Holcomb Law, P.C. - July 2020

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HOLCOMB

FAMILY LAW • CRIMINAL DEFENSE • PERSONAL INJURY

Happenings

FAMILY LAW

•

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

•

PERSONAL INJURY

JULY 2020

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COURT CAN BE SCARY.

Mediators are trained, third-party neutrals — neutral in that they do not take a side in the dispute.

WHYNOTMEDIATE.COM W e, as American citizens, are incredibly fortunate to live in a society that has most likely the best justice system any civilization in history has enjoyed. If one has to go to court, best to be in this country at this time! Thank God for our court system. Further, even most local attorneys agree our judges here in Hampton Roads are exemplary; they are attentive, smart, and they seem to authentically care about the effect courts have on our communities. Still, particularly in family law matters, as seen on our billboards around Hampton Roads: Court can be Scary. WhyNotMediate. com . We started Holcomb Mediation Centers to provide our communities with an alternative to court in matters that are more personal, that perhaps shouldn’t be decided by a “stranger in the black dress” at the front of a courtroom. (You’d be very surprised at the percentage of judges themselves who believe that family law issues really should be handled by mediation. It’s a high number.)

but they cannot function like a lawyer

in the mediator role. As mediators, they only aid in facilitating or discovering

possible resolutions. They ensure that people on all sides of the issues are heard, all viewpoints are explored, and all possibilities are on the table. It is truly a different world than court — which, as we have said, can be scary. Outside of criminal matters that sometimes get into family law cases (like protective orders or domestic assault, for example), every type of family law case can be handled by mediation: prenuptial agreements, custody cases, divorces, probate issues, etc. Family law matters are by definition personal, emotional, and far-reaching. We are of the opinion that these decisions should be made by the parties who have a personal stake in, and will be affected in the future by, the decisions made. Nationwide, 85% of the cases heard in mediation are resolved. This is a very good record, but even more shocking is the fact that nearly 100% of the parties in these cases are satisfied with the mediated agreements years later! That doesn’t happen in court! And do you know why people feel so much satisfaction in the future? Because in mediated agreements, it is the parties to the dispute, with the help of a mediator, that come up with the solutions — not an impersonal judge who has maybe an hour to understand your life! We always say, “The best solutions to disputes lie in the minds of the disputing parties!” True statement.

Mediators are trained, third-party neutrals — neutral in that they do not take a side in the dispute. Mediators can be lawyers,

So, WhyNotMediate.com .

As seen on billboards across Hampton Roads

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The Age of STRESS

HELPING YOUR CHILD OVERCOME ANXIETY

It’s hard to imagine kids as anything but carefree, happy, and eager to explore the world around them. However, children experience stress just like adults do, which can severely impact their typically cheerful dispositions. Now is an opportune time to familiarize yourself with tools and information that can help you alleviate your child’s stress.

What are their stressors?

Any number of everyday factors can lead to stress, and stress can plague anyone who feels overwhelmed. Toddlers and young children going to day care or school for the first time may experience separation anxiety due to being apart from their parents. Older kids and teenagers may feel mounting social and academic pressure. Even something as simple as overhearing loved ones arguing or seeing a sad news report can add to a child’s stress levels.

How do I know if my child is stressed?

We have become one of the most positively reviewed firms in Hampton Roads! Here’s what our recent clients are saying:

When a kid is stressed, they will exhibit odd behavior and even undergo physical changes. Depending on your child’s age, watch for mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, headaches, trouble focusing, or withdrawal from the people around them. According to KidsHealth.org, younger children may also pick up habits like twirling their hair or sucking their thumb, while older kids may start to bully others, lie, or rebel.

"My experience with Holcomb Law could not have been better. They responded immediately and showed great knowledge and interest in my situation, which resulted in the outcome going my way. I would highly recommend and will recommend them to any of my friends that find themselves in need of their service!"

–Ronald

Can I help reduce their stress?

"The Holcomb Law firmwas very quick and responsive even during this difficult time. Katherine Nace consulted with us on a very odd and difficult family situation and was able to provide us with great guidance and support. Should our issue need to be pursued we will surely continue to use Holcomb. We feel that we are in the best of hands."

According to KidsHealth.org, good nutrition, proper rest, and healthy attention are great ways to help kids manage their stress. Set time aside each day to talk and spend time with your children; talking about worries will reduce or relieve anxieties. If you know about an upcoming stressful situation, like a school exam or a health checkup, prepare your child by studying with them or talking to them about what to expect.

–Lindsy

Don’t stop here. For more tools and information regarding stress reduction in children, visit KidsHealth.org or contact your doctor.

