Check out our latest edition!
Family Law Is Personal HOW MY PAST INFORMS MY WORK
I’ve seen firsthand how caustic the divorce process can be. My parents divorced when I was about 8, and it was an excruciating, acrimonious process. Mom didn’t understand how to advocate for herself, and my father and his attorneys took advantage of her. I decided early on that if I was ever in a position to help those in similar situations, I would jump at the opportunity. Fortunately, I find my work as a family law attorney fascinating. It allows me to connect one-on-one with my clients during a troubling time in their lives. Often, it has been a long time since they last had anyone in their corner. It’s an honor to provide that support. I also love working at Bruce Law Firm. The environment is wildly different from the stuffy or toxic law firms you see on television. It’s an incredibly healthy workplace where I feel constantly supported by Christopher and Ashley Bruce and the rest of the staff. I’ve also had the opportunity to learn a great deal from them. I remember when Christopher allowed me to join him in court on a high-asset case early in my career. Seeing him in action was incredible; he has taught me so much. One of the things many of my cases have in common is a narcissistic spouse. Most are women with narcissistic husbands who have incredible power over them. They may control everything from how many dishes she can use in the kitchen to all spending in the relationship. I once had a client whose husband was making $20,000 a month and hiding it from her. “I thought we were poor,” she told me. These cases require unique measures. Unlike in an amicable divorce, you can’t count on a narcissist to be forthcoming with information, and we often have to issue subpoenas. Part of my job is also preparing my clients for how their spouse will likely respond to a divorce, including love- bombing and threats of self-harm. (For more, see page 2.) I urge my clients not to speak to their spouses about anything that does not directly involve their children. “Tell them to talk to Megan,” I say. Narcissists hate that, and I get a lot of angry phone calls. But it’s what’s best for my clients.
is an incredible step that should make them proud. There are resources available and people who will support and believe you. Further, you might be entitled to more in a divorce than your spouse has led you to believe. Don’t wait — you can rescue yourself. And we’re here to help along the way as much as possible. Whenever I take a new case, I envision myself representing my mom. I was powerless then, but I can assist many people now. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone get themselves or their child away from an abusive relationship and start a new life filled with safety and joy.
Happiness is one of the most valuable things a person can have in life. I aim to ensure all of my clients can experience it for themselves.
–Megan Pravda
I want anyone in an abusive relationship to understand they have more power than they know. Even visiting an attorney for a divorce consultation
561-810-0170 • 1
A Narcissist’s Playbook
What to Expect During a Divorce
Hardly anyone is happy to receive divorce papers. But for a narcissist, the documents represent an existential threat to the power they’ve spent years building. Narcissists don’t like losing control and often go to extraordinary lengths to regain it. For this reason, cases with narcissistic spouses are among the most challenging and volatile that Bruce Law handles. But a narcissist’s behavior in the face of divorce is also predictable. First, they often try to regain control by “saving” the marriage. The narcissist may use love-bombing behaviors to prove their affection and manipulate their spouse. They might apologize repeatedly or profusely and promise things will change. (They won’t.) Narcissists also try to use guilt in their favor. They often blame their spouses or threaten to harm themselves. Once the narcissist accepts they cannot salvage the relationship, they’ll typically move into attack mode. The narcissist will likely try to portray themselves as victims to friends, family, and the legal system. At the same time, they’ll work to find an attorney who won’t question their motivations and strive to make the divorce process as challenging as possible. Narcissists often threaten finances and child custody, and there’s a good chance they’ll try to make good on their promises. A narcissist may make false allegations during a divorce or seek full custody of children they’ve previously had little interest in parenting. It’s also common for them to refuse to provide financial records or pay child support. They may even attempt to hide assets. Most crucially, narcissists try to pull their spouse back into their orbit. Their primary goal is to regain control; they can’t have it without the other person’s attention. It’s essential to engage as little as possible and avoid stooping to their level. As many communications as possible should go through attorneys. Narcissists are often dangerous, and the wrong representation can do more harm than good for their victims. The attorneys at Bruce Law have extensive experience helping clients divorce narcissistic spouses. Our team knows every trick in the book, and we’ll be glad to help you or a loved one navigate this challenging process.
Discover the Theories Behind Shepherd’s Monument This Enigmatic Inscription Remains Unsolved A mysterious 18th-century code has made even the most renowned geniuses lose sleep and continues to puzzle the world. On the grounds of Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire, England, lies the baffling code that refuses to be cracked. The Shepherd’s Monument was commissioned by British Parliament member Thomas Anson and sculpted by Peter Schee around the mid to late 1700s. But what makes this monument so mysterious? On the monument is an engraving of Nicolas Poussin’s painting “The Shepherds of Arcadia” and the inscription “OUOSVAVV ” framed by the letters “DM, ” which are placed slightly lower than the main eight letters. While the inscription has a long history of confusing the public (including Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin), the monument’s mystery was reignited after its appearance in the bestselling novel “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown. Now, countless theories have been made, but no confirmed meaning exists.
So, what are the conspiracy theories out there behind this vague inscription?
