Bruce Law Firm - April 2022

Bruce Law Firm - April 2022

Here Comes the Sun WELCOME A FRESH OUTLOOK ON LIFE

April is one of Ashley’s favorite months because there’s such a new, fresh feeling in the air. The birds are chirping, and the flowers are blooming. When is there a better time to feel optimistic about what lies ahead — or make a change? We all know people who tend to look at life negatively. It might be the cashier at Publix, one of your coworkers, a church friend, or even a family member. Every time you see them, it’s the same story. “How are you?” you ask. “Oh, I’m hanging in there,” they say. Or maybe, “I could be better.” Sometimes, there’s a wistful tone in their voice as they say, “Oh, I’m okay.” Of course, everyone has bad days, and we’re not asking anyone to lie. But if you’re the kind of person who rarely has anything positive to say about your life, it’s worth examining why that is and whether it’s serving you well. Spring is one of the most hopeful times of the year, so there’s no better time to re-evaluate your outlook on life and consider how a dose of optimism can improve it. Plenty of research shows that optimistic people are happier than pessimists. They also have more resilience, better health, more positive relationships, and lower stress levels. Even if optimism makes you cringe, it’s hard to deny the results. Many people think that a pessimistic attitude can save them from heartache later. If you’re in that camp, it’s worth asking yourself: Is that really true? By anticipating bad things before they happen, do you spend less time being worried, disappointed, or hurt? Or are you just extending the time you are miserable? If a negative outlook isn’t serving you as well as you may have thought, there are plenty of things you can do to change your mindset. It won’t come easy — remember, you’ve probably been pessimistic for many years. But small changes can add up to big gains. If you’re upset about a situation, try to find a silver lining. When you have a negative thought, ask yourself what evidence you have to back it up. And try to build a positive image of the future you want in your mind — it will help motivate you. You might feel silly at first, but it will get easier. The goal is not to be happy all the time but to open your mind to possibilities and stop defaulting to the negative.

Greeting the sunrise with enthusiasm, everyday.

When we meet people at our firm, they’re usually deeply unhappy. Life is not going as they planned, and they’re carrying a heavy weight on their shoulders. We try to help them in more ways than one and encourage them to recalibrate their mindset. Yes, things may feel bad now, we remind them, but you’re getting out of this awful relationship and have a chance to be happy. You can change your life through both your actions and your attitude. Of course, few people feel great about their divorce overnight. Truly devastating things happen to people, and we all go through periods of grief. But having a positive vision for the future — and knowing that no feeling lasts forever — can act as a life raft. If you have an overall positive outlook, it will be much easier to overcome the bad times. It’s harsh but true — no one likes to be around a negative Nellie. Optimism tends to attract people, while pessimism tends to repel them. As the world rejuvenates all around us, consider whether your attitude could also use a fresh start. In the end, life is too short not to look on the bright side.

–Ashley and Chris Bruce

561-810-0170 • 1

Divorcing With a Baby on the Way Your Questions Answered Divorce is never convenient, but sometimes it’s particularly ill-timed — like in the middle of a pregnancy. It happens more than you’d think, but the scenario brings up countless unusual considerations. We’ve asked Bruce Law attorney Sarina Alba to answer some of the most common questions. QUESTION: Can the wife refuse to designate the husband as the father? SARINA: If the couple is still legally married at the time of birth, the husband’s name will appear on the birth certificate. The courts rarely finalize a divorce before birth. If, however, the husband suspects he is not the biological father, he should discuss the matter with his attorney. QUESTION: Does the husband have a say in the baby’s name, or can the mother unilaterally choose? SARINA: The statute is a little confusing. It states: “If the mother is married at the time of birth, the mother and father whose names are entered on the birth certificate shall select the given names and surname of the child if both parents have custody of the child, otherwise the parent who has custody shall select the child’s name.” Florida’s family courts don’t use the word “custody,” and they do not establish time- sharing before the baby’s birth. So, my interpretation of the law is that both parties get a say in the baby’s name since they are still married. QUESTION: What if the parents can’t agree? SARINA: According to Florida law, “If the parents disagree on the selection of a given name, the given name may not be entered on the certificate until a joint agreement that lists the agreed upon given name and is notarized by both parents is submitted to the department, or until a given name is selected by a court.” In other words, the parents will have to find a way to work together — or let the judge decide the name. (Yes, really!) QUESTION: What about the baby’s last name? SARINA: If the husband and wife cannot agree on the last name for the child, both parents’ last names will be listed in alphabetical order and joined by a hyphen. Naming the child without the other parent’s consent violates Florida law. These cases can be particularly tricky and volatile. If you’re faced with divorce during a pregnancy, closely consult your attorney for answers to any questions you may have. The legal team at Bruce Law is standing by and ready to help.

She Saved Her Human!

Meet Tinsley, a Car Crash Survivor

On Jan. 3, 2022, New Hampshire State Police responded to a call about a lone dog wandering around on the interstate near Veterans Memorial Bridge. When they got there, the pup — a Shiloh shepherd named Tinsley — led the officers on what seemed to be a wild goose chase. “When Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers attempted to get close to the canine, it continued to run northbound on Interstate 89, crossing into Vermont,” the police department wrote in a Facebook post. “A short time later, Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon police officers located a damaged section of guardrail near the Interstate 91 and Interstate 89 junction.”

It turns out Tinsley had a destination in mind: an upside-down pickup truck that had crashed through that very guardrail.

