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D ivorce , C ustody , and the H oliday S eason HOW TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE
DECEMBER 2023
Throughout the year, many businesses experience a busy season. You might not think divorce and family law attorneys get busier during a specific time of year, but we do. January is usually our busiest month. Clients are often gearing up around December for a divorce but want to get through the holiday season before they move forward. Many people don’t want to spoil the holidays for their child or an unsuspecting spouse, or they don’t have the funds to afford divorce proceedings, Christmas gifts, and travel at the same time. Some people make divorce their New Year’s resolution; they resolve to end the following year in a happier personal space than they are currently. Plus, the kids are back in school in January, so parents have more bandwidth to deal with a divorce proceeding, and they generally feel it will be less disruptive to their children.
Remember, children view themselves as half one parent and half the other, so disparaging remarks about the other parent will likely make a child feel bad about themselves. And no parent wants that. We want our children to feel happy, secure, and loved. One important thing for divorced or separated parents to understand is sticking to the parenting plan during the holidays is fine. If parents think a different arrangement will work better and the parents are in agreement about what that arrangement should be, go for it! However, if the parents are not getting along, follow the holiday parenting plan already in place. Another way to ensure the holidays stay amicable is to plan presents with the other parent. You don’t want Christmas or Hanukkah to become a competition for who gets your child the best gift. Coordinate beforehand. If you like to get your child one big present each year, go in together on the purchase, alternate buying the big gift, or agree on who will buy which big gift. This is also a time of year when it is best to speak as kindly as possible about the other parent when your child is around. A lovely thing you can do in this situation is to help your child pick out a gift for the other parent so they know that their relationship does not need to be a secret and that relationship is not met with hostility. Ask them what they want to get Mom or Dad for Christmas or Hanukkah, and take them to the store to purchase it. This gesture will go a long way toward creating a healthy relationship between you, your child, and the other parent. For parents who won’t have their kids for the holidays, plan something so you aren’t home alone. Plan a trip, visit your parents or a sibling, or do something special for yourself outside the house. Even though staying home might sound like a good idea leading up to a holiday (I mean, who doesn’t romanticize alone time), heavy feelings might start to weigh on you when Christmas comes, making the day way more difficult than previously imagined. The holidays can be a difficult time for divorced couples or those in the midst of a divorce. Remember to act as rationally as possible and keep your children’s best interests in mind. - Esther Vayman
However, for those parents gearing up for a divorce or who are already divorced and share custody, it is important to do everything possible to ensure the holidays remain special for your children. We encourage parents to make the holidays about their kids instead of focusing on the other parent’s irritating, unlikeable, irresponsible, or narcissistic behaviors. Expressing any ill will about the other parent through gestures (eye rolls, sighs, snarls, silence in response to the mention of their name) or conversations might ruin the holidays for your kids.
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5 M ust -H ave T ech G ifts for C hristmas 2023
UV PHONE SANITIZER Did you know your smartphone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat? This year, grab a UV phone sanitizer for yourself and your loved ones that can remove 99.99% of bacteria. The PhoneSoap Pro can clean your phone and other small items with its sleek design. PET CAMERA WITH TREAT DISPENSER Do you know a tech lover who also dreads leaving their furry friend home alone? A pet camera strapped with a nifty treat dispenser might be their favorite gift of 2023! A small surveillance camera allows pet parents to keep an eye on their fur babies, and Petcube’s Bites 2 also lets them dispense a small treat to keep their pets happy.
SMART ALARM Give the gift of a good night’s rest and a peaceful morning! Smart alarms have been a popular gadget this year, with features like white noise sound, artificial sunrises, Bluetooth speakers, and gentle morning wake-up calls. For a sleek design, try the Loftie Clock with its all-black look. For a faux sunrise to fill the room, go for Philips HF3670/60 SmartSleep. SELF-CLEANING WATER BOTTLE These days, everyone is carrying around their oversized water bottles. Let your tech-lover be ahead of the curve with a self-cleaning water bottle! These innovative bottles use UV-C LED technology to sanitize the water and the inside of the bottle regularly. The LARQ Bottle PureVis is a popular choice as it also can keep beverages cold for 24 hours.
As Christmas shopping gets increasingly hectic, knowing what to get for the tech lovers in your life can feel impossible. New devices and gadgets hit the market daily, and following tech trends might not be part of your daily routine. Fortunately, 2023 has brought some standout innovations anyone would love to unwrap on Christmas Day. NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES Considered a modern staple, noise- canceling headphones are the perfect gift for a special someone who needs a break from the chaos and a way to focus. You can find a variety of headphones in different price ranges, so staying within your budget is easier. However, if you want to splurge, Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are an excellent choice with crystal clear sound and over 20 hours of battery life.
P utting the P ieces T ogether MEET ASHLYN LAYFIELD
supporting the attorneys and paralegals, scheduling meetings, talking with clients, taking notes, and, most of all, providing support to the general process with a can-do spirit. Ashlyn says, “The most rewarding part of what I do is seeing everything come together when things work out the way we want it to, and we win a case.” Those who have a chance to know and work with Ashlyn appreciate her knack for talking with clients and making them feel better. “It’s very rewarding to me when I hear people tell me they appreciate how I listen to them,” she says. “I love knowing that I helped them with their day.” She’s also mindful of her role with clients: “I try hard to bring peace to most situations. Some of the things we’re dealing with can be pretty stressful. Our clients know we are here to help them,” she says.
Ashlyn has a lot of gratitude for being part of the team. “It’s great here,” she says with a smile. “The people who work here are always willing to help out. It’s like one big family.” As Ashlyn looks ahead, she continues learning and growing, with her sights set on becoming a paralegal: “There’s a lot to learn, but I want to be the best version of myself that I can be.” Away from work, Ashlyn treasures time with her family, including her parents — Michelle and Brent. “They are a big part of my life and have done a lot for me,” Ashlyn emphasizes. In her free time, Ashlyn has a passion for music in all of its forms, with her favorite genre being electronic dance music.
When all of the moving pieces of a business have been assembled, and everything runs smoothly, you know someone is behind the scenes setting things up perfectly so everything works. Our valued team members, like Legal Assistant Ashlyn Layfield, excel in that area. She has a sense of commitment and care that goes beyond the expected. Ashlyn started with the firm in September 2022 as an Office Assistant. By January 2023, she had moved up and became a Legal Assistant.
We’re proud to introduce you to Ashlyn. Day by day, she makes all of the pieces fit together.
Today, she takes on a wide range of key roles to support the efforts of those around her, including
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WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE OUTDOOR WINTER ACTIVITY OR YOUR FAVORITE INDOOR ACTIVITY IF YOU’RE NOT A FAN OF THE COLD WEATHER?
Madison Driving around neighborhoods with my family to look at Christmas lights Emily T. Baking gingerbread cookies! Esther Seeing the lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Loni Roasting marshmallows on skewers in our living room fireplace Tom Calloway Gardens Festival of Lights Bella Bonfires and checking out all the Christmas pop-ups around the city Amanda D. Watching Christmas movies early in the morning with just the fireplace and Christmas tree on C hicken , L eek , and B lue C heese P ilaf
Jen B. Visiting the Christmas tree farm and picking one out to decorate at home Jennifer H. Playing in the snow if we get any here Amanda H. Bonfires in the backyard with a bunch of blankets Julia Making Dutch baby pancakes and watching Christmas movies Sara Watching the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with my family Kendall Ice skating and roasting marshmallows Andrea Holiday decorating the inside of my home ingredients • 2 1/2 cups water • 1/2 cup brown basmati rice • 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder • 1 bay leaf • 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 2 skinless chicken breasts, chopped
Grace Going on walks with my parents in our puffy coats and beanies Emily L. Calloway Gardens Festival of Lights Kimberly Baking Revel bars and brownies! Maggie Watching “Home Alone”!
Ashlyn Ice skating
Jenny Baking Christmas cookies with my kids
Chevelle Snowboarding
Mari Making hot chocolate for my family
BRAIN BREAK
• 1 leek, thinly sliced • 2 zucchini, thinly sliced • 1 cup frozen peas • 4 walnut halves, broken • 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
Did someone say, “Healthy chicken with tangy blue cheese”? We thought so!
directions 1. In a large pot, add water, rice, bouillon powder, and bay leaf. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat oil and stir-fry chicken over medium-high heat until just cooked. Remove from pan, then fry leek until soft. Add zucchini, stir-fry for a few minutes more, then add peas. 3. When the rice is cooked, add it and any liquid from the pot to the vegetables. Return chicken to the pan, then cover and cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in walnuts and cheese and serve hot.
CHIMNEY CHRISTMAS GIFTS IGLOO MISTLETOE ORNAMENT
PARKA REINDEER SLEIGH SNOWMAN
WREATH YULETIDE
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DIVORCE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
GIVE THE GIFT OF INNOVATION THIS CHRISTMAS
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MEET ASHLYN LAYFIELD
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QUESTION AND ANSWERS
CHICKEN, LEEK, AND BLUE CHEESE PILAF
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MICHAEL OHER’S FIGHT FOR JUSTICE IN ‘THE BLIND SIDE’ CONTROVERSY
A L egal S howdown THE TUOHY FAMILY VS. MICHAEL OHER:
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.
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 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.
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