Take a look at our December newsletter!
FAMILIAR ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER TURN LIFE’S SCARY CHANGES INTO YOUR BIGGEST WINS
Nothing is permanent, and we have to get used to change if we want to thrive. People change jobs, move to new cities, and start new relationships. Friendships evolve, families shift, and even routines or daily habits transform over time. Going through changes can be exciting, uncertain, or scary, but when we approach the new with resilience and curiosity, it’s often the thing we need to grow. Many women we meet are afraid of taking a leap forward because, while they are uncomfortable in their marriage, their marriage is familiar. They have “learned” how to “deal with” their spouse and may feel like learning to deal with someone else will be too much work. They may be scared of the unknown, wondering if they will ever find another person to be with. Are they good enough for someone else? Will that person see their worth? They think about how their living situation will change and what life will be like. All of these feelings are normal for someone facing a life change. But the focus should not be on keeping things the same, but on embracing the unknown. When Christopher left his familiar and comfortable law firm life to start Bruce Law Firm, he was taking a big chance. He wasn’t just leaving what he knew; he was starting over with a big list of to-dos. If he had not made a change, then our lives would be completely different. Christopher would either be working in a big law firm or still with his partners in North Palm Beach. Ashley would probably still be practicing with Berger Singerman, doing commercial litigation and bankruptcy law. We are happy we made the changes we did, even though at the time they were scary. Bruce Law Firm has only continued to change over the years. It started with just Christopher and has grown. When people were not right for the firm or wanted to do something else, the firm shrank. We have had to adapt to the market forces, interest rates, new laws on alimony and children’s issues, and employment practices, and we have embraced all of these changes. We are teaching our children to embrace change, too. We recently moved our two horses to our home from a very comfortable barn where they were receiving excellent care. Now, we will be taking more of a role in their care. This was a big change for our family, and we are learning to navigate this new stage. In the coming years, our children will experience a big change when they attend middle school. While scary for a young child, the
experience of transitioning to a different school with new friends, teachers, and a different routine can be thrilling.
Some of our children’s friends’ parents are going through a divorce. Again, while this can be a trying time for these children, the change can be positive for their parents, who deserve happiness, and the children will no longer be in the middle of marital bickering. In all these situations, it is important not to be afraid of changes but instead to welcome them. Your mindset matters as you encounter the inevitable changes that are always part of life. If you can focus on growth, you will see changes as opportunities to learn and practice, making you a better person. Remember, you can’t always control everything, but you can decide how to use changes to live the life you deserve. Dec. 21 is National Look on the Bright Side Day, and if you face changes, know that positives are hiding in the challenges just waiting for you to unlock. On the other side of what’s new, exciting, and sometimes scary are joy and growth.
We hope this coming season, you embrace whatever changes life holds.
–Ashley and Christopher Bruce
Ruby & Russell earned awards at their horse banquet
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James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture. That meant turning everyday objects into tools. Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north. Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box. A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel away the top layer of a card to uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. THE SECRET TOOLS OF WAR FREEDOM IN A DECK OF CARDS
STARTING OVER SAFELY Protect Your Finances, Evidence, and Peace of Mind Change is on the horizon, and while deciding to leave a marriage is never easy, it can also be the first step toward reclaiming your life. If you are preparing for a divorce, you’ve already done the most challenging work, but it requires careful planning to ensure you’re safe and on the path to a happy, successful future for yourself. You should take three essential steps to ensure this new chapter starts off right. SAFETY FIRST The most important thing of all is your safety, especially if you are leaving a narcissist or an abusive partner. Identify a safe place you can stay, like a friend or family member’s house, and make a plan with them so you can act quickly if need be. Have a bag of essentials and important documents ready to go in a place where your partner won’t find them. Protect your private information by changing passwords on social media or email accounts. SECURE YOUR FINANCES You also need to ensure you have the financial means to support yourself. Open a separate bank account and gather key financial documents like tax returns and credit card statements. Make a list of any shared marital debts and assets, and monitor your credit report for any unexpected changes. As soon as you know you want to leave, save some cash in a safe place for immediate or emergency costs. COLLECT EVIDENCE The more evidence you can gather about why you are getting a divorce, the better your outcome will be in court. Keep a journal to list any negative incidents and when they occurred. Save any texts, emails, or voicemails that show your spouse has been abusive or manipulative. If your spouse has physically harmed you or damaged any of your property, take photos or video. Save all this information in a private place, like a safe at a friend’s house or password-protected cloud storage. You don’t have to go through this alone. A support system of trusted loved ones and the right lawyer can help you navigate these changes. At Bruce Law Firm, we know what it takes to protect you on your journey to the happy life you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on
a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped.
And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping-Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point.
Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse. Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
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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THE STABILIZING POWER OF TEMPORARY ORDERS MAKE YOUR DIVORCE MANAGEABLE
Divorce is rarely straightforward, and during times of significant change, emotions and logistics can feel overwhelming. Temporary orders can stabilize this transition, establishing rules for essential matters like support, child custody, safety, and finances. They are like stepping stones to facilitate the changes people are going through smoothly. Understanding how court-ordered temporary orders work can help you prepare and plan early to have structure throughout your divorce. WHAT ARE TEMPORARY ORDERS? You can request temporary orders in court early on in the divorce process to help set some ground rules. These decisions are not permanent but create a legal framework for both spouses on various issues as the divorce progresses. The court can help you choose child custody, parenting schedules, alimony, and who will stay in the family home. If there are abuse or safety concerns, the court can issue emergency temporary orders that don’t require the full hearing process. THE BENEFITS OF TEMPORARY ORDERS Temporary orders can help reduce conflicts and provide stability for the entire family. They create a structure that clearly defines each person’s responsibilities and expectations. Just that alone can prevent disputes from starting. These orders are about keeping you and your children safe, so they protect you and ensure you have the finances you need. Both parties have to follow the rules the court sets, and there are consequences if someone doesn’t, like fines. In some cases, temporary orders can even decrease litigation time because they manage and halt disputes right at the beginning.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR TEMPORARY ORDERS If you want to request temporary orders, there are some essential steps you can take to prepare. Collect key information like financial documents, parenting schedules, or any journals you’ve kept about your spouse’s behavior. Be specific in your request. If you have children, focus on their safety and success. Stay respectful and remember that this is about finding real solutions, not playing the blame game. A temporary order can provide stability during this time of change in your family. At Bruce Law Firm, we can help you navigate the process and present a clear case for your temporary orders. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Our family fostered six kittens and only adopted one.
CRISPY PROSCIUTTO AND CHEESE SLIDERS
Elevate the classic ham and cheese sandwich with these party-pleasing prosciutto and cheese sliders.
Ingredients •
3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto 1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise
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1/2 cup melted butter 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
•
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 2 chopped garlic cloves Black pepper, to taste
• • •
1/4 cup fig preserves
3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Directions 1.
Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange prosciutto and bake for 8–10 minutes. 3. On a separate lined baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the rolls and spread fig preserves over them. 4. Layer with fontina and Swiss cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. 5. Place the top half of the rolls over the prosciutto and gently press down. 6. In a bowl, mix butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, and black pepper. 7. Pour butter mixture over rolls. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. 8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, and separate before serving.
Our dog Chip is loving his new cat brother!
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
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1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401
The Power of Courage in Life’s Transitions page 1
Disguised Devices of WWII
Divorce Planning 101 page 2
Safety, Support, and Structure
Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders page 3
The Hidden Price Tag on Clutter page 4
THE COST OF CLUTTER HOW MINIMALISM CAN SAVE YOU THOUSANDS
SIMPLIFYING FINANCES Clutter can even creep into your bank account. Old subscriptions, overlapping accounts, and unused memberships all nibble away at your budget. By canceling what you don’t use and streamlining your finances, you save money and reduce the mental load of tracking your bills. DOWNSIZING EXPENSES One of the biggest financial wins of minimalism comes from downsizing. A smaller home or apartment doesn’t just mean lower rent or mortgage; it also slashes utilities, maintenance, insurance, and even property taxes. MORE SPACE FOR WHAT MATTERS A clutter-free environment frees up mental bandwidth. With fewer distractions, you can focus on what truly matters: building a side hustle, nurturing relationships, or enjoying a calmer, more intentional life.
from being about deprivation, it’s about reclaiming control of your space, spending, and savings.
THE HIDDEN PRICE OF ‘STUFF’ Every purchase comes with two price tags: the sticker price and the hidden costs. That $50 gadget isn’t just $50; it might also mean higher credit card interest if you’re carrying debt, or another box in the attic eating up storage space. The more we accumulate, the more we pay to maintain, store, clean, and eventually replace those items. That’s where minimalism comes in. It forces us to ask: “Do I really need this, or is it just clutter in disguise?” QUALITY OVER QUANTITY Minimalism doesn’t mean buying nothing. Instead, it’s about buying better. One high-quality pair of shoes can last for years, while three cheap pairs wear out quickly and cost more in the long run. Choosing durability and timeless designs over impulse buys protects your wallet and reduces waste.
We’ve all been there: staring at a closet full of clothes and thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” Or paying rent for a bigger apartment just to store things we barely use. Clutter isn’t just a space problem; it’s a money problem. Every unused subscription silently chips away at your finances. The good news is that minimalism offers a way out. Far
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