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February 2019
Parenting and Lawyering A Bit of Advice, or Time to Step In?
As both a parent and a lawyer, I’ve learned that the same skill set applies to each role. In both situations we’re there to offer guidance, but occasionally we have to step in when real danger approaches. As a parent, these moments are terror-inducing. As a lawyer, they can be invigorating because of the positive impact we can have in a case. A fewmonths ago, my 18-year old daughter calledme. She was concerned about an eye infection, among other severe symptoms she was experiencing. The university had told her that they couldn’t get her in to see a doctor until Thursday of the following week. She didn’t knowwhat to do except wait for the appointment. I had hoped she would be able to take this on herself, but I suddenly realized she wasn’t appreciating the seriousness of the symptoms and had probably downplayed them when calling the health clinic. (The same thing happens to clients quite often.) I said, “Abby, did you actually tell them about all of the symptoms, how quickly they’d gotten worse, and ask for a more urgent appointment?” Her answer was a sheepish “not really all of that.” I explained what they needed to really know and told her to call back and see what happened. If they really couldn’t fit her in, I’d find another way for her to see someone sooner. Sure enough, she called back a few minutes later, happily reporting they’d be seeing her in a few hours in one of their “urgent care” slots. Of course, then she needed some money for her
from the accident, claiming that other parties had to pay first before they threw their ownmoney into the pot. Since the facility wasn’t getting paid, they were being forced to let her go. This is where we stepped in. Our client’s employer had wrongly classified her accident with workers comp, who then promptly denied her claim. This unraveled further, leaving us in a standoff. It’s worth noting, this woman was an accomplished professional in the insurance industry who was responsible and had purchased good policies for everything you would expect. Still, there she was in a hospital bed, unable to get in or out of a wheelchair and being told none of what she had paid for would be delivered. We met that day at the hospital, forced a four- way conversation to take place between all the insurers and the hospital administration, and within a few days had her set with all the care she needed and deserved. A year later, she’s back at work well on her way to full recovery. And I’m happy to report we resolved all the claims by worker’s comp (yes, they want to be paid back too!) and her health insurer (also wants to be paid back!) and her PIP. All told, six different insurance policies were brought into play tomake sure she received every dollar of compensation she deserved. So, where’s connection? I empoweredmy daughter Abby to stick up for herself, andmy firm stood up for our client. There are times when we have to take full control of a case, but sometimes our clients need to be included in every decision. The same approach goes for parenting. Sometimes a parent intervenes, saving a child fromdanger, and other times we simply advise them that having difficulty breathing is too serious a symptom to leave until next week Thursday.
prescription, but that’s a whole other area of parenthood.
Watching your young adult children struggle with their new responsibilities and challenges isn’t that far off fromwatching a person struggle through all the fear and complexities of their first major insurance claimdispute or personal injury claim. Once you know that what you need, you have to find a way tomake it happen. But as lawyers we have to proceed with caution. In our initial meetings with a client, we do our best to answer any lingering questions, to inquire about any blind spots the client might have. Finding the balance is like being a parent, having to decide if I shouldmarch into the university’s clinic and demand they see my daughter now, or give her the agency to do this herself. This reminds me of a case we settled in 2018. Our client had been a passenger in a head-on collision. It was a messy accident, and she had to undergo multiple surgeries, recovery time in a rehab facility, and handicap accessibility arrangements had to be made in her home. Unfortunately, none of the insurance companies were taking responsibility for payment, and the rehab facility was preparing to release her from their care too soon.
This Month’s Happiest Client!
“The service and attention were phenomenal. I could not have asked for more. You have no idea how helpful you are.” -Fatima E.
Worker’s compensation, health, and auto insurers were all refusing to pay for damages stemming
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3 TIMES THE DIVISION OF ASSETS GOT OUT OF CONTROL Wild Divorce Settlements
When you’re untying the knot, it’s 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.
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.
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDNEY ME
‘HERE, MY DEAR’
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.
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’ll give her my next album, but it’ll be something she won’t want to play and it’ll be something she won’t want the world to hear because I’m 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 LIFE RENT IN TWO
When Moeun Sarim and Vat Navy decided to divorce after 18 years of marriage, Moeun apparently decided that, to keep the split equitable,
Embracing ‘Spendophobia’ WAYS TO INVEST IN YOURSELF AFTER RETIREMENT
INVEST IN YOUR HOME
You’ve spent your entire life being told to save, save, save. Now you’re finally retired, so it’s time to spend some of that money — but you’re scared! This is only natural because it means breaking a lifelong habit of socking away money and refusing to touch it. You’re not alone. A recent study of retirees’ spending habits showed many people actually spend less than they can afford to. They’re scared of the “what ifs” that come with living on a fixed income. However, at age 70 1/2, you have to start taking the required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA and 401(k) whether you want to or not. Instead of stressing over the fact that you’re pulling money out of these accounts, embrace the opportunity to do something for yourself.
