The Law Offices of William F. Underwood III - November 2021

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NOVEMBER 2021

Thank You, Family! WHY THEY MATTER MOST

If I could go back in time and give myself some advice, it would be to place more value on my family. Today, after experiencing a few of life’s biggest hurdles, and after becoming a husband and father, I’ve learned that family is the most important thing in my life — and it should be that way for everyone. As we approach Thanksgiving, there’s a similar and equally as important day we should all recognize, too: Family Day. My family and I are close today. There’s rarely a day that goes by where we aren’t texting. My mom and sister ask for photos of Isabella all the time, and we’re happy to share. Marrying Priscila and having Isabella has brought me closer to my family than ever before. When you’re single into your 30s, Priscila and I like to joke that you get “single person’s disease.” All of your friends and relatives close to your age are married and starting families, and it’s difficult for them to find time just for you, too. Being married and having our daughter has brought new life to our relationships with our family, and we regularly communicate with our families now. My aunt and uncle are a great example of this. My dad’s sister and her husband lived in Aiken, South Carolina, and after my father died, our connections lessened. That’s not all that uncommon in many families, but after the birth of Isabella, we

her to be so far away from her family, especially as a first-time mom, but we all regularly text and video call each other. And social media and this very newsletter are great ways to stay connected. (Hi, family!) This has been so important during the pandemic, when seeing each other in person was nearly impossible for so long. At least we could see each other, and everyone could watch Isabella grow. Today, I know I would do anything for my family — aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone else. As you get older, lose friends, and gain perspective, you learn just how meaningful your family is to your life. I know my family will support Isabella, Priscila, and me, and I would do the same for them, too. I can lean on them for advice and know they won’t take advantage of me. There’s tremendous value in that. This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the family I was born into and the one I’ve created with Priscila. They are all part of my foundation, and I owe a lot of who I am to them. I hope you’ll take time to show your family what they mean to you this November.

started talking more. We would share photos with them, and they were regularly checking in on how she was doing and growing. Everyone wants to know how Isabella is doing! She’s made our family stronger just by being born. Sadly, we lost my uncle this past year. But we are determined to get to Aiken this year for Thanksgiving and to create a few more memories with my aunt while we can. I know she’ll love her great-niece. That’s also the beauty of the age we live in. Technology has made it easier for us to stay in contact with my aunt and uncle, my mom and sister, and even Priscila’s family in Brazil. I know it’s difficult for

Happy Thanksgiving!

-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III

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HAVE A LOW- STRESS HOLIDAY

TIPS FOR A MERRIER TIME

he holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer.

ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety.

Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.

Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and BE A FINANCIAL PRO 3 Ways to Improve Your Budget While Waiting for Compensation The U.S. criminal justice system has afforded defendants and victims a right to a speedy trial, but speed isn’t always possible in a civil court case. As a result, when you’re injured, can’t work, and have medical expenses to contend with, your finances can feel like an endless, mind-boggling maze. So, conquer your finances as you await much-deserved compensation with these go-to tips!

other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on.

Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable

Track It

Notify People

If you already do this, keep it up! If not, it’s time to start. Download an app — Mint and PocketGuard are highly recommended by NerdWallet — or keep a pencil-and-paper planner with details about your expenses and income. Set hard guidelines for what you can spend (on what and where), and track your ability to follow your budget. This will provide tangible proof of the health of your finances, while also identifying weak points.

More often than not, the people in your life you owe money to are understanding. Notify companies and people who are part of your monthly bill cycle of your situation. For example, if you live in an apartment building, notify your landlord of your case. They may be able to work with you to establish a payment plan that’s more convenient for you. Furthermore, you may learn about programs that exist to help people in your exact situation. Bonus Tip : Start meal planning! When you know exactly what you need from the grocery store each month, you’re less likely to overspend. At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, our goal is to help you start this next chapter of your life with the knowledge you need to succeed. If you would like help finding additional resources, contact us today.

Unsubscribe

We’re not asking you to give up Netflix, but are there some subscriptions you use more than others? More than likely. Make a list of everything you subscribe to and all expenses you have throughout the week. Then, consider what you can remove from your budget. You may even decide to give up cable in favor of a platform like Hulu, which can host some of your favorite shows for half of the price.

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TOP TURKEY TIPS

AVOID FRYER DISASTER THIS THANKSGIVING

process that cannot be missed: Your turkey MUST be completely thawed and dry before it goes into the oil. You may remember from science class that water and oil don’t mix, so when a turkey thaws or drips moisture into oil, this can cause the hot oil to bubble or jump, which could start a fire. (This is why you can’t put out an oil fire with water.) Once that bird is in the fryer, monitor the temperature and never leave the fryer unattended.