• Masonic symbols lead to the hidden location of the Holy Grail with the outside letters “DM,” meaning “Devout Mason.” • A tribute to Anson’s late wife with the letters standing f or “Optimae Uxoris Optimae Sororis Viduus Amantissimus Vovit Virtutibus, ” meaning, “Best of wives, best of sisters, a most devoted widower dedicates [this] to your virtues.” • The monument is a dead end with jumbled letters to taunt those who look too deeply into inscriptions. While these theories have been the predominantly believed meanings for centuries, one recent discovery may make the most sense. Linguistic expert Keith Massey utilized his expansive knowledge of Latin to develop the phrase “Oro Ut Omnes Sequantur Viam Ad Veram Vitam,” which translates to “I pray that all may follow the Way to True Life.” This phrase was common on ancient Christian tombs. The primary hint was the mysterious “DM,” which Massey determined was “Dis Manibus” or “for the Manes,” another phrase seen on ancient Christian tombs. Massey explained, “My solution provides a straightforward and grammatical sentence, all parts of which are attested in tomb inscriptions and texts predating or contemporary with the creation of the Shugborough inscription.” Do you agree? Is this finally the true meaning behind this riddle, or is there still more to be uncovered?
Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?
OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!
The book can be downloaded for FREE at DivorceInformationBooks.com.
2 • BrucePA.com
–Ashley and Chris Bruce
Start on the Right Foot
How Co-Parents Should Begin a New School Year
A new school year can represent a difficult transition during even the best times, but there are extra challenges after a divorce. If the split is fresh, your child may have a lot of unresolved feelings to manage, and even seasoned co-parents can struggle to manage the logistics.
homework, so share information about deadlines and create ground rules. You also need to discuss school supplies and any ongoing costs for field trips, lunch, or extracurricular activities. Don’t forget the little things, like ensuring your child’s backpack always stays with them or creating a plan for when your child gets sick or school is canceled. Synchronize schedules. Since there’s so much to keep track of, a family calendar can be a lifesaver for co-parents. Include after-school activities, days off, important deadlines, parent-teacher conferences, and doctor’s appointments. If it’s an event both parents should know about, include it! Don’t forget to set up alerts to guarantee you see the other person’s updates. It ensures you won’t miss a changed pickup time or a newly announced recital. As you navigate this next chapter, there may be bumps in the road. But if both co- parents are committed to what’s best for their child, there’s a lot they can accomplish together. Everyone at Bruce Law wishes you a happy school year!
But you can work together in many ways and make the best of the situation. Here are our top tips for newly divorced parents during the new school year.
Consider what your child needs. No matter your child’s age, their teachers should know about a new divorce. Many kids develop behavioral problems or see grades drop during these tumultuous times, and the context will help their teachers help them. Kids may also be anxious about how to tell their friends about the divorce, so it’s beneficial to review how they might respond and remind them they don’t have to answer questions if they don’t want to. You might also consider getting your child into therapy, especially if you see significant changes or difficulty coping.
Get on the same page. School requires a lot of coordination, especially for young children. One parent should not be solely responsible for projects and
Sweet Potato Jalapeño Poppers
Inspired by ForksOverKnives.com
Ingredients
•
1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces 1/4 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
• • •
1/2 tsp ground turmeric Salt and pepper, to taste
• • •
7 fresh jalapeños, halved lengthwise and seeded
1/4 cup nutritional yeast 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large saucepan, place sweet potato chunks in a steamer basket. Add water just below steamer basket and boil. Steam for around 10 minutes. Remove sweet potatoes, and let cool in a bowl before mashing. 3. In a small saucepan, whisk together milk, yeast, vinegar, and turmeric. Boil, then cook for 1 minute or until thickened. 4. In a blender, combine milk mixture and mashed sweet potatoes until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Spoon sweet potato mixture into jalapeño halves. Place on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
561-810-0170 • 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
What Makes Attorney Megan Pravda Passionate page 1
Can You Solve This 18th-Century Cipher? What to Expect When Divorcing a Narcissist page 2
Back-to-School Tips for Newly Divorced Parents Sweet Potato Jalapeño Poppers page 3
Ethical Investing Explained page 4
What Is Ethical Investing? USE YOUR VALUES TO MAKE FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Do you want to start investing but are wary of funding large corporations with questionable ethics? Ethical investing is when people make investment decisions that align with their morals. When investing ethically, you support sustainable companies committed to widespread positive social change. Of course, “ethical” is subjective and means various things to different people. Ethical investors often research companies before investing to discover how the business impacts the world around them. These can concern human rights, environmental sustainability, and more. What is the difference between ethical and ESG investing? Ethical investing is similar to ESG investing, which evaluates a company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. The difference? Ethical investing takes it a few steps further. For example, ESG investing looks at issues that can include:
• • • •
Climate change
Waste management
Gender and racial discrimination
Employee safety
•
Accounting practices
Do ethical investments have high returns? While not all investments can guarantee a high return, one 2019 study by Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing found the return on investments focused on ethical choices was not noticeably different from traditional investments. It doesn’t hurt to care! Ethical investors actively work to support moral values in businesses and encourage sustainable practices. As more and more investors choose to support these companies, other businesses are pressured to clean up their acts and work harder to make a difference. Our ethical values, applied to investment choices, can make a huge impact! No one needs to throw away their values to start investing.
However, ethical investing follows a more comprehensive approach and considers ethical matters that may not be discovered when assessing a company’s ESG standards. Some ethical concerns may include:
• • • •
Fossil fuel usage
Weapons production
Human rights
Child labor violations
It’s entirely up to the investor to decide which causes they want to invest in or eliminate from their investment portfolio through the companies they research and choose.
4 • BrucePA.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator