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June 2025
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR SUNSHINE, SURF, AND SUMMER MEMORIES Why We Treasure These Warm, Wonderful Months With Our Families
There’s just something about summer that makes everything feel a little lighter. The sun stays around longer, giving us extra hours to soak up the season, whether that’s on the water, at a backyard barbecue, or just enjoying late lingering evenings with family. Summer brings a sense of optimism and the exciting opportunity to create long- lasting memories with loved ones. For both of us, it’s not just about the nice warm weather — it’s about making the most of every moment, from spontaneous outings to the big planned vacations. ZAC: Nothing says summer like those longer days. The sun rises early and sets late in the evening, giving you more time to enjoy outdoor activities. The kids are out of school, and we all enjoy the summer camps and sports they participate in. It gets super warm here in Florida, making it the perfect time to dip in the ocean or river. With the chilly waters all warmed up, we naturally spend more time boating, playing on the beach, and enjoying water activities. In general, people are in better spirits. There’s an atmosphere of optimism as people enjoy the weather, great holidays like the Fourth of July, and fun vacations.
Growing up, we had a pool in the center of the neighborhood, so I spent my time practicing for the swim team. It was the perfect time for sports like sand volleyball, competitive soccer, and hanging out with friends. When I still lived in Colorado, I would go to summer camps with mountain activities like fishing, hiking, and camping. I also went to a summer camp on Catalina Island for three years and loved snorkeling and water skiing. This year, my family and Nick’s family are going to Hawaii for a summer trip to explore four of the islands. We’ve taken vacations together in the past, like a trip to Italy, which was a blast. Nick and I spend a lot of time together as partners in the firm, but we’re also super good friends. Fortunately for us, our wives and children are also very close friends. Traveling together is easy and a great time because we know each other and get along well. NICK: I love that the kids are out of school, and we get to spend much more time with them. We have only so many years with them at home before they grow up, go to college, and start living their adult lives. Summer allows us to do things as a family that we don’t have time for during the school semester with all their sports and after-school activities. It’s still light outside after work, so it gives me a few extra hours every evening to go outside and enjoy great family time. When I was young, we’d always return to Wisconsin in the summer to visit my grandparent’s farm. We’d spend a few weeks there, enjoying the small town that felt like a trip back to the ‘60s. You could just get on your bike, play all day, find a stream, and grab lunch somewhere, and
it was completely safe. I did the summer camps, too, and loved all the time outdoors. When my friends and I were old enough to drive, we would head to the beach and spend hours surfing, laying out, and playing volleyball. Our family is excited about that trip to Hawaii. Our kids are the perfect age to hang out, which makes these joint trips even better. We even take a night or two where my oldest daughter watches the kids, and the adults can have a night out. Working with someone you have such a fantastic personal relationship with is terrific. It makes what we do easier because being a lawyer and running a business can be very stressful. I joke with my wife that I’m in two marriages, one with her and one with Zac.
– Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
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Turn Their Dreams Into Reality
What It Takes to Adopt a Child
Health You need to be there for your new child, especially as they adjust to their new home and environment, but you can’t do that if you’re battling a serious illness. Stable medical and emotional health are requirements for prospective adoptive parents. Those with a history of chronic illness or currently facing a serious condition must get a letter from their primary physician that states they are physically stable enough to raise the child until they turn 16. If one or both parents have a current or past psychiatric illness, you also need a doctor’s statement assuring stability. All members of the household must prove they are physically and emotionally stable. Criminal History Having prior convictions does not immediately disqualify you but makes things much more difficult. All household members over age 18 must pass a child abuse clearance process. If you or another adult in the home has an arrest history, you must provide personal statements about the incident. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, you may be considered ineligible or require rehabilitation before moving forward. Finances Raising a child isn’t cheap. According to the Institute of Family Studies, the expected cost of raising a child is $202,248–$430,928. There is no specified income requirement to be eligible to adopt, but you must prove you have the necessary resources to provide for the child. You should also consider other adoption costs, such as travel and adoption service fees. Home Environment An adopted child will spend ample time within your home, so the environment must be safe and accommodating to their needs. You must allow the agency to conduct a home study to ensure your house is safe and well-maintained. You may need to provide references that speak to your ability to care for and manage children. You should also be prepared to discuss your adoption and parenting plan. Adopting a child is a serious decision you should not take lightly. If approved, you will be responsible for another human’s life, development, and health. After you verify you meet all the requirements listed above, take some time to explore your state-specific requirements. The adoption process is complicated and sometimes disheartening, but stick with it. It will be one of the best decisions you make in your and your adopted child’s lives!
Welcoming a new child into the family is one of the most exciting and life- changing events we can experience. While many Americans conceive with their significant other, others explore the world of adoption. According to the most recent Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System report, approximately 114,000 foster children are eligible and waiting to be adopted. By adopting a child, you give them a place to call home, a family who cares for them, and experiences they would never have had without you. If you’re interested in adopting a child, you’re probably wondering what requirements you must meet to be eligible. Adoption is not a quick process: Domestic adoptions usually take up to two years to process, while international adoptions often take 2–5 years since you must follow American adoption rules and the guidelines of the child’s home country. These rules are strict, as most countries do not want to place children in unsafe conditions. Here are five of the U.S.’s adoption requirements. Age Both prospective parents must be at least 21 to be eligible to adopt. While this is a minimum age requirement, there is no cutoff age, so even those in their golden years can consider adoption.
