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JOSEPH F. EMMERTH A LOOK AT FAMILY LAW OF SULLIVAN TAYLOR & GUMINA, P.C.
JUNE 2017
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WHY I LOVE MY JOB
Hello, and welcome to my new newsletter! Every month, you’ll get it delivered straight to your mailbox, filled with what’s going on in my life, legal information that could benefit you, and of course, a few fun articles for your enjoyment. I think you’ll be pleased with the variety; I know I enjoy a little variety in my life. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things about my job. I get to meet and interact with all kinds of people who have different needs and experiences. In addition, there’s no consistent schedule with my work; I could have a pretrial conference in the morning, a hearing that afternoon, and then do client consultations and draft memos toward the end of the day. But the next day? It could be completely different.
a solution that works for them years down the line, not just one that spites their partner today. I talk people out of doing things more often than the other way around.
That’s because I do whatever I can to get the best results for my clients. I’ve been practicing for 12 years, and I still love what I do. Before I was an attorney, I was a therapist, and that skill set definitely lends itself to what I do now. I’m still helping people, but now I help solve their legal problems, which can be much harder to unwind. As you know, the law is not always designed to make sense to the average person, and I’m grateful I can explain the complicated laws surrounding divorce to my clients in a way that makes sense— and then help them make a decision that makes sense, too.
I’VE BEEN PRACTICING FOR 12 YEARS, AND
I STILL LOVE WHAT I DO.
Really, though, I have no complaints. I get to come to work every day and help people with some of the most stressful times of their lives. And when I’m not at work, I can unwind with a horror or science fiction novel, or watch a good movie. I also love to travel, either with friends or by myself, and you’ll get to hear more about that next month.
Really, one of the only frustrating parts of my job are the misconceptions I occasionally deal with about practicing family law. Some people think that divorce attorneys “throw gas on the fire,” trying to get their clients to spend more money on litigation and end up in a more contentious situation than is necessary. In reality, we’re focused on our client’s best interests. When people are in a stressful situation like divorce, they don’t always think clearly. We want to get
Enjoy the start of summer,
- Joseph Emmerth
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The sun is summer’s greatest ally — and greatest enemy. For every sun-soaked day at the beach, there are sunburns trying to ruin the party. For every excuse to drink an icy beverage, the sunshine’s more determined to keep the drink from staying cool. to Keep Your Beverage Cool 4 DRINK HACKS First, let’s say you just got home from the grocery store where you purchased a 12-pack of your favorite soda. You’re thirsty and it’s room temperature at best , right? Patience is a virtue, but there’s nothing wrong with accelerating the process. Fill a bowl with ice water and add a teaspoon of salt, then submerge a can of soda in the bowl. This process will cool your drink more than twice as fast as just putting it in the freezer. This other example requires less work, but it takes more freezer space. And if you’re like the rest of us, your freezer is pretty packed in the summer! Wet a paper towel and wrap it around a bottle or can before you place it in the freezer. The contents inside will cool much more quickly. These hacks will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the summer sun without the side effect of a warm beverage.
beer or other beverage will get you to Slushy Town in a hurry. Fill an empty bottle about halfway, put the cap on, and place it in the freezer on its side. When it’s frozen, pour your favorite beverage inside — the ice from top to bottom will keep the contents cool on the go. Bonus Hack: This has nothing to do with the sun, but is still a neat way to make drinking your beverage easier. If you go fancy and use a straw when you drink from a can, you know how hard it is to get the straw to stay put. Spin the can’s tab around and feed the straw through it. Now you’ll have a well- behaved straw that doesn’t shift around when you need it to be there for you. The sun is hot, and the summer is long. You need the comfort of a cool beverage to help you get through it. Keep cool, wear sunscreen, and have fun!
If you have more time to plan, this hack will keep your drink cold for longer. Ice doesn’t fit in a bottle, and freezing your
Sometimes, You Need a Second Opinion LET ME BE YOUR QUARTERBACK
As I mentioned in the cover letter, divorce law can be complicated. And while most divorce lawyers really do have their client’s interests at heart, the emotions at play, difficult legal issues, and assets and custody at stake can lead to quite the mess. When there are players all over the field and the ball is moving quickly, it’s good to have a solid legal quarterback.
perhaps I’ll see something the first attorney didn’t. Consultations like these give me a chance to get to know you and see if there’s any way I can help. Sometimes you just need someone to look at the “playbook” and confirm that the one your attorney is running is a good one. It’s also possible that you didn’t like what another attorney told you about your case. Often, clients come to me after being told that they had a strong case by an attorney who just didn’t have time to take it on. Sometimes that’s true, and sometimes it’s just the other lawyer not wanting to tell them the truth: They don’t think there are any plays they can run that will get the client a touchdown. That could be true, but I’ve helped many people who had a case after all, even though another lawyer didn’t think so. Please contact me and see if my experience can assist you in getting a better outcome.
One of the most valuable things I can do for clients is offer a second opinion on their legal case. This isn’t an indictment of your current attorney. As they say, two heads are better than one. Maybe you just need another set of eyes on a document, or
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WILL YOUR CHILD SUPPORT CHANGE?
New Laws in Illinois Mean Changes For Many
Next month, big changes go into effect for Illinois’ child support laws. Currently, people paying child support owe between 20 percent of their income for one child and 40 percent of their income for four children. Although this makes sense on paper, it doesn’t take into account the amount of time the children spend with the parent paying child support. The new law is designed to fix that.
It’s important to note that in many cases the law itself won’t affect child support payments; you may still be held to the last plan that was ordered by the court. The new law was written to specifically state that the change in payment structure doesn’t constitute a reason for a change in your payments by itself. In order to do that, you’ll need to demonstrate “a substantial change in circumstances” besides the new payment rules. One such change would be spending more time with your children, especially considering how the new system is likely to be structured. Having your children for at least 146 days is likely to greatly reduce the child support burden and allow you to move to the new payment structure. That said, expect the courts to view such changes with a careful eye. They’ll want to be sure that the change is about the best outcome for the children, not the least financial burden for the parent. For now, the best I can say is that the new way of doing things is going to lead to some turmoil and confusion. It might also lead to a better situation for many paying too much child support. If you have any questions about how it will affect you, don’t hesitate to call me.
Under the new system, tables and charts will govern support owed. While these haven’t been revealed yet, time spent with children is
expected to be a much larger factor in child support owed than under the previous payment schemes.
HAVE A LAUGH!
It’s officially the season of salads, and fruit salads are summer’s specialty! Enjoy this tasty dish as a side or main course. For some added protein, toss in a handful of slivered almonds or chopped pecans. SENSATIONAL SUMMER SALAD
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced • 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced • 1 cup blueberries • 1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries,
3. Gently toss to combine. 4. Serve immediately, or chill for later.
peaches, blueberries, and basil. 2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar on top.
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Recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.
JOSEPH F. EMMERTH OF SULLIVAN TAYLOR & GUMINA, P.C.
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
630-665-7676 | www.stglawfirm.com Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5pm
1250 E. Diehl Rd., Suite 400 Naperville, IL 60563
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Why I Love My Job PAGE 1
4 Drink Hacks to Keep Your Beverage Cool PAGE 2
Sometimes, You Need a Second Opinion PAGE 2
Will Your Child Support Change? PAGE 3
Sensational Summer Salad PAGE 3
How to Journal Without Journaling PAGE 4
DEAR DIARY ...
How to Journal if You Don’t Like Journaling
Record Quotes Quotes are special because they capture a profound feeling in just a few words. By recording some of your favorite quotes, you’re able to capture those feelings and reflect on why they resonate with you. Include quotes from historical figures, books, song lyrics, something you heard waiting in line at the coffee shop, or some of the “darndest things” your kids say. Go Digital Apps like Day One for iOS or Journey for Android are perfect for recording your thoughts quickly. Journaling apps are as easy as scrolling down social media, but can be locked for your eyes only. Integrate written segments with photos to create entries you can reflect on from your phone, tablet, or computer. There are as many reasons to journal as there are options for alternative journaling. Whatever you decide, just make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy doing every day. Happy journaling!
Journaling is both a chance to organize your thoughts and an opportunity for therapeutic release, but traditional journaling isn’t for everyone. If you hit a wall every time you try to put pen to paper or worry you’ll have to burn your journal when you’re done, there are other ways you too can enjoy the benefits of journaling.
Write Letters to Your Kids Framing journal entries as letters to children can help provide a starting point for you. Many parents journal like this with the intent of letting their kids one day read the letters, but that doesn’t have to be your end goal. Nor do you have to write to your kids. You can address your letters to your spouse, a close friend, your mother, or even a loved one who’s passed away.
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