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INYOUR DEFENSE
NOVEMBER 2021
757.852.3000 | LegalDefense.com
Veterans and members of the military have played a large role in my life. One of my greatest inspirations was my great-grandfather, who was serving at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. My great- grandfather was lucky enough to survive not only Pearl Harbor but the rest of World War II as well. He had three brothers who were not so lucky. Yet, that side of the family has remained active with the military. I always wanted to join the family legacy but wanted to follow my own path first until I felt it was the right time. That time has finally come. As many of you know, this past September, I joined the Navy as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. I honestly didn’t think it was going to happen. I have a heart condition I thought would disqualify me, but it didn’t. Out of over 300 applicants, only eight of us were offered a commission. This has truly been a dream come true. The first few years will involve basic military training as I began attending Officer Development School in October. After that, it’s on to Naval Justice School before jumping into the fray. One of the coolest aspects of this experience was that my brother, who was recently promoted to lieutenant colonel, swore me into the Navy in early October. It feels even better that I’m taking this next big leap with the support and assistance of my brother. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the country and honor my family by using a skill set I’ve worked 11 years to hone. I am also incredibly grateful for Dan and all the wonderful staff and clients at the Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller. Without you all, this opportunity would not be possible. I still vividly remember my first few days with Dan and the team. I responded to an advertisement for the job on a Monday and had secured an interview by that Friday. I came with litigation experience but was still rather fresh to practicing law. The interview apparently SERVING MY COUNTRY Taking the Next Step
went well because Dan asked if I could start that following Monday. I accepted and hit the ground running the next week.
Dan was an incredibly inspiring and motivating mentor for me. He truly showed me the ropes on so many different important legal practices. I was a litigator before working here, but I was given plenty of courtroom experience that bolstered my confidence and made me a better lawyer. When I first started working at the Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller, I knew the work environment would be perfect. We operated as a family, where everyone was looking out for each other’s best interests. We also have some of the best paralegals in the country who always kept pushing and keeping me on track. I will miss every single individual I was blessed to work with. But it’s not just the staff; I have worked with some truly amazing clients. I’ve learned so much about so many of you. In some cases, I even watched your children grow up. It’s been humbling to help you through some difficult times. I hope I have impacted your lives in as meaningful a way as you have impacted mine. Even though I’m leaving, the capable staff at Dan’s office will still support and serve you well. Dan will always be able to reach me, and I will make myself available if he or any new associates have questions regarding cases I have worked on. I will continue to think about and pull for each of you. I’m excited to take this next step in my life to proudly serve this country. I have always admired the service, sacrifice, and dedication our veterans and active-duty military members provide, and I am thrilled to be joining their ranks. –James Weaver
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F ootball and T hanksgiving : A MATCH MADE IN MARKETING HEAVEN
Last year, 30.3 million people tuned in to watch the NFL’s Thanksgiving showdown between the Washington Football Team and the Dallas Cowboys. For those Americans (and probably for you if you’re reading this article), football is as essential to Thanksgiving as turkey and stuffing — but why? As it turns out, there are two answers to that question. The first is that games have been played on the holiday for almost as long as it has officially existed. Thanksgiving became a holiday in 1863, and just six years later, the third American football game in history was played on it.
In 1934, a Detroit Lions coach, George A. Richards, decided that in order to attract more fans, his team would make a point to always play on Thanksgiving when most people were off work. To sweeten the pot, he committed his radio station (an affiliate of the NBC Blue Network) to broadcasting the Thanksgiving game live on 94 different stations across America. This idea was a hit from day one! According to Sporting News, the long-unloved Lions “not only sold out the stadium, they also had to turn people away at the gates.” In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys signed on to play every Thanksgiving, too, for similar publicity reasons.
According to SB Nation, the Young America Cricket Club and the Germantown Cricket Club faced off in that inaugural Thanksgiving game in Philadelphia, and football has been played
Since those early days, football-themed traditions have flourished in American families. Apart
from watching games on TV, one of the most popular is organizing a pre-turkey game of family touch football a la the sitcom “Friends.” (Its famed episode “The One With the Football” aired Nov. 21, 1996.) If you’ve never organized a game, this could be your year! To get started, Google “Scott’s Family- Friendly Touch Football” and click the first link.
on Thanksgiving pretty much ever since! When the NFL was founded in 1920, the Thanksgiving game was official from the get-go.
The second reason we watch football on Thanksgiving is more about money than tradition.
SHARED CUSTODY DURING THE HOLIDAYS I s Y our E x L etting Y ou S ee Y our C hild ?
Shared custody can be extremely difficult for parents during the holidays. Between busy work schedules, planned vacations, and the usual holiday celebrations, this time of year can be stressful. The situation becomes even worse if your ex is not letting you see your child. In Virginia, there is a strict obligation for a child in divorce to have the chance at a relationship with both parents. If your ex-partner is denying visitation without approval from the court, then you have a right to pursue legal action. A child custody and visitation schedule should have been made upon your divorce or legal separation. This determines
when you and your child will spend time together. If your ex is not adhering to the schedule, you need to have a discussion to decide when that time will be made up. It’s imperative to keep a log for every time your ex denied visitation or contact in case you need to take your ex to court. Never take matters into your own hands. If you withhold child custody payments or try to take some other form of revenge, you could face serious legal consequences. If your ex never lets you contact or visit your child, they are violating the court- ordered visitation schedule. This is the ideal time to get the police involved and file a petition to enforce visitation. Virginia does not mess around with visitation orders.