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refined. Essentially, it was the linguistic equivalent of wearing a tuxedo at all times. Hollywood, never one to pass up a trend, adopted this cultivated accent in the early days of talkies. Why? Because it made actors sound polished, articulate, and, quite frankly, fancy. The crisp, clipped tones worked wonders for those speedy, back-and-forth screwball comedy exchanges. Just watch “His Girl Friday” and try not to be dazzled by the machine-gun dialogue between Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell! And then, just as suddenly as it arrived, the Transatlantic accent packed its bags and vanished. By the 1950s, Hollywood started shifting away from aristocratic dramas and high-society stories, opting instead for gritty realism and everyday characters. The era of Marlon Brando and James Dean meant mumbling was in, and sounding like you vacationed on the French Riviera every summer was … well, out. Of course, we can still enjoy the legacy of the Transatlantic accent in classic films. Want to master it yourself? Pick up “Speak With Distinction” by Edith Skinner, the holy grail of old-school elocution training. Soon enough, you’ll drop your R’s, crisp your T’s, and stretch your vowels until “dance” becomes “ dahnce .” After all, old Hollywood may be gone, but its impeccable enunciation will never go out of style.
Why Did Old Hollywood Sound So Fancy?
KATHARINE HEPBURN, CARY GRANT, AND THE ART OF SPEAKING LIKE AN ARISTOCRAT
There’s a certain charm to old Hollywood movies — glamorous stars, sweeping orchestral scores, and, of course, that oddly posh, vaguely British way of speaking. You know the one. The voice makes Katharine Hepburn sound like she’s perpetually midway through an important luncheon and Cary Grant appear to deliver a one-liner while also sipping afternoon tea. This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s the Transatlantic
accent, and for a while, it was the gold standard of sophisticated speech. Unlike normal regional dialects, the Transatlantic accent wasn’t something people naturally developed by growing up in a particular area. It was an acquired accent drilled into the minds of upper- crust New Englanders at elite boarding schools and embraced by stage actors who wanted to sound
Have a
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
Laugh
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
This light, flavorful dish of tender, marinated beef slices can serve as a protein-rich appetizer or a tasty entree for a summer evening.
Ingredients •
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• • •
1/4 cup vegetable oil
• •
1 cup soy sauce
3 large garlic cloves, chopped 4 lbs boneless round steak, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices Bamboo skewers soaked in water
1/2 cup pineapple juice (optional)
•
1/2 cup water
•
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, water, vegetable oil, and garlic together. Drop beef slices into the mixture and stir to coat. 2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in a refrigerator for 24 hours. 3. Remove beef from marinade, shaking to remove excess liquid. 4. Thread beef slices on skewers in a zig-zag pattern. 5. Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grate. 6. Cook beef skewers for about 3 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through.
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Inside This Edition
3 2 1 The Gift of Extra Daylight Are You Eligible to Adopt?
Did Old Hollywood Stars Really Talk Like That?
Teriyaki Beef Skewers
4
What Happened to Wendy Williams?
WENDY WILLIAMS FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM Inside Her Battle for Control Over Her Life
When did you last hear Wendy Williams’ iconic “How you doin’?” It’s likely been a few years, and it’s not because you didn’t tune in to her daytime talk show. Actually, Williams hasn’t filmed an episode of her talk show since 2022. It’s not because she got tired of the responsibility or was taken off the air due to unpopularity. Williams effectively disappeared after an incident with Wells Fargo led to a court-appointed guardian taking over her financial affairs.
unsettling, her financial advisor, through Wells Fargo, notified the bank that Williams was of “unsound mind,” which prompted a court-ordered guardianship. Initially, many believed this was solely a financial guardianship, but the Hollywood Reporter revealed that the court-appointed guardian was overseeing nearly everything in Williams’ life. So, how did Wendy Williams end up in this situation? In 2024, her care team disclosed that the talk show host had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia. Information related to her situation came from various sources but nothing directly from Williams for many years. She has recently started taking phone interviews and making television appearances and has clearly disagreed with the situation since 2022. Wendy Williams states she has been living in a memory unit in New York City for the past three years but does not think she belongs there. “Look, I don’t belong here at all,” stated Williams during a phone interview with “Nightline.” “This is ridiculous.” Williams is actively fighting for her freedom, and one source even told ABC News that Williams’ court-appointed attorney was planning to file a request to terminate the guardianship. The fact that she’s getting opportunities to share her side of the story provides hope to her fans, but only time will tell how this will unravel.
Williams learned that Wells Fargo had frozen her accounts after she attempted to make multiple large withdrawals from her bank account. Even more
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