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WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404.994.6218 | AUGUST 2018
TEACHERS SHAPE THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
WHY I LOVED GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
I grew up going to a small parochial school with the same people from first grade all the way through high school. Everyone knew everything about each other, but that wasn’t always a bad thing. It meant there was always someone to look out for you through whatever challenges presented themselves. I remember one teacher of mine who made an incredible impact on my life simply by caring: my third grade teacher, who always took an interest in me. I’ll never forget the time all the kids were showing pictures of when we were in earlier grades. “Where’s Teri?” asked my teacher. I remember her explicitly asking where I was
not on the side of my bathtub. When the opportunity presented itself to start this firm with Danielle, I put teaching in the rear view mirror, but I still use education to help empower my clients every day.
with words, because math used to be my Achilles’ heel. I found out later that my roadblock with math wasn’t an issue with knowledge, it was more about how I viewed it. One day, I finally learned that math is a puzzle. You just have to put the pieces where they belong, and the answer comes out clear every time. My love of learning translates to my career. Hanging my shingle as a lawyer has a lot to do with education. The law is constantly changing and requires you to stay on top of every nuance. I embrace the fact that the law can change so often. The forms used for estate planning were updated in Georgia recently, and the first thing I did was make sure I understood every detail so all my clients would receive the highest degree of service. For all the teachers and students out there, I hope everyone has a great school year! Stay safe and enjoy the pursuit of learning!
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because she was always watching out for me.
I loved school. I mean, I really loved school. Every summer before school started, I couldn’t sleep. My parents didn’t have to drag me out of bed; I was anxiously awaiting the sunrise throughout the night. When I was sick in college, I remember dragging around a gallon of orange juice across
THE LAW IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING AND REQUIRES YOU TO STAY ON TOP OF EVERY NUANCE.
I can’t overemphasize how critical it is to have role models who inspire you to be better. I used to want to be a teacher. I loved school and loved all my teachers so much that I was convinced I’d end up working in education. When I was
campus because I refused to miss class. Even jury duty couldn’t stop me. The first time I received my summons, I got out of it so that I wouldn’t miss the first day of class. Learning is just ingrained in me. It’s part of the fabric of who I am. I remember loving English, spelling, history, and social studies — anything that had to do
a little girl in the bath, I liked to use the side of the tub as my chalkboard. The soap was the “chalk” I used to teach my imaginary students all the subjects of the world. Part of that dream became a reality when I worked as a professor at the local college in the paralegal studies program — only I taught real students, and my chalkboard was in a classroom,
–Teri Fields
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3 INHERITANCES YOU HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE EVEN CRAZY ESTATE PLANS NEED A LAWYER
A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be. WAKE UP NATURALLY. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure, which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. KICK THE SCREEN HABIT. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function. Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time. HOW TO ACHIEVE A MORE RESTFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP
Clear intentions make for a great estate plan. In some cases, that means asking difficult questions and making even more challenging decisions. There are rare instances where the party seeking an estate plan knows precisely what they want. And in some cases, it’s not exactly normal. Here are three of the craziest wills you’ll ever see.
THE STORK DERBY
It’s not uncommon for clients who don’t have immediate family to struggle coming up with beneficiaries for their estate plan, but Charles Millar was not one of them. When his will was drafted,
he agreed to leave his entire inheritance, in cash, to one lucky woman from his local area. There was only one stipulation: The winner of the cash sum would be the woman who had the most children in the decade following his death. It became known as the “Stork Derby,” and it did not have a shortage of participants. When the contest concluded, four women tied for the grand prize after having nine children each. Everyone has their regular spots where they love to go to wind down and have a cold beverage. Bill Cruxton was a regular Norm from “Cheers” in his small town. He sat in the same area and at the same table every day of his retirement. Over time, his server, Cara Wood, forged a bond with him and helped him outside of the restaurant with tasks he needed assistance with, such as errands and chores. They became very close friends, and when he passed in 1992, Wood was named the beneficiary of the man’s entire estate. Most diehard fans of Star Trek know who Gene Roddenberry is, but for those who don’t, he was the creator of the original series that brought us all the beloved characters we still know today. Just as his stories so often took a turn to the interesting and quirky, so did his last bequest. After passing, he made sure his ashes were flown to outer space and shot out over the planet — boldly going where no ashes have gone before. If you have specific requests with your estate plan, reach out to us today. Our team is dedicated to making sure your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend them to be. DON’T FORGET TO TIP YOUR SERVER “BEAM ME OUT OVER THE PLANET, SCOTTY”
2 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight
STICK IT TO THE MAN HOW TO FIGHT THE GOVERNMENT IN COURT
Trying any case in court presents obstacles, but going toe-to- toe with government organizations presents a unique set of challenges other proceedings don’t. It’s not that federal agencies have more resources or better lawyers; the nature of the cases requires a thorough understanding and specific skill set. After all, the government creates and ratifies the law. If you’re looking to fight a lawsuit against a government agency, here are three tips to help get you started.
