Atlanta Divorce Law Group - June 2022

Atlanta Divorce Law Group - June 2022

One Dance Down, Many to Go! WHY I CHERISH

THE FATHER- CHILD BOND

June 2022

A few months ago, my 6-year-old daughter, Hanna, took her dad to their very first father- daughter dance. The event was held at her elementary school, and she was SO excited to go. She couldn’t stop talking about it.

What would she wear? What would he wear? What music would they play? The questions had no end!

On the day of the dance, I helped Hanna dress up in the only type of prom dress we could find for a 6-year-old. We coiffed her hair until she looked like a princess. Hisham dressed up, too, and when it was time to go, he offered her a little flower corsage and opened the car door like a gentleman. Hanna was practically glowing when they waved goodbye. I loved watching that relationship blossom between my husband and daughter. It’s beautiful to see Hisham set the stage for Hanna and show her how she should be treated. I know the way he interacts with her now will impact her future relationships — most importantly her relationship with herself and her internal narrative about what she deserves. I was lucky enough to have parents who built up my self-worth. My dad in particular put a lot of effort into filling my cup and boosting my self-esteem. He gave me his undivided attention whenever he was with me and he never belittled my interests. If I was into Barbies, he played with my Barbies. If I loved double Dutch, he got involved and held the rope! He never missed a single one of my “I know the way he interacts with her now will impact her future relationships — most importantly her relationship with herself and her internal narrative about what she deserves.”

ballet lessons. I always felt adored and admired, even when he corrected my mistakes.

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All of that love helped me see that I had internal strength to tap into. He treated me just the same as my brother, so I also never had any preconceived notions about my limits as a girl. I knew I could do and be anything I wanted. My mother also played a big role in my development, of course, but I wouldn’t be the person I am without the influence of my dad. That’s why it worries me so much whenever I see dialogue that lessens the role of the father in favor of the mother. One parent isn’t more necessary or important than the other. Georgia law agrees: Child custody isn’t decided based on the gender of the parent, but rather which arrangement is in the best interests of the child. That said, people with pre-programmed biases about the role of the mother and the father still apply the law. At ADLG, my team and I try to spot those biases and get ahead of them. We go into every custody battle prepared for arguments based on gender roles and ready to fight for fair treatment for our clients. If you know a father who feels hopeless about his custody odds, please tell him not to give up. With good representation, a fair outcome is always possible!

Happy Father’s Day,

–Sara Khaki 678-203-9893

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With Help From Our Virtual Events Prioritize YOU This Summer

promise you’ll log off one step closer to doing what’s right for your family. Register at the website listed here, and sign in from anywhere on June 9!

Our complimentary divorce support groups and seminars are available online! Register for these upcoming events to gain knowledge, resources, and emotional support that will help you feel empowered while you go through major life changes.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING (VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP) When: Saturday, June 11, at 10 a.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/happily-ever-after-divorce-support-group Do you need a break from the summer insanity at home? Are you dying for just one hour where you’ll feel supported and understood? Our virtual Happily Every After Divorce Support Group, hosted by licensed marriage and family therapist Kathleen Shack, can be your port in the storm. There, you’ll meet other people dealing with divorce and child custody cases. Kathleen will help you let go of the “why?” questions that haunt you so you can move on with your life. To learn more about Kathleen’s experience and sign up for this month’s meeting, visit the web address provided above.

CONSIDERING DIVORCE? (COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR) When: Thursday, June 9, at 6:30 p.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/webinars/considering-divorce Summer is finally here. The kids are out of school, and now your life is all about planning vacations and scrambling to get them to and from activities. It’s possible this change of pace has made you look at everything in your life a bit differently … including your spouse. If you’re considering divorce or simply feel stuck in your marriage, this free webinar can help you get clarity. We’ll walk you through deciding whether divorce is right for you, what the process is like, and which financial hurdles to think about. We

Here at ADLG, we’re not letting COVID-19 slow us down. Sign up for these virtual events to get the information and support you need without leaving home.

4 ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOUR KIDS BUSY School’s Out! What Can You Do?

It’s summertime, which means your kids are out of school and at home during their break. This is an exciting time because you get to spend more time with your children, but it can also be stressful. Since your kids are not engaged in school every day with their peers, you may have to find ways to keep them entertained during the summer. Luckily, there are a few activities your children can do to stay busy and active while they’re on summer break. VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. Make a habit of visiting your local library once a week for your children to pick out books they can read. You can challenge them to see how many books they can complete over the summer. Although your child may read educational books for school, now is their time to pick out something they want to read just

for fun. Some libraries offer summer reading programs and activities that your child can participate in. By going to the library over the summer, your child’s mind will stay engaged, and their love for reading can increase. GO TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS. In most states, there are history and science museums, art galleries, and zoos that you and your children can visit. If these attractions are state-funded, they often have free admission for visitors. These activities are great if your child is a visual learner. They can touch and interact with exhibits and learn more about history or science. Who said learning couldn’t be both fun and educational? CREATE A CRAFT STATION. Do you have creative children? Then a craft station is a perfect activity to get their creative minds turning! You can either go to your big-box store and pick up some arts and crafts supplies, or you can use items from around your home, such as used printer paper, toilet paper rolls, old colored pencils or crayons, and items from nature. If you need inspiration on what to make, you can look online for different crafts your child can create. VISIT PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS. Summer camps can be expensive; luckily, some parks and recreation centers host day camps that are much cheaper than private camps. Sometimes they will have daily activities that your child can participate in to burn off some energy. If you’re looking for a place where your children can play outside and stay active, going to your local parks is a great resource. If they aren’t hosting day camps, you and your children can play outside by throwing a Frisbee, having a picnic, or going on a nature walk.

Summer is an exciting time, and with these activities, you and your child can spend some quality time together!

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(AND SCORE PARENT BROWNIE POINTS) PLAN THE ULTIMATE WATER BALLOON FIGHT

3. Extend the battle with refill/dump buckets. If you have water guns in the fight, make sure to strategically place buckets of water around the war zone. Big buckets are great for refilling guns, and small ones can fuel splash battles when your balloons run out.

Summer is here, which means your kids are probably about to disappear for endless play dates, outdoor adventures, or even summer jobs. Fortunately, there’s one way to keep them home and make your house the “cool” spot for their friends to hang out: Plan an epic water balloon fight.

4. Create an epic kickoff. Increase the drama of your game by having the players stand in a big circle with the ammunition in the center (like “The Hunger Games”) or splitting into groups and having each team start on opposite sides of no man’s land. Don’t forget the countdown!

Water balloons are the essence of summer, and everyone can get in on the action. If you have a big family, you can plan the ultimate family battle, or your children can invite their friends over for a showdown. (Teenagers will love this as much as elementary schoolers!) Whichever option you choose, use these tips to level up the fun: 1. Provide plenty of ammunition. Fill at least 100 water balloons, or 25–50 balloons per player, to extend the window of your battle.

5. Shake up the format. Come up with rules for your fight instead of making it an all-out brawl. Do you want to do a tag-style game, where someone is “it” until they balloon someone else? Or would you rather imitate dodgeball and tag each other “out” with balloons? Poll your players to see which idea is a hit.

2. Up the stakes with water guns. Water balloons are great, but water balloons and water guns are even better! Spy magazine recommends hiding the guns around your yard or piling them in the center of the war zone where players will have a hard time grabbing them without getting wet.

Pro Tip: Consider swapping water balloons for sponges to save water.

You can simply re-soak them to continue the battle!

Concierge Partner’s Corner

What Our Clients Are Saying!

If you’re a woman who has recently divorced, keep reading — this article is for you! This month’s Concierge Partner is none other than Shannon McGorry, the mastermind behind the company Love, Strength, and Grace Divorce Coaching. Divorce and Empowerment Coach Shannon McGorry

“Sara and her team are fabulous! I can’t say enough wonderful things about ADLG. This firm has a team of amazing, smart, and professional attorneys and staff. I loved working with them.” –Jordana C. “Megan Hoxsey was so helpful and kind, and she really took the time to make sure I felt supported through this process. I can’t recommend her or ADLG enough!” –T. R. “Stephanie and her team are absolutely wonderful. Life happens and you can really tell this group cares about you and what you are going through. I can’t speak more highly of them, which means a lot these days. I definitely recommend ADLG!” –Deena J.

Shannon has been divorced herself and she’s a mom of two, so she knows exactly how it feels to walk in your shoes. This is how she describes her experience:

“The ‘pause’ button on my life was hit … I had to reassess my life, redefine myself, and intentionally create my life, a life I now love.”

Does that sound familiar? If it does, Shannon might be able to help you find what we call your Happily Ever After Divorce. While we do the legal heavy lifting for you, she can coach you through the emotional aftermath and empower you to push forward. Love, Strength, and Grace Divorce Coaching offers four-week and six-month Divorce Coaching programs as well as “Power Hour” sessions that pack Shannon’s wisdom into just two hours. They also offer Empowerment Life Coaching.

To learn more and schedule a free 30-minute strategy session with Shannon’s team, visit LoveStrengthAndGrace.com.

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Time for Safe Summer Fun 3 Ways to Protect Your Skin From the Sun

It’s time for fun in the sun! Whether you’re heading out to the beach or lake, catching a ballgame, hosting a barbecue, or taking a boat tour, it’s important to protect your skin to avoid sun damage. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans develops skin cancer by the time they are 70 years old, and every hour, two people die of skin cancer nationally. The risk of skin cancer is severe — it’s not just one sunburn. Having five or more sunburns in your lifetime can double your risk of developing skin cancer.

and reminds everyone to remember their feet if they are exposed!

SEEK OUT THE SHADE. No matter the activity, try to limit your exposure to the sun — you’ll be cooler, too! Look for trees, pavilions, and shelters. When these options aren’t available, create your own shade by wearing a hat and toting along an umbrella. WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. Whenever possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. UV protective clothing is best for maximum protection. Don’t forget about your eyes — UV sunglasses are important for your eyes and the delicate skin around them. Just because sunglasses appear dark does not mean they protect against UV rays! This summer, be sure to have fun but don’t forget to protect your skin from sunburns, possible skin cancer, and early signs of aging due to damage from sun exposure! Lather up!

Here are some surefire ways to avoid a pesky, painful, and potentially harmful sunburn.

ALWAYS CHECK: DID YOU APPLY (AND REAPPLY) SUNSCREEN? Apply sunscreen, and then reapply after going in the water or a few hours later. According to the National Cancer Institute, only about 30% of women and less than 15% of men regularly apply sunscreen, which leaves them vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays. The National Cancer Institute recommends using an SPF of at least 15

Your Guide to Making Medical Decisions During Divorce YOUR KIDS AND THE COVID-19 VACCINE

Making medical decisions for your kids is tough even when parents are happily married, but during a divorce and a pandemic with a controversial vaccine, it becomes a thousand times more complicated. Before COVID-19, medical decision-making power usually wasn’t a difficult topic during divorce, but we’ve gotten a lot of questions about it in the last few years. Here is a quick overview of the basics. WHICH PARENT MAKES THE MEDICAL DECISIONS? Divorcing couples generally share joint legal custody of their children, which gives both parents access to medical records, school records, etc. At this point, the law requires both parents to communicate about major medical decisions

for their kids. Ideally, both parents will agree and continue to co-parent. If the parents can’t agree — on what to do about the COVID-19 vaccine or any other medical issue — the court can award one parent medical decision-making power . We haven’t seen a COVID-19 vaccine disagreement escalate into a court case yet, but we have seen parents disagree over vaccinations in general. In our past experience, the court typically declines to give anti-vaccine parents final decision-making power. However, this isn’t true in every case. IF YOU HAVE THE MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING POWER … It’s still vital that you have good-faith discussions with your ex-spouse before making major medical decisions for your kids. Discuss in person, if possible, whether or not to vaccinate your children, then document your conversation in writing (we suggest email) just in case you need proof later. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE MEDICAL DECISION‑MAKING POWER … Keep track of whether your ex-spouse is including you in good-faith discussions, and whether they are neglecting your child(ren)’s medical needs. The court doesn’t change its choice on medical decision-making power lightly, but you may be able to build a case for a modification. Still have questions? ADLG founder Sara Khaki and managing partner Shawna Woods go into more detail about this topic in our recent video, “COVID-19 Vaccine Decision for Children During Divorce.” You can find it — and other videos answering your family law questions — at AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/ Educational-Video-Resources.

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