Phyllis Law - April 2019

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Protecting Bright Futures

APR 2019

Bright Futures Bulletin

While in law school at Michigan State University, I would daydream about graduating and “hanging my own shingle” in my beloved hometown of Marietta, Georgia. However, I was advised by experienced lawyers that the most important thing in the beginning of a legal career is trial experience. I was fortunate to acquire that experience prosecuting in Cobb County. I loved studying criminal law at MSU, so it was a natural choice for me. It didn’t hurt that my boss was Barry Morgan, a dedicated public servant any communitywould be honored to have, as its elected chief prosecutor. He taught me so much about dealing with people in a responsible and dignified way, and I am forever grateful. My desire to serve my community strengthened as I worked for my home county, prosecuting on behalf of its citizens. In court, I interacted with hundreds of people each day and learned something new from every interaction. I discovered a real passion for conflict resolution and bridge building. In 2006, I took a leap of faith and launched my own firm, offering defense to good people facing criminal prosecution. Within a year of launching my own firm, I felt a longing to do more. I wanted to expand my practice area where I could continue to help people in crisis but not interfere with my thriving criminal defense practice. At that time, our local bar association in Cobb Countywas looking for volunteers to do pro bono work at the Cobb Justice Foundation. There was a specific need for bankruptcy attorneys. Howard Rothbloom, a legal giant in consumer bankruptcy protection, offered to train any attorney how to handle bankruptcy cases in exchange for a commitment to volunteer pro bono hours to indigent members of our community. I jumped at the opportunity. For the past 13 years, I’ve continued to help clients restore financial peace through bankruptcy protection and alternative methods. I have met so many good, hardworking, humble people

during this time. My favorite thing about this work is witnessing my client’s transformation from uncertainty and risk to confidence and stability. The “fresh start” provided in bankruptcy protection is an opportunity everyone is worthy of receiving. It is difficult for people facing financial crisis to take the initial step and reach out for help. Many people try to keep it a secret from friends, family, and employers. Fear and shame drive inaction. I want to encourage you to reach out early if you find yourself in trouble. Many of my clients come to me a year or two before they choose to file. An attorney can explore all the options available to help you restore financial peace. There can be some complicated strategies involved which require planning. Even if someone feels like they are not ready to take legal action, they can still benefit greatly from a legal consultation. I am thrilled to announce that in March, I was named the best bankruptcy attorney in Cobb County in a contest conducted by Marietta Daily Journal and Cobb Life Magazine. I want to thank all my clients, friends, and familywho voted for me. I appreciate every client who has entrusted me to help them find resolution to their conflict. It is truly an honor to serve Cobb County in this way. The loss of freedom and financial instability are two of the biggest crises people can face in their life. I enjoyworking to restore peace of mind for my clients and their families facing these challenges. Thank you for trusting me to help you and your friends and family. Whenever people ask me what I do, I often get the response “I hope I don’t ever need you.” My standard reply is “You probablywon’t, but I’ll bet you know someone who will.”We appreciate all of your referrals and promise to honor your trust

Solving Crises Humbled By My Work Every Day

My favorite thing about this work is

witnessing my client’s transformation from uncertainty and risk to confidence and stability."

with quality service. At PhyllisLaw. com, we value our commitment to "protecting bright futures" for all of our clients. –Phyllis Gingrey Collins

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Active Searching for Active Pastimes Finding the Right Time to Get Your Children Into Sports

Whether you were the star player or the kid who picked flowers in the middle of the field all game, almost everyone has memories of being on a sports teamwhen they were young. Some lose interest over time and pursue other activities, while others find they really enjoy their sport, maybe have a real talent for it, and continue playing until they are young adults. Whatever the case, parents should take a couple of factors into consideration when determining if their child is ready for sports. If they begin playing too early, it might turn them off to the sport before they really understand it. It could also result in premature wear on muscles and bones that prevents them from playing their sport later on. Most experts believe that the proper age for introducing your child to sports is somewhere between 6 and 9 years old. When they are younger than 6, it is important for them to be active, but their motor skills are not yet

