Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
BACK-TO-SCHOOL, BACK TO YOU SUPPORT FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN THROUGH DIVORCE
Back-to-school is all about change — new classes, new friends, and new routines, especially for young people entering high school. August is a delicate season of transitions for children, and for many of our clients, it’s also when they start to think seriously about the next chapter of their lives. It’s not always a big moment; it could just be having a little space to realize, “This isn’t working anymore.”
and we will make sure you know what’s next for your divorce. It’s tempting to turn to the internet for answers, but real guidance comes from someone who knows the local laws and takes the time to learn your unique story. Sometimes, cases are complex and take time, but the faster we can get you through to the other side, the better. I know how it can feel to face the anxiety of a divorce with countless questions and no one to turn to for answers. In family law, we must never forget what our clients like you are facing. If I can write back a quick email that will help someone sleep more easily and soundly, it’s worth doing. Everybody deserves to get through this and be happy, even if they made a mistake with their choices in the past. I’ve seen people flourish through the process, beginning to rediscover themselves, often after living under the control of a partner. They evolve, feel better leaving a toxic situation, and finally breathe freely again. Divorce is already complicated, and it’s even harder when someone has spent years making you feel like everything is your fault. Filing for divorce is that big Band-Aid rip, the most difficult part. From there, the healing can start; the weight begins to lift off your shoulders. If you are considering a fresh start this fall, I’ll be there to get through the legal steps as quickly and smoothly as we can. But a therapist can help you with the grieving process. Getting that extra support is even more important for your children. Often, kids don’t fully understand what’s happening between their parents, and having a neutral adult to talk to can be a lifeline. Especially during back-to-school season, when everything around them is shifting, the added strain of two households can feel overwhelming, and therapy gives them a safe place to land.
Sometimes, the first real moment of clarity comes when you’re finally sitting across from someone who listens. You may not be ready to file, but you’re ready to ask what divorce would look like for you, your finances, and your children. I like to say that the moment you call up a divorce lawyer, you’ve already decided something isn’t right. You have subconsciously taken steps for change, and the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to move forward. If you are considering filing for divorce this fall, working with a lawyer will help you through the process and give you someone reliable to trust. One of the most important things to me is being responsive to my clients when they need me during this time when emotions run high. I treat every concern like a big one because when you’re going through something this personal, it is. I aim to help you get through a difficult time and reach a happier place.
No one walks into my office because everything is perfect; they come because they want something better. If this is your season to begin again, I’ll help you take that first step with clarity, compassion, and strength. –Sarina Sabatino
Working with a lawyer is an investment in yourself in the long run. At Bruce Law Firm, we have a full library of resources to guide you through the process,
561-810-0170 • 1
Imagine wandering through a dense, misty forest when you spot a cozy little home carved into the base of a towering tree stump. It sounds like something straight out of a fairytale, but in the rugged 1800s, it was everyday reality for some of America’s earliest settlers on the West Coast. Back then, before the lumber industry toppled millions of ancient giants, the forests were filled with trees so massive their trunks could measure 20 feet across or more. Once felled (a task so intense it could take a month), these colossal stumps were too big, stubborn, and abundant to remove easily. Rather than blowing them up (though some tried with dynamite), the pioneers did what pioneers do best: They got scrappy . They turned the stumps into homes, post offices, barns, and even dance floors! One of the most legendary stump homes was the Lennstrom Stump House in Edgecomb, Washington. Crafted from a cedar stump 22 feet wide, it sheltered three adults and three children, proving that creativity could turn leftover lumber into a home. Though the original Lennstrom house met its end in 1946, you can still marvel at an 18-foot stump house today at the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum nearby. But stump houses weren’t just for surviving; they were for celebrating, too. In Calaveras, California, settlers turned a massive hollowed-out tree into a grand dance hall and hotel. Guests waltzed under twinkling candlelight and cedar boughs strung high above the forest floor. As one 1850s newspaper gushed, it was “romantic and beautiful beyond description” (although the ladies did wish the stump-turned-dance floor had a little more bounce )! HOW 1800S PIONEERS TURNED TREE STUMPS INTO COZY HOMES FRONTIER INGENUITY AT ITS FINEST
SCHOOL BELLS & BOUNDARY LINES The start of the new school year is an exciting time for families. Still, if you are co-parenting with a narcissistic ex, back-to-school can quickly become a source of stress, manipulation, and unnecessary drama. From last-minute schedule changes to managing after-school events, navigating the semester will take boundary setting, foresight, and emotional resilience. With the right strategies, you can protect your child’s stability, reduce conflict, and create a smoother school year for them and yourself. CLEAR BOUNDARIES, CLEAR MIND Narcissists are constantly looking for control, so setting clear boundaries is essential before the class bell rings. Decide how you and your ex will communicate school plans, divide your children’s schedules, and handle emergencies or extracurriculars. A thorough calendar with your children’s activities and assignments can act as a guiding document to keep you both on track. The more detailed your parenting plan for the year is, the easier it will be to avoid conflict and limit face-to-face time with your ex-spouse. MANAGING EMOTIONS A new school year is already an emotional time for young people as they navigate new social circles, homework, and adjust to a new routine. A stressful situation at home can add to the pressure, so it’s important to help your children manage their well-being effectively. Create as stable an environment at home as possible, making sure they know they can talk to you about their feelings or concerns. Consider having your child work with a therapist or school counselor to have a safe, neutral person to turn to if they are struggling. LEGAL HELP If your ex refuses to follow your parenting plan, undermines you, or behaves in a way that is unhealthy for your children, it may be time to seek legal advice. A lawyer can work with you to understand your parental rights and guide you in steps to protect your family. Document any conflicts or violations of your parenting agreement so you have a paper trail of what occurred in case you need to take legal action in the future. Don’t let conflict or manipulation overshadow your child’s growth and well-being. Contact Bruce Law Firm to ensure your parenting plan supports a smooth academic season for you and your family. Navigating the School Year With a Difficult Ex
In a time when luxury was a warm fire and a sturdy roof (or stump) over your head, these quirky homes captured the best of pioneer spirit: grit, resourcefulness, and a little bit of magic.
