Check out our June newsletter!
JUNE 2022
(508) 795-1557 | www.mediationadvantage.com
LIFE IN BALANCE
If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, then you know my guiding principle is “family first.” My own family is the top priority in my personal life, even when it involves making sacrifices and learning to live in ways I hadn’t planned. And whether I’m doing estate planning or divorce mediation, a focus on family guides my work. I firmly believe that just because a marriage doesn’t survive, it doesn’t mean the family can’t — and there’s no rule about how a family has to be structured. My focus on helping families thrive compels me to find other ways to help my clients outside of my areas of expertise. That means I have a robust referral network of other professionals who can help with the complicated parts of life. Whether they’re going through a divorce or developing an estate plan, many of my clients need a comprehensive financial strategy for their future. That’s where Forward Financial Services comes in. We often refer clients to each other not only because of our clients’ frequently overlapping needs, but also because we share the same core values. Namely, Thomas and Gretchen care about building lifelong relationships with their clients. By following their clients through growth and change, they can adapt financial strategies to their ongoing and shifting needs. They have a unique client experience that comprises three parts. First, they interview each new client to make sure both sides are a good fit for one another. To have a successful financial planning relationship, you must have a trusting partnership where both parties feel like they’re on the same page. In their second phase, the experts at Forward Financial Services aim to educate their clients about their options, perform risk assessments, and provide expectations. Finally, they begin offering strategies for building wealth that will work best for each client’s specific situation. If their services sound like they might be a good fit for your needs, you can learn more at ForwardFinancialSrv.com. Their client onboarding process is similar to what we do here at Law Office of Polly A. Tatum/Mediation Advantage Services with our new estate planning clients. First, we have a free introductory interview to confirm a good fit and understand the client’s wants and needs. Next, we hold a design meeting that usually lasts between 1–2 hours, in which we get into the details of enacting the client’s wishes. After that, we conduct a signing ceremony to put their plan into effect. BUILT TO LAST A LIFETIME Why Our Client Relationships Matter Most
That may sound like the end of the process, but it’s not. A good estate plan keeps evolving. We review each plan with our clients every three years for any updates, and we also perform ongoing work by helping clients manage their trusts and write letters to their loved ones explaining what they’ve left behind and why. Divorce mediation and estate planning are both highly personal processes, and they require detailed care by experts. Law Office of Polly A. Tatum/Mediation Advantage Services puts family first by helping people to peacefully uncouple through divorce mediation, protect their children and assets through purposeful estate planning, and preserve their homes and assets from the high cost of long-term senior care. We also know there is no substitute for interpersonal communication, and that’s what I offer to every client who walks through my doors. With that in mind, I have some bittersweet news. After much consideration, I have decided to phase out my divorce mediation service by the end of the year, and we will stop taking new divorce clients in January 2023. Should you or anyone you know need help with this service before then, we will be more than glad to help. This change will allow the firm to focus our full attention on estate planning and supporting our clients from birth to their golden years. We are already working on adding more team members to provide better support. (More on that soon!) We are eager to meet more clients and help even more members of our community, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call! It has been an honor to work with so many families through their divorce mediation, and I’m grateful to everyone who has trusted me during such an emotionally fraught process. I know our work at Law Office of Polly A. Tatum/Mediation Advantage Services has helped many people heal and move forward with their lives. It has meant a lot to me over the years. Under our new business model, I look forward to helping more families find a future that works for them.
If you or someone you know may need Estate or Senior Planning or Divorce Mediation please consider referring them to our firm. We are happy to help!
-Polly Tatum
1 (508) 795-1557
When It Rains, It Pours A Case Drenched in Disorder
Some people love the rain. After all, there’s something magical about thunder rolling through the clouds as lightning illuminates a multitude of raindrops. Yet, if the storm is too strong — or even dangerous to be in — people might not enjoy it at all. And that certainly appears to have been the case in 1996 when an Israeli woman in Haifa, Israel, sued a television station because of their incorrect weather report. The weather forecaster, Danny Rup, predicted that the day would be beautiful and sunny, but the weather had a mind of its own and ended up being rainy, dark, and gloomy. Because the woman relied upon the accuracy of the report, she left her home without a raincoat or an umbrella and got caught in the pouring rain. As the old wives’ tale goes, if you get caught in the rain, you’ll catch a cold. Well, the woman claimed that after being exposed to inclement weather, she caught the flu and subsequently was out of work for four days, had to visit the doctor, and spent $38 on medicine. Due to such a daunting experience, she also said that she suffered additional stress from the entire situation. The woman ended up taking Channel 2 news station to a small claims court where she sought financial compensation to cover her sickness and suffering — as well as an apology from the
forecaster who wrongly predicted the weather. The woman stated that weather forecasts are legally binding.
