Take a look at this month's edition of the DeWitt Digest!
The
Digest
DeWittLaw.com
DECEMBER 2020
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Giving Back to Our Community at Christmas
ONE BIKE AND HELMET AT A TIME
When kids learn to ride a bike, it’s their first real taste of freedom. Any sidewalk, footpath, or road with a bike lane becomes “the open road,” to them. It’s also a learning experience, where every scraped knee and cut elbow comes with a lesson. As a child, I cherished every chance I got to ride my bike, and I want to be able to help other kids have the same fond memories that I had. More than just a fun toy, however, a bicycle can mean kids have a way of getting themselves to and from school and after-school activities where their parents would have to drop them off and pick them up. Riding a bike isn’t just freedom for kids but also for parents whose busy work schedules might not always allow for time to drive them wherever they need to go. Unfortunately, new, or even nice used bicycles, aren’t always in the family budget, leaving many kids without that sense of freedom and responsibility. However, that’s why we have teamed with Power 95.3FM and DJ Nailz to provide bicycles to the kids who need them most. Throughout December we will be working with DJ Nailz to give away bikes to those in need. While Power 95.3 has restricted allowing listeners at their building due to COVID-19, they have made an exception for this great cause to ensure we get the bikes to kids before the holidays. For years, DeWitt Law Firm has worked to donate bikes to the children who need them the most. While this year’s bike giveaway is a bit different due to COVID-19, we still want to make sure that we can help during this holiday season. Of course, along with every bike given to a child or teen who will appreciate it, we also want to make sure that they will be safe wherever they pedal. That’s why Helmet Heads of Florida, an
organization that I started as a way to get bike helmets to the kids who need them, donates one helmet for every bike we give away too. As fun as it is to ride a bike, 36% of cyclists don’t wear a helmet while they’re out and about, which can lead to serious head injuries if they get in a wreck. We want kids to enjoy their bikes, but we also want them to be able to do it safely. Christmas is always better when you have gifts to give, and even though this year has been crazy, we’re glad to be able to continue this tradition. Have a safe holiday season and a merry Christmas, everyone!
"When kids learn to ride a bike, it’s their first real taste of freedom.”
– Moe DeWitt
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PERSONAL INJURY - DIVORCE - REAL ESTATE
THIS MONTH ON THE 'D e W itt L aw R eview '
The “DeWitt Law Review" airs every Sunday at 10 a.m. on 107.3 FM and 580 AMWDBO. It is always our goal to bring the listeners of Central Florida the latest legal news and create a forum where they can ask legal questions anonymously from the comfort of their own home without having to retain an attorney. To listen to this month’s episodes or any episode the “DeWitt Law Review,” you can visit our website at dewittlaw.com, where you can download the podcast from Apple Podcasts or Spotify. We receive many legal questions from our listeners each month, and we wanted to share some of the interesting ones in hopes that they may also benefit others facing similar legal issues. If you would like to ask a question, give us a call and leave a voicemail at 407-536-6737. You can also text questions to that number or email ask@dewittlaw.com Q: The mother of my children has a felony child abuse charge against her. Should I file for paternity now or wait until the mother of my child is convicted? A: Assuming you and the mother were never married, and paternity has not previously been established, you should start the action as soon as possible because you will not have any rights related to the children until you are legally found to be the father. In Florida, until paternity is legally adjudicated, the father typically has no legal rights to the child.
WITH NO SNOW AT ALL CREATING THE PERFECT SNOWBALL FIGHT
An old-fashioned snowball fight is the epitome of winter activities. But if snowfall is lacking or it’s just too cold to venture outside and hurl freezing balls of ice at each other, don’t let it dampen your spirits. You can create and orchestrate your own indoor, snow-free, and entirely safe snowball fight. MAKE YOUR SNOWBALLS While craft stores sell large white cotton puffs that look like snowballs, they’re too light to get any good velocity behind them. Instead, make your own “snowballs” with just a few materials in four easy steps: 1. You’ll need a pair of scissors, several pairs of cheap white nylon stockings (one pair can make about 10 snowballs), and a bag of polyester fiberfill, like Poly-Fil, or use the stuffing from a few old stuffed animals you no longer want. 2. Stuff a handful of the filling down into the end of one stocking leg and tie a knot, creating a round “snowball.” 3. Make another knot after the one you just made, leaving a little space between the two knots. 4. Cut between the two knots to snip off a tied-off snowball. Repeat these steps until you have at least a few dozen, but if you’re patient enough to make 100 or more, you’ll have ample supply for a substantial encounter. HOWTO PLAY There’s really no “right” way to have a snowball fight. It’s often just about who can hit whom the most, but if you want to turn it into a measurable competition, divide your group into two teams and distribute the snowballs evenly between them. Then create boundaries for each team by laying down masking tape across the room. Teams must stay on their side of the line at all times. Set a timer for however long you’d like the fight to go on, and at your signal, teams can start hurling snowballs across the room at one another. When time is up, gather and count the snowballs on each side, and the team with the fewest snowballs is the winner! A crafty indoor snowball fight can be a lot of fun for people of all ages, not just kids. Best of all, the crafting part is something you only have to do once, and then you have a stock of snowballs for every winter to come.
