Bruce Law Firm - March 2021

Bruce Law Firm - March 2021

It Can Take Time to Bloom

It’s not surprising that spring brings people hope. Spring is a time of rebirth, new life, and new energy. After a long winter, people are eager for the promise of better and brighter days that will soon be here. It’s unsurprising, then, that people are eager to bring out their pastel colors and patterns in celebration. The warming weather is also a perfect invitation to start digging our hands into the dirt once again. One of our favorite activities, and something we’re planning this year, is planting wildflowers and herb seeds around our yard with our children. Our children’s grandmother, Bernice, plants all types of seeds in her yard with the children. We are all excited to put love and care into our planted seeds and watch them grow. It’s amazing what a little water and supervision can do; a once dull and dead-looking seed can suddenly turn into a flurry of bright colors.

The small seeds our children planted one month in Nana’s garden will grow into something beautiful, sustaining life for butterflies, bees, and even the birds. There is something so special about being part of this process, especially as you’re never quite sure how things will look once fully grown. For our divorce and family law clients, they come into our office feeling dull and almost lifeless. Many times, people find themselves married to people who are narcissistic and controlling. They are with a spouse they’re not happy with and have tried to change that spouse, or even have tried to live with their spouse’s bad behavior. In the end, they can’t. These people find themselves defeated and tired. They are tired of being miserable and finally decide to make a stand for their future and happiness. Sometimes it takes years for people to grow into a flower, but with the right amount of water and sunlight, they grow faster. That care and water a gardener might give their seeds are what lawyers and counselors provide to their clients. They provide the right information, advice, and guidance that allows a client to support their own growth. We know these stepping stones are what we can give our clients because our clients must grow in order to live their Best Life. If they choose to grow, then spring for our clients can mean a renewed sense of self, a new identity apart from their spouse. It’s a chance for a better opportunity. We had the privilege to watch as one of our clients did just that. She came to us timid and afraid of what her future may be like being a divorced mother. This client had not worked in years and her husband was controlling her financially, but she was staying in the marriage for her children. Finally, she chose to file for a divorce and, throughout her divorce case, took our advice. She took classes and became recertified in what she used to love to do. While she did not work during the divorce case, she soon got a position after the divorce was finalized and worked her way up the corporate ladder again. Now, several years later, our client is thriving as one of the top-producing professionals in her area. All of us at Bruce Law are happy for her and for the choices she made along the way. With just a little “sunlight,” “water,” and determination, she truly bloomed. We hope this spring is an opportunity for all our readers to grow, no matter how or what they choose to bloom into.Wishing you happy planting and growth, – Ashley and Christopher Bruce

The kids enjoying painting the pony spring colors

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Telling Your Spouse It’s Time for a Divorce

As the front cover of this newsletter states, the spring is a perfect time for renewal and growth. However, finding the opportunity to take that first step can be difficult. There could be a lot preventing you from finding the time to sit down with your current spouse to start having these conversations. To help you, here are a couple of essential methods for how to tell your spouse in the safest way possible.

AFTER YOU’VE FILED

When Life Gives You Lemons ... Scrub the Microwave Lemons don’t just add a tart flavor to your favorite desserts or cool you down in a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. In addition to bold flavors, lemons also have powerful cleaning properties. Their acidity and oils cut through grease and can sanitize many of your household items. The best place to clean with a lemon is in the kitchen. For the microwave, simply juice a whole lemon into a bowl of water, then plop the used peels into the bowl. Microwave the mixture for a few minutes, let the bowl cool before removing it, then wipe away the grease in the microwave. You can also use this method for your oven. For odor-blocking properties, you can use a lemon as an air freshener. Leave half of a lemon in your refrigerator to trap and block potential smells and toss old lemon rinds down the garbage disposal. Run the disposal to clean the blades and freshen up the sink. As for your kitchen tools, don’t toss them out without trying this lemon trick first. Start by sprinkling salt on a wooden cutting board, then slice a lemon in half. Using half the lemon (flesh-side down) like a sponge, scrub the board really well. Wipe and remove the leftover lemon juice and rinse the board before using it again. Not only will the board appear cleaner, but it also won’t smell as bad, and the bacteria will be gone. You can also use this method to polish dining ware, spruce up copper, and even remove stuck-on food from plates. Now, here’s the real secret: Once you master kitchen cleaning a la lemon, you can use these same principles to clean other parts of your house. For example, salt and lemon can be used to scrub grimy sinks and faucets, while a few squeezes of lemon juice in a cup of water makes an excellent cleaning solution for mirrors and windows. You can even make your own reusable cleaning spray by fermenting lemon peels — and the peels of other citrus fruits — in white vinegar for two weeks. Remove the peels after two weeks and spritz the mixture over surfaces you need to clean!