Many of us would see this as a frivolous lawsuit, but the TV station settled out of court and the woman received $1,000 for her pain and suffering and an apology from Danny Rup. Despite this case, most people take weather predictions from television and radio forecasters with a bit of skepticism thinking that forecasts are just a well-educated guess based on available resources — and it can change on a whim. It’s just the nature of it!
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In most cases, a victim’s stalker is someone they know or were once in an intimate relationship with. While it’s always important to never engage with your stalker, you can take certain steps to protect your safety and well-being.
To keep yourself safe, what can be done? Of course, if you are ever in immediate danger or if someone has made a credible threat, you should call the police right away. Be sure to carry a charged cellphone with you at all times for this reason. If someone is following you, seek out the nearest safe place to go, whether it be a police station, fire station, public place, or a friend’s house. Always trust your instincts: If you feel like something is wrong, it likely is. If you feel like someone may be taking an unnatural interest in you, begin varying your routines and routes a bit. Be careful when posting on social media; don’t give out information about where you live, work, or enjoy hanging out. Lastly, try to avoid going places alone. Exercise with a friend if you can and walk to your car with a coworker after work. Stalking is a serious problem and many people assume that ignoring the behavior will take care of the issue. In most cases, that doesn’t happen. When people stalk other people, they violate boundaries in order to make
First and foremost, you must know the signs and tactics of stalking, which include:
• Receiving unwanted emails, phone calls, text messages, voicemails, social media direct messages, or instant messages
• Appearing uninvited at places such as the victim’s home, school, or place of work
• Leaving strange or potentially threatening items for the victim to find
• Watching, following, or tracking a victim
• Sneaking into the victim’s home or car and doing things to scare the victim or let them know the perpetrator had been there
their victims feel unsafe. If you ever fall victim to stalking, it’s paramount that you take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe as well as involve law enforcement.
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6 Gifts Dad Is Sure to Love IT’S DAD’S DAY! Dad is a very important person in your life! Every year when Father’s Day rolls around, it can be tough to come up with the perfect gift, whether it be for your dad, a new father, your grandfather, or a father figure. Getting creative can be tricky, but this list is sure to help you with an idea or two for all different price ranges! Wallet Why not go really classic and opt for a thoughtful and practical gift? Most men’s wallets see a lot of wear and tear. After all, they’re sat on, toted around in pockets all day long, and sometimes forgotten about and sent through the wash. A new one just may be in order! Massage Gun Massage guns are rising in popularity. To help Dad recover from soreness and injury or just a tough workout, a massage gun will do the trick! The best part is that they range in price, and you can even purchase one on Amazon! Apple Watch Strap Does the dad you’re celebrating own an Apple Watch? If so, help him customize it with a new Apple Watch strap. You can choose from many materials, colors, and designs so he can blend in or stand out as much as he wants. A New Cooler Men love their coolers — it’s a foolproof Father’s Day gift! Whether Dad loves to camp, fish, tailgate, go to the beach, or barbecue in the backyard, he’s sure to appreciate a new way to store ice, drinks, food, or bait! Tool Bucket Organizer Is your dad a bit of a handyman? Help him get organized and never lose track of his tools again. Tool bucket organizers come in many forms and, again, can be purchased right online, making your shopping easy! Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers If your father doesn’t have Bluetooth headphones or speakers yet, he’s missing out. The opportunity to jam out wirelessly while working out, cutting the grass, doing hobby work, or just relaxing is effortless with this thoughtful gift.
TAKE A BREAK
SWEET AND SPICY BBQ CHICKEN SKEWERS
Summer is here, and you know what that means: It’s time to break out the barbecue and meat skewers!
Ingredients
For the Marinade • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3/4 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp salt For the Skewers • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes • 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp honey • Juice of 1 lime Directions
1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade. 3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight. 4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes. 6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!
Inspired by RecipeRunner.com
3 (508) 795-1557
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ESTATE PLANNING • KIDS PROTECTION PLANNING • WILLS • HEALTH CARE PROXY • DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY • LIVING WILLS • TRUSTS
(508) 795-1557 www.mediationadvantage.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
19 Cedar St. Worcester, MA 01609
Why Relationships Are Our Firm’s Foundation
Woman Sues Weatherman
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Skewers Father’s Day Gift Guide
How to Handle a Stalker
Is Somebody Watching You?
When many think of stalking, the common image is likely a stranger prowling around in the shadows of the night, showing up at random places uninvited, or spying on victims from afar. However, stalking can potentially involve so much more. Stalking is menacing behavior that makes victims feel unsafe and can lead to some terrifying acts. Stalking is more common than you may think: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in every 6 women and 1 in every 17 men have reported experiencing stalking at some point in their lives. For women, roughly 54% experienced it before the age of 25, and for men, 41%. Research conducted by the CDC revealed that stalking can damage its victims, leading to potential depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s reported that roughly 68% of female and 70% of male victims received threats of physical harm in connection with stalking at some point in their lives.
Stalking — Here’s How to Handle It
Stalking takes place when a person repeatedly harasses or threatens another person.
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