The truck had rolled off the highway, and the people who were inside — including Tinsley’s owner, Cam Laundry — were on the ground, badly hurt and hypothermic! Thanks to Tinsley’s bravery, the cops called an ambulance that rushed them to the hospital. “This was almost like a real-life Lassie situation,” one lieutenant told CNN. “It’s really quite remarkable. This dog definitely saved their lives. I don’t think they would have survived the night given the temperatures.” Tinsley is a real hero on four legs, just like Lassie, a fictional pup who saved two little boys from dying of hypothermia in the snow. Fortunately, Tinsley’s grateful owner, Cam, made a full recovery. He also knows just how special his pup is.

“She gets spoiled all the time,” he told the WPTZ news station. “She’ll get some venison, probably [a] burger tonight, and probably some back scratches with it.”

Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?

Tinsley is not the only dog who has saved a human from the cold. In the winter of 2017, a rescue pooch named Peanut saved the life of a 3-year-old girl in Michigan who had wandered away from home, and a golden retriever named Kelsey saved her owner after he slipped in the snow and broke his neck. She kept him warm for 19 hours and barked until help came. To read the full story of Tinsley’s roadside rescue, visit CNN.com and search “real-life Lassie.”

OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!

The book can be downloaded for FREE at DivorceInformationBooks.com.

2 • BrucePA.com

Understanding Paternity Cases Family is what you make it, and it comes in many forms. But that doesn’t mean paternity is irrelevant. For both emotional and financial reasons, it can matter deeply to the child’s mother, their potential father(s), and the child themselves. So what do you do if you suspect your partner gave birth to someone else’s baby? What if the father refuses to acknowledge their child? Or if you suspect a child is yours, but their mother denies it? There are a variety of recourses available to you, and the means of establishing paternity depend on the mother and potential father’s relationship. When a married woman gives birth, the state automatically designates her husband as the father. It’s a common-sense means of declaring paternity, and in the overwhelming majority of cases, it’s accurate. Despite some scary figures you may have heard, a University of Oklahoma study found that less than 2% of fathers confident of their paternity are incorrect. Even among those who requested a paternity test, less than 30% were not the father. Since there are exceptions to every rule, either parent may request a paternity test up until the child’s 18th birthday. But presumed paternity is powerful in Florida. Unless all parties agree, it is not easy to have the mother’s husband declared not

the father. You will need a family law attorney to sort through the complex legal issues and find a resolution.

Establishing biological paternity is more straightforward in cases where the child’s mother is unwed. The parent(s) can establish paternity voluntarily or through the courts. If both parents agree on the child’s father, they can sign legal paperwork to establish paternity. If there is no voluntary acknowledgment, either the mother or the alleged father will need to take the matter to court. Fathers have both rights and obligations, and it’s essential to understand them all before filing a paternity action. You should consult a Florida family law attorney to understand the potential ramifications of a paternity case and discuss your wishes regarding child support and time-sharing. Whether you are the mother or a possible father, we will be glad to review your case and fight for the truth.

Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs

Inspired by LiveEatLearn.com

Ingredients

Bruce Law Firm’s Holiday Lunch

• • • •

6 large eggs

• •

Optional: Hot sauce, to taste

3 tbsp Greek yogurt 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp lemon juice

Optional: Paprika and chives, chopped, for garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot, add eggs and cover with water. Put on high heat, and then boil eggs for 10 minutes. 2. Once boiled, peel eggs by gently tapping and removing the shell. (Adding the eggs to an ice bath after boiling can make this task easier.) 3. Cut eggs lengthwise and place yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Set egg white halves open side up on a plate. 4. In a bowl, combine yolks, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if desired) until smooth. 5. Transfer the yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives if desired.

Bruce Law Firm’s Team Meeting

561-810-0170 • 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1601 Forum Pl. Ste. 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Fresh Season, Fresh Outlook page 1

A Heroic Dog Saves Her Owner What to Expect When You Divorce While Expecting page 2 How Do You Establish Paternity Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs page 3 Get Rid of Bugs in Your HomeWith These Hacks page 4

Get Rid of Them With These Hacks

Has Spring Brought Bugs Into Your Home?

When the weather warms up, bugs infiltrate homes across the country. Once it happens, you’re often left scrambling to your local hardware store to get the necessary pesticide or bug deterrent. Unfortunately, many pesticides and traps postpone the problem rather than solve it entirely. The good news is that you can fix many insect problems without having to test random products you find at the store. Certain household items do a magnificent job at preventing, deterring, and sometimes even killing bugs. If you’re worried about bugs infesting your home this spring, give these methods a try. LEMON OIL The last thing we want to see in our homes is a cockroach. A popular urban legend says that cockroaches can survive a nuclear explosion, so you probably can’t keep them out of your home. Plus, many of the products you can buy to kill or deter cockroaches are extremely toxic, so setting them out is dangerous if you have pets. Instead, put a few drops of lemon oil into the water you use to mop the floor. Cockroaches hate the smell. People won’t notice the scent, and you’ll be cockroach-free before you know it. PEPPERMINT OIL Spiders are one of the more common pests we see in our homes. Even though the majority of these spiders are not harmful (and actually eat other insects), most people still do not want them in their houses. Peppermint oil is a natural repellent. It doesn’t

kill spiders, but it keeps them away. Add 5–10 drops of peppermint oil into 3/4 cup water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of liquid detergent to create a harmless mixture that will keep spiders at bay. CINNAMON Another common pest that can be a nightmare to get rid of is ants. Once you notice ants getting into your home, they appear to be endless and can be found in just about every corner of the house. Ants hate the smell of cinnamon and will avoid areas with the scent. Sprinkle some cinnamon near the areas where they are entering your house and watch them disappear.

4 • BrucePA.com