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FROM FINANCE TO FAMILY LAW JASON’S PASSION FOR HELPING FAMILIES THROUGH TOUGH TIMES
I attended the University of Florida and studied finance and then switched lanes in attending Florida State University for law school. Since graduation, I’ve focused on family law for over 15 years. I find immense joy in helping children and families, and in incorporating many aspects of my financial background into my practice. I am also a certified family mediator, where I enjoy acting as a neutral and impartial facilitator to resolve issues outside the courtroom. When I joined Bruce Law Firm, it felt like the perfect fit. Having known Christopher and Ashley Bruce for many years, I knew the firm’s outstanding reputation and welcoming environment. At Bruce Law Firm, we focus exclusively on practicing divorce and family law, unlike other firms that require support from other practice areas. This focused approach enables us to provide exceptional and efficient service to our clients. As a divorce and family law attorney, I assist clients with various financial matters, including child support, alimony, equitable distribution of assets and liabilities, attorney’s fees, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. My background in finance proves invaluable in these cases. Every day at the firm brings unique challenges and opportunities. The main thing I’ve learned throughout my years of practice is that if you think you’ve seen it all, you haven’t. When I started my career in divorce and family law during the 2008 housing crisis, the economic landscape vastly differed from today. Back then, many clients were grappling with short sales, foreclosures, and bankruptcies, all of which significantly impacted family law cases. The main fight was over who was “stuck” with the house, most of which were underwater. We were mostly dividing debts. Today, however, there are different issues, such as economic fluctuations, inflation, job market conditions, and interest rates. These external factors, beyond our control, require constant adaptation. At Bruce Law Firm, we pride ourselves on being cutting-edge and adapting our practice and advice to these fluid situations.
information and provide accurate answers is crucial, as clients frequently seek guidance on a wide range of issues. This is particularly true in family law, encompassing numerous and diverse legal practice areas. I am happy to be part of a team that provides these skills. As I look back on my journey, I realize how fortunate I am to have found a career that combines my financial background with my passion for helping families navigate complex legal issues. Joining Bruce Law Firm has allowed me to work alongside dedicated professionals and provide caring support to our clients. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow, and I am grateful for the diverse experiences that have shaped my career. –Jason Naparstek
To excel as a lawyer, one must possess extensive experience and a high degree of confidence in one’s abilities. Additionally, the capability to gather
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Occupations reflect the times: Jobs we have today didn’t exist years ago, and vice versa. Many past careers weren’t glamorous, and some are the worst professions in history. Let’s look at four foul jobs that no longer exist (and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it). PURPLE DYE MAKERS Dyeing clothes is so ordinary today that it’s hard to imagine a world where certain pigments are rare, but this was especially true for purple in generations past. Back in ancient times (first century CE), the hue of the royals was made by crushing thousands of snails, extracting their glands, and then heating the material in a pot full of brine for 10 days in an incredibly odorous process! DRIPPING MEN Do you use the fat drippings from your roasts to make gravies or fry other foods? Since this liquid gold can add flavor to any dish, there was once an entire profession built around it. A dripping man back in Victorian England would go to homes and businesses to collect their fat to sell to the public. CHILDBED LINEN WAREHOUSE KEEPERS For much of history, women gave birth at home, not in a hospital. So, it’s not surprising that an industry arose during the 19th century to cater to this. According to an 1842 book of trades, there was a job for supplying, collecting, and cleaning bed linens specifically for birth. HONEY DIPPERS, TOSHERS, AND PUREFINDERS In 19th century England, the country had recently seen an enormous boom in the population, and most of the available housing lacked flush toilets or sinks with running water. This meant more sewage found its way into the city streets — giving rise to three jobs we no longer see today. Honey dippers collected waste from homes, toshers scavenged sewers for valuable items to sell, and purefinders collected dog poop (to be used in the process of tanning leathers). The next time you get a case of “the Mondays” and question whether or not you like your job, consider this: Would you rather be crushing and boiling snails for 10 days instead? Probably not! Still, which jobs of our era will be considered weird history in the future? CAREERS YOU’LL BE GLAD ARE EXTINCT UNMASKING SOME OF HISTORY’S WORST JOBS
THE CO-PARENTING COMPASS
Key Elements for a Balanced Parenting Plan
Sometimes, parenting can feel like you have no road map to help you navigate life. It can be especially overwhelming when you are co-parenting with an ex-spouse or are going through a divorce or separation. A comprehensive parenting plan can be your compass, and it’s crucial to ensuring consistency and stability in your child’s life. From defining visitation rights to establishing boundaries for communication, a well-crafted plan can minimize conflicts and provide you both with clear expectations for co- parenting. This month, we’re exploring key elements to include in your plan. COMMUNICATION You and your co-parent must communicate important information about your child, so preparing for that in your plan is crucial. Set boundaries and specify how much or how little you want to talk to your ex. This is a great way to explain your expectations for communication etiquette, such as respectful language. Make it clear your child won’t ever be a messenger between you, and spell out what details or information you two should always discuss, like doctor visits or report cards. HOLIDAYS AND ACTIVITIES Co-parents should create a calendar detailing who is responsible for certain activities, pick-ups, or regular appointments. Holidays can be particularly challenging, considering these are treasured times for family memories. Think about your holiday traditions as you divide these dates up, and make sure your child gets an equal amount of time with each of their extended families on these special occasions. Plan for extracurricular activities as well. EXPENSES When it comes to your child’s belongings, spell out what items will stay at whose house and what items will move back and forth with your child. Along with that, include provisions about everyday expenses. Create a process to track and split costs on items like clothes, school supplies, and allowance. There are several ways you can make this equitable, and many apps available today can help you manage expenses like these. A detailed parenting plan can make all the difference in effective co-parenting and ensuring your child’s well-being. Addressing these key areas creates a structured and predictable environment for your child. Embrace this opportunity to set the foundation for a brighter future for your child.
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HOW TO NAVIGATE RELOCATION UNDER A CUSTODY AGREEMENT PLANNING A BIG MOVE?
the parent with custody to notify and obtain consent from the other parent. In the Sunshine State, if you want to move your child over 50 miles away for more than 60 days, you must get consent from the other parent or obtain a court order. You will need to file a written statement with the court. If your co-parent agrees, you can jointly file that, but you’ll have to petition the court if they don’t. Knowing the legal requirement is essential, as there can be penalties if you violate or skip steps. PREPARE FOR CHANGES You should expect to change your parenting plan while preparing to move with your child to a new place. Relocation can significantly impact your child custody arrangements, especially if the move will affect the other parent’s visitation and family time. Sometimes, the court may grant custody to the non-custodial parent staying put if the move negatively impacts the child. PRIORITIZE YOUR CHILD No matter what, always plan a relocation with the child’s best interests at heart. Consider how this move may affect your children as you make this big decision. Both parents must communicate and work together on a relocation plan that works for everyone in the family. In court, the judge will always make relocation determinations that best set your child up for a successful and healthy life. Relocating is a massive change for families, especially those with child custody agreements. By focusing on these critical aspects, you can make informed decisions that benefit your family and support a positive future for your child.
One of the biggest changes that can happen in an adult’s life is a big move, and it’s all the more challenging if you are managing a child custody agreement with your ex. Relocation by either parent can seem daunting as you try to figure out how it will impact your child. However, moving to a new city or state doesn’t have to turn your world upside down; with the right approach, you can handle this transition smoothly while keeping your child’s best interests at heart. KNOW THE RULES Both parents need to understand their state’s rules and requirements when planning for a relocation. Some states, like here in Florida, require
Have a Laugh!
TASTY TURKEY MEATLOAF
This turkey meatloaf is packed with flavor and protein, perfect for a family dinner or meal prep!
Ingredients •
1 lb ground turkey
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2 tbsp ketchup
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1 onion, diced
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2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 eggs
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1/2 cup bread crumbs
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F and line a baking dish with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine turkey, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper. 3. Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it in the baking dish. 4. Bake for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. 5. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
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1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
In the Spotlight: Lawyer Jason Naparstek page 1
The Evolution of Work: Bizarre Jobs That Time Forgot
How to Craft a Plan for the Whole Family page 2
What Co-Parents Need to Know Before Moving Tasty Turkey Meatloaf page 3
2024 Sees Rise in Transfer Tax Exemptions page 4 NEW YEAR, NEW EXEMPTION WHY 2024 IS THE YEAR TO UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN
While keeping up to date with your estate planning should always be a priority, 2024 is the ideal year to review and make changes to your estate plan. This is because the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer, or GST, tax exemptions have seen a marked increase this year. In 2023, the GST was $12.92 million per individual, but it has increased by $690,000 to $13.61 million per individual in 2024. This means you can transfer property with a value up to the exemption amount, either at death or throughout your lifetime, without paying a transfer tax. If you are in a position to do so, consider taking full advantage of this estate planning environment. ESTATE, GIFT, AND GST TAXES Every year, the IRS allows individuals to gift up to $18,000 to individuals without incurring federal gift or estate taxes. If you are married, your spouse may also gift up to the same amount, effectively increasing the amount to $36,000 per year, tax-free. Some gifts do not count toward the exemption — meaning these are not taxed — such as payments made directly to medical
providers or between spouses. According to the American Bar Association, the GST tax is imposed on transfers to “remote descendants,” including grandchildren, known as “skip” persons, that exceed the exemption limits. The GST tax is applied to direct transfers to any skip person, either during someone’s lifetime or at the time of death. However, transfers made to trusts can use the GST exemption — making the trust partially or wholly exempt from the tax. As of 2024, the federal gift, estate, and GST tax rate is a flat 40% — representing a significant expense. That is why the gift, estate, and GST tax exemptions are so important; they allow you to circumvent this tax rate in your estate plan. The GST Tax Exemption While the federal estate, gift, and GST tax exemptions were just $5 million in 2011, they have increased by over 170%. Before 2012, inflation was not considered when determining the exemption. This increase should not come as a surprise to anyone. After all, inflation has significantly strained the economy in recent years.
If you wish to take advantage of the GST tax exemption through the use of a trust, you need to consider a few factors. Any non-exempt trust will still be taxed at a 40% rate. For a trust to be GST tax-exempt, it must either be a Gallo trust, meaning it is for the benefit of a single grandchild or skip person, be a grandfathered trust, or qualify for the GST tax annual exclusion. Otherwise, if you want to cement your legacy and do what is best for your family at the time of death, you need to act quickly while this exemption still applies. You need to create your estate plan this year; the current federal estate, gift, and GST tax exemption rate is temporary and set to decrease soon.
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