Once you no longer have to work five days a week, you’ll be in your home more often, so why not make it amazing? An in-ground pool or a private tennis court might be outside your budget, but new kitchen countertops or a deeper tub will add a touch of luxury to the space you spend the most time in. Upgrading your home is almost always a good investment because it adds equity, which will pay off down the road. That extra cash will come in handy if you decide to sell later on in order to downsize or you plan to enter assisted living. Don’t forget to set aside money for ongoing maintenance, such as a new water heater or roof repairs. It might sound counterintuitive to go to college when you’re not planning to go back to work, but continuing your education after retirement offers many benefits. Many individuals find themselves with more time on their hands than they’re accustomed to, and without a plan to fill this time, it’s easy to become depressed or isolated. Numerous studies have shown that continuing to exercise your brain has a positive impact on cognitive function, so taking a few classes can be the perfect way to stay busy and keep your mind sharp. Attending school late in life is also a great opportunity to indulge your passions and learn more about subjects you’ve always been interested in. Many colleges offer free classes or reduced tuition to seniors, so check with your local schools and see what classes or programs they have available. GO BACK TO COLLEGE
TRAVEL
It can be tempting to hold off spending money as long as possible. After all, who knows how long you need your savings to last? Travel, however, is one thing you can indulge in early without feeling guilty. Even the most leisurely trips can be physically demanding, so it’s better to see the world at 70 rather than wait until you’re 90. To keep yourself on track financially, use the bucket system to set up a separate savings account just for travel.
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TAKE A BREAK
ONE FOR THE AGES
How Super Bowl XXXIV Made an Icon Out of a Grocery Store Clerk Going into the 1999 NFL season, no one expected anything from the St. Louis Rams. When starting quarterback Trent Green went down with a gruesome knee injury in the preseason, ESPN The Magazine slated the Rams to be the worst team in the NFL that year. With few options, coach Vermeil named a virtually unknown player as his new starting quarterback, humbly stating in a press conference,“We will rally around Kurt Warner, and we’ll play good football.” Five years before his start, 22-year-old Kurt Warner was stocking shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for $5.50 an hour. However, he had amassed a whopping 16 snaps in the NFL prior to taking the reins for the 1999 season, and what proceeded to transpire on the field was utter pandemonium, giving the Rams the nickname “The Greatest Show on Turf.”This improbable season and the resulting MVP award for Warner set the stage for one of the most dramatic games in Super Bowl history. After going up 16–0 against the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, Warner and the Rams looked poised to coast on their way to the Lombardi Trophy, but the late Steve McNair and the Titans had different plans. The Georgia Dome was rocking after two Eddie George touchdown runs, and a field goal brought the Titans level at 16–16, with just over two minutes of play remaining. In response, Warner dropped back and found receiver Isaac Bruce for a 73-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 23–16 with 1:54 left on the clock. But the Titans weren’t done fighting. Quickly moving the ball down the field, Titans quarterback Steve McNair found himself with a third and 5 inside the Rams 30-yard line with 22 seconds left. Scrambling around and fighting off two players trying to pull him down, McNair threw the ball to Kevin Dyson at the 10-yard line. A quick timeout left six seconds on the clock, and the Titans were one play away from tying the game. What proceeded was a play that will be forever known as“the tackle.”McNair found Dyson on a quick slant, and when he caught the ball at the 4-yard line, it appeared a touchdown was imminent. Suddenly, linebacker Mike Jones wrapped the receiver up at the hips. As he fell to the ground with the ball in his hand, Dyson extended his arm, but when he hit the AstroTurf, he was 1 yard short of the goal line. The Rams had pulled off the impossible, earning their first Super Bowl title ever.
BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA
For a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner, turn to this classic Italian steak preparation. It’s simply flavored with rosemary and lemon, allowing the meat to take center stage.
Ingredients
• 2 bone-in porterhouse steaks • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 sprigs rosemary
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste • Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove steaks from fridge to bring them to room temperature. 2. Heat a grill or large cast-iron skillet to high. While heating, brush steaks with half the oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Place steaks on the hottest part of the grill or pan and cook for 5 minutes. 4. Flip steaks and baste with remaining oil, using rosemary sprigs as a brush. If cooking in a pan, place sprigs next to steaks after basting. 5. Cook for 5–6 minutes for medium-rare. 6. Let steaks sit for at least 5 minutes, slice against the grain, and serve with bone.
Inspired by Saveur magazine
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509-495-1246 www. AlbrechtLawFirm.com 421 W. Riverside Ave., Ste 614 Spokane, WA 99201 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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When to Advise and When to Intervene
3 Wild Divorce Settlements Ways to Invest in Yourself After Retirement Bistecca Alla Fiorentina The Most Iconic Super Bowl in NFL History
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Let’s Retire These Health Myths
The 5-Second Rule Will Make You Sick 3 Health Myths You Probably Believe
BOTTLEDWATER IS SAFER THAN TAP WATER
We live in the golden age of information. The answers tomany of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-relatedmyths. Here are three popular health“facts”that are total works of fiction.
The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle- cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health.
Seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water.
THE 5-SECOND RULE KEEPS FOOD SAFE
Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant.
CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS
The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false.
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