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740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com
October/November 2023
2 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF ARE YOU READY TO CONQUER YOUR FEARS?
It’s hard to believe we’ll celebrate Halloween in just a few short weeks. Soon, we’ll be dressing our kids in costumes, watching scary movies, and ensuring all of the Halloween decorations are ready for the big night. In my house, my kids look forward to carving pumpkins more than anything else. It’s a tradition we maintain every year, and even though my daughter doesn’t enjoy pulling the guts out of the pumpkins, we always have a great time! As Halloween approaches, many people think about the concept of fear. They’ll go to haunted houses and watch scary movies to counteract their fear of the dark, clowns, and things that go bump in the night. Unfortunately, those methods don’t help much with some other common fears, such as the fear of rejection, failure, or loneliness. So, how can we rise above the fears that negatively impact our lives? Personally, when I think about fear, I’m reminded of a famous quote from Mark Twain: “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” Nearly everyone in the world faces fear at some point in their lives. We like to build up certain people like celebrities, athletes, and politicians and make them appear larger than life, but they have fears of their own that they must conquer.
Like others, I have experienced fear many times in both my professional and personal lives. I felt it strongly when I first started my law firm and have felt it many times since, especially when I need to hire new team members or start a new process. When fear creeps into my mind, I start by asking myself two critical questions. ‘Are you willing to allow the fear to be present?’ I learned this question from David Neagle, an entrepreneur and writer who focuses on helping people break free from negative and harmful mindsets that prevent them from reaching their goals. It’s an interesting
query because many assume that when you overcome a fear, the feeling associated with it disappears completely, but that’s not necessarily the case. That fear will remain to some extent, so you have to be comfortable performing actions while experiencing fear. ‘Will you walk with faith while the fear is there?’ This question helps when you can trust in a higher power to help you through any task that elicits feelings of fear. If I can answer yes to both of these questions, I will take the opportunity presented to me. Oftentimes, the fear of making the wrong decision stops us from deciding altogether. Remember, you don’t need to make the right decision; you just need to make a decision, then make it right. Take the best path forward with the information you have. That’s how I try to live my life. I don’t try to overcome my fear — I act in spite of it. Fear doesn’t need to remain an obstacle in your life. You can make it through any challenge by asking yourself these two valuable questions.
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In the U.S., 21 million people report having at least one major depressive episode, while 17.3 million adults live with major depressive disorders. When someone feels depressed, there isn’t much anyone can do to help them. However, someone suffering from depression can do a few things to help ease their symptoms. No. 1: Be gentle with yourself. When you feel depressed, you’re not going to accomplish the same number of tasks or be as productive as you usually would — and that’s okay! Be open and accepting of your current state, and take pride in your progress that day, no matter how small. No. 2: Take a walk — literally! Research shows that for some people, even a little bit of exercise (like a short walk) not only reduces their current symptoms but can also prevent future depressive episodes. Even if you can only walk around the block, it will still help your mind and body. No. 3: Do things YOU enjoy. The fatigue that depression brings can feel more powerful than your desire to enjoy your hobbies. Push back against this as much as possible and do something enjoyable, even if it seems minor. This will boost your mood and motivate you to continue engaging in activities. 10 People to Thank SMALL JOYS, BIG DIFFERENCE: OVERCOMING DEPRESSION
REAL ESTATE LITIGATION
Q: What should I do if my neighbor claims a portion of my land as their own? A: If your neighbor is claiming ownership of a portion of your land, it is important to gather evidence such as property surveys, deeds, or other relevant documents. Consult with a real estate lawyer who specializes in land disputes to assess the situation, determine the true property boundaries, and discuss potential legal actions you can take to resolve the dispute. Land Disputes FAQs A: Yes, if there is a dispute regarding property boundaries, you have the option to file a lawsuit to establish or clarify those boundaries. A real estate lawyer can guide you through the process, including gathering evidence, filing the necessary legal documents, and presenting your case in court, if required. Q: What is adverse possession, and can it affect my land ownership? A: Adverse possession is a legal concept that allows someone to gain ownership of another person’s property by openly occupying and using it without the owner’s permission for a specified Q: Can I file a lawsuit to establish or clarify property boundaries? period of time. If you believe adverse possession may be an issue affecting your land ownership, consult with a real estate lawyer who can evaluate the situation, advise you on your rights, and assist in taking appropriate legal action to protect your interests. Q: Can I stop a neighboring property owner from blocking my access to a right-of-way or easement? A: If your access to a right-of-way or easement is being obstructed by a neighbor, you may have legal recourse. Consult with a real estate lawyer to review the terms of the right-of-way or easement agreement and discuss potential actions you can take, such as sending a demand letter or pursuing a lawsuit to enforce your rights. Q: What legal remedies are available if someone trespasses on my land? A: If someone crosses your land without permission, you have the right to take legal action to protect your property rights. Consult with a real estate lawyer to understand the applicable trespass laws in Ohio, gather evidence of the trespass, and discuss the available legal remedies, which may include seeking an injunction to prevent further trespassing or pursuing compensation for damages caused. Q: Can I challenge a zoning decision if it negatively impacts my property? A: Yes, you have the right to challenge a zoning decision if you believe it negatively impacts your property. Consult with a real estate lawyer who can review the zoning regulations, assess the potential impact on your property, and guide you through the process of challenging the decision, which may involve filing an appeal or participating in administrative hearings.