appear before the university or institution’s Title IX board. At these hearings, both parties are asked to provide statements regarding the alleged event, and the institution determines what disciplinary action, if any, is warranted. This could include expulsion, suspension, dismissal from clubs and activities, and class schedule changes. These hearings are separate from possible criminal proceedings, but any information accumulated in the investigation may be submitted to legal authorities for potential prosecution. Title IX, in a lurch. In any criminal case, you have a right to remain silent, but a school can submit an accused person’s answers to the police. Because of the possible educational and legal repercussions of these situations, this can be very traumatic for those who are accused. This is why legal representation is so important. Lawyers help defendants prepare their statements and provide clear guidance through their Title IX hearing and possible criminal case. The best solution to Title IX’s complexities is to refrain from behavior that could lead to these types of allegations. When you are Some children might not show interest in organized sports at all. If your child does not seem interested in any sports, even though they are old enough to understand the rules and are coordinated enough to play, you might want to This leaves defendants, who have legal rights according to the same constitution that houses If your child does not seem to enjoy team sports, you might see if they may like more individual sports, like running or swimming. Their personality can be just as significant as their age when it comes to choosing the right sport. developed enough to play most competitive sports. Trying to get them to understand this fact at that age might only make them frustrated with the sport and make them dislike it before they can even give it a try. Even when children are between the ages of 6 and 9, they might not be ready for sports that require higher forms of coordination, like football or hockey. Instead, try sports like T-ball, soccer, or karate. Theywon’t be ready for more intensive sports until they are 10–12 years old.

consider other activities, like art or music classes. Still, it is essential that they are active for at least an hour every day, no matter their interests.

engaged in sexual activity, be sure there is no doubt involved and have an open discussion with your partner; these accusations often involve students who have been engaged in a consensual sexual relationship. Be extra vigilant when drugs and alcohol are involved by either participant. When alcohol is involved, you are in dangerous territory of valid consent. Additionally, any text messages between the parties will be scrutinized and what would normally be classified as typical relationship “spats” could be interpreted as evidence of abusive behavior. seem to like the sport you signed them up for, encourage them to at least finish out the season. They might just need a little more time to warm up to it. However, if they still aren’t enjoying it at the end of the season, help them find other activities that they might like better. Ultimately, when a child is ready to play sports, it is important to stay in tune with what brings them joy and what keeps them mentally and physically healthy. Sexual assault and harassment are never acceptable, and survivors deserve the protections Title IX and criminal trials produce. But those being accused have rights too, and those rights can be in jeopardy in the Title IX arena without proper legal representation. Accused students usually feel compelled to speak out and defend themselves. But any statements can be used against the accused in the Title IX investigation as well as any resulting criminal investigation. Any type of sexual assault criminal charge has serious implications, including incarceration. If you or a loved one are facing a Title IX hearing, Phyllis Law can offer guidance. Find out how by calling 404.514.3397. Sometimes kids will get frustrated with the sports they play (even if they like playing them), and they might want to quit. If your child doesn’t

Understanding Your Rights The Complexities of Title IX and Being Accused

Title IX is a well-known constitutional amendment, and its ratification in 1972 paved the way for female sports in schools. It was a solid victory for equal rights, however, since its implementation, it has also created important and complex stipulations on sexual assault and harassment within educational institutions. Specifically, Title IX states, “No person in the United States, on the basis of sex, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” This is applied to occurrences of sexual assault and harassment at federally funded educational institutions because courts have ruled that if a school has authority over an accused abuser, the institution is required to take action.

When someone is accused of sexual assault, they — and the person accusing them — must

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Tuition 101 Paying for College and Graduating Debt-Free

