Check out our June newsletter!
All Family Law. All Around the World.
How Crucial Conversations Save Relationships, Workplaces, and Health Many of the conversations we have in a day are fairly irrelevant. Small talk, quick logistics, watercooler updates, or “do you want to get 2% or whole milk” — they’re discussions without much controversy that won’t bring the entire world to a halt. But the conversations that matter most, those with real stakes, high emotions, and differing viewpoints, are the ones we tend to avoid the most. But those are the conversations we can’t afford to put off because the longer we delay speaking up, the more disconnected we become, not just from people around us, but from ourselves, too. If you have those three components, the challenge becomes how quickly you raise awareness of an issue and seek a tough conversation about it. Once you even have an inkling that something’s wrong, the longer you sit with it, the worse it becomes. The bigger the gap between your awareness and when you have the discussion, the more insurmountable it seems. The problems can cascade from there. J une 2025 SILENCE ISN’T PEACE
Most people are concerned that starting a crucial conversation could damage a relationship. In reality, avoiding the talk is more damaging, and the issue worsens. We convince ourselves that maybe if we don’t bring it up, we can maintain peace or avoid a painful argument. In the course of avoidance, we drift further apart. This wisdom holds true in the professional world, our relationships, and even our health. In the book, “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High,” research found that in the corporate setting, the predictor of success or failure was whether people could hold specific, relevant critical conversations together. When folks can speak candidly and effectively, their projects will likely succeed. Being able to have these discussions doesn’t just impact your office operations, mental state, or how well you get along with your spouse; it can affect your immune system and health. If you avoid talking about the stress or its emotional impact, it will manifest itself somatically, through physical sensations. You might develop ulcers, muscle tension, nausea, a racing heart, or insomnia. An actual immune system response occurs when you can’t have a critical conversation with someone you disagree with on an important issue. You literally weaken your wellness and possibly become ill. So, how do we begin these critical conversations we often dodge? In next month’s edition, we’ll explore practical strategies and mindset shifts to approach difficult conversations with clarity and a pathway for real resolution. If you are a client or past client, we’ll discuss having critical conversations in September as part of our legal care series.
June is Effective Communications Month, and it reminds us that meaningful conversations require courage and a willingness to step outside our fears for the good of our relationships. When we shy away from disagreements, push down difficult emotions, and choose silence over risk, we aren’t keeping the peace; we are allowing the problems to fester. In our work, homes, and community, choosing to engage in difficult dialogue can be the difference between growth and breakdown.
The crucial conversations I’m talking about are when people hold different views, the topic is very important, and the parties feel passionate about what they are discussing.
Avoiding the difficult discussions will only drive us further apart. It’s time to talk.
–Michael Manely
1
Call for a Consultation: ( 866) 245-5685
DON’T LET YOUR EX CONTROL YOUR KIDS’ INHERITANCE From Fatherhood to Future Planning
June is a time to celebrate all the love, strength, and dedication you provide your children as a father. But if you’re newly divorced or in the process, it’s essential to rethink how you protect them legally and financially. Even though life may look different now, you will always be a dad, and you can continue to support your family and yourself by reviewing your estate plan. From selecting a new trustee to manage
process to access that money. You should also name a guardian who will care for your children if your ex passes away.
BENEFICIARIES After a divorce, you should also update your beneficiary designations, as this does not automatically change. Look at bank accounts, pensions, retirement funds, and life insurance policies, and determine whom you want to receive those benefits. If you don’t update your beneficiaries, it may go to your
your kids’ money if something happens to you, to updating your health care directives, here are three steps to safeguard your children’s futures after a divorce. YOUR TRUSTEE If you pass away, the guardianship of your children will go to your ex-spouse. By creating a trust, you can select someone you know has your children’s best interests at heart as a trustee who will manage assets you are leaving to them. You may choose a family member or friend who will be responsible for your children’s inheritance until they reach a certain age. By setting this up, you ensure your ex doesn’t have control of funds intended for your kids and that your family won’t have to go through a court
ex-spouse. You can select your children as the beneficiaries for accounts like this, which your selected trustee can manage.
POWER OF ATTORNEY AND HEALTH CARE AGENTS Throughout your marriage, you most likely named your spouse as your financial power of attorney or health care
agent to make medical decisions if you become unable. If you don’t want your ex to have this kind of decision-making power after a divorce, it’s important to name someone new. This person can ensure that if you become ill or incapacitated, your wishes will be protected, ultimately ensuring your children receive their inheritance from you.
Precision and Heart Behind Every Number Meet Arnissa Galloway
At The Manely Firm, we know that behind every number is a person, and Accounting Manager Arnissa Galloway brings heart and precision to every aspect of her work. Arnissa was always good at math, and her father, a teacher and business owner, often made problems and equations into fun games for her. That lifelong love for numbers and her experience helping with his bookkeeping stuck, so she went to school for business management. After working at a company where she wore many hats and felt like she had hit a glass ceiling, she was ready to make a move. When she discovered The Manely Firm, she found a place that aligned with her goals and her desire to do good for others. “There’s a sense of family here, I highly respect them, and it makes for a good work environment where I feel safe,” she says. As Accounting Manager, no two days are quite the same for her. She’s in charge of various financial responsibilities, such as invoicing clients, payroll, vendor reports, and daily financial reports. But Arnissa’s role goes far beyond numbers; the people
mean the most to her. She has worked closely with clients and loves learning their stories and watching them move forward. “It’s just an extremely rewarding line of work to walk them through this transition and hold their hand until the very end,” she says. “During that final conversation, I say, ‘I’m so happy for you. I’m always here if you need me. I’m glad this is over for you.’” Arnissa leads our accounting department, which she affectionately calls “the A-Team.” “My greatest joy as far as being at work is always to manage them because they truly are a great group,” she says. “If I need extra help, they’re going to go the extra 5 miles if I ask them to because they know I’m going to go the extra 10 for them.” Arnissa loves spending time outdoors hiking, fishing, and hunting. She enjoys athletics, played basketball in college, and now shares her skills as a volunteer coach, training kids in basketball in her community. Arnissa’s passion for numbers, people, and supporting clients and teammates alike makes her an invaluable part of The Manely Firm family.