If you’re an amateur chef, Thanksgiving is your holiday to shine! There are plenty of ways to have fun with the menu this holiday season, and one of the tastiest, juiciest options is by deep-frying the turkey. But before you start simmering the oil, take these safety precautions to heart so you can avoid a Thanksgiving disaster.

Get the Right Setup

The proper tools and workstations are what separate the good chefs from the great ones. Start with where you will fry your turkey. It should be done on a flat, even surface, away from your home, pets, or children. Remember, oil can stain concrete, so set the fryer on grass or a metal stand. Have fire blankets and extinguishers nearby, since oil and grease fires cannot be snuffed out by water. (See the reason below!) Finally, arm yourself with long-sleeved clothing, goggles, and gloves to help avoid burns.

Finish Correctly

Turkeys cook fast in the fryer. Expect about four minutes per pound, so cooking time should never go above two hours for standard turkeys. Once you suspect the turkey is finished, pull it out of the oil and take the temperature from the thigh. If a turkey’s internal temperature is 165 degrees F, then it’s ready to eat! Let the turkey rest for up to 30 minutes, so it gets really juicy. Later, drain the oil once it’s cool. Strain it through mesh to capture loose pieces, and (if desired) store this in a sealed container for later use.

Prep the Turkey

Unlike when you bake a turkey, deep frying requires little prep before placing meat in the oil. However, there is a crucial step to the frying

If this is your first frying experience or the 50th, adhere to these safety rules to ensure a great meal that is free from disaster.

BAKED CORNBREAD AND CHORIZO STUFFING

We Value You!

At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our October newsletter:

Spicy, savory, and sweet, this unique stuffing will level up your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients • 1 lb Mexican chorizo • 1 white onion, chopped • 1 carrot, chopped • 1 celery rib, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, chopped • 2 cups premade cornbread, crumbled Directions 1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.

Damien Handy, Otha Hopkins, James Singleton, and Sherman King

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped • 1/2 cup chicken stock • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing • Cilantro, for garnish • Cotija cheese, for garnish

Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.

Thank you for trusting us to serve you!

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chorizo for 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 10 additional minutes. Stir in the cornbread and cilantro. 3. While stirring, slowly add the chicken stock. Stir until absorbed. 4. Butter a small casserole dish, then add the stuffing in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, garnish as desired, and serve!

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Appreciating Family This Thanksgiving PAGE 1

Lowering Holiday Stress PAGE 2

3 Steps to Secure Finances When You’re Injured PAGE 2

Stay Safe When Deep-Frying Turkey PAGE 3

Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing PAGE 3

The Big Debate Surrounding Alexander the Great’s Death PAGE 4

WAS ALEXANDER THE GREAT BURIED … ALIVE?! Historians Debate the Fate of One of the World’s Great Conquerors

For centuries, the ancient Greeks ruled most of Europe and the world, and one man is credited with unifying this historically powerful mass of people under one rule for 13 years: Alexander the Great. Alexander is most known for his hard- fought capture of land all across the globe after succeeding his father on the throne at just 20 years old. But Alexander’s rise came crashing down when he died just 12 years later. Today, the facts of his death are starting to piece together a curious puzzle for historians, because some now believe Alexander was buried alive. Surprisingly (and terrifyingly), this wasn’t uncommon. For centuries, doctors struggled to definitively prove someone was dead because many of the classic

signs of death are similar to those of someone in a comatose state. This became such a common problem into the 20th century that people were buried in specialty coffins or with a bell tied around their hand to alert grave watchers. (As bodies decomposed, you can imagine how this created eerie occurrences.) Experts believe Alexander the Great may be one of history's first recorded instances of such a death. After 12 days of abdominal pain that led to a fever and paralysis, ancient Greek doctors couldn’t detect a breath from their great ruler, and he was declared dead. As the massive empire mourned, Alexander’s body was prepared for the afterlife, but he didn’t show signs of decomposition for six days. This only fed the belief that Alexander — like other rulers of his time — was part god.

Dr. Katherine Hall of the University of Otago, New Zealand, believes this suggests that Alexander wasn’t yet dead. In fact, he may have been suffering from a rare bacterial infection that attacks the nervous system and leads to paralysis, which could result in the lack of breath. As such, Dr. Hall believes he was entombed alive, making him one of the first to suffer a “false death.” However, other historians are quick to say Dr. Hall’s theory is too speculative to be taken as fact. Among the common counter arguments, Dr. Hall's reliance on data and details collected centuries after his death can be troublesome. We may not know exactly how Alexander died, but with Hall’s theory, some of the final pieces of the puzzle may fall into (an eerie) place.

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