Check out our March newsletter!
March 2025
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR The Transformative Power of Parenthood
Growing, Learning, and Embracing the Journey
others. In the beginning, when they are young, you’re focused on caring for every one of their needs. As they get older, it’s appreciating the chance to be there, watching them grow and experiencing new things. You transition from a caretaker to a guide. As a parent, everything you do takes your children into account. Whether it’s a new job, moving, or even a vacation, you have to consider whether it will benefit them and enrich their lives.
Having children changes everything. Parenthood is an amazing experience that constantly shapes your priorities, actions, and outlook on life. It’s not always easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. Both of us are proud fathers, and through this journey, we’ve learned it’s not just about taking care of our children but also growing alongside them. Incredible Kid Day is on March 20, and there’s no end to the incredible things we can say about our kids. Every moment is a reminder of how lucky we are to be parents.
Zac: Once you have children, your life’s focus shifts, becoming less about yourself and your needs and more about them. Everything you do and think about is for them. One of the best things about having kids is getting a ticket to do things you would have never tried before. It could be as simple as watching a kid’s movie or riding a roller coaster. I probably wouldn’t go to an amusement park without them. Most of my time is devoted to my children; as a family, we enjoy
We love spending time outdoors and traveling all over the world. There’s something very special about seeing new places through your kids’ excited eyes. My daughter is big into cheerleading, and we love to share this, as I was a cheerleader in college. We’re a big sports family, and both of my kids have started playing lacrosse. We love taking trips to Gainesville to tailgate and watch the Florida Gators play. My daughter and I are going to fly to Wisconsin to catch the Green Bay Packers. We are going to freeze, but it will be an experience I know I’ll never forget. Having children keeps you young because everything is new to them. Every little experience is groundbreaking, so things you may have done thousands of times become brand-new again. You see how quickly they grow up, and it reminds you how short we’re all here and how important it is to enjoy life. One of the best lessons I’ve learned from my children is how they help me see things from new perspectives. For example, watching my son practice a song for a recital, I noticed that as he tried to teach me, he got so much better himself. My kids continuously show me how important it is to embrace the process together.
traveling together and having fun. My son is very active and into sports, so we do everything from skateboarding to golf and tennis. He’s learning to water ski, and we’re hoping to start wakeboarding next. My daughter was also really into sports when she was younger, but she’s become a big foodie. She’s at the age where she’s getting ready for the next stage of her life. She’s in college, so I spend a lot of time talking to her about her career goals. Among the many lessons my kids have taught me, one of the most important is not to take things too seriously. It’s a constant reminder not to sweat the small stuff because there is always tomorrow. Parenthood changes you mentally and physically, giving you a great reason to enjoy life. Nick: The joke is that at some point, two people who love each other decided to give up all the time they had before and spend the rest of their lives caring for
NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000 1 – Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
No one enters a marriage thinking it will end in divorce; however, when people hear the words “nuptial agreement,” the implication is that the couple has no faith the marriage will stand the test of time. But consider a different perspective. These agreements, whether prenuptial or postnuptial, can also be viewed as intentional steps toward restoring marital bliss, which can be especially beneficial when couples have financial concerns after marriage. Postnuptial agreements, in particular, can assist couples in making the best financial decisions for their marriage. Prenuptial vs. Postnuptial The only difference between a “prenup” and a “postnup” is the time of signing. A couple signs a prenuptial agreement before marriage, whereas they sign a postnuptial agreement afterward. Both types of agreements are contracts both spouses agree to sign to ensure a fair and decent distribution of financial assets in the event of divorce. 4 Common Reasons for Postnuptial Agreements There are many reasons a couple may want to create a postnuptial agreement. Perhaps both spouses wanted to sign a prenuptial agreement but never got around to it, or maybe the couple had a change of heart and wanted one after all. Either way, a postnuptial agreement can assist in the following scenarios. Dividing Interest in a Business: Separate or Marital Properties When dividing interest in a business, the main concern is determining marital and separate property. If the business belonged to one spouse before marriage, it is their separate property. If the business was Could They Be the Solution for Marital Harmony? Considerations of Postnuptial Agreements
“A postnuptial agreement has an important place in many marriages and can relieve stress if you have relentless concerns about financial matters.”
established after marriage, it’s considered marital property. However, if both spouses contributed to the maintenance and operations of the business, it can be viewed as a hybrid property. Postnuptial agreements help couples categorize the business as a separate property to be left to the titled spouse. Determining Inheritance: To Whom Does the Money Go? If a spouse is bequeathed a large inheritance, the couple may choose to discuss the distribution of the funds in case the marriage dissolves. This is especially important if you live in a state where assets are equally dispersed between spouses if the assets were obtained during the marriage — i.e., community property. A postnuptial agreement trumps the community property law, granting the heir their full inheritance. Rebuilding a Relationship Postnuptial agreements can also function as a way to mend a strained marriage. Infidelity, for example, can be devastating to a marriage. As a condition for the marriage, the non-cheating spouse may require the cheating spouse to agree to sign a postnuptial agreement. This can signify hope for the marriage — but only under certain conditions. Protecting Stay-at-Home Parents A stay-at-home parent may have spent years out of the workforce but has equally contributed to the upkeep and harmony of the home. Because of that, the legally unemployed parent may find reentering the workforce difficult and want financial security through a postnuptial agreement. This would ensure they get a fair distribution of assets. Are you considering a postnuptial agreement? A postnuptial agreement has an important place in many marriages and can relieve stress if you have relentless concerns about financial matters. If you’re considering a postnuptial agreement, seek legal advice to navigate the complexities of these legal documents.