Once you’ve decided you want a divorce, it’s crucial to tell your spouse only after you’ve filed. This enforces that you are serious about the divorce, that you’ve retained an attorney, that there is no more stalling or saving the marriage at this point. Additionally, this also pushes your spouse to reach out to an attorney and put things in full motion. Although it won’t be a pleasant experience, it’s our experience that people often feel liberated once the task is over.

WORDS MATTER

During your conversation with your spouse, it might be tempting to “pad” your words to make it not so hard on them. While it’s important not to be cruel, it’s essential to be direct with your spouse without sugarcoating or skirting the topic at hand. We understand this can be challenging and there are different approaches to make this easier for you. Using the “therapist approach,” for example, allows you to tell your spouse you are getting a divorce in front of a therapist, who should know what you are doing in advance. There is also the “attorney phone call approach,” which is as direct as it sounds. Your divorce attorney will inform your spouse of the divorce, usually over the phone. We recommend this approach for anyone who fears their spouse’s reaction to the divorce, if they live in a different geographic area, or if you simply want the support of your lawyer with you. In order to move forward with your life, it is vital to tell your spouse sooner, not later. If you are struggling with telling your spouse and need guidance, advice, or simply to have someone in the room with you, call the Bruce Law Firm today. We are here to help you through this.

Is your friend or client in need of a guide related to recent job or income loss? The book can be downloaded for FREE at SupportModificationBook.com. If your friend or client lives in the South Florida area, we’ll mail them a hard copy of the book upon request. OUR SUPPORT MODIFICATION BOOK CAN HELP!

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What You Should Know: 4 Types of Alimony

During the divorce process, a judge can award a former spouse alimony if they were earning little to no income throughout the marriage. Here are five types of alimony a spouse can qualify for. REHABILITATIVE ALIMONY In some marriages, one spouse may rely heavily on their partner to provide the financial income to support the family, house, and children. This can lead to the spouse

being out of work for quite some time by the time a divorce takes place. Rehabilitative alimony can be awarded to a spouse in this situation for a short time after a divorce until they “rehabilitate” into the working field once again and find the means to financially sustain themselves. BRIDGE-THE-GAP ALIMONY At the time of a divorce, a couple usually shares essential items, such as a bed, couch, kitchen table and chairs, appliances, and even a washer and a dryer. Bridge-the-Gap alimony allows a former spouse to adjust to their now single life by providing the means to purchase necessary items as well as other needs, including housing. As this alimony is typically short-term, it usually lasts only for a two-year period. PERMANENT ALIMONY Permanent alimony is continuous payments after the divorce has been finalized. A judge may award permanent alimony if the recipient spouse is unable to become self-sufficient due to a handicap or never worked but instead took care of the home and children. This alimony only ends if the former spouse remarries, cohabitates with another person, or passes away. LUMP-SUM ALIMONY If a couple wishes to cut ties quickly, a lump-sum alimony is beneficial. This type of alimony is only paid once or in small installments while the total agreed-upon amount does not change. Lump-sum alimony is often the best choice for a separating couple if there is money readily available.

Have a LAUGH

Asparagus and Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes

Ingredients

Inspired by EatingWell.com

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1 lb prepared whole-wheat pizza dough, divided into 6 equal portions 12 oz asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

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1/4 tsp salt

1 cup shredded smoked mozzarella cheese

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1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced

2 tbsp walnuts, toasted and chopped 1 sprig of fresh mint leaves, torn

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1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Zest of 1 orange

Directions

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Remove both trays from the oven, sprinkle cheese over the dough, then top with asparagus and scallions. Return pizzettes to oven and bake until the crusts’ edges are golden, about 8–10 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with walnuts, mint, and orange zest before serving.

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Preheat oven to 500 F and ensure there are two racks in your oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, stretch each piece of dough into a 7-by-3-inch oval and arrange evenly on the pan. On a second baking sheet, toss asparagus with oil and 1/4 tsp salt. Place dough on top rack and asparagus on bottom and bake for 3 minutes.

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A Dull Seed Can Turn Beautiful page 1

The Best Cleaning Tool Can Be Found in Your Kitchen Telling Your Spouse It’s Time for a Divorce page 2

4 Types of Alimony Asparagus & Smoked Mozzarella Pizzettes page 3

Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas! page 4

Do Something Better in the Garden 3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring.

— trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course. PLANT FOR YOUR HEALTH Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can

GROW FUN FOODS We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home- cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love.

GO WITH THE FLOW Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature

support your liver.

Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

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