Q: Does a mortgage survive a tax deed sale?
A: No, a mortgage does not survive a tax deed sale. Florida Statute section 197.552 states that only municipal or county governmental unit, special district or community development district liens survive after a tax deed sale. Q: Before I got married, I had a prenuptial agreement and want to know if I should have the prenuptial agreement recorded with the county? A: No, a prenuptial does not need to be recorded with the county. However, you want to make sure that the agreement is stored in a secure location, so it doesn’t get lost or destroyed. I recommend that you place the original signed prenuptial agreement in a safe deposit box and keep numerous executed paper and digital copies in safe locations. Q: My ex-girlfriend and I had a verbal dispute. She called the police and told them that I pushed her. I was arrested, and now there is an order of protection against me. I cannot return home or see my children. What should I do? A: You cannot return to your home or see your children until the order of protection is dismissed or modified. If you violate the order, you could be arrested. I would recommend that you hire an attorney as soon as possible to either challenge the order and request the court dismiss it or seek a modification of the terms to allow you to see your children and retrieve your personal belongings from the home. With an order of protection, commonly referred to as a domestic violence injunction, you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible after being served.
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DEWITT LAW FIRM EDITION ‘THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS’
6 TIMES A DAY THATWE’RE GRATEFUL FOR JOY, OUR INTAKE SPECIALIST (Seriously, Joy rocks. She does incredible work for us.) 5-STAR REVIEWS FOR OUR AWESOME PERSONAL INJURY TEAM! (Made possible by ratings from our clients. Thank you, all!) 4-MINUTE DAILY OFFICE MEETINGS (We’re pretty proud of the fact that we can keep them that short!) 3 CUPS OF COFFEE BY NOON (Sleep is for the weak — and people who drink decaf.) 2 AMAZING FAMILY LAW PARALEGALS (Seriously, thank you to both of you for taking the insanity of this year in stride!) 1 HAPPY LAW FIRM FAMILY (Who wouldn’t be happy after getting through 2020? But seriously I wouldn’t have wanted to weather this storm with anyone else.)
When I think back on all the craziness that has beset DeWitt Law Firm this past year, it strangely makes me think of the Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Sure, not everything that we’ve received this year has felt like a gift, but in the midst of the hardship and uncertainty, sometimes it helps to remember the gifts we’ve been given.
12+ YEARS IN BUSINESS (Technically right, though we’ve actually been in business for 22 years.)
11 MONTHS INOUR NEWOFFICE SPACE (It really feels like home now!)
10 MEMBERS OF DLF WORKING FROM HOME (We’re happy that everyone has stayed safe and healthy this year!) 9 MONTHS OF QUARANTINING (Any of you have good recommendations for more TV shows we could binge in our spare time?) 8 LAWYERS LAWYERING (We’re here to be your go-to legal counsel, even in the midst of this wild and tumultuous year!)
I hope all of you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Here’s to 2021!
7 DAYS AWEEK ASSISTING OUR CLIENTS (Call us on our 24/7 hotline with any questions or concerns!)
BREAK TAKE A
NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S FRUITCAKE
Inspired by SimplyRecipes.com
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tsp baking soda • 1 cup sour cream • 3 1/2 cups mixed
• 1 cup nuts of your choice, chopped • 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided • 1 stick butter
• 1 cup sugar • 1 egg, room temperature • Zest of 1 orange • 1 tsp salt
dried fruit of your choice, chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with greased baking paper. Ensure the piece running the length of the pan stands 1 inch above each side to form “handles.” 2. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and sour cream. 3. In a second bowl, combine fruit, nuts, and 1/4 cup flour. 4. In a third bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, zest, and sour cream mixture. Then, add remaining flour and salt. Mix, then add fruit mixture. 5. Pour batter into lined pan. Fill up a separate loaf pan halfway with water. Bake both pans in oven for 1 1/2–2 hours or until a skewer leaves the cake clean. 6. Use “handles” to remove cake from pan and cool completely on a rack before serving.
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THIS ISSUE
PHONE AVAILABLE 24/7 (OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9 A.M.–5 P.M.)
Giving Back One Bike and Helmet at a Time 1
Craft a Snow-Free Indoor Snowball Fight
2
This Month on the 'DeWitt Law Review'
2
DeWitt Law Firm’s 12 Days of Christmas
3
Not Your Grandma’s Fruitcake
3
Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed
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WINTER ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED A DRIVER’S GUIDE TO SAFE HOLIDAY TRAVELS
On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps
to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way. Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers,
zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger. At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little- known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm. Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!
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