Page 8 January 2012 New Year, New YOU! & & Health Wellness Page 25 This month’s report from Justice Steven Sarkis The most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau list Arizona as the second worst state in the U.S. with regard to poverty. Arizona’s 21.2 percent rate trails only Mississippi. The Department of Veterans Services estimated that 20 percent to 25 percent of the homeless population in Phoenix is comprised of military veterans. One of the great annual programs that Arizona holds to assist the homeless veterans is called Arizona StandDown for Homeless Veterans. In 2011, Arizona StandDown served more than 1,000 homeless veterans in gaining access to healthcare, shelters and services in one weekend. Arizona StandDown, now in its 11th year, is Arizona’s largest singular outreach event for homeless veterans. This event gives veterans access to more than 70 service providers ready to assist in a wide variety of areas. The goal of the StandDown program is to cut the red tape that prevents people from moving forward in their lives and provide them with a new beginning so as to break the cycle of homelessness. Major service providers include VA Healthcare and Bene fi ts, Department of Economic Security, Social Security Administration, Motor Vehicle Division and the various court systems. The courts participate in this great program by waiving fi nes in exchange for on-site community service, releasing licenses and helping veterans get back on a path to meaningful employment. Veterans that take part in this outreach event can clear their fi nes with the courts at one station and get a new driver’s license at the next. Veterans also receive meals, new clothing, access to shower facilities and housing-placement assistance. This year, Arizona StandDown is Feb. 3-5 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. For more information go to www. arizonastanddown.org. 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The Beneficiary Deed is fully revocable until the owner dies or if there are two owners, until the last owner dies. The Beneficiary Deed is a great tool for people who do not want to have a trust and have “pay on death” designations on their accounts. The Beneficiary Deed is not a good tool to leave real property to more than three people or to minors or to adults with special needs receiving government assistance. A Why a Beneficiary Deed? Sharon’s practice focuses on the preparation of wills, trusts and other estate planning documents, such as powers of attorney, domestic partnership agreements and premarital agreements, as well as trust administration, probate, creation of LLCs and business law. 13250 N. Del Webb Blvd. Suite B Sun City, AZ 85351 1850 N. Central Ave. Suite 2400 Phoenix, Arizona 85004 13250 N. Del Webb Blvd. Suite B Sun City, AZ 85351 1850 N. 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