Coye Law February 2018

February 2018

Coye Law Chronicle

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Our Office, Our Families, Our Clients ... We Work to Make a Difference in People’s Lives

A Portrait of the Artist I’m Married To

A TRIBUTE TO MY WIFE, JOAN

With Valentine’s Day coming up this month, I felt it only fitting to use this article to pay tribute to my incredible wife, Joan. It would take me more space than I have here to list all the amazing things about her, but I’ll do my best to provide a little summary. She’s the epitome of selflessness, an extremely talented artist, and an organizational wizard. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without her. We met at a church picnic. It’s actually a fun little backstory. I didn’t know at the time, but the woman organizing the event was Joan’s best friend. She told me I should come to the picnic because it might be fun. Secretly, she was trying to set us up together. It worked. I may not have been looped in on their secret designs for the picnic, but I can’t complain about the results. From the moment we met, Joan and I hit it off. I had two children at the time, and it was hugely important that anyone I dated could connect well with them. After spending some time with Joan, my daughter, who was 4 at the time, told me, “Joan is the nicest person in the whole world.” It’s a moment I’ll never forget. I thought to myself, “I must be the luckiest man in the world.” That moment cemented in my mind that Joan and I had a bright future together. By 1991, we were married. Coincidentally, that was also the year I opened my own practice. In the decades since — has it really been that long? — my life has been extremely fulfilling both at work and

at home. Joan deserves a lot of credit for that. I have a wonderful life, wife, and five children.

During the early years of our relationship, Joan worked as an occupational therapist. In college, she studied art and psychology, and her intelligence is apparent to anyone who meets her. As she wound down her career as a therapist, she started to help out at the practice by working on pre-suit demands, helping our clients prepare their testimony for trial, and she worked as our in-house jury consultant, helping to select juries for our clients’ cases. You might think I’m crazy for mixing my career and love life, but when you’re married to somebody as talented as Joan, it’s hard to not put their skills to good use. In recent years, Joan has been able to devote more time to working on her art. She’s even been exhibited in local galleries. I might be a little biased, and I’m certainly no art expert, but her paintings and sculptures never fail to impress me. If that wasn’t enough, she also speaks French. A wife that’s cultured, talented, and compassionate — how did I get so lucky? Joan and I love to travel together. Over the years, we’ve been to more than our fair share of countries and we’ve shared experiences I will remember forever. On more than one occasion, her French skills have come in handy. It means a lot to me to be with somebody who shares a desire to explore the world.

–Wade Coye Thinking back to that fateful picnic, it’s hard to imagine what a massive impact it had on my life. I may have gone expecting a fun afternoon, but what I got was a partner for life. From that day to this one, I’ve only grown to love and admire Joan even more.

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Your Dinner Table Might Be the Key to a Happier Family

months and we would all have dinner together once I got home from the office.

after all, so call in the kids! Make sure their tasks are age-appropriate — leave sautéing vegetables to the high schooler and let your first-grader set out the cups instead. This is the perfect opportunity to teach kids valuable kitchen skills and to take some of the burden off your plate. Plus, if your kids are picky eaters, inviting them to be part of the cooking process can make them more inclined to try the finished product. Don’t Stress Yourself Out It’s okay if you’re too busy on a Monday to cook dinner. There’s always Tuesday. Or, you can take a trip to your favorite family restaurant. Family meals should be fun, and that can’t happen if you’re stressed. Don’t feel pressured to make each meal perfect or to prepare a three-course dinner every night. Chicken and rice can get the job done as long as you’re all sitting around the table as a family. No matter how hectic your schedule may be, making family meals a priority is always worth the investment. Who’s in the mood for meatloaf?

As my kids grew older, we would eat dinner while watching the news together. I would ask my kids questions about the day’s events to see if they had a well-formed opinion.

Even when schedules are busy, you can make family dinners fit into your agenda with these tips.

Be Flexible About Mealtimes Dinner doesn’t have to be at 6 p.m. on the dot. If Kamala has a karate tournament in the evening or Peter needs to stay late at school for art club, why not break out the healthy snacks and make dinner happen a little later or earlier? Plus, the meal you share as a family doesn’t have to be at dinnertime. If there’s time in the mornings, sit down for breakfast. If you have the opportunity on weekends or during a school break, grab lunch together. Call All Hands on Deck Mom or Dad shouldn’t be expected to cook by themselves for every meal. This is family time,

The family dinner is a staple of years gone by. These days, the only time you see a family sit together and break bread seems to be at Thanksgiving. This is a shame, because regular family dinners are incredibly important. Growing up on a dairy farm, my dad always took a break from working in the barn so that we could all have supper together. Fast forward some years and my family still continues the tradition. When my children were younger, my parents would visit us in Florida during New York’s harsh winter

When Medicine and Law Intersect

THE EFFECT DOCTORS HAVE ON CASES

One of the things that separates Coye Law from other firms is our commitment to understanding the details of our clients’ medical situations. Not only are these concerns crucial to a client’s overall well-being, but they also play a major factor in

cases. The medical process is just as complicated as the legal one, and the two often intersect. When that happens, it’s important to know how to best pursue a course of treatment that won’t hamper your legal case. At some point in our lives, we’ve all been told to suck it up. While this persistence is an admirable trait, it has no place in recovering from an injury. The insurance companies aren’t going to give you a pat on the back for being tough. Instead, they’ll use it against you and challenge the veracity of your injuries. The earlier you are examined in the aftermath of an injury, the better. Documentation of injuries is some of the strongest evidence you can present. Treating an injury often requires seeing multiple specialists. Finding the best doctor for your needs isn’t easy, even before you consider how you’re going to pay for medical care. The primary concern should always be making sure you get the best

possible care, but you also need to consider how willing a doctor will be to participate in your case.

We’ve met plenty of doctors over the years who want no part of the legal process. Some will even have patients sign a statement acknowledging they are aware their doctor will not provide testimony. Patients often don’t realize the severity of this request and end up unwittingly hampering their own case. While medical records are crucial for any case, testimony is what brings those records to life. A doctor willing to take the stand is a huge asset and one you shouldn’t be willing to forgo. As with all aspects of a case, selecting the appropriate medical care requires thought, conversation, and discernment. We’re always happy to help our clients discover the best solution for them. Recovery shouldn’t have to come at the expense of getting what you deserve.

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Discovering True ‘Grit’

If you’ve ever been told you won’t succeed because you lack talent, bring a copy of “Grit” to your next meeting. While teaching high school math, author Angela Duckworth noticed some of her highest-achieving students weren’t the ones with the highest IQs, while some of her “smartest” students weren’t doing all that well in class. “Why?” she wondered. She followed her curiosity to Penn State’s psychology program. There, she studied several demographics, including cadets at West Point, young teachers, and sales representatives. After numerous psychological studies, Duckworth discovered that “grit” was the common denominator in successful people. Duckworth defines grit as “passion and perseverance for very long-term goals.” People who display grit don’t start a project and abandon it a month later. They devote themselves to an

overarching goal that drives everything they do. She explained that someone who practices grit goes through life like a marathon, not a sprint. Perhaps most instructive is Duckworth’s equation (she was a math teacher, after all): “Effort counts twice” could be the battle cry of grit. Gritty people are willing to put in the extra effort to achieve their goals, and that’s what helps them reach their goals if they don’t have innate talent. While this provides a strong case that those born with grit will succeed, grit doesn’t factor luck and opportunity into the equation, something that Duckworth is transparent about in her book. She says those who aren’t born with grit can develop it in four simple steps. Talent x effort = skill. Skill x effort = achievement.

First, identify an interest that can blossom into a passion. Second, practice that passion, a lot . Third, develop the belief that your passion has purpose. While it’s not an overnight transformation, these guidelines can at least give us hope, which is the fourth step: Hold on to hope that you can succeed. Our biggest takeaway from “Grit”? Look at failures as milestones on the journey to success. Getting gritty means failing and learning from it. Any of us can get gritty if we’re willing to put in a little elbow grease.

BACON-WRAPPED TATER TOT BOMBS Sure, your showoff pal can wrap a tater tot with a piece of bacon and call it “The Daniel,” but you can take it a step further. Prepare a couple batches of these savory snacks for your party or the next family get-together. Snag a few for yourself before they disappear!

Ingredients

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4 slices bacon, quartered

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2 cups frozen tater tots, defrosted

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1/4 cup brown sugar

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1 ounce sharp cheddar, cut into 1/4-inch squares

Coye Law Firm’s Referral All-Stars!

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1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Every month, we give a big shout-out to clients who gave us referrals. This month, we’d like to recognize ...

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 2. Press a cheese square into each tot, then wrap with a piece of bacon. Dredge each tot in brown sugar. 3. Place tots seam side down on baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, using metal tongs to turn halfway through. 4. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.

Sabrina Magwood

Mirasol Rios

Ty Hillman

Bill Falcone

Eduardo Sanchez

Raymond Zimmer

Thank you all for trusting us with the legal needs of your family and friends!

(Recipe inspired by ThisGrandmaIsFun.com.)

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T H I S I S S U E

2 Decades of Marriage, and Counting

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02 What Every Parent Needs to Know About Family Dinners Medical Treatment and the Legal Process

Do You Have the Success Gene? Not Sure What to Bring to the Party?

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04 What Do Legos, Chili, and ‘Steel Magnolias’ Have in Common?

LEGOS, CHILI, AND ‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’ Orlando’s Local Events

9 th Annual Northwestern Mutual Orlando Chili Cook-off When: Feb. 17, 12–6 p.m. Where: Festival Park

‘Steel Magnolias’ When: Feb. 24 and March 3, 7:30–9:30 p.m. Where: Central Florida Community Arts The cult classic from 1989 has been reinvented and brought to the stage for a limited time. Come re-experience all the great moments from the film as they play out in front of you live. With a phenomenal cast and flawless production quality, this is sure to be one event you don’t want to miss!

February may be the shortest month of the year, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a plethora of amazing local events to check out. If you’re looking for some fun activities, we recommend starting with these. Nature Connects Lego Art When: Jan. 6 through April 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Leu Gardens This awe-inspiring exhibit celebrates the splendor of nature using larger-than-life Lego sculptures. Over 450,000 Lego bricks make up this extremely unique exhibit at Leu Gardens. Fifty acres, 16 sculptures, and 13 displays will make this a fun-filled day for the entire family.

This chili cook-off has been breathing fire into Orlando since 2009, and it isn’t stopping anytime soon. Over 100 chili stations make this one of the largest food festivals in the area. Come for the chili, but stay for the live music, games, and fun kids area. If chili isn’t your thing, plenty of other food trucks are available and there will also be a beer garden.

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