You need a lawyer who is experienced with the inner workings of these proceedings if you want to win your case.
BE READY FOR A FIGHT
Depending on the nature of the case, proceedings can quickly turn really ugly. Personal attacks are common on both sides of the table. Both you and your lawyer have to maintain cool heads while approaching the facts if you don’t want to get sucked into a war of words. At Obiorah Fields, we not only have experience in fighting cases against the government, but also working in the federal sector. Our team of qualified and experienced lawyers is here to help you with your federal case today. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you find justice.
FIND REPRESENTATION
Don’t go at it alone. Government lawyers are very competent and capable in the courtroom. You may think you have the best information and the ability to represent yourself, but facts aren’t the only component of a case. A good attorney is a necessity if you’re going to win a claim against the government.
EXPERIENCE IS A MUST
When you’re trying a case in the federal sector, your lawyer needs to have experience. Government agencies often chew up and spit out attorneys who have never tried cases at the federal level.
EWING CHIROPRACTIC
THANK YOU FOR THE REFERRALS They are the highest professional compliment we can receive.
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Ewing, who serves as the clinical director. Dr. Ewing has been in practice for over 13 years and effectively treated thousands of patients across the cities of Atlanta, Morrow, Macon, and Decatur, Georgia. You can reach Dr. Ewing at 5459 North Henry Blvd, Suite C, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281. The office number is 678.586.3592. Concerned about a tree threatening your property and safety? When we moved into our current building three years ago, we were. Two huge oak trees loomed over our office. We found help from Chad Murphy and his team at The Yard Champion Tree Service. They safely removed the trees and have also helped us with our hauling needs. They can be reached at 404.554.7612. THE YARD CHAMPION TREE SERVICE
Kevin Crews
Marion Williams
Sharon Korengay
Meet Dr. Porcia Ewing and Ewing Chiropractic, LLC, located in Stockbridge, Georgia. Ewing Chiropractic has helped many of our clients get back on their feet. The practice emphasizes personalized chiropractic and physiotherapy. Ewing Chiropractic was founded by Dr. Porcia
Mildred Allie
Ms. Mitchell
Rufus Fields
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
I Used to Dream of Being a Teacher
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Sleep Better and Feel Great 3 Crazy Estate Plans You Won’t Believe
Tips for Fighting the Government Business Spotlight Shadow: The Hang-Gliding Service Dog
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MEET SHADOW:
THE AMAZING HANG-GLIDING SERVICE DOG
For his entire life, Utah resident Dan McManus has suffered from several mental health issues, including generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, night terrors, and severe panic attacks. Over the years, he’s utilized numerous coping mechanisms to stave off the symptoms, but there are two things that calm him more than anything else: hang gliding across the Utah skies and the companionship of his service animal, an Australian cattle dog named Shadow. Over the course of 37 years, McManus went from being a hang-gliding hobbyist to an expert instructor in Salt Lake
City, going out gliding as often as possible. But it seemed that his passion gave his pup a bit of anxiety of his own. Whenever McManus would take off, Shadow always wanted to chase him. “So I would be out here flying, and he would chase me and jump up at me and sometimes get my foot and hang on a little bit … It felt like he wanted to keep me safe,” he says. And when he left the dog at home, he’d often come home to a scratched-up floor and doors. It seemed that Shadow couldn’t bear to be away from his owner. So, about 12 years ago, McManus had a special harness made for Shadow, enabling the pup to join him while he took to the skies. They’ve been side-by-side on nearly every flight since. Some pet owners might balk at the idea of taking a dog on a hang glider, but it’s clear that, in this case, Shadow definitely wants to fly. Whenever they go out, Shadow wraps his paws around McManus’ arm, remaining stoic as they survey the landscape together from high above. While we all struggle with our own obstacles in life, it’s nice to know that our canine pals will always be there to offer their furry support. As McManus and Shadow demonstrate, it’s a bond that remains strong even hundreds of feet above the ground.
4 | www.obiorahfields.com | Your Rights, Our Fight
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