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Estate Planning Newsletter

October 2005
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In this Issue
Joke of the Month
Estate Tip of the Month
Free Initial Consultation
Wedding Accessories
List of Services

About Us
Andrew Traub Attorney Lawyer Austin, Texas
The Traub Law Office is a Full Service Law Firm located at 5900 Balcones Drive.
Andrew Traub is my name, and I want to help you ensure that your loved ones are taken care of. Call me at 343-2572 or email me.

Free Initial Consultation
Did you know that the Traub Law Office offers a free initial consultation?
Part of my dedication to my clients is ensuring that there is a good fit between you and I. The purpose of the free initial consultation is for you to tell your story, learn about me, and then we can decide whether we would work well together. There is no obligation on your part, so why not schedule a free initial consultation today?

Joke of the Month
I want to thank Edna Hughes for sending this one to me:
Why Lawyers should never ask a witness a question if they aren't prepared for the answer....

In a trial, a Southern small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand -a grandmotherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"

She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."

The Lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"

She again replied, "Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women, one of them was your wife. Yes, I know him." The defense attorney almost died.

The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench, and in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you asks that woman if she knows me, I'll throw your sorry butts in jail for contempt."

Warning...

"Were You In A Car Accident?"


I have recently published a new free Special Report exposing inside secrets auto insurance companies don't want you to know. If you would like a copy of this free report, simply email me your name and mailing address and I will send it out right away!


Moving?

If you are looking to buy a new home or sell your existing home, give me a shout. I know tons of realtors and mortgage brokers and will refer several to you that match your needs.

If you prefer to sell your house on your own, contact me for help reviewing the contract or writing one up for you.
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 Estate Tips

Crib Safety Tips

Crib Design

Dispose of antique cribs with decorative cutouts, corner posts or lead paint.

The space between the slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent infants from getting their head stuck between them. Cribs manufactured after 1974 must meet this and other strict safety standards.

The corner posts should be the same height as the end panels or less than 1/16 of an inch higher than the end panels.

No cut-out areas on the headboard or footboard so a baby's head cannot get trapped.

The top rails of crib sides, in their raised position, should be at least 26 inches above the top of the mattress support at its lowest position.

As soon as the child can pull himself to a standing position, set and keep the mattress at its lowest position. Stop using the crib once the height of the top rails is less than three-fourths of the child's height.

Mattress

The mattress should fit snugly next to the crib so that there is no gap. If two adult fingers can be placed between the mattress and the crib, the mattress should be immediately replaced.

Do not use plastic packaging materials, such as dry cleaning bags, as mattress covers. Plastic film can cling to children's faces and should never be in or near the crib.

Put your baby to sleep on his or her back or side in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and no soft bedding underneath. Talk to your pediatrician about which sleeping position is best for you child.

Crib Hardware

The drop side(s) of the crib should require two distinct actions or a minimum force of ten pounds with one action to release the latch or the locks to prevent accidental release by the child.

The crib hardware should be checked for disengaged, broken, bent or loose pieces. Special checks should be made of the mattress support hangers and brackets so they cannot drop. The hardware and the crib should be smooth and free of sharp edges, points and rough surfaces.

Crib Accessories

Bumper pads should cover the entire inside perimeter of the crib and tie or snap in place. Bumper pads should have at least six straps or ties and any excess length of straps or ties should be cut off. Bumper pads should never be used in lieu of proper spacing between the slats and should be removed from the crib as soon as the child can pull himself to a standing position.

Teething rails that are damaged should be fixed, replaced or removed immediately.

To prevent possible entanglement, mobiles and crib gyms, which are meant to be hung over or across the crib, should be removed when the child is five months old or when he begins to push up onto hands and knees or can pull himself up.

Keep the crib clear of plastic sheets, pillows, and large stuffed animals or toys. These can be suffocation hazards or can enable youngsters to climb out of the crib.

Any cloth or vinyl items that are loose or torn should be replaced or repaired immediately.

Crib Environment

Do not place crib next to a window. Drapery and blind cords pose an entanglement hazard and window screens are not intended to keep a child in, only insects out.

Install smoke detectors. Follow the manufacturer's directions for placement. Check at least once a month to make sure battery and smoke detector are in good working condition.

Lead is a health hazard, especially to young children. It can be found in dust and soil off busy roadways, in old paint on walls, toys and furniture and sometimes in paint on new imported items. If you think your child has taken in leaded paint or soil, or you need help with identifying or removing lead paint, call the National Safety Council's National Lead Information Center at 800-424-5323.
Wedding Accessories
promotional products image Do you know anyone getting married? Nowadays, many people who want to throw the perfect wedding don't know where to go for the custom plates, presents, and decorations.

Talia Pam Promotions focuses on assisting brides to throw the perfect wedding. give Talia a call at 914-2573 or email her.

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Services Offered by the Traub Law Office
estate planning tips image Why plan your estate? Here are some of the benefits:
  1. Establish guardianship for your minor or incapacitated children
  2. Establish trusts for minor children to prevent them from getting everything at once
  3. Establish trusts for minor children so they won't get everything at age 18
  4. Establish trusts for incapacitated adults to protect them from themselves
  5. Establish who can make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated
  6. Establish who can pay your bills if you become incapacitated
  7. Specify what actions doctors should take if you are incapacitated and have an irreversible condition
  8. Leave property to charities and organizations
  9. Leave property to people who are not related to you
  10. Make sure property does not got to people you don't want it to go to
  11. Leave property to people or organizations you choose, rather than the State of Texas
  12. Reduce or eliminate Federal Estate Taxes
Here are some of the services I offer:
We would love to hear what you think of this issue of the Estate Planning Newsletter. And of course, if you have any suggestions for upcoming issues that you'd like to share with us, please send those, too! Just e-mail me.

P.S. My business is completely by referrals so if you know of someone who is in need of legal assistance, please send them my way. You have my promise I will provide excellent service!

P.P.S. If you liked this newsletter you can forward it to a friend or colleague.


You can view a web version of this newsletter, as well as past newsletters

This newsletter is designed for general information only. The information presented in this newsletter should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
5900 Balcones Drive, Suite 132 € Austin, Texas 78731 € Phone: 512-343-2572 € Fax: 512-275-3786
Copyright © 2005 The Traub Law Office. All Rights Reserved