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KEYS TO BEING A GREAT NEIGHBOR The Neighbor’s Handbook
Unless you live on a farm in the middle of nowhere, you likely have neighbors living next to you, across the street, and behind your home. While most of our interactions with our neighbors involve waving and smiling or holding a small conversation at the mailbox, sometimes situations arise that cause conflict and disagreements. In fact, many of our cases are actually real estate disputes between neighbors, but some of these situations could have easily been avoided if certain individuals had acted more neighborly. So how can you ensure you don’t end up in one of these costly disagreements? Survey your property. It’s not uncommon for people to want to build fences, pools, and other structures on their property. Unfortunately, where you think the property lines lie could differ THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
from what one of your neighbors thinks. If you’re going to build something or dig on your property, get a survey before you start the actual work. And if your neighbor is planning to build or dig, check to see if they got a survey first to ensure they don’t cross over into your property. It will save you plenty of time and stress. Get to know your neighbors. It’s interesting to learn how few people know and are familiar with their neighbors. Neighbors used to stop by recently purchased homes to introduce themselves to the new members of the community, but it seems like this tradition has fallen out of practice. Go against the grain and try to have regular conversations with your neighbors. You don’t need to become best friends or have dinner with each other once a week, but by getting to know them, your future interactions will go much smoother.
Maintain your yards. Your neighbors likely look at your
property daily, so don’t let it become an eyesore. Mow the lawn, perform regular maintenance, and keep clutter and trash out of sight. If you don’t, your neighbors might make assumptions about you and be less kind and respectful toward you whenever they speak to you.
TAKE A BREAK
INGREDIENTS •
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
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1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
•
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. 3. In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy. 4. To the creamed mixture, add eggs one at a time, beating until blended. 5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 6. Stir in chocolate chips. 7. Arrange dough in rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets. 8. Bake 8–10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; move to wire racks to cool completely. DIRECTIONS
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VAMPIRE WEREWOLF WITCH ZOMBIE
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352 Frank Layman Blvd. • Wintersville, OH 43953 740-314-4829 • LittlejohnLawLLC.com
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
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Don’t Let Fear Get in Your Way
Walking Toward Happiness: Depression’s Antidote
Legal Remedies for Land Disputes
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How to Become More Neighborly
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Take a Break
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Time’s Up! How to Implement Effective Screen Time Limits for Kids
TRIED-AND-TRUE METHODS TO BREAK YOUR KIDS’ SCREEN ADDICTION
Every parent knows they should limit their children’s screen time, but accomplishing it is far easier said than done. Kids love their devices as much as adults and would happily spend hours glued to their electronics if we let them. Fortunately, we’ve discovered some tried- and-true methods for parents to prevent bad habits.
someone else’s tablet is unallowed. Furthermore, ask questions about what your kids are viewing and playing and use strict parental controls to ensure they only access age-appropriate content. Create screen-free zones. Specific times and places should always be off-limits for screens. A prevalent rule involves no screens and food together; eating should be mindful, and dinner should be family time. Experts also recommend no devices for one hour before bed. You might also consider requiring your kids to look away from screens and make eye contact while talking to someone. Other rules could include tablets not leaving the car once you arrive at a destination or no devices while guests visit. Be a good role model. Yes, you’re the parent, and no one can tell you how much time to spend on your phone. But children quickly adopt what they see. When the adults around them are always glued to different electronic devices, it makes the habit seem even more attractive. Reducing screen time will benefit your health and ability to connect with your family. Limiting your use in front of your kids specifically will show them you practice what you preach.
Establish time limits. Every parent must determine the right amount of screen time for their kids, but it helps to know what experts recommend. The American Academy of Pediatrics says screen time should be strictly limited to video calls for children under 18 months, children 18 to 24 months should only watch high-quality programming with an adult, and kids aged 2 to 5 should watch no more than one hour daily. After that, the science gets a bit fuzzier, but most experts agree that less is best. Lay down the law. Once you decide on time limits, implement them ruthlessly. You can set most tablets to automatically turn off after they’ve been viewed for a set amount of time each day. Once time is up, it’s up — and using
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