Bruce Law Firm - March 2022

Bruce Law Firm - March 2022

Building Trusting Relationships INTRODUCING PARALEGAL JENNIFER TIRADO

Hello, everyone! My name is Jennifer Tirado, aka “Jenny,” and I’ve been a paralegal at Bruce Law Firm for several years, although I had the pleasure of working closing with Christopher Bruce many years ago when he was a partner at a different legal firm. I met Christopher for the first time back in 2015 through Rosalie Cruz, another attorney at the office. Back then, I was a legal assistant for about 10 years when Rosalie connected me with Christopher regarding a paralegal opening and before you know it, I took a chance and went for it. It was the best decision I could have made; I have learned so much more working with him. Christopher and I reconnected years later after he’d opened Bruce Law Firm, and it has been fantastic working with him a second time. He is very down-to-earth and approachable, and he’s extremely family-oriented. These days, I work specifically as a discovery paralegal. Discovery is the process where both parties involved in a case gather and exchange information that is usually in the form of documents. Really, it can be one of the most crucial parts of the process. To conduct discovery properly, we need our clients to supply us with all kinds of financial documents to get a clear understanding of their situation. Not all of our clients are particularly computer or finance savvy. In fact, in some instances, their spouse has deliberately kept them away from their finances. Other times, they were just never the ones to handle that aspect of the household. Divorce is particularly hard on these clients because they need to learn a whole new set of skills. Often, I will have them come directly into the office to help them download files, and I enjoy having the opportunity to teach and connect with them directly. When many of our clients meet us, they have a shield up. After being (correctly!) told for so many years not to give out their financial information, they’re often hesitant to do so. My job is to explain the process and build enough trust. Only then can we gather all of the details we need. Divorce is stressful, and different people can have wildly different reactions to it. I need to understand what our clients are going through and meet them where they are. I enjoy building that rapport and watching the shield come down gradually.

Jenny and her lovely family

Beach native, and my husband Enrique and I have been married for a little over 10 years. He’s graduating from pharmacy school in May, and I’m deeply proud of him. We have two daughters, Isabella, 10, and Arabella, almost 2 years old. We also have a Pomeranian dog named Gizmo. Between my job and my husband’s studies, we don’t get to spend as much time together as we’d like. So, when an opportunity presents itself, I drop everything and spend quality time with the family. We love to get outdoors with the girls at the beach, park, or zoo and travel. Though I fell into this line of work by accident, it’s now something I genuinely enjoy. Thanks to Rosalie and Christopher, I’ve found a passion that allows me to connect with and help people every day. I’m so grateful to do this work, and I look forward to supporting countless more clients in the future.

–Jennifer Tirado

Our clients share many intimate details of their personal lives with us, so it’s only fair that you should know a bit more about me. I’m a West Palm

561-810-0170 • 1

When Marriage Counseling Won’t Work

It’s More Than Just Tidying Up

Avoid Couples Therapy With a Controlling or Abusive Spouse

Divorce isn’t always the answer. All couples go through rough patches, many of which can be overcome. Before deciding to divorce, experts generally agree you should attempt to settle your marital conflict through couples counseling. But while therapy is an excellent tool for couples who have grown apart, can’t see eye to eye, or have experienced a breach of trust, there are cases where it can do more harm than good. At Bruce Law, we help many women leaving abusive relationships. Along with countless experts, we never recommend couples counseling in these cases. Therapy is not only ineffective in controlling or abusive relationships, but it may also make things worse. Marriage counseling starts from the premise that there’s a problem in the relationship both parties need to collaborate on to solve. But contrary to what abusers claim, abuse is never the victim’s fault. It is not their problem to resolve, and they cannot negotiate their way out of abuse. No ethical therapist will perform couples counseling when abuse is present, but often, they are left in the dark. Victims are reluctant to name or talk about abuse for fear of angering their abuser. Further, most abusers are master manipulators. They are excellent at winning sympathy from others and turning the table on their victim. Often, the victim will leave therapy believing they are to blame and feeling less willing to seek help. The same is true of controlling spouses, but the term needs defining. Some call their spouse “controlling” because they like to be filled in on plans in advance or are a stickler for cleanliness. These are typical sources of conflict, and therapy can often help. Truly controlling behavior, however, is emotional abuse. Warning signs include constant knowledge of the victim’s whereabouts, isolation from family members and friends, belittling behavior, and control over their appearance and actions. When indications of emotional abuse are present, couples therapy is inappropriate. If you know someone in an abusive relationship, couples counseling will not help, but individual therapy likely will. Individual therapy can help the victim regain confidence, see that they are not to blame, and develop a plan of escape. For many women we meet, it’s the safest way forward. Yes, abusers need help — but it should never come at their victim’s expense.

