Take a look at our newsletter this month.
A Happy Heart Is a Thankful Heart What Matters Most THE StevensFirm,P.A. Family Law Center 349 E. Main Street, Suite 200, Spartanburg, SC 29302 • www.SCFamilyLaw.com • (864) 598-9172 November 2018
Thank-You Notes, Gratitude Journals, and Volunteering
It’s November, and this month, our thoughts turn to family, football, turkey, and lots of leftovers shared with those we care about most. It’s finally Thanksgiving time! At The Stevens Firm, we try to remember to be thankful year-round, not just during this time of year. Here are some of the best ways we’ve found to celebrate a little thankfulness every day. 1. Write a thank-you note. Select one person — a friend, work colleague, or family member — and send a handwritten note thanking them for something they have done for you. Some very successful people recommend doing this once or twice a week, but even if you only have time to do it once a month, the benefits are enormous. It focuses your mind and heart on what you’re truly thankful for in life. 2. Keep a gratitude journal. This is especially helpful when it seems everything in life is going sideways. Just jot down 3–5 things every single day that you’re thankful for. It could be small things, like having a hot cup of coffee waiting for you at the office each morning, or even big things, like being thankful for your doctor’s excellent medical knowledge when you’re facing an unknown or scary diagnosis. Believe it or not, even in the worst of times, if you focus on being thankful, you’ll find it’s pretty easy to find things you’re happy about.
3. Volunteer your time. Volunteering, in our opinion, is the epitome of having a thankful heart. Some people choose to give back in the form of giving money to their favorite causes or missions. Others choose to give their time to those who are less fortunate or to those who have sacrificed so much for the common good. Regardless of how you choose to volunteer, this is a wonderful way to take the focus off the negative and to focus on the good that still exists in this world. We are looking forward to this year’s holiday season as a time for all of us to slow down, reflect on the blessings and the lessons of this past year, and to share our thankful spirit with all those we love and care about. We wish the same for you and your family as well. If we can ever be of service to you or those you care about, we hope you won’t hesitate to contact us directly at (864) 598-9172.
–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).”
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What Our Clients Are Saying:
“My experience was thorough, organized, and effective. And they were calm and decisive under pressure. Through and through, Ben and his team are consummate professionals.”
– V. C., former client
“I feel blessed beyond words to have found your team and to have had you on my side! Thank you so much for working with me the way you have! The knowledge and professionalism from your team made the other side look like amateurs, literally!”
–H. A., former client
“As the operations director of an adoption agency, I was probably a difficult client to please. Jenny was absolutely incredible. She was very knowledgeable, and I credit her for being the key player in my personal contested adoption of my twin boys! Thank you, Jenny, for all of your hard work and countless hours you put into our case. You are a difference maker!”
–Director, Quiver Full Adoptions, Inc.
How to Navigate Family Hangouts Post-Divorce Just because a family looks happy doesn’t mean they actually are. The fact that a mom and dad are smiling while playing with their children on a swing set or happily building a sandcastle on the beach doesn’t necessarily mean the parents are still married. Humans base so much of what they see on assumptions that they can have unrealistic expectations regarding the ways divorced couples can work together to raise their children. More couples are opting for mediation or collaborative divorce, meaning they try to work together to navigate the joy and chaos that accompanies parenthood.
Like most other things in life, this process is easier said than done. Issues that arose during the marriage can be difficult to forget once the dust settles post-divorce, but, more often than not, our lawyers here at The Stevens Firm work with people whose primary goal is to give their kids a well-rounded and happy childhood. For this reason, we encourage those who are considering separation or who are in the middle of a divorce to opt for mediation as a cooperative way to curb potential struggle. We also encourage those who have dissolved their marriage to consider whether open communication or even family hangouts are possible options. Clinical psychologist Lisa Herrick, Ph.D., recommends the following tips for divorced or separated parents considering these hangouts: • Test out the waters of togetherness in low-interaction situations initially. Herrick believes that sitting next to each other during a school game or performance might be a good starting point.
• Keep the lines of communication with your children open to gauge their feelings about the hangouts. • Be proactive when organizing these hangouts, and don’t just assume that your co-parent is fine collaborating on every activity. If you feel mediation or collaborative parenting sounds like an option you and your co-parent would like to explore, or if you want more information about the process, feel free to contact us at The Stevens Firm to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys to discuss your situation.
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Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.
Ingredients
• 5 pounds sweet potatoes • 1 cup canned coconut milk • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Legal Mistakes Made During a Divorce Hire an Attorney Who Can Help You Avoid These Pitfalls If you have decided to file for divorce, your emotions are likely running high. You might feel anger or resentment toward your spouse for mistakes made during the relationship. You might suffer from fear or anxiety whenever you think about informing your friends and family of the separation. You might even find yourself feeling hopeful and excited about future plans and new possibilities. While these emotions are perfectly acceptable, in many cases, they can distract you from approaching your divorce from a logical standpoint, which can result in legal mistakes. Here are the three divorce mistakes our attorneys at The Stevens Firm see most often. 1. Rushing Through Important Steps In a rush to finalize the divorce, many clients tend to speed through the financial details of their marital estate. An overlooked but important aspect of preparing post-divorce finances is determining the amount of money each party needs to support themselves moving forward. Make sure you have all the information you and your attorney need to make informed, financially intelligent decisions before you present your case for trial. 2. Posting on Social Media Because using social media platforms is a common pastime in today’s technologically driven world, many of our clients use these outlets to publicize their private information to their friends and family. But when you are going through a divorce, you need to be cautious about the details you share. Remember that posts can be accessed by those who will use it against you in your case. 3. Hiring the Wrong Attorney You need to find an attorney who is experienced specifically in family law. Because your divorce settlement will likely dictate your circumstances for the next several years, be sure that you hire the best you can afford. Be honest about your expectations early on, and then follow their advice throughout the case. Our attorneys pride themselves on successfully fulfilling these roles. If you have further questions or need representation, feel free to reach out to our firm today.
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
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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 Simple Ways to Show Your Gratitude PAGE 2
What Our Clients Are Saying Family Cohesion Post-Divorce PAGE 3 Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes Legal Mistakes Made During a Divorce PAGE 4 A Historic Veterans Day
A Historic Veterans Day
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the End of World War I
This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement with moments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. The Great War By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would eventually burn down much of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into World War I. The Great War that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future.
The Restoration of Peace In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. Veterans Day Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.
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