Bruce Law Firm - February 2023

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Dynamic Duo MAKING A MARRIAGE AND LAW FIRM WORK

Some of the most crucial relationship skills are universal. The qualities that make a good spouse also contribute to being a good parent, friend, or coworker. But that’s not to say that things can’t get a little complicated when our roles in each other’s lives cross. Working with the people you love can be particularly fraught. Of course, it’s also something the two of us have been doing for years — not that it was ever part of the plan. As “baby lawyers,” the thought didn’t even cross our minds. Christopher was growing in his career through countless hearings and trials. Meanwhile, Ashley clerked for prominent judges and worked in a high-end business litigation firm. We were each busy doing our own thing, and things worked well that way for a long time. But 10 years later, the picture had changed entirely. Christopher had ventured out to start his own firm. It was the best decision he ever made. The hard work from those early years paid off, and he started getting more referrals than he could handle by himself. Soon, Christopher expanded the firm with other attorneys. But while they did great work for their clients, they still needed help keeping up with all the clients who wanted to use their services. So, Christopher thought, “Why not hire Ashley?” It took some convincing! Ashley was working in a big fancy law office, but after some thought, she realized family law would let her do what she has always loved most: help people during one of the most challenging times in their lives. As you can imagine, there were some growing pains. Working with your spouse can be a tricky dynamic. We’ve even included some tips for working with family on Page 2! But over time, we found that it helps not to have a hierarchy. One of us reporting to the other didn’t work, so we now prefer to

collaborate. We each have our strengths and weaknesses, like anybody else. But together, we can maximize our ability to help others.

So, we don’t compete with each other. We talk things through instead of asking the other for permission. We also celebrate each other’s wins and work through our losses together. Much of our work is done separately, but where our paths cross, we work together as a team. We’ve become a fantastic duo.

And while some might imagine that working with your spouse results in the two of you spending a little too much time together, we are also inseparable. We enjoy each other’s company every day, whether working, raising our two children, rescuing animals, enjoying hobbies, or traveling. But one of the things we love most is building a business that has helped and will continue to help countless people. It has truly been a pleasure and an honor to support each other over these years. A business relationship may not work for every couple, but it certainly works for us. –Ashley and Chris Bruce

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All in the Family

Some people will tell you never to work with family. From this point of view, it’s best to separate your life’s personal and professional aspects. But countless family-owned businesses have proven that working with your spouse, siblings, children, parents, or other relatives is possible. Still, it requires extra effort to build a professional relationship with family without damaging the personal one. Here are some tips from experts who have made business relationships with family members work. Have clearly defined roles. Everyone has a title and set of responsibilities at their jobs, and working with family should be no different. Many families run into trouble when the lines are blurred. Often, it results in a power struggle. In other cases, family dynamics take precedence over professional ones. Plan in advance who will make decisions and which duties belong to whom. Many people also find it helpful to avoid family titles in the workplace. Using names like “Dad” and “Aunt June” can confuse your professional relationship. Build trust in each other. There will be conflicts in the workplace. So, it’s ideal to discuss upfront how you’ll handle them. Develop a dispute resolution process so you have a road map before things get out of control. It’s just as crucial to give your best every day. Your family members shouldn’t expect less of you than any other employee — and staff not related to you will actually expect more than they do from other coworkers. Slacking off leads to resentment, but doing your best work fosters trust. Have a time and place for everything. The people who argue that you shouldn’t work with family are right about one thing: You shouldn’t bring your work home with you. Letting conversations about profit margins and inventory bleed over into family dinners isn’t fun for anyone, and the personal side of your relationships will start to break down. Similarly, don’t bring personal matters into work. Ideally, work through any resentments, so they’re not hanging over your family members’ heads. But above all, leave those problems at home. Working with family isn’t suitable for everybody, but many people find the process incredibly rewarding. Take the time to think it through before making a commitment. It pays to do your research before you start. And don’t forget to develop a plan to reset your relationships if things go downhill. Working With People You Love

Create Your Own With Just 3 Ingredients Instead of Purchasing Foaming Soaps We’ve all seen the foaming hand and dish soaps at our local supermarkets — some of you may have one by your sink or in a cabinet. But when you run out of soap, what do you do? Do you throw out the bottle and purchase a new one? Or do you buy a new bottle and attach it to the dispenser? Buying soap replacements all the time is costly, but you can save money and soap by creating your own foaming dish and hand soap! You only need three things: a foaming dispenser, liquid soap, and water.

Is making your own foaming soap that easy?

Yes! The entire process may take you only five minutes to complete. The most important item you need is a foam dispenser. You can reuse a foaming soap container or purchase one online. After rinsing your bottle, add one part liquid soap and three parts water. Avoid shaking the bottle after screwing the cap back on. The suds and bubbles in the container will affect the dispenser and produce less foam when you pump the device. And that’s it! You just created foaming hand or dish soap in seconds. You don’t need to add lots of liquid soap to your concoction. If you look at foaming soaps in the supermarket, you will notice that it’s mostly water. So, less is more in this instance.

Once you begin making these, you’ll notice that you use less soap, making the product last longer and keeping more money in your pocket.