2
www.allfamilylaw.com
Matters of the Heart
This simple, nostalgic dessert with whipped cream and cookie layers is perfect for warm weather and can even be made early for an easy weeknight treat. NO-BAKE ICEBOX CAKE
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Turning off a dripping faucet is easier than plugging a leak after water pressure has built up. When dealing with high-stress situations, emotional intelligence can help us recognize and manage our feelings before we flood. It gives us the tools to notice what’s coming, name the root feeling, and shift our response before it carries us away. While we may not be able to turn a level 10 stressor into a carefree feeling of a day at the beach, with self-awareness, we can turn the intensity down enough to handle it more effectively. Stress doesn’t just manifest itself as a feeling; it also physically appears in symptoms like a higher heart rate, elevations in blood pressure, dry mouth, and trembling hands. The amygdala, a key player in our brain’s emotional processing center, releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline when it perceives a threat. But that same pathway between our physical and emotional selves also holds the key to calming it down. If we recognize our stress triggers before they occur, like understanding how an upcoming public speaking event will make us anxious, we can turn to tools and techniques to de-escalate the stress and respond intelligently rather than acting on autopilot. It starts with identifying what is emotionally disturbing to you. Understanding where the stress comes from allows you to replace negative responses with productive ones. That’s when you can use the gateway between your frontal lobe and executive function to influence your subconscious. Breathing techniques are one of the best ways to release stress hormones and create a biofeedback loop. We often use box breathing, where you breathe slowly through your nose for five seconds, hold for five seconds, release for five seconds, and repeat 5–10 times, telling your brain you are safe. The cyclic sigh is also very powerful and is considered one of the most potent techniques to calm your nerves. First, inhale through your nose, take a second, deeper breath to expand your lungs, and then slowly exhale through your mouth, repeating the exercise for at least five minutes. Using Emotional Intelligence to Catch Stress Early
I ngredients • 3 cups heavy cream • 1/3 cup powdered sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 (9-oz) package chocolate wafer cookies • 1/2 cup chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional)
D irections 1. Line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing it to hang over the sides. 2. In a mixing bowl, whip cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. 3. Spread a small amount of mixture in the loaf pan and layer cookies in a single layer on top. 4. Continue layering whipped cream and cookies, finishing with cream on top. 5. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, until cookies soften. 6. To serve, uncover and invert on a plate. Dust with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder, if desired.
“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” –C harles B owden
You can’t completely eliminate stress, but with emotional intelligence and the proper breathing techniques, you can change your relationship to it.
–Shelia Manely
3
Call for a Consultation: ( 866) 245-5685
211 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 (866) 687-8561 www.allfamilylaw.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1 2
Let’s Talk About Why We’re Not Talking
Estate Tips for Divorced Dads
How a Passion for Puzzles Became a Career of Compassion
3 4
Fight, Flight, or Breathe
No-Bake Icebox Cake
New Family Aquatic Sports for Summer Fun
Make a Splash! Water Fun for the Whole Family
Few outdoor activities are more fun to do as a family than beating the heat in the water. A facility as simple as a community pool can offer fun for all ages, including wading, diving, and lap swimming. As summer gets underway, consider making plans to try more complex aquatic sports as a family. Here are four exciting options that will inspire the whole family to take the plunge. STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING This sport originated among Hawaiian surfers and began gaining momentum nationwide about a decade ago. Participants stand upright on a flat, buoyant board and propel themselves over lakes, rivers, and oceans with a single paddle. Paddleboards are bigger than surfboards and are stable enough to hold a picnic in a waterproof bag! SNORKELING Snorkeling is a great family activity for all ages if you’re vacationing near an ocean. Flippers, watertight goggles, and snorkels are easy to rent or buy. Exploring the wonders beneath the waves is as easy as floating on the surface and paddling your flippers. While any clear ocean waters can be fun to explore, consider trekking to Hawaii or Cozumel to see spectacular schools of fish and rock formations.
CANOEING AND KAYAKING Few aquatic activities offer more opportunities for reflection and quiet conversation than paddling a canoe or kayak. These watercraft are usually available to rent near lakes and rivers, and, barring rough weather, navigating with them is relatively safe and easy. Pack a picnic, explore, and see what you can find along a river or lakeshore. WATERSKIING While this sport requires access to a speedboat and a skilled operator, arranging to try it can offer unforgettable thrills. Nothing can compare to the exhilaration as you first rise above the waves and stand on your skis; participants also get a full-body workout! Waterskiing poses a challenge for beginners when crossing the wake and keeping their legs beneath them, but the rewards are worth the effort! This summer, consider vacationing near a body of water to explore these aquatic activities or others, such as sailing or bodyboarding. You will create lasting memories and may ignite passions your kids will enjoy for years!
4
www.allfamilylaw.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator