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December 2023
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR Life’s Balancing Act
The Quest to Make Every Day Count
What’s the value of a day? With the scarce daylight in December compressing our sense of time, it doesn’t seem like much. But we’ve still got the same 24 hours, and it’s up to us to make the most of them — something we know a bit about as fathers, husbands, and attorneys. Zac: “Work hard and play hard” is one of our firm’s core values because we believe it’s the only way to live. We must put our best effort into each client’s case without forgetting to create quality time for our friends and family. We won’t get a second chance at this life, so we have to cherish it.
to get older and see friends, family, or even favorite celebrities pass away, the brevity of life comes into full view. We must make the most of today because tomorrow is never guaranteed.
It’s a balancing act. You can’t neglect planning for the future, but you also don’t want to let worries about what might happen 20 years from now detract from the present. Our family has a rule on vacation to take once-in-a-lifetime opportunities as they come to us. A recent example happened when we took the kids to the Florida Gators’ homecoming game.
Sometimes, that means doing things differently than most people. When I go on vacation with my family, I often get up a few hours earlier than everyone else. I spend that time working to give my family my full attention later. And instead of taking a nap or watching a movie on the plane ride, I’m on my laptop. I find a way to fit it all. Attorneys are infamous for working nonstop. People in our profession often neglect
Nick and his family
We arrived to learn about a new experience where
fans could visit with the players in the tunnel during halftime for an extra fee. It wasn’t cheap, and it wasn’t something we’d budgeted for. But when would we ever get that chance again? The joy on our kids’ faces as they got to high-five the players is something I’ll never forget. As a result, we’ll have to work on a tighter budget for a while, but it was worth every penny. With hectic schedules, letting days slip away from us is incredibly easy. But it’s worth making the effort to remember every moment is precious. Life is a relatively short ride, and we only get one shot at it. None of us want to end it on a note of regret.
Zac and his family
their health and relationships, which leads to burnout at best. We make a deliberate effort to ensure that doesn’t happen to us or our families. We all have ups and downs, but exercising helps me keep my priorities in check. And when I feel like it’s a bit too much, there’s nothing like getting away, even if it’s only an hour from home. New scenery allows me to rest, recharge, and remember why my actions are worth the effort. Nick: When you’re young, it feels like you’ll live forever, and you don’t consider that every day you have on Earth could be your last. But as you start
– Zac Leacox &Nick Norden
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Keep Your Vehicle Safe and Secure During the Holidays Outsmart Car Thieves:
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving, but unfortunately, it’s also a time for car thefts and break-ins. In fact, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have the highest reports of vehicle theft. During the holiday season, thieves know that vehicles may be packed with valuable gifts and see your car as an opportunity to get rich. To keep your car and belongings safe this season, here are nine precautions you can take. Park wisely. Choosing where and how you park your car can make a significant difference in its safety. Dim and isolated areas are more inviting to thieves, so when possible, opt for well-lit and busy areas to increase the chances of bystanders spotting a potential burglar. When parking in a lot or garage, consider proximity to your destination as well as security cameras and personnel. Lock it up. It may sound obvious, but many car thefts occur because owners forget to lock their vehicles. Always double-check that your car is securely locked, and don’t rely solely on remote key fobs. Criminals can use technology to intercept these signals — instead, use traditional key locks if your car has them.
keys in your car just makes vehicle theft easier, so keep your spares safe at home or in your pocket.
Hide valuables. Thieves are more likely to target a vehicle if they can see something of value inside. Before leaving your car, stow away shopping bags, electronics, purses, and other tempting items in the trunk or out of sight. Even loose change or charging cables can attract unwanted attention. Use your garage. A locked garage provides an added layer of security for your vehicle. Ensure the garage doors are in good working order and equipped with strong locks. Get to know your car’s security features. Modern vehicles have lots of security features, such as secondary car alarms, kill switches, and tracking systems, so learn how to activate them. Before leaving your car unattended, ensure your car’s security system is active and all doors and windows are properly secured. Invest in a steering wheel lock. Steering wheel locks, also known as “club” locks, are classic anti-theft tools. They make it much more challenging for criminals to drive away with your vehicle by not allowing your steering wheel to be turned. While that may seem old-fashioned, they still get the job done! Be alert after parking. In parking lots and garages, when walking away from your vehicle, scan the area for anyone loitering. Criminals tend to be on the lookout for individuals who are not paying attention to their surroundings. If you notice anything that doesn’t look or feel right, move your vehicle to a safer location. Don’t leave your car running unattended. During winter months, it’s tempting to warm up your car while you wait inside. However, leaving your vehicle running on its own is an open invitation to thieves. Always stay with your car when it’s running or invest in a remote starter that allows you to start your car without a key. Keep in mind that prevention is essential for a worry-free and secure holiday season! Don’t become another statistic — protect your vehicle from criminals and ward off theft by keeping these simple tips in mind.