"I hired Attorney Holcomb back in July 2019. I was very nervous about the process as it was the first time I’d needed legal representation. Mr. Holcomb and his team made me feel very comfortable and at ease. Mr. Hamilton, the paralegal, remained in constant contact with me along the way, keeping me informed with everything on my case. As a result of their hard work, my case settled. I was very happy with the outcome and representation. I would strongly recommend this law firm."

–Yvonne

If you’ve had a great experience with our firm, it would mean a lot if you could review us on Google, Facebook, Avvo — really anywhere! We love to hear from you! And, if you do give us a review, we have a Starbucks gift card with your name on it. Let us know …

2 | 877-YOU-MATTER

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Cohabitation and a ‘No-Fault’ Divorce

Many spouses who decide to separate look at obtaining a “no-fault” divorce. This is a divorce in which the spouse seeking the divorce does not have to show that the other spouse is “at fault” for the dissolution of the marriage — that they did something wrong that resulted in the marriage ending. The divorce may be the result of one spouse falling out of love with the other and deciding it’s best to end the marriage. However, in order to receive a “no-fault” divorce, the separating couple must meet certain requirements, starting with the living arrangements. Both spouses must live separately for six months if no minor children are involved. If minor children are involved, the former couple must live apart for one year. The law intends for the spouses who are separating to live apart, presumably on different properties, though that doesn’t always happen. Many couples who are divorcing end up living in the same home for financial reasons, as paying for two homes can be costly. It becomes even more challenging when children are in the mix. As a result, living together may be the only option for couples seeking a divorce. If this is the case, at the end of the six-month or one-year separation period, both spouses must swear under oath to a judge that you lived “separate and apart, without cohabitation and without interruption.”

The judge may question your living

arrangement. Did you continue to live and act as spouses? Did you celebrate holidays together? Did you cook meals for one another? Do your family and friends know you are separated? It can be difficult to avoid slipping into the old habits of married life. The law won’t overlook these details, and if you are seeking a “no-fault” divorce, the judge is unlikely to grant it if there are questions surrounding the relationship between you and your spouse. This doesn’t mean you cannot talk with your spouse during the separation period. In fact, the “cooling-off” period is an intentional opportunity to rethink a divorce decision. As a pro-marriage law firm, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity. If you go forward with the divorce, you must affirm that you lived separate and apart without cohabitation and without interruption. If you go this route, we suggest making changes to the way you live such that you can honestly say you lived separate and apart.

Purin

BREAKFAST SAUSAGE KEBABS This simple recipe can make any breakfast a little more fun.

THE BEAGLE WHOHOLDS 3 GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

Nicknamed “The Super Beagle,” Purin scored her first title in 2015 for her amazing goalkeeping skills. The beagle “saved” 14 mini soccer balls thrown by her human, Makoto Kumagai, in one

We recommend pairing your kebabs with your favorite kind of eggs.

DO NOT HIRE A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY! (Until You Have Read This Book) after, Purin and Kumagai set the record for “most skips by a dog and a person in one minute — single rope” with 58 skips. Talk about super! minute. A year later, Purin claimed another record when she became the “fastest dog on a ball” by traveling 10 meters in 10.39 seconds while balancing on a ball. Not long

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com

Ingredients

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7 oz frozen, fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed

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2 tbsp butter, melted Maple syrup, to taste

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20 oz pineapple chunks, drained

Equipment •

10 medium-sized, fresh mushrooms

5 metal or soaked wooden kebab skewers

Directions

1. Cut sausages in half. Thread alternating sausages halves, pineapple chunks, and mushrooms onto kebab skewers. Brush with butter and syrup. 2. Grill over medium heat, regularly turning and basting with syrup, until sausages are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.

Get your free e-book today! https://bit.ly/2TDqxoN

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FAMILY LAW • CRIMINAL DEFENSE • PERSONAL INJURY 501 VILLAGE AVE., SUITE 104 • YORKTOWN/NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23693

Inside WhyNotMediate.com

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Helping Your Child Manage Stress

What Our Clients Are Saying

Getting a ‘No-Fault’ Divorce and the

Challenge of Cohabitation

Meet Purin, the Super Beagle

Good Morning Breakfast Kebabs

How Meals on Wheels Atlanta Stepped Up

for Its Community

A Meal for Every Member of the Family

MEALS ONWHEELS GOES THE EXTRA MILE

M eals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything.

volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along too.

One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly. The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.” Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well. On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.

In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own pantry to serve the local pet community. When