Your ex could face a misdemeanor charge or even lose custody of your child if their intentions are negative. The holidays do not create a loophole in your visitation rights. Your visitation schedule should still be met throughout the entire holiday season. Just because you do not have full custody does not mean they have the right to keep your child from you. We take child custody and visitation laws seriously. Every child should have the opportunity to build and maintain relationships with both of their parents. If your ex is preventing this, contact us online or at 757.517.2942. You deserve to see your child during the holidays, and we want to help.
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Will the Divorce Rate Boom After the Pandemic?
Whether it’s due to an increased time together or irreconcilable differences, COVID-19 has made many marriages difficult. In China, the divorce rate skyrocketed when COVID-19-related quarantines across the country were lifted. Now, many divorce lawyers hypothesize the same could happen in the U.S. Many major cities in China saw a record high number of divorces once restrictions were lifted. One Shanghai divorce lawyer stated that his caseload increased by 25% after the city’s lockdown was lifted. While it’s too soon to tell if the same will happen in the U.S. as we continue to fight the pandemic, a few factors indicate the divorce rate might rise post-pandemic here, too. Many couples need time apart. The majority of couples have been locked together for well over a year now. Many people rely on time at work or going out with friends as a reprieve from their significant other. After spending so much time together, many couples may realize they’ve grown apart and would be happier alone.
There is a precedent. Divorce lawyers are busiest during January and late summer. This is usually the time when the holiday and summer seasons end. Most couples spend more time together during these seasons and find they could be better off on their own. Quarantines and lockdowns can create similar feelings. Economic and familial instability increased. Money issues are usually cited as one of the biggest instigators of divorce, and we have reached record levels of unemployment during the pandemic. The increased stress of financial instability could lead some couples to split. Additionally, many parents are now working from home while overseeing their children who are learning remotely. These new situations can create even more stress, which can shake familial stability. It’s still too early to know how many families will emerge intact from this pandemic. It’s quite possible that divorce rates will spike after the pandemic when comparing this event with similar situations.
EASYPUMPKIN BROWNIES
SUDOKU
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
INGREDIENTS
• 1 box brownie mix, plus other ingredients listed on box
• 6 oz cream cheese, softened • 3 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips • 1/2 can pumpkin purée
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven as directed on the brownie box, then make the brownie mix. Fold in chocolate chips. 2. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Choose your pan as directed on the brownie box. Grease it if needed. 4. Pour half of the brownie mix into the pan and spread evenly. 5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the pan, evenly or in a pattern. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix and spread evenly. 6. Bake as directed on the brownie box, adding 10 minutes to account for the pumpkin. Test for doneness, and when your toothpick comes out clean, cool and enjoy!
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TAKING THE NEXT STEP PAGE 1 FOOTBALL AND THANKSGIVING: A MATCH MADE IN MARKETING HEAVEN IS YOUR EX LETTING YOU SEE YOUR CHILD? PAGE 2 WILL THE DIVORCE RATE BOOM AFTER COVID-19? EASY PUMPKIN BROWNIES PAGE 3 WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT NEW ENGLAND FOR THANKSGIVING PAGE 4 INSIDETHIS ISSUE
DURING YOUR THANKSGIVINGWEEKEND WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT NEWENGLAND
Last year, travel restrictions kept many families from gathering together in their homes for Thanksgiving dinner. This year, it appears that people will be able to travel freely to most locations. While a “destination Thanksgiving” might not be something you’ve ever considered, for some families, it can mean the perfect blend of quality fun and family time in an exciting new city. So, why not take advantage and bring your family to visit New England, the part of the country where Thanksgiving began? If you need more reasons than just the origin of a famous holiday, consider the scenery. If you’ve never visited New England in the fall, it’s something that every person should do at least once in their lives. The variety of colors on display in the trees throughout the quaint downtowns and nearby forests is completely
unique to that part of the country. There’s a reason that “visiting Boston in the fall” has become not only a popular vacation but also part of the American lexicon as well. As for what you could do when you’re in New England for your Thanksgiving weekend, there are a few popular destinations you just have to see for yourself. First and foremost among these are the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. When you visit, you’ll be transported back in time to one of the earliest settlements in the United States, where the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared the first Thanksgiving dinner. Other fun destinations in that immediate area also include wandering the quaint historic downtowns of Ipswich, Sturbridge, or several other colonial era towns. You can also find tons of fun shopping destinations in Beverly,
Massachusetts. If you want your experience to be a little more rural, you can travel out to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, or Woodstock, Vermont, to experience a true traditional Thanksgiving celebration at Billings Farm and Museum. Even though your family might not be used to traveling for Thanksgiving, how many opportunities will you have to visit Thanksgiving’s birthplace during the season? It’s the kind of vacation you don’t want to miss!
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