Futurelawyer

Estate Map - Store Your Data Digitally

Estate Map Returns, in a Consumer-Facing Beta %u2014 Robert Ambrogi's LawSites. At first blush, EstateMap is a great idea. Storing all of your asset and other information online, to be accessed by your representative after your death, sounds like a Twenty-First century solution tailor made for the digital age. However, do we yet trust the security of the cloud to store all of our passwords, and other information? The company touts its security; but, after recent jailbreaks at HomeDepot and other large companies, there is still room for doubt. I am signing up for the beta so that I can make up my own mind. But, I really hate sites that, beta or otherwise, make me wait in line to try them out. Seems too much like a clubby atmosphere to me.

Pavlok Shocker WristBand - Please Tell Me This Is A Joke

Pavlok%u2019s Wristband That Electroshocks You For Facebooking Or Skipping Workouts Now On Indiegogo | TechCrunch. I deplore the nanny state. I don't like being told what to eat, what to do, or any other form of another human being telling me that the choices I make don't meet their standards. San Francisco, The She Who Must Be Obeyed In Chief, and former Mayor Bloomberg can take their "I know what's good for you and I'm going to make you do it" campaigns to some Fascist or Communist State somewhere else. However, if you are such a tool that you would buy a product that shocks you (literally) when you don't go to the gym, or choose to use Facebook, or anything else that you tell yourself you shouldn't be doing, then I don't want to know you. Good Lord, has it reached the point where we become clones for Pavlovian fantasists? 

Windows 9 - Can't Come Too Soon

Windows 9 rumor roundup: Everything we know so far | PCWorld. Many of us grew up with Windows. Most of my productivity apps are still Windows only. The hype about lawyers using Macs is just that: hype. A vast majority of lawyers and law firms are very happy with Microsoft and Windows, thank you very much. The "cool" lawyers use Macs, and the rest of us stodgy, plodding, workaday lawyers are perfectly happy with Windows, and all of the software written for Windows that we use every day. By far, the majority of what lawyers do is to create documents, custom drafted for each client and matter, and the software I use to do that is Windows only. So, spare me the raised eyebrows, fellow lawyers who think Apple and MacOS are just the thing. Now, that said, Windows 8 wasn't really what it should have been. Most of us work from the desktop, and we seldom need the tile based touch interface formerly known as "Metro". Windows 9 will correct that deficiency, and provide a much easier, and more familiar entry to the Windows 7 desktop. Most of us have already added add-on software to do that anyway. Welcome to the future, Windows 9. Hope you are more like Windows 7.

What Are Mondays For ?

What Are Mondays For ? - Nicholas Bate. This is an interesting question, given that I am lingering over the Internet this morning in order to avoid going to work. Mondays have always been problematic for me; weekend lag versus slow starting week. How do I get the necessary energy to get up and go? Mr. Bate thinks Mondays give us a fresh start and that they are "vital to avoid complaceny, stagnation and reactivity". Okay. But, on this side of the pond, I have a better answer. It has been clear to me for over 40 years. When I was having a bad day in the Seventies on Mondays, I focused on what was really important about Mondays and I felt better. Because, dear reader, it is clear to me that Mondays are for Monday Night Football. Are you ready?

Another Monday Morning.

Time to get back to work. Got this on Google+ from Newbold Solicitors across the pond.

Parrot Sunday - Florida Pet Trusts - Protect Your Animals

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine. On this Parrot Sunday, I am highlighting Section 736.0408 of the Florida Statutes, which authorizes enforceable Trusts for the care of any animal alive during the Settlor's lifetime. The assets placed in the Trust may only be used for the intended purpose, unless a Court determines that the amount in trust exceeds the amount necessary for the care of the animal. So, if there are any Leona Helmsley clones out there, Florida won't allow you to put Twelve Million Dollars in trust. Click the link for the text of the statute, which is only 3 paragraphs. Animal trusts, however, can be as complex as necessary to meet the Settlor's needs.

Parrot Sunday - Do You Have A Pet Trust? A Storm Is Coming

Know How to Protect Your Pets When Disaster Strikes. There are some great tips in this article about what to do in the event of a Natural Disaster. Human life is always more important than animals; but, our pets, including our parrots and other birds, also need protection from the elements. What if you are separated from your parrot or parrots during a storm? Have you any photos with them? Do you have traveling carriers that are mobile? Is there a place of shelter nearby? In Pinellas County, that means finding a location at least 20 feet about sea level. Thank goodness that my home and office are both centrally located, and 25 feet above sea level. As for the photos, make certain you record identifying characteristics of your bird or animal. Once you have done all you can do for your pet's physical security, it is time to consider a pet trust to provide care after you are gone. Unless, like the FutureLawyer, you intend to live forever. Then, never mind. 

Parrot Sunday - Jungle Island Birds

Jungle Island Birds | Parrot Jungle | Miami Zoo Park | Miami Attractions. Jungle Island in Miami, Florida, has many species of birds; including my favorite: the Scarlet Macaw. Sub-Tropical climates like South Florida, are similar to the South America origin of these beautiful birds. I am always learning more about them; such as, the fact that the eyes change color over the years, from black to gray to white to yellow. This color change is a rough way to estimate the bird's age. I will be certain to check Savannah's eye color today. 

You Talkin' To Me?

I normally don't like lawyer jokes. This one is a gem, however, and has a grain of truth. Go ahead, make my day.

Buckets And Butterflys

Execupundit.com: The Bucket Story. Saturday mornings are not for deep thinking. But, then there is Michael Wade, who drags me into the bucket story; now, I can't stop thinking. Thanks, Michael, I needed that. His post discusses the inane bucket story,which attempts to devalue any one individual's contribution to a company or society as a whole. I suppose it serves a purpose to keep us humble. If you think you are indispensable, dip your hand in a bucket of water, then pull it out and see if anything changes. But, as evolutionary biologists will tell you, change is often imperceptible. Our poor human brains aren't capable of knowing the change, long term, that is wrought by the simplest act or person. The butterfly effect tells us that a single butterfly can alter the course of human history. Likewise, the value of a single human being cannot be overstated. Every one of us has an impact on the world. For good or ill, we change things. Perceptibly or imperceptibly, every act we perform matters. You don't have to be Winston Churchill to matter. Now, get out there and do something.