SUDOKU BREAK Solution on pg. 4

With a rise in employers demanding higher education and skyrocketing tuition costs, finding ways to pay for college can be some of the most important decisions you make. Government and private loans are always available, but there are alternatives that help students avoid debt. Learn about some options below! Scholarships Scholarships are monetary gifts given to students by donors, and they can be supplied through colleges, high schools, organizations, and the government. Anyone can qualify for an infinite amount of scholarships, including those in foster care, students with disabilities, residents of communities, athletes, club members, and high-achieving students. There is no harm in applying, and gifts of hundreds of dollars can go a long way toward tuition. According to Clark Howard, FastWeb.com hosts more than 1.5 million scholarships that provide more than 3.4 billion dollars in funding. All you need to do is create a personal profile on the site. Collegeboard.org, Niche.com, Scholarships.com, MoolahSPOT.com are other sites that hosts many scholarships. Additionally, the following companies provide support for finding scholarships: Sallie Mae, Scholarship Monkey, Cappex, Chegg, Unigo, Peterson’s, and the U.S. Labor Department. Work Study Awork-study program can be a lucrative option for students who qualify. This federally funded program allows students to work in various departments on campus while earning money toward tuition. And the payoff can be huge. In addition to making tuition payments, students gain valuable experience in various disciplines, including office management, writing, organization, and customer service. Usually students are paid the federal minimumwage by the hour. Check with your school’s financial aid office to see if they participate in this federal program. Cooperative Program Co-op programs allow students to be placed in jobs related to what they are studying. Students alternate working one semester and going to school the next semester until they graduate. Although this prolongs the education experience, it gives students an opportunity to graduate with little or no debt and with work experience in their field of study. My father, Phil Gingrey, took advantage of this opportunity at Georgia Tech. He was able to start at Tech because he was awarded a scholarship by a local bank in his hometown. But he only had enough money for one quarter. The co-op programwas a gift that allowed him to get the degree he wanted without racking up crushing debt. Grants Different from scholarships, grants are specifically awarded by the state and federal government, and unlike governmental financial aid, grants do not have to be paid back. Awardees are determined through each student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which the federal government uses to determine the level of monetary aid a student needs. This aid can be in the form of grants or loans. For example, a student with divorced parents may qualify for significant grants from the government in addition to federal loans. 529 Plans If your child hasn’t started college yet, it’s not too late to start a 529 plan for their higher education. This is a tax-advantaged college savings plan that is offered and regulated by states under the federal tax code. Each state varies on what it allows, and in Georgia, the Path2College program allows savings on tax-free money for students to use at any stateside or abroad university or college. Learn more at Ost.Georgia.gov . Paying for college is more expensive than ever, but at Phyllis Law, we have 13 years of experience helping clients with their financial dilemmas. If you’d like more guidance combating student debt, call us at 404.514.3397.

Pasta Primavera

Inspired by Food Network

Ingredients

• • • • • • • • •

12 ounces pasta, ideally fusilli 1/2 pound broccoli florets

2 carrots, shredded

1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano-Reggiano Kosher salt, for pasta water and to taste 1. In a large pot, liberally salt water and bring to a boil. Add fusilli and cook according to package directions. Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper during the last 2 minutes of cook time. 2. Drain the pasta and veggies, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta and veggies to pot. 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil to me- dium heat. Add garlic and cook until translucent and golden, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until tomatoes are wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta water. 4. Add tomato mixture to pasta pot, stirring to coat evenly. 5. Divide into bowls, top with Parmesan cheese, and serve. Directions •

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Solution from pg. 3

Inside This Issue

Helping Those in Need of Relief 1

Letting Your Kids Have FunWith Some Healthy Competition

Understanding Title IX 2

Free Money for College

Pasta Primavera 3

Have You Ever Wondered About the Placebo Effect? 4

T he placebo effect works. Study after disorder (SAD) and depression. The placebo effect even works if you’re aware you’re taking a placebo. With that in mind, a person can’t just start taking placebos (or sugar pills) and expect a placebo effect. There is a strong psychological component. This may mean seeing a doctor or participating in a drug study to get the ball rolling. There are three challenges a person needs to overcome for a placebo to be most effective: conditioning , expectation , and belief . First, you need to be conditioned to accept the placebo as the real deal. For example, the placebo has to look like the medication it is study has confirmed it. The question is how. Numerous studies have shown placebos are most effective for aches and pains, as well as seasonal affective

How the Placebo Effect Works

meant to emulate. You might start treatment with the real medication and eventually transition to the look-alike. Then, you must expect it to work. There must be an indication that the placebo is “real.” This might be a doctor telling you it’s real and effective, or it might be previous experience taking a certain medication. In your mind, if the real drug worked, so will the look-alike. Lastly, you need to believe that when you take the placebo pill, it will do what you think it’s supposed to do. Belief is a powerful tool, and when you believe it’s going to help, the placebo will be most effective.

In pain studies, for example, some people experienced the same reduction in pain as they

would have experienced had they taken typical, over-the-counter pain medication. Keep in mind, however, that the placebo effect affects each person differently.

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