Not only does this foaming method work for hand and dish soaps, but you can also make your shampoo, body wash, and other cleansers foam — it’s all about the dispenser. If you decide to convert other products, avoid creamy soaps because they have moisturizers that can clog the foaming dispenser. Once you start making your own foaming soap, you will never go back to purchasing them. This DIY method is easy, quick, and inexpensive. Happy cleaning!

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.

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–Ashley and Chris Bruce

Your Day in Court What to Expect at a Divorce Trial

Most divorces can be resolved through mediation, which is good news for everyone involved. Taking a divorce case to trial is costly, time- consuming, and stressful. The attorneys at Bruce Law Firm work hard to avoid this outcome, but we take a small percentage of cases before a judge when it’s the only way to achieve a fair settlement. Here’s what those clients can expect. The first thing to know about Florida divorce trials is that a judge, not a jury, decides the outcome. It is one of the most significant downsides to going to trial — a person you’ve never met will determine your fate. While most judges strive to be fair, and your attorney will make the best case possible, the result is usually less ideal for both parties than if they had agreed on their own. For that reason, it’s worth noting that you can decide some aspects of your settlement through mediation while taking the others to court. The more matters you can resolve in mediation, the better. A judge will then only need to decide the remaining contentious issues.

sides give an opening statement, present evidence, call witnesses to the stand, and eventually conclude with closing arguments. Evidence may include bank statements, text messages, medical records, and call logs.

In many divorce cases, the two spouses are the only witnesses

called to the stand. But complex cases involving child custody, abuse allegations, or high net worth may involve testimony from other people. These witnesses can include those who knew you as a couple, were present for key events, or worked with you financially. Each side in the case has the right to cross-examine witnesses. After closing arguments, the judge will not issue a “verdict” at the end of the trial. Unlike criminal cases with juries, the judge will issue a

written ruling explaining their decision on each issue presented to them. Some judges release their judgments quickly, but others can take many months. In most cases, the judge’s word is final; appeals are possible but uncommon. We ideally want to avoid a day in court, but the best strategy will depend on the case and the people involved. Our attorneys will always guide you toward the best possible outcome after evaluating practical and emotional considerations.

Divorce trials are usually less dramatic than the courtroom scenes you watch on television, but they’re otherwise similar. Attorneys for both

Valentine’s Day Dog Treats

Inspired by PrettyFluffy.com

Ingredients

• • •

2 eggs

• •

1/2 cup dried cranberries 3–4 tbsp coconut flour

1 1/2 cups almond flour

1 tbsp coconut oil

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 325 F.

2.

In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside.

Rosalie, Rebecca, Christopher, Sarina, and Ashley at an Inns of Court holiday party.

3. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and dried cranberries. 4. Once combined, pour in eggs and mix with your hands. (The dough will be very wet.) 5. Add coconut flour 1 tbsp at a time; mix well after each addition. You want to achieve a consistency that is easy to roll, is not super sticky, and easily forms a ball. 6. Roll out dough and cut treats using bite-size cookie cutters. Tip: Sprinkle a little coconut flour on top of your dough to keep it from sticking to the cookie cutters. 7. On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, place your treats. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until crisp. Let cool before giving to your pooch!

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401

How Chris and Ashley Learned to Work Together page 1 Make Your Own Foaming Hand and Dish Soap! How to Work With Family page 2 What Happens During a Florida Divorce Trial Valentine’s Day Dog Treats page 3

Understanding Internet Crime Laws page 4 Stay Safe Online! GUARD YOUR PRIVACY AND PEACE OF MIND

We live in a digital world where everything can be found online. Whether it’s storing data or gaining access to information, we tend to use the internet constantly. With so many innovations and new technologies being created, it’s no surprise that cybercrimes are becoming more frequent.

What are cybercrimes? Cybercrimes are criminal activities that involve computers, networked devices, or networks. These are typically committed by cybercriminals or hackers looking for ways to steal information, damage computers or networks, or make a profit — whether personal or political.

have affected more people than ever before. Unfortunately, the ill effects often lead to extreme financial ruin for businesses and individuals. What happens if you’re found guilty of cybercrimes? Laws have been made to address criminal behavior that involves computers, computer systems, and the internet. In fact, each state has its requirements and potential penalties depending on the type of crime — and penalties may be severe, even for first-time offenders. The penalties could include the following: Fines These range widely, but a misdemeanor conviction can result in minor fees of a few hundred dollars or possibly up to $1,000. At the same time, felony convictions can have fines of up to $100,000.

Jail or Prison If someone is convicted of a specific cybercrime, they can face jail or prison sentences. The most severe crimes can even result in a prison sentence of 20 years or more. Probation Depending on the case, a person can be on probation for a year or more and need to report to a probation officer, pay court costs and fines, or maintain employment. Though technology can make life a little easier, there are dangers we must avoid. So, create strong passwords, keep your systems updated, and be mindful of the information you’re giving out.

Some types of cybercrimes include: • Email and internet fraud •

Identity fraud (where personal information is stolen and used)

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Theft of financial or card payment data

Theft and sale of corporate data

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Infringing copyright

Selling illegal items online

As more business transactions, such as paying bills, shopping, and trading, have moved online, cybercrimes

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