DeWitt Law Firm - November 2020

DeWitt Law Firm - November 2020

The

Digest

DeWittLaw.com

NOVEMBER 2020

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What We Have to Be Thankful For AND WHAT WE HOPE THANKSGIVING CAN BE THIS YEAR

I n a year that’s as chaotic and rife with uncertainty as this one has been, it might not be as easy to find things worth being thankful for during the Thanksgiving season. That’s not to say there aren’t any events and circumstances worth being thankful for this year — we just have to try a little harder to find them. That’s why, in observance of the Thanksgiving season, each of us at DeWitt Law Firm decided to share a little bit about what we are still thankful for this year. After doing so, the year doesn’t seem quite as dismal. For some of us, it was the little things that brought us the most joy. We expressed gratitude for the roads we didn’t have to commute on and the road rage we never expressed, for Shipt Shoppers (braving the grocery stores so we don’t have to), for coffee grinders and freshly ground beans to wake us up in the morning, and for turkey, stuffing, and blueberry pie on the Thanksgiving dinner table. In a world of big changes, sometimes all we can do is smile at the little constants that remain. In a year where many of us had things taken away, whether that be jobs, financial stability, or (heaven forbid) friends and family, this year also caused us to be more thankful for the things we may have previously taken for granted. At our firm, we were thankful for our spouses and the lives we’re lucky enough to lead alongside them, for keeping our jobs — even if that means working from home — and, of course, for our health and the health of our families. Additionally, even