CRONIN CALLER
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August/September 2020
OUR NEWWEBSITE WAS BUILT FOR YOU
Our new site makes it easier to find information about our various practice areas, our team, and the ways we’ve helped others who have worked through situations similar to yours. We have tried our best to make our legal services as transparent as possible and lay out what you can expect if you do decide to work with us. We have always believed in making sure you feel taken care of, which includes facing your challenges together and ensuring you arewell informed from the moment you begin your search
As the world continues to navigate this pandemic by working together to rise through adversity, we at The Cronin Law Firm have also been dedicated to finding ways to adapt to what our clients need the most. Our mission has always been to provide guidance and peace of mind, and when it comes to these trying times, we have challenged ourselves to go above and beyond in our service. That is why, in addition to hosting our Cronin Challenge 2 Change Facebook Live events every Tuesday and Thursday, we have also published a brand-new website to serve as an insightful resource for those seeking help. The new site is CroninLawFirm.com, and if you get a chance to explore it, you will notice that we have packed it with valuable resources and information that we have garnered over our decades of experience as a way to make sure we are being as helpful to our clients as we possibly can. Our goal with the new site, and with our firm in general, is to put more information into your hands so you can feel confident about what your next steps should be to navigate the challenging time you find yourself facing. We know how unnerving the prospect of speakingwith a lawyer can be —you have likely just gone through or are currently going through an event that has impacted your life, and you may not know how to even begin asking important questions. That is the point at which many will take to the internet for the answers they need. This is why it is so important for us to make sure there is a reliable and approachable resource out there.
for help. We have even included links to two free guidebooks you can download right from the site about navigating your personal injury or estate planning, and you can find out even more about those books inside this newsletter. If you have any questions about family law, personal injury, business law, estate planning, or criminal law, we are here to do everything we can to answer them for you. Our new website also makes it easy to sign up for a free case evaluation with us. Whatever legal challenges you and your family or business might be facing, our goal is to share the guidance you need to protect yourself. We believe that providing accessible information is the first step in doing just that. Our lines of communication are always open. You can reach out to us through our new website, give our office a call, or even send us a text. We want to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in asking for the help you need at all times, and especially now. We could all use a little extra guidance and
support through these uncertain times. From all of us at Cronin Law, please know we are here for you. Stay safe and keep your spirits high!
248-258-3500 | www.croninlawfirm.com
WHAT IS AGE BUT A NUMBER? A Dutch Man’s Quest to Change His Legal Age
GARDENING, GOLD, AND PHOTO SHOOTS 3 Fun Family Activities for Fall It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love. Get gardening. Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area. Pan for gold. Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/panning-for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard. Plan a fall photo shoot. It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.
In 2018, Dutch native Emile Ratelband was 69 years old. The thing was that the motivational speaker and founder of the Ratelband Research Institute didn’t want to be 69. So, he went to a Dutch court and petitioned for the right to change his legal age. His intention was to change the year of birth on his birth certificate — bumping it up by 20 years. As a result, all records would show him as 49.
Why did Ratelband want to change his age?
He told the court he didn’t feel like a man who was going on 70. He said he felt good — he felt like a man 20 years younger. He even said his doctors agreed and that they’d told him he had the body of someone younger. But there was another major reason Ratelband wanted to change his age. He said doing so would increase his overall happiness and would be helpful on dating apps. He would no longer have to deal with the ageism that came with being 69. Ratelband even went as far as to say he would be willing to delay his pension benefits another 20 years if need be. In an interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Ratelband said, “When I’m 69, I am limited. If I’m 49, then I can buy a new house, drive a different car. I can take up more work. When I’m on Tinder and it says I’m 69, I don’t get an answer. When I’m 49, with the face I have, I will be in a luxurious position.” Interestingly enough, Ratelband’s request wasn’t dismissed outright by the court. The judge found merit in the argument and said that people desire to change things about themselves all the time, adding that maybe age was one of those things we should consider — “maybe” being the operative word. The court ultimately decided that “Ratelband is at liberty to feel 20 years younger than his real age and to act accordingly.” But the judge added that changing his legal documents would have “undesirable legal and societal implications.” The court added “[T]here are a variety of rights and duties related to age, such as the right to vote and the duty to attend school. If Mr. Ratelband’s request was allowed, those age requirements would become meaningless.” Today, Ratelband is 71 and continues his battle to change his age. While he may have lost in his initial quest to legally change his age, according to NPR, he intends to appeal the decision. Cronin Law Firm | 248-258-3500
Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!
