Can You Benefit From frantlines Asset Protection Planning? Core Jewish Values At Work Keri Guten Cohen Story Development Editor I t could have been a simple dis- covery, one he kept to himself and profited from later. Yet when Brandon Mostyn,13, of Wixom found a wallet in the parking lot near the Big Boy's Restaurant at Maple and Pontiac Trail, he was determined to find its owner. That owner cer- _ ',f tainly would have Brandon missed the $270 in Mostyn cash, the many credit cards and all the identifying information most wallets contain. That's what Brandon reasoned. Rather than turn the wallet over to the police, as someone suggested to him, Brandon decided to find the owner himself. He wanted to know for sure it was back in the owner's hands. It was the right thing to do, he thought. Ironically, Brandon had just attended BBYO-Michigan's Regional Convention talent show — the biggest event for area Jewish teens all year — at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. (See stories, pages 17 and 34.) He's not quite old enough to be in BBYO yet, but the Hillel Day School eighth-grader was invited to check out the annual talent show by a friend. "During talent show, they had a slide show going in the background while people talked a bit about Israel and core Jewish values — about giving to char- ity and of your time, and of respect," Brandon said. "Finding the wallet was like a test to me. It's a perfect Jewish value — not stealing, and giving it back to the rightful owner:' Brandon had the address from iden- tification in the wallet so he started searching online. The 19-year-old owner of the wallet also lives in Wixom, not far from where Brandon lives with his parents, Lezlie and Robert, and sib- lings, Ethan, 9, and Shayla, 7. The teen and his family stopped by to retrieve the wallet the next day. Brandon's mother couldn't resist giving him some motherly advice about not keeping so much money in his wallet. "He was so happy when he got it iN CONTENTS back:' Brandon said. "He thanked me with all his heart. He was so happy someone did the right thing." The owner offered Brandon a cash reward for his honesty. Brandon refused repeatedly, but the teen insisted. Now an extra $40 is in Brandon's bar mitzvah fund that's earmarked for college. "It made me feel really good to give it to him:' Brandon said. "These values are the kinds of things we also learn at Hillel and at home." Brandon regularly volunteers at Friendship Circle. He also gave of his time during the recent Mitzvah Day sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council and during local JServe projects (national days of ser- vice for Jewish teens). "As parents, we are very proud of the many things our children do:' his mom said. "But watching them make a deci- sion that affects others shows that the years we spent talking with them has helped them grow into the people we hoped they would be." If you ever lose your wallet, just hope that Brandon Mostyn is the one who finds it. ❑ JEWISH NEWS-am Jan. 12-18, 2012 I 17-23 Tevet 5772 I Vol. CXL, No. 23 Stay in touch. Add your insight. Be informed. Go to thejewishnews.com . JEWISHNEWS, • r , aq Letter tt, - taTiER ro astrok wAtiAo, : 01 . 0 0 r.tNeA s i : 14,N ‘a ",t4 FEATURED STORY 90, - ,PY Watt street Le ter tome a ;,yen li POT., V ' t" Y". hrfter Dot. , . BetOeber, Spoa',re P.1,14St.) tao Photo Gallery Videos Blogs Community Calendar Letters Shabbat Obituaries 55 .16 Points Of View 29 21 Sports 36 Calendar 19 Staff Box/Phone List Food 42 Synagogue List 32 Shabbat: Friday, Jan. 20, 5:12 p.m. Home 24 Teen2Teen 34 Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Jan. 21, 6:18 p.m. Torah Portion 33 Arts/Entertainment 37 Around Town Business Letters 5 Life Cycles 47 Marketplace 49 Metro Next Generation 6 Shabbat: Friday, Jan. 13, 5:04 p.m. Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Jan. 14, 6:10 p.m. Columnists 8 Danny Raskin 44 27 Robert Sklar 29 Times are according to the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar. On The Cover: Page design, Deborah Schultz Our JN Mission The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu- ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi- tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth. The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034. The phrase "asset protection planning" means different things to different people. I have always considered asset protection planning to mean a deliberate effort to initiate programs and strategies geared to protect someone's assets against the claims of existing and prospective creditors. In counseling clients about asset protection planning, experience is key. It is critical that any attorney advising clients has a thorough grasp of the provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Act, including its history and Howard B. Young background, in order to properly evaluate whether the implementation of a proposed strategy will violate the Act. Many attorneys shy away from distressed clients. I pride myself on being able to help not only the client who has no pending claims or contingent liabilities but also the client who finds himself or herself in severe financial distress with creditors breathing down his or her neck. Because of my background in tax planning, financing and workouts, as well as estate planning, I am uniquely situated to craft an asset protection plan that works for each specific client. No two clients are the same, particularly in the asset protection planning area. It is necessary to evaluate the facts and circumstances of each individual client and customize a program that will work for that client. If you feel you might benefit from consulting with an asset protection planning attorney, please give me a call or email me at hyoung@wyrpc.com . And know that when it comes to asset protection planning, sooner is always better than later. Don't be one of those clients who comes to me stating "I wish I had consulted with you 2 years ago." By: Howard B. Young, Esq. You may read Howard's blog at www.michiganassetprotectionlawyerblog.com . WEISMAN, YOUNG & RUEMENAPP, P.C. is a full service business law firm. Formed in 1980, our continuing mission is to provide legal services to our clients with a solid commitment to effectiveness, efficiency and excellence. WEISIVIAN, YOUNG & RUEMENAPP, P.C. ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW 30100 Telegraph Road, Suite 428 Bingham Farms, MI 48025 Phone: 248.258.2700 Fax: 248.258.8927 Website: wyrpc.com ADVERTISEMENT January 12 • 2012 3