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GET IT TOGETHER! DIY Organization Tips to Bring Order to Your Living Spaces
Clothes Pins for Cabinet Door Storage Kitchen cleaning supplies, especially lightweight items, don’t always have to be placed on the floor inside the under-sink cabinet. Putting double-sided tape onto clothes pins and sticking them inside the cabinet doors creates an excellent place to hang rags/sponges, kitchen gloves, and sink stoppers. Napkin Holders for Pot Lids Using zip ties and upright wire napkin holders, you can create a lid organizer for your pots and pans. Rather than flipping the lid upside down on top of the pot, you can create a designated space for all the lids to reside. You can even organize your lids from smallest to largest! Pool Noodles as Hanger Spacers Between Clothes Pool noodles work as spacers to keep your clothes hanging neatly. Just take a pool noodle and make one cut length-wise to open the noodle, and then cut it horizontally into 1-inch pieces. Place the pieces on the bar in your closet and hang your clothes according to how many hangers you want between each spacer! Honeycomb Organizer for Socks and Undergarments Drawers that house undergarments and socks tend to get disorganized quickly. Honeycomb organizers are the perfect addition to ensure all items fit in the drawer, making it easier to grab what you need. These organizers are also adjustable, so they’ll fit any drawer size!
Is there really such a thing as “ organized chaos ”? It depends on whom you ask! If you thrive in clutter, this article isn’t for you. Creating an organized space is simply a matter of ensuring household items have a place to be stored — and not in the one drawer filled with everything from ketchup packets and paper clips to a random Cheeto! Whether you’re preparing for house guests or diving into a spring-cleaning marathon, these organizing tips will bless your cluttered mess! Tension Rods for Shoe Storage Need more shoe space? Not a problem — just grab a few tension rods! If you have two sturdy objects — dressers, a wall and nightstand, etc. — you can place two tension rods between them and create a “shelf” to place your shoes on. Add multiple rows of tension rods for extra storage.
Have a
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Laugh
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic • 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth • 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped • 1/2 tsp ground pepper • 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt • 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini • 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach • 1 cup heavy cream
Directions
1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
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Inside This Edition
2 1 How Our Kids Challenge Us to Be Better Postnuptial Agreements: What They Are and Why They Matter
3
Decluttering Hacks Made Easy Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
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Food-Based Courtroom Follies
BEEF BRIEFS Bizarre Fast-Food Legal Battles
brilliantly marketed the quantity of meat in its burgers compared to those other popular fast-food restaurants sold. Decades later, a New York resident launched a one-man mission to prove that one of Burger King’s modern-day competitors, Taco Bell, failed to heed the burger giant’s lead. In the summer of 2023, Frank Siragusa filed a class action suit against Taco Bell, alleging the company had “materially overstate[d] the amount of beef and/or ingredients” in its advertising for its Mexican Pizza and Crunchwrap menu items. Siragusa’s suit includes photographic evidence comparing the robust size of the advertised products versus the actual ones he purchased. While the case was ongoing as of this writing, Siragusa’s love for fast-food beef cannot be disputed. A Vegan Vendetta Vanquished Although only 3% of the adult population in the U.S. identified as vegan, according to
research presented by the Vegetarian Resource Group in 2022, people who refuse to eat any animal-derived products remain a passionate and vocal minority. In 2019, a vegan named Philip Williams took Burger King to court after learning that the patty in his Impossible Whopper — marketed as a meat-free alternative to the popular burger — had been cooked on the same grill as beef products. In his suit, Williams argued that because Burger King had added a plant-based meal option to its menu, consumers were led to believe the meal would be prepared separately from the animal-based items in the kitchen. The judge disagreed, later dismissing the case and noting that Burger King’s marketing of the Impossible Burger promised only a meatless patty and nothing more. The lesson learned? Sometimes, even in the world of fast food, what you see is what you get.
Is seeing always believing? Well, plaintiffs in two of the oddest legal cases in recent years set out to show the world that what ends up on our trays or in our drive-thru bags may not be as scrumptious as fast- food joints promise in their ads. A Clash With Burger King Readers of a certain age may remember Wendy’s’ famous “Where’s the Beef?” campaign that
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