Next time you pass an ancient stump on a hike, imagine what stories it might hold. In the right hands and with a bit of imagination, it might have been the coziest home on the frontier!
Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?
OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!
The book can be downloaded for FREE at DivorceInformationBooks.com
2 • BrucePA.com
PROTECTING YOUR KIDS’ FUTURE IN A RELOCATION BATTLE WHEN MOVING MEANS MORE THAN A CHANGE OF ADDRESS
In the Sunshine State, packing up and relocating the kids after a divorce isn’t as simple as it may sound. Florida law puts serious guardrails on moves over 50 miles, requiring a rock-solid reason that puts the kids’ best interests front and center. You cannot leave the area unless you have permission from the other parent or ask the court to grant your request. If you are leaving a toxic or abusive relationship, and moving would provide a safer setting for you and your children, you can prove to the court that relocating is the right option for everyone. EFFECT ON PARENTAL ACCESS One factor the judge will evaluate in your relocation request is how the move could impact the child’s relationship with the other parent or family members. They will examine what the relationship is like now, including whether a history of domestic violence or abuse exists. They will also consider whether you have a plan or means for family members to visit the children in their new home, like reliable transportation or an updated parenting plan. A MOVE WITH PURPOSE The court wants to see that this significant change has a purpose, one that will create a more stable environment for your family. If you are moving for a better job opportunity, to pursue greater education, or to be closer to your support network, like family and friends, those reasons will hold more weight than simply wanting a lifestyle change.
QUALITY OF LIFE When it comes down to it, the most crucial consideration is the quality of life for your children in your new home. The judge seeks reassurance that the kids will have a quality school, a safe neighborhood, and a chance to grow in this proposed setting. The child’s age and specific needs will also play a role in determining whether they are emotionally stable enough for such a significant change. Remember, it’s not just about a change of setting. It’s about making the best move for your children’s futures. If you can demonstrate that a relocation will benefit your child’s safety, relationships, and quality of life, the court is more likely to approve the change.
Have a Laugh!
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE ICE CREAM BARS
Ingredients •
1 pt strawberry ice cream 1/4 cup strawberry preserves
• •
1 5.25-oz package crispy sugar cookies
• •
1 0.8-oz package freeze-dried strawberries
1 pt vanilla ice cream
Directions 1. Stir strawberry ice cream in a large bowl until spreadable. Fold in preserves until evenly streaked throughout. 2. Stir vanilla ice cream in a separate large bowl until spreadable. 3. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of 8 (1/3-cup) popsicle molds. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the vanilla mixture on top of the strawberry mixture into the molds. Repeat, alternating the 2 mixtures, until each mold is full. 4. Place sticks into the popsicles and freeze until solid, 4–6 hours. 5. In a large zip-lock bag, crush sugar cookies with a rolling pin until pieces are rice-size; pour into a shallow dish. 6. Repeat with freeze-dried strawberries and stir the pieces together. 7. Run the ice cream molds under warm water to wiggle popsicles out. 8. Coat bars evenly with cookie mixture. 9. Eat immediately or place on a cookie sheet and freeze.
561-810-0170 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Is It Time for a Fresh Start? page 1
The Wild History of the Wild West’s Stump Houses
Co-Parenting Without the Chaos page 2
Florida’s Rules on Moving Kids 50-Plus Miles
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars page 3
Don’t Worry About a Thing (Except Getting a Will) page 4
BOB MARLEY’S ESTATE: EVERYTHING IS NOT GOING TO BE ALRIGHT
AN ORGANIZED ESTATE Eventually, the Jamaican courts appointed a court-supervised administrator to handle Marley’s estate — a move meant to avoid further family infighting and keep things above board. The estate was restructured under a holding company, Nine Mile, and later managed by a team of professionals to protect Marley’s image and assets. To this day, the estate remains active and highly valuable. Marley still consistently ranks among the top-earning deceased celebrities, pulling in millions annually from music sales, merchandise, and licensing. Bob Marley’s probate case reminds us that no matter how famous or well- recognized you are, dying without a will can create chaos, especially when significant assets are involved. Legal fees pile up, relationships can fall apart, and it can take years to settle everything.
When Bob Marley passed away in 1981 at age 36, the reggae icon left behind a massive musical legacy and a major legal mess. Why? He didn’t leave a will.
Despite being one of the most famous musicians on the planet, Marley died intestate (the legal term for dying without a will). At the time of his death, his estate was estimated to be worth around $30 million, and that number has only grown thanks to royalties, licensing deals, and merchandise. NO WILL, BIG PROBLEMS Without a will, Marley’s estate was subject to Jamaican intestacy laws, which meant his wife, Rita Marley, and his 11 recognized children were supposed to share the estate. While this sounds simple, it didn’t work out that way. Over the years, numerous lawsuits popped up. There were legal battles between family members, former business managers, and even people who claimed to be Marley’s children. To make matters worse, in the mid-1990s, Rita was accused of trying to forge documents that would have given her control over Bob’s name and likeness rights. That claim led to a prolonged court case and more delays in distributing the estate.
So, the takeaway is to plan ahead. A will (and potentially a trust) can save your loved ones a world of trouble — and ensure your legacy is handled exactly the way you want.
4 • BrucePA.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator