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The Bledsoe Firm JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551 feb | 2019
Why I Love What I Do Y ou know you’re in the right line of work when you’re eager to get started on the day. This has remained true for me for the past 25 years.
Of course, my life isn’t just about law. As passionate as I am about law, I can’t say enough about my family. As the father of six adult children (five daughters and one son) and a grandfather of two, my life outside of the office and the courtroom is very fulfilling.
As my kids have grown up, I’ve learned that parenting doesn’t stop when they hit 18, leave for college,
"It’s problem- solving turned up to 11."
or move out on their own. Three of my kids live out of state, while the others, including my youngest still at home, remain here. No matter where they are, I’m still Dad, and they often need me to fill that role. When I get home from work, I enjoy cooking. I try to cook for the family every once in a while. I often go for comfort food or something we all love, though sometimes I may try a new recipe. I will say that I’m known for my chocolate walnut brownies. I grew up as one of nine siblings. As the second oldest, I often helped my mother cook. I learned to cook from a young age, and even after all these years, it’s still something I enjoy doing. Thankfully, I’m not cooking for nine-plus people all the time.
It goes without saying, but I love what I do. Family law presents new situations and new people to be helped every day. I love that I’m able to do something new practically every day. I certainly don’t have a hard time keeping the passion alive, so to speak.
One day, I might be prosecuting a domestic violence case. The next day, I might be working on a trial. And then the day after that, I may be in a meeting to divide property between former spouses. Or, following the death of one spouse, I may help the surviving spouse recover property from the estate. The list goes on and on. In family law, there are so many situations that can arise. And just as there are countless situations, there are so many ways to approach those situations as an attorney. It’s problem- solving turned up to 11. Another thing I appreciate is not sitting at the office all day. It’s a job with a lot of movement, jumping between the office and court, and any number of meetings in between. It really keeps me on my toes, figuratively and literally.
Of course, when you love comfort foods, it’s always good to balance it out with plenty of physical activity. I love to work out and do so for about an hour every day. It keeps me grounded and focused. It’s one of the best ways to reduce stress and just feel better. I currently participate in Orangetheory Fitness. I’m usually there between 5 and 6. It’s exercise based on high-intensity interval training (HIIT). It blends cardio with strength training. Last year, I got 245 sessions in. This year, I aim to keep on going. When you love what you do and have that spark of passion, it makes it that much easier to keep going and push yourself. I’m looking forward to the year ahead, and I’m looking forward to continuing to help people in their time of need.
—John Bledsoe
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JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551
If you’ve ever visited a Starbucks coffee shop, you’ve likely heard a patron rattle off a drink order that was more specific than your grandma’s pecan pie recipe. For example, they might say, “I’ll take a Grande, four-pump, nonfat, no-whip, extra-hot mocha.” Without missing a beat, the barista scribbles the order on the cup and starts making the drink. Orders like this one are a mouthful for even the most seasoned Starbucks guru, but for deaf people, it can be difficult to even order a cup of black coffee. Adam Novsam, a deaf utility analyst at Starbucks headquarters in Seattle, set out to address that difficulty by heading the launch of the company’s first deaf-friendly signing store. OPERATION The store’s grand opening took place in October in Washington, D.C. Its overall
success relies primarily on its purposeful operation and design elements. In 2005, the ASL Deaf Studies Department at Gallaudet University created the DeafSpace Project using design elements, such as space and proximity, sensory reach, mobility, light, and acoustics, to address potential challenges for deaf people. Starbucks’ signing store incorporates these aspects of DeafSpace to make their store more accessible. For customers new to sign language, the store features some high-tech options for assisting with communication, ordering drinks, and receiving beverages at the handoff counter, including digital notepads and a console with two-way keyboards for back-and-forth conversations. APRONS All store partners at the signing store are proficient in ASL, whether they are hearing, hearing-impaired, or deaf. However, deaf partners wear special green aprons embroidered with the ASL spelling of Starbucks. What’s more, these aprons were created by a deaf supplier! EDUCATION For hearing customers who aren’t fluent in ASL — even those just ducking in to grab a cup of coffee to go — the signing store offers an opportunity to learn something new. For example, they can learn how to sign a word like “espresso” in ASL merely by reading the chalkboard above the register with the “sign of the week.” Starbucks’ decision to make their product more accessible has benefited thousands of customers all along the East Coast. Hopefully, as time goes on, other corporations will choose to follow suit so we can make a more deaf- friendly society.
ORDERING JUST GOT EASIER How Starbucks Helps the Deaf Community
Co-parenting & Technolo gy
2 W ays to be M ore O rganized
Eliminate the Communication Conflict
Technology is changing family life. It means more time is spent watching television and on mobile devices. When it comes to co-parenting, technology is making this tricky parenting arrangement run more smoothly. There are several online services and mobile apps your family can use to make co-parenting less contentious and more organized. Now you just need to get your co-parent on board.
The "he said, she said" of co-parenting is a major hurdle for many former couples. It is especially true when communication takes place across several mediums and platforms. You might correspond by email one day and send a few texts the next. The date of a school conference might be relayed through an email, but the time may be updated over the phone. Luckily, there’s an app that not only helps streamline co- parenting conversations but also eliminates the discrepancy over what was said and when. Talking Parents creates a log of all communication between co- parents. It can log text messages and record emails. Plus, you can add in notes from in-person conversations and phone calls. Over time, the communication in this app becomes the official record of your correspondence. You can use it as evidence of a particular conversation for the court and even give your family lawyer access to monitor communication that might be helpful during a divorce, separation, or renegotiation of your parenting agreement.
Invest Time in a Shared Calendar
There are a number of co-parenting tools that allow for a shared calendar and messaging system. These apps are designed to prevent conflicting schedules, monitor changes to the agreed co-parenting arrangement, and decrease fragmented conversations. Here are a few of the options: Our Family Wizard, Coparently, Custody Connection, and Parenting Apart. These can be found in the Apple app store and the Google Play store. While there are others, the most talked-about app is Our Family Wizard . It has robust features and puts a lot of information in one place for co- parents. Both parents have to invest in the concept of a shared calendar and communication tool. It’s a good idea to formally contact your co- parent through family lawyers to discuss the arrangement and reliance on these shared calendars and online tools.
For more insight just like this, be sure to visit our blog at JustFamilyLaw.com/family-law-expert-blog.
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JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551
W ord S earch
Changing the Terms
AQUARIUS ARROW CANDY CHOCOLATE CUPID DATE FEBRUARY FLOWERS HEART
LEAP LOVE
T he emotional turmoil of divorce can linger long after the divorce agreement has been finalized. Once the agreement is in place, further negotiations can prove to be challenging if divorced couples decide to make changes to the agreement. In many situations, divorced couples may decide to alter their agreement if there are changes to employment status or living arrangements, and those changes impact their children. An experienced family attorney can help you reach a new agreement in a safe, noncombative way. A divorce agreement is not set in stone. The agreement can be updated under a variety of circumstances based around your children’s best interests. This is a complicated area of the law, and an experienced family lawyer knows that altering one part of the agreement may influence another. While every case is different and results may vary, there are three major areas in which divorced couples may make changes. Child Support Job loss, demotion, or a number of other employment factors can influence your ability to make timely child support payments. A change in child custody terms can also prompt a change in how much you contribute to child support. Child Custody Modifications to a divorce agreement can be made if a parent relocates for a job or other reasons. The change to the agreement may ensure your children remain at the same school for the rest of the school year. This minimizes disruptions, which can affect academic performance. As a compromise, we might work out an arrangement so your children have the opportunity to spend summers with your ex-spouse. Alimony Modification Finances are often a big source of concern and frustration. Emotions can quickly spiral out of control. With a third party in the middle, divorced couples can more effectively overcome emotional barriers when making tough decisions regarding spousal support arrangements. In some cases, family attorneys can facilitate discussion in order to reach an agreement on amicable terms. W hat Y ou N eed to K now B efore M odifying Y our D ivorce A greement
PISCES ROSES SWEET VALENTINE
Hazelnut Berry Chocolate Bark
Inspired by Simple Vegan Blog
This easy, delicious vegan chocolate bark is the perfect Valentine’s Day treat. Make it a few days in advance, bag it up, and share it with your loved ones.
INGREDIENTS
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7 ounces dark chocolate 1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts
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1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup dried cherries
TOOLS
•
Candy thermometer
DIRECTIONS
1. Chop chocolate and place into a mixing bowl. 2. In a double boiler, melt chocolate. Stir frequently and remove from heat as needed to prevent burning. Keep chocolate under 115 F. 3. Once melted, pour chocolate into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread evenly. 4. Add hazelnuts and dried fruits. Let sit at room temperature until set. 5. Break into shards and serve.
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JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551
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JustFamilyLaw.com | 949.363.5551
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Inside
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The Unmistakable Spark of Passion
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Starbucks Helps the Deaf Community
Co-parenting: Getting More Out of Technology
Changing Divorce Agreement Terms? What You Need to Know
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Hazelnut Berry Chocolate Bark
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Let’s Retire These Health Myths
The 5-Second Rule Will Make You Sick
3 H ealth M yths Y ou P robably B elieve
We live in the golden age of information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just
School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water. Cracking Your Knuckles Causes Arthritis The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false. The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle-cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health.
an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-related myths. Here are three popular health “facts” that are total works of fiction. The 5-Second Rule Keeps Food Safe Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant. Bottled Water Is Safer Than Tap Water People seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University
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