Hegwood Law - February 2019

WILD DIVORCE SETTLEMENTS 3 Times the Division of Assets Got Out of Control

When you are untying the knot, it is important to be specific about the assets you hope to walk away with. These three over-the-top divorce settlements are good examples of what not to do when dissolving your marriage.

You’ve Got to Be Kidney Me

Back in 2001, Dr. Richard Batista donated his kidney to his ailing wife, Dawnell, to save her life. Sweet, right? It was — until Dawnell filed for divorce in 2005 and Dr. Batista demanded she give back his kidney or compensate him for $1.5 million in damages. In the end, his request was thrown out in court because the kidney was a gift — and because removing it would be potentially fatal to his ex-spouse.

‘Here, My Dear’

In the divorce agreement between the late Marvin Gaye and his ex, Anna Gordy, it was decided that Anna would be paid from the royalties of Gaye’s next album since he had gone broke from his lavish spending. At first, Gaye decided he’d phone in the production, but he quickly discovered an opportunity to make a unique artistic statement: “I will give her my next album, but it will be something she will not want to play and it will be something she will not want the world to hear because I am gonna tell the world the truth.” In the end, the album was a commercial flop, though critics continue to praise its raw, emotional core.

A Half Life

When Moeun Sarim and Vat Navy decided to divorce after 18 years of marriage, Moeun apparently decided that, to keep the split equitable, he and his wife should divide their assets in half — literally. Moeun and his relatives cut the home down the middle, dismantled his portion, and hauled it away. Vat’s half was left standing with one wall missing.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

What It Is and How to Celebrate It

American author and motivational speaker Leo Buscaglia once said, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Often, it is the simple acts that make the biggest impact, and it is for this reason that my team and I wanted to highlight Random Acts of Kindness Day, which takes place on Feb. 17. First created in Denver, Colorado, in 1995, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (RAK) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people, educators, and businesses spread compassion and kindness to those around them. They conduct studies to explore the scientific benefits of being kind and provide ideas, plans, stories, and educator resources to inspire people to incorporate kindness into their daily routines.

They explain that witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, occasionally referred to as the “love hormone,” which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving heart health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re anxious or shy in social situations. RAK also suggests that offering an act of kindness to someone else increases energy levels and causes the brain’s pleasure and reward centers to light up. In addition to the individual health benefits of participating in Random Acts of Kindness Day, completing thoughtful acts for other people adds to the betterment of society. The options for kindness are abundant. You could send someone a “good morning” or “good night” text, leave quarters in the vending machine at work or the laundromat, be polite during your morning commute, leave a large tip at a restaurant, or pay for the order of the person behind you in the line for coffee. To be kind to yourself, you could take on a new hobby, write down your best qualities, clean your room, drink more water, or run/walk a 5K for a cause. Even if this is the first you have heard of Random Acts of Kindness Day, be sure to ponder some ways you can share kindness with others this month. It is such a great feeling to combine doing something good for you and for others!

2 HEGWOOD LAW GROUP

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