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A LOVE OF ART AND FOOTBALL IN FLINT Terry Crews Finds His Passion in Michigan
Terry Crews has had a storied career. These days, most people recognize him as Terry Jeffords, an NYPD lieutenant on the NBC sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” While Crews is mostly known for his acting in recent years, this Michigan native — born and raised in Flint — got his start in art and football. Crews grew up in a rough household in Flint. As a kid, he kept his eyes on the future. He took flute lessons from his great aunt and worked on his art. After graduating from high school, he earned an art scholarship at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen. In the middle of it all, he was able to put his artistic talent to work. One of his early jobs was drawing courtroom sketches. In an interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Crews revealed he had drawn sketches “for the worst murder case in Flint, Michigan, history.” Of course, that wasn’t about to deter him. It was just a stepping stone. He even worked as a courtroom sketch artist at WJRT. He then earned a second art scholarship and a full athletic scholarship for football at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. But as Crews likes to remind people, he got the art scholarship before the football scholarship. While at WMU, he was the defensive end for the Broncos. In 1988, Crews achieved All-Conference Honors and went on to win the 1988 Mid- American Conference Championship. While art remained his passion, he let his football career take over for a while. Long story short, he gained the attention of the National Football League. In 1991, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, and he went on to play with the San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, and Philadelphia Eagles. However, his career in the NFL wasn’t an easy gig. He didn’t regularly play.
In fact, he was often cut from rosters, but contracts prevented him from exploring other opportunities — except art. While he wasn’t on the rosters, Crews took art commissions. He would paint portraits of his teammates, which became a side gig for part of his NFL career. After six years with the NFL, he retired and made the move to Los Angeles with the intention of working in the film industry. It was a slow start, but he eventually appeared in films like “Friday After Next,” “White Chicks,” “Idiocracy,” “The Expendables,” and many more.
BACON AND EGG BREAKFAST PIZZA
UPCOMING ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOPS:
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 (5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
INGREDIENTS •
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2 tbsp water
1 package premade pizza dough 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 (5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 cups cheese of your choice, shredded
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6 eggs
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 (5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease a 15x10x1-inch pan. Spread the dough evenly over the bottom of the pan and 1/2 inch up the sides. Prick it with a fork and brush with 1 tbsp oil. Bake until lightly browned, about 7–8 minutes. 2. In a nonstick skillet, heat the remaining oil on medium. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and water together. Add the mixture to the skillet and stir until thickened and no liquid egg remains. 3. Add the egg to the baked crust in an even layer. Sprinkle on the bacon and cheese, then bake 5–7 more minutes before serving.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 (5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 (5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
Cronin Law Firm | www.croninlawfirm.com
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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21 East Long Lake Rd., Suite 250 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 248-258-3500 www.croninlawfirm.com
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INSIDE
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You Can Never Have Too Many Resources! 3 Fun Family Activities for Fall Should You Be Able to Change Your Legal Age? Another Great Who Got Their Start in Michigan
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Bacon and Egg Breakfast Pizza
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Free Personal Injury and Estate Planning Guidebooks
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDEBOOKS And Give Yourself the Knowledge You Need
As mentioned on the cover of this newsletter, throughournewwebsiteyoucannowaccess our free guidebooks about navigating your personal injury case or find out more about estate planning. Right on the homepage, you will find links to “Personal Injury Handbook: A Practical Guide for Protecting Your Legal Rights,” and “Estate Planning 101: What You Don’t Know Could Cost You Thousands.” We knowfromexperience just howimportant it is to have as much information about your legal situation as you can early on so that you have a better idea about how you want to proceed. These guides will provide you with the practical information you need to answer many of the questions you have and will reveal some of the realities, expectations, and necessities involved with your scenario before you even decide to contact a lawyer. In the “Personal Injury Handbook,” we lay out the proper actions to take after you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, answer some of the most common questions we have received from clients in the past, and demonstrate what actions to avoid in order to maintain the value of your case.
In “Estate Planning 101” we explainwhat an estate plan is, the various documents it can consist of, what your options are for protecting you and your family in the future, and why having an estate plan is important for everyone, no matter their age or the size of their estate. If you visit CroninLawFirm.com and click on either one of these guidebooks on the home page, you will
navigate to exactly where you need to go to learn even more about these useful books and sign up to receive your free copies. We are here to provide you with the peace of mind you need about your case, and these guidebooks (written by our expert team) are a great place to start.
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