dynamic squad.

A big round of applause to the Sarasota County Bar Association for pulling off such a bang-up event! We're proud to be part of the South County Division and look forward to more exciting collaborations in the future.

International Women's Day

We were thrilled to mark International Women's Day with the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce's Women Empowering Women Spring Luncheon with some of our incredible Team Members! Attorney Jada W. Terreros, Natalie Croston (Estate Planning Team Lead), Heather Zbytniewski (Probate Paralegal), and Heidi Fraley (Real Estate Coordinator) were there to represent our dedication to empowering Women in the Legal field.



It was an enriching experience with the added honor of hearing from Keynote Speaker, Melanie Griffin, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.

While not all our staff could attend, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of every woman on our team, today and every day!

-REAL ESTATE-

HAS YOUR HOME BEEN ADDED TO

OR REMOVED FROM A FLOOD ZONE?


FEMA has recently updated the Flood Maps for Sarasota County, impacting a substantial number of residents. Those residing in high-risk areas and holding mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders must obtain flood insurance if their property lies within these designated Special Flood Hazard Areas.


These areas, identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps produced by FEMA, evolve due to various factors such as construction, development growth, environmental impacts, floodplains widening or shifting and other factors over time. Noah Taylor, a certified floodplain manager for Sarasota County, revealed that while approximately 6,000 properties have been newly designated as flood zones, around 10,000 properties have been removed from the list.


Special Flood Hazard Areas are high-risk areas and are shown on the flood maps as zones beginning with the letters 'A' or 'V' which means that there is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage in these areas. Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas are moderate-to-low risk areas, and the risk of flooding is less likely, but not entirely eliminated. These areas are shown on flood maps as zones beginning with the letters 'B', 'C' or 'X' (or a shaded X).


It's crucial to note that standard homeowners’, business owners’ and renters’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage, emphasizing the importance of obtaining flood insurance for all property owners and renters. Flood insurance isn't federally required in moderate to low-risk areas, but it is strongly recommended.


The updated Flood maps went into effective on, Wednesday, March 27th

Click Here to View Flood Maps

Thank you for choosing Ledbetter Law Group for your Real Estate Closings. Congratulations to both the Buyers and Sellers, as well as their Trusted Real Estate Agents. We appreciate your trust and wish you all the best in your new endeavors!

We know it can feel like a lot of moving pieces; therefore, to provide the best customer service and help you feel comfortable with “What’s Next?”, Ledbetter Law Group has created written and video guides to explain and illustrate The 5 Steps For Your Great Closing™.

Click Here to Email us to Learn More!

-LEDBETTER WORKSHOPS-

LUNCH & LEARN

"Navigating Conveyances to Foreign Entities & The Corporate Transparency Act"

presented by Steven W. Ledbetter, Esq.

LUNCH & LEARN

"Let's Get Digital"

presented by Ashley Nutter, Handcrafted Marketing Solutions LLC.

LUNCH & LEARN

"Ask the Experts - Home Inspectors"

presented by Chris Patek from Patek Inspections, LLC, Corey Holdrich from SWF

Home Inspections, and Chip Hodges from Hodges & Associates, LLC

A special thank you to the Venice Area Board of Realtors for use of their Facility and to D'Angelos Subs & Salads for Catering our events. 

Did you know that Ledbetter Law Group offers a range of captivating workshops centered on Estate Planning, Probate & Real Estate, led by our seasoned Attorneys? If you're interested in inviting one of our Attorneys to speak at your community or private event, please contact our Director of Marketing, Valerie Cottrell, at Marketing@LedbetterLawFL.com. We're passionate about sharing knowledge, and we'll handle all the arrangements for a delightful learning experience over lunch or breakfast!

-BLOG ALERT-

Have you had a chance to explore the blogs on our website? Our Attorneys have dedicated extra time to provide you with valuable content, alongside their legal responsibilities. Take a moment to dive in and discover what they have to offer – it's definitely worth your time!

Click Here to Read Blogs

-Ledbetter's Literary Picks: Articles Worth Exploring-

Pickleball: America's Favorite Racket Sport


In recent years, pickleball has surged in popularity across the United States, evolving from a backyard pastime into a national phenomenon. Originating from a spontaneous game played in 1965, the sport has experienced exponential growth, boasting over 8.9 million players in 2022.


One of the key factors driving pickleball's success is its inclusive appeal. Unlike some sports that may require a high level of athleticism, pickleball welcomes players of all ages and skill levels. This inclusivity has fostered a strong sense of community around the sport, with players from diverse backgrounds coming together to enjoy the game.


As pickleball's popularity has soared, so too has the demand for courts. Many communities across the country are facing a shortage of pickleball facilities, highlighting the need for increased infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of players.


Despite these challenges, pickleball has become big business. Manufacturers of pickleball equipment are seeing record sales, while professional leagues are emerging, offering opportunities for top players to compete at a higher level. The recent merger between Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour, backed by a $50 million investment, underscores the sport's potential for growth and development.


However, pickleball's rise hasn't been without its obstacles. As the number of players continues to increase, so too does the risk of injuries, particularly among older participants. It's crucial for players to prioritize safety and adhere to proper techniques to minimize the risk of accidents on the court.


In conclusion, pickleball's journey from a humble backyard game to a mainstream sport reflects its enduring appeal and widespread popularity. As interest in pickleball continues to grow, it's clear that this beloved racket sport has firmly established itself as America's favorite pastime.

-DID YOU KNOW-

Did you know that we offer online scheduling?


We offer a complimentary 15 minute telephone call with Steven W. Ledbetter, Esq., Callie W. Cowan, Esq., Carolyn S. Smith, Esq. or Jada W. Terreros, Esq. to learn how we can best assist you.

Look for the "blue button" link at the bottom right of our webpage or call our office at 941.256.3965

Discover unparalleled "Peace of Mind" and satisfaction with Ledbetter Law Group. Our dedicated team is here to guide you and your loved ones through creating a plan that aligns with your goals.


Explore the five ways we can assist you and reach out to our office at 941.256.3965 to schedule a consultation.

Click Here to Contact Us
Visit our website