4 Health Benefits of Spring-Cleaning

Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring — which means it’s time for some spring-cleaning. Did you know that cleaning is not just about tidying up a physical space? It’s also about improving overall well-being. Here’s how organization and cleanliness can help you in more ways than you might expect. Spring-cleaning reduces stress and depression. Tidiness and mental health are actually connected. Studies have found that having a clean home is directly correlated to happiness and your ability to focus. Anxiety can spike when laundry is piling up, items are strewn everywhere, and papers get scattered on various surfaces within the home. Clearing the clutter is a great way to boost your mood and increase those feel-good hormones. It prevents illnesses. Doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, countertops, and remote controls are all things we touch many times a day. Cleaning anything that’s used often is one way to reduce the spread of germs. By keeping household surfaces clean, we help thwart the spread of viruses and illnesses. Spring-cleaning helps you breathe better. Spring often brings pollen that triggers allergies for many. But pollen isn’t the only thing to blame when people have difficulty breathing. When dust and pet dander build up in your home, your respiratory system is greatly affected too. Deep-cleaning your air filters and vents can make breathing effortless — and it’s truly amazing how this can improve your well-being. It keeps you more active. Off the couch and on your feet! Even just running the vacuum and clearing the clutter from the dining room table will get you up and moving, which is healthy for your heart and body.

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

OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!

This spring season, putting some elbow grease into your cleaning will benefit you in more ways than one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

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

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A Fresh Start

Spring-Cleaning Your Life After a Divorce

A divorce may not be the happiest time of your life, but it is, in many ways, a clean start. No longer tied to an unhappy marriage, you can make new choices about who you want to be and how you want to live. If divorce can feel like a long, cold winter, the time after the dust settles can feel as fresh as the warmth of spring. And your spring-cleaning doesn’t have to end with your closet — it can encompass your whole life. Here are three areas that may need a revamp. Home Once all of your assets are divided, you’ll likely have a lot of things you don’t want or need. Even worse, these items can remind you of your ex. If a possession makes you feel bad, it’s not healthy to keep it around. You can sell some items for extra cash and donate others to someone in need. Check with your kids to ensure no items are sentimental, then start getting rid of the things cluttering your space and emotions. Mind Even if you’re at peace with the end of your relationship, residual emotions can stick around. Many people use therapy after a divorce to help them sort out their feelings and determine what they want going forward. If counseling isn’t for you, you can still

unclutter your mind and take care of yourself by acknowledging and working through your feelings. Examine any unhealthy habits or coping mechanisms you may have developed and ask yourself if they’ll serve you well in the future. Finances After a divorce, most people need to face the fact that they no longer have as much money as they used to. Without a second income, you will need to downsize your lifestyle. Start by making a budget and determining what you can and can’t afford. Open new accounts in your name, check your credit score, and work to improve your credit, if necessary. And if you have any individual accounts opened before the divorce, change your passwords — just in case.

Now is the perfect time to ask yourself how you want your future to unfold. Whatever you want your next chapter to be, make sure you’re starting with a clean canvas.

Have a LAUGH

Simple Bok Choy Chicken Soup

Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com

Is the chill of winter lingering? A hot bowl of this Asian-inspired soup will warm you right up! Our recipe makes 4–5 servings.

Ingredients

• • • •

3 cups chicken broth 1 tsp red pepper flakes

• • •

1 garlic clove, chopped

10 leaves bok choy, thinly sliced 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

2 tsp soy sauce 2 tsp sesame oil

Directions

1. 2.

In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Stir in red pepper flakes, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic.

3. Add bok choy leaves and rotisserie chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the bok choy is dark green and tender. 4. Enjoy with slices of your favorite whole-wheat bread!

561-810-0170 • 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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

Meet Paralegal Jennifer Tirado page 1

Get Healthy While Spring-Cleaning! Can Marriage Counseling Help a Controlling or Abusive Relationship? page 2 Spring-Cleaning Your Life After a Divorce Simple Bok Choy Chicken Soup page 3

Inside the Hot New Pet Tech Market page 4

Dog and Cat Gadgets Are Hitting the Market

Wearable Tech … for Your Pet?

If you don’t have a smartwatch or fitness tracker, you almost certainly know someone who does.Wearable tech is big business. Companies have already introduced options for adults and kids, and the next frontier is tech for your pet. Pet wearables are already on the market, and consumers have shown a willingness to spend money on their furry companions. So, what does pet tech do — and is it worth your money? A missing pet is every owner’s worst nightmare, and sadly, many animals don’t make it home safe. Microchipping has become common, but a standard chip only assists if someone else finds your pet and brings them to a vet or shelter.Wearable GPS technology, however, tells you how to find Fido now.With a small device, owners can constantly monitor their pets’ locations and quickly find their whereabouts if they get lost. Most pet GPS trackers also serve as activity monitors. Owners of outdoor cats can keep tabs on where they’re spending their time and whether they might be encountering dangerous situations. You can also learn whether your pet is getting enough exercise or if you need to increase their playtime. It’s fun to see a map of where your cat has been — but seeing the world through their eyes is even better. Pet cameras attach to animals’ collars and record everything from their point of view. If you regularly leave your pet in someone else’s care, the camera can function as a safety device to ensure they’re being treated properly — and that you’re getting your money’s worth.

Wearables for your pet also provide convenience. For households with multiple pets, there are now food and water bowls that dispense only when a certain microchip is present. And a pet sensor for your doggie door is practical if you want the dog to go in and out of the house without bringing along other animals. If you’re worried about your pet’s safety, investing in one of these devices can give you peace of mind — money well spent. But if you’re just curious about how many steps your cat takes each day or hate getting up to feed the dog, it might be worth waiting. As they become more commonplace, pet wearables, like their human counterparts, will eventually decrease in price.

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