DeWitt Law Firm - May 2021

DeWitt Law Firm - May 2021

The

Digest

MAY 2021

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A Celebration of Mexican Culture and Heritage THE REASONS BEHIND THE CELEBRATION OF CINCO DE MAYO

I don’t know why exactly, but Cinco de Mayo has become one of my favorite holidays over time — although I suspect it has something to do with the food! As much as I enjoy eating my weight in Mexican food every year, Cinco de Mayo represents much more than just delicious dishes from south of the border. It started as a day to celebrate the anniversary of an important military victory, and over time, it’s come to be a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, which took place during the Franco-Mexican War in the 1860s. Mexico had just elected a new president, and the country was in financial ruin. The country was forced to default on its debts to various European governments. In response, France, Britain, and Spain sent military forces across the sea to Veracruz to demand payment. The Mexican government was able to come to an agreement with Britain and Spain, but France, then led by Napoleon III, decided to try and seize some of Mexico’s land as part of the global French Empire. After storming Veracruz, the French forces were certain of their victory. Six thousand troops, led by General Charles de Lorencez, set out to attack a small town called Puebla de Los Angeles. In response, Mexican President Benito Juárez put together a ragtag team of 2,000 soldiers to fortify the town and prevent the French from taking the city.

“It became a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage rather than a celebration of a century-old military victory.”

The Mexican Army at Puebla, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, fought the French nearly all day before they finally retreated. When the battle was over, the French had lost around 500 men. The Mexicans had lost fewer than 100. While the victory didn’t have any strategic significance, the battle became a symbol for the resistance movement. Mexico would not be defeated as easily as the French hoped. Eventually, the United States was able to offer Mexico aid until the French withdrew in 1867. Funnily enough, celebrations of Cinco de Mayo are actually more common in the United States today than they are in Mexico. Mexicans who live in the state of Puebla, where the military victory took place, celebrate it, but outside of that region, celebrations aren’t as common. That’s because, in the 1960s, Mexican American activists began raising awareness for the holiday as a symbol of the victory of indigenous Mexicans (such as Benito Juárez and many of the soldiers who had fought in the Battle of Puebla) over Europeans. It became a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage rather than a celebration of a century-old military victory. Today, Cinco de Mayo celebrations often include parades, parties, mariachi music, and, of course, lots of delicious Mexican food. It might be a celebration of Mexican culture, but anyone who wants to partake in the festivities is welcome to do so, and as a guy who loves tacos, mole, and all that good stuff, I’m glad for it. However, understanding the origins of celebrating Cinco de Mayo make the festivities feel that much richer.

– Moe DeWitt

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In Defense of Relaxation

The “DeWitt Law Review” airs every Sunday at 10 a.m. on 107.3 FM and 580 AMWDBO. It is always our goal to bring the listeners of Central Florida the latest legal news and create a forum where they can ask legal questions anonymously from the comfort of their own home without having to retain an attorney. To listen to this month’s episodes or any episode of the “DeWitt Law Review,” you can visit our website at dewittlaw.com, where you can download the podcast from Apple Podcasts or Spotify. We receive many legal questions from our listeners each month, and we wanted to share some of the interesting questions in hopes that they may also benefit others facing similar legal issues. If you would like to ask a question, give us a call, and leave a voicemail at 407-536-6737. You can also text questions to 407‑536‑6737 or email [email protected]. THIS MONTH ON THE ‘DEWITT LAW REVIEW’

If you’re one of the 50% of Americans who would prefer a higher salary over paid vacation days, then the thought of relaxing by the pool probably makes your skin crawl. According to a 2019 Allianz Global Assistance survey, most Americans would only give up their vacation days for a 48% raise, but as Forbes reports, about 1 in 5 workers would only need a 24% raise to willingly fork over their vacation days. The rise of what experts are calling “performative workaholism” is evident in the hustle-and-grind culture of working long hours, skipping lunches, working throughout the weekend, and taking very few breaks. But medical and psychological experts caution that addiction to the hustle comes at a price. Recent evidence suggests that working long hours over extended periods of time actually makes you a worse employee. As exhaustion creeps in, your ability to complete even the most mundane or simple task decreases. In those moments, it’s important to take a short break, but it’s also vital to recognize when your body needs an extended refresher. This could make you better at your job. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Norway have some of the world’s most productive workers. Coincidentally, they also provide many vacation days. So, what’s great about taking a vacation? Experts at a Midwestern hospital system, Allina Health, report that stepping away from work for a short period of time can decrease your risk of heart disease, improve your quality of sleep, create a better mood, and boost your relationships. Researchers in the Netherlands even found that simply planning for and anticipating a vacation can improve your happiness level! If you can’t stand the thought of taking time off, you’re not alone. More than 40% of respondents in a 2016 survey said they felt they couldn’t take a vacation because there wasn’t anyone to cover them. Communicate your concerns with your employer to find a compromise. Start slow, too. Schedule a long weekend and pack your days with activities, like getting a massage, hiking, or traveling to a local destination. Look to travel sites like Expedia, Airbnb, and Travelocity for local deals and tips on the best vacation methods. Soon, you’ll be the biggest advocate for taking time off. WHY YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR VACATION DAYS

Q: Is alimony taxable?

A: No, as of 2019, alimony is no longer taxable as income to the spouse receiving it. However, if you have an order for alimony prior to 2019 and the order has been modified, then you will want to speak to an accountant to determine if you fall under the new or old tax scheme.

Q: Can my house be seized for failing to pay my child support?

A: No, typically your home cannot be forcefully sold for child support arrearages. However, if you ever sell your home, a child support lien could be placed on the proceeds for any arrearage that you owe.

Q: If someone lies in their petition for an injunction, is there a penalty if it is found that they lied? A: Typically, the injunction would just be dismissed if the person was found to be untruthful or to not present sufficient evidence to support the injunction. However, the court does have the ability to sanction someone for bringing a frivolous claim. The person could also be subjected to perjury charges in some circumstances.

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THE SIMPLE WISDOM OF DOGS What We Can Learn From Our Furry Friends

As dog owners, we love our furry friends dearly. We spend countless hours feeding them, walking them, giving them head scritches, and teaching them tricks. However, all while we’re teaching them how to be obedient and friendly, our pets are teaching us some pretty important lessons, too. LOYALTY Take care of your dog’s needs, and they’ll love you forever, no matter how long you’re gone. You could disappear from the house for five minutes or a year, and when you returned, they would still greet you with the same amount of tail wags and requests for pets. There’s something really admirable about that amount of loyalty. Your dog will never abandon you, and that makes you never want to abandon them. GRATITUDE It doesn’t take much for a dog to be happy. Give them a big field, a treat, or a promise of a walk, and they’re living large. In a world where we’re constantly told that we need to

have more, do more, and be more just to be happy, maybe we should be taking a tip from our canine companions. Happiness isn’t about what you could have; it’s about appreciating what you already have. RESPONSIBILITY Puppies are cute, but it takes a lot of effort to raise them to be obedient, loyal dogs that don’t cause a lot of mischief. Getting them to that point is frequently exhausting, but it’s always worth it. You really get to see the fruits of being responsible. When you feed them every day, get them their exercise, and stick with their training, you learn that equal parts work and play make your dogs good boys (and girls). May 2–8 is National Pet Week, and while I’ve only been able to speak to the qualities of dogs in this article, I’m sure there are lessons to glean from caring for any of our furry, feathery, or scaly friends. How will you appreciate your pets for National Pet Week?

BREAK TAKE A

Grilled Corn With Plant-Based Aioli

Inspired by SimpleVeganBlog.com

Looking for a dish that’s sure to please multiple palates? Look no further than this tasty take on grilled corn.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ears corn, unhusked • 1 clove garlic • 1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk

• 1/2 cup sunflower oil • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar • Sea salt, to taste • 1/2 cup raw spinach

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot, boil corn for 30 minutes. 2. In a large blender or food processor, add garlic, soy milk, sunflower oil, vinegar, and salt. Combine until smooth by pulsing the blades. 3. Once the aioli mixture is blended, add raw spinach and blend again. 4. Drain corn and transfer to the grill for 10 minutes, rotating as necessary. 5. Taste aioli for consistency and flavor. Add more milk or oil to thicken it and add more salt to taste. 6. Top corn with aioli and serve.

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THIS ISSUE

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1

The Reasons Behind the Celebration of Cinco de Mayo

The Benefit of Using Your Vacation Days

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This Month on the ‘DeWitt Law Review’

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The Simple Wisdom of Dogs

3

Grilled Corn With Plant-Based Aioli

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Brighten Up Your Space With These May Flowers!

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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAY FLOWERS FOR YOUR HOME OR OFFICE Bring Spring Indoors

Carnations are also fantastic flowers to display in May. Some people may see carnations as a cheap flower, but, when used en masse, they can have a truly breathtaking effect in a room. Try using natural-colored carnations to create a fresh, contemporary space. You can also freshen up the room with sweet peas , which have a wonderfully mild perfume. They come with an enormous range of colors — one of the biggest ranges in the flora kingdom, in fact! Delicate, ruffled, and feminine, sweet peas are sure to delight anyone who sees them. Lastly, although tulips or orchids would be classic choices for your arrangement, consider surprising your visitors with lilies of the valley . These beautiful, peaceful little

The April showers came and went, so now we get to enjoy May flowers! You might not buy flowers for yourself often, but it’s totally worth treating yourself and your visitors, all while supporting your local florist! To start off, anemones are the most mythological May plant around because of two famous Greek myths surrounding these jewel-toned flowers. Anemones are said to have sprung from blood shed by the death of Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient Greeks also believed that the god of the west wind favored anemones — hence their second name, the windflower. Attach them as pops of color to any bouquet for a classic, romantic, or modern arrangement, or mix them with roses and trailing greenery for a more boho look.

blooms only grow in white, which is often seen as the color of renewal and innocence, and they wear it well! Their adorable little bell-like flowers will be sure to put a smile on your face. We hope you will consider these gorgeous flowers for your space this year. A small purchase at your local small businesses can make a big difference, just like how a few flowers can make a big difference in your home!

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