Be smart with the spare key. According to the NICB, 69,351 vehicle thefts took place in the U.S. in 2016 because drivers left their spare keys or fob in the car. Leaving your
2 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Smart Strategies for a Kid-Friendly New Year’s Eve Party Make It to the Countdown Without a Meltdown
Holiday celebrations are some of the most exciting moments for kids, be it trick-or- treating or tearing open Christmas presents. But properly celebrating New Year’s Eve may be a struggle for the little ones. If you’ve let your kids try to stay up until midnight in previous years, you may have experienced sleepiness, tantrums, and cranky mornings the next day, which isn’t the best way to start the new year. Well, this time around, you can be better prepared! Thanks to countless clever parents sharing their tips and tricks, we’ve compiled the most genius hacks that will make this New Year’s Eve not just kid-friendly but actually fun! A little secret won’t hurt ’em. Have you tried a faux countdown? You can save yourself the headache entirely by implementing a little white lie. Changing all the clocks forward isn’t exactly new, but now, with the help of streaming services and YouTube, you can make a bulletproof fake countdown. At your preferred bedtime, play last year’s New Year’s Eve countdown on the TV. Amp up the celebrations with a rowdy countdown, cheering, and glasses of sparkling apple cider! Then, bring the festivities to an end and get your kids ready for bed. It’s as easy as that! If they do stay up, make it fun! Of course, if you would rather stay up with your children, feel bad lying, or don’t think you could pull the wool over their eyes, then there are some creative ways to keep them entertained until midnight without a meltdown.
• Number colorful balloons and let your children pop one every 30 minutes or hour. You can even fill the final balloon with confetti to celebrate New Year’s Day! • Have everyone dress up fancy to make your at-home party feel more like a New York celebration. • Create a bucket list together for everything you want to do in 2024. • Get outside and play with sparklers! • Every hour, turn off the lights, play a song, and crack some glow sticks for a dance party! • Make fun and easy party appetizers together. • Look through old photos and videos of the past year together. When you plan ahead, you can ensure that your kids have enough activities to make it to midnight without any hassle. Of course, the fake countdown is always an option too!
Have a
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Laugh
Ingredients • 1/2 cup butter • 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 cups peas • 4 cups
• 1/2 tsp celery seed • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 cup milk • 2 cups chicken stock
cooked chicken • 1 package frozen
• 1 cup sliced celery • 2 cups sliced carrots • 1/2 cup flour
puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes. 3. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, and garlic powder to pan and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate milk. 4. Add stock and bring to a simmer, whisking until mixture thickens. Add peas and chicken. 5. Roll out pastry sheet into 16-inch square on floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares and place overlapping onto chicken mixture. 6. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp water. Brush egg over pastry and place in oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
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Inside This Edition
2 1 How Zac and Nick Try to Make Every Day Count
9 Essential Car Security Tips for the Holidays Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Genius Hacks to Celebrating New Year’s Eve With Kids Michael Oher’s Fight for Justice in ‘The Blind Side’ Controversy
4 3
The Tuohy Family vs. Michael Oher: A LEGAL SHOWDOWN
The story of how Michael Oher went from a young homeless boy to an NFL star captured the hearts of many and inspired the critically acclaimed 2009 film “The Blind Side.” However, behind the heartwarming tale lies a complex legal battle between Michael Oher and the Tuohy family, who adopted him during his teenage years. Oher alleges that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy misled him into accepting a conservatorship instead of adoption and that he never received fair compensation for his portrayal in the movie. In his petition filed in a Tennessee court, Oher seeks to end the Tuohy family’s conservatorship over him and requests a full accounting of any funds he should have received. In response to the petition, the Tuohys expressed their heartbreak over the situation while accusing Oher of demanding $15 million and threatening negative press coverage if they didn’t comply.
in the claim that they led him to believe he was signing adoption papers when, in reality, they were for a conservatorship. This legal arrangement gave the Tuohys significant control over Oher’s life, his story, and the substantial financial gains resulting from it. Oher asserts he did not receive what he was rightfully owed. Oher’s lawsuit is not only about financial matters but also the emotional stress that came with recently learning he was not legally a member of the Tuohy family, which he had believed for years. Furthermore, the case brings into question the safeguards for young individuals who may enter into legal agreements without a complete understanding of their implications. Seeing how this blockbuster lawsuit shakes out in the coming months and what the verdict means for other young people in similar situations will be interesting.
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy claim they have always been upfront with Oher about the conservatorship and that they have split all profits from “The Blind Side” equally with Oher. Still, the heart of Oher’s lawsuit lies
4 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
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