Take a look at our newsletter this month.
What Matters Most
THE Stevens Firm, P.A. Family Law Center
349 E. Main Street, Suite 200, Spartanburg, SC 29302 • www.SCFamilyLaw.com • 864-598-9172 February 2019
Giving Back During the Month of Love
It’s hard to believe February is already here. The month of love is in full force. Have you made your Valentine’s Day reservations yet, by the way? February is always an interesting month in a family law firm. We have some clients who hire us specifically in the month of February out of spite for their soon-to-be ex. We have other clients who put their divorce “on hold” to try one more time to rekindle the romance with their spouse. February is also the beginning of the official tax refund season, so we have many clients who choose to begin their cases in February as they receive their tax refund, which they needed to be able to afford proper legal representation. At The Stevens Firm, however, we like to take a look back over the beneficiaries of our charitable contributions from the year before and set goals for which causes will receive our support in the coming year. It’s our way of spreading love throughout our communities. In 2018, we provided charitable support to the following organizations, and we were excited to see the positive difference they each made in our communities this past year:
Love Without Boundaries American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation AFCC Scholarship Fund
Wounded Warriors St. Jude’s Hospital The Lonon Foundation Church of the Advent
In 2019, we pledge to continue to offer support to these wonderful organizations, along with some new ones we may not have worked with before. Do you have any favorite charitable organizations you would like us to consider? Go to our firm’s Facebook page and let us know which causes you’d like to see us support this year and why. Our mission is to help our clients make the best of some tough situations, but we also enjoy giving back to and supporting the communities we serve. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Spartanburg County Foundation Spartanburg High School South Carolina Bar Foundation Southern Poverty Law Center Toys for Tots
–Ben and Jenny Stevens
Reminder About Our Firm’s Communication Policy Our promise to you is that while we are working on your case, we don’t take inbound phone calls, faxes, or emails. Our senior partner, Ben Stevens, takes no unscheduled inbound phone calls, as we have found this makes him much more productive and enables him to focus on getting your case resolved faster. You can always call our office at 864-598-9172 and schedule an in-person or phone appointment with any of our attorneys, usually within 24–48 hours. We believe this approach is much better than the endless game of phone tag played by most businesses today. Email is also an efficient way to communicate with us, but please
be advised that emails are not typically checked more than twice per day. If you need something quickly, don’t email — call our office and speak with one of our assistants, who will be happy to help you. Disclaimer: This publication is intended to educate the general public about family law issues. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different. The information in this newsletter may be freely copied and distributed so long as the newsletter is copied in its entirety and proper credit is attributed to “The Stevens Firm, P.A. — Family Law Center (SCFamilyLaw.com).”
1 864-598-9172
The 5-Second Rule Will Make You Sick
3 Health Myths You Probably Believe
We live in the golden age of information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just 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.
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
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
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.
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,
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
bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed
to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health.
Surviving Valentine’s Day After Divorce
Pamper Yourself If you are recently divorced, you’re probably still trying to navigate the changes to your holiday traditions. Between deciding how to plan Thanksgiving dinner or determining which holiday your kids spend with you and your ex-spouse, you might still be dealing with some lingering stress. For this reason, our team here at The Stevens Firm, P.C. encourages you to take time for yourself. Buy yourself a gift you’ve really wanted, schedule a massage, or go out for a nice meal. Everyone deserves a little pampering, and ensuring that you care for yourself at this time of year will make the experience flow more smoothly for everyone.
While Valentine’s Day is typically chock-full of merriment, delectable treats, and well-ingrained spousal traditions, if you have gone through a recent divorce, the Valentine’s Day routines you’ve come to know and love will have to undergo big changes to mirror the transformations you’ve recently made. If this is your first year separated from your previous spouse — even if you feel that the divorce was 100 percent the correct choice — you will likely experience a little sadness or loneliness during the holidays. It comes with the territory, but it is important to allow yourself to feel those emotions without getting lost in them. Once you are able to acknowledge your feelings and losses, you can start implementing other ideas into your family’s life in order to navigate Valentine’s Day post-divorce. Make a Plan Divorce can take a toll on your physical health, emotional health, money, and time. Being constantly surrounded by flowers, chocolate, jewelry shops, and even horse-drawn carriages is a reminder of your new relationship status, but it doesn’t have to completely ruin your day. To avoid letting this holiday sneak up on you, start by planning ahead. You could host a potluck with some of your friends, spend the evening making Valentine’s crafts with your kids, or go to a fun group workout class.
2 www.SCFamilyLaw.com
Spicy Salmon Tartare
Ingredients
• 1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 1/4 teaspoon lime zest • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced • 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced • 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons grapeseed or vegetable oil • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste • Crackers or chips, for serving
Thinking About Making a Move in 2019? Ask Us About the Custody Implications
Directions
1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.
While international relocation and immigration has always been a hot topic in the political sphere, these past two years have caused the subject to become even more polarized. Combined with advancements in technology, the likelihood of couples from different countries marrying and/or having children exponentially increases. For this reason, our attorney J. Benjamin Stevens has rigorously studied state and international laws to determine the best ways to help families understand international custody implications in a political climate where immigration and relocation is extremely controversial. At The Stevens Firm, P.A., our team helps mothers and fathers enforce their custody rights across borders. We can help you bridge the divide between U.S. laws and those in the rest of the world so you can protect your children’s relationship with both parents no matter how far away they are. Additionally, if you are a parent who is hoping to move to another country with your child, we urge you to consult our law firm to make sure you understand your relocation options. It is far better to investigate and plan before making a move than to leave and pay the consequences later, especially considering how that could lead to international child abduction charges. On the other hand, if you are a parent seeking to prevent the other parent from leaving the U.S. with your child, we will be glad to meet with you to discuss the options available to you. For example, in family law, there exists a “ne exeat” clause, which means a noncustodial parent has a say in where his or her child lives, which equals a right of custody. Regardless of your situation, we know what resources are available to you, and we will advocate for your child custody rights at all stages of the legal process. Please give us a call with any questions.
take a break
3 864-598-9172
THE Stevens Firm, P.A. Family Law Center
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
349 E. Main Street, Suite 200 Spartanburg, SC 29302
PAGE 1 Giving Back During the Month of Love PAGE 2 Let’s Retire These Health Myths Surviving Valentine’s Day After Divorce PAGE 3 Spicy Salmon Tartare Immigration and Relocation with Children PAGE 4 All About Chocolate
What You Didn’t Know About Chocolate
Fun Facts to Wow Your Loved Ones This Valentine’s Day
Chocolate is a treat savored by people all over the world. What we know as the sweet, creamy decadence that sustains Valentine’s Day actually has greater historical and cultural significance. Fermented chocolate drinks have been dated back to as early as 350 B.C. The Aztecs believed it was the beverage of wisdom, and the Mayans saw it as something to be worshipped. While the history of chocolate is as rich as its flavor, there are some common misconceptions about the treat. Dutch chocolate doesn’t necessarily refer to chocolate made in the Netherlands; the name refers to a specific chocolate-making process that uses the cocoa press. Before Dutch chemist and chocolate-maker C.J. van Houten invented the machine in 1828, chocolate was only used in beverages. Dutch chocolate is chocolate that has modified with an alkalizing agent in order to produce a milder flavor, making it a fantastic option for use in baked goods, candy, and ice cream. German chocolate actually has nothing to do with the country of Germany, either. It used to be called “German’s chocolate,” named after its inventor, Sam German, an American who made sweet chocolate for baking. Adding sugar to the chocolate made it a go-to option for bakers around the world, and the base for German chocolate cake was born.
For chocolate to be classified as Swiss, it has to be made in Switzerland, as chocolate-making is considered an art form in the country. Known for its “melt in your mouth” quality, Swiss chocolate uses condensed milk to add a velvety texture. Many chocolate makers outside of Switzerland will refer to their interpretations of Swiss chocolate as milk chocolate instead.
4 www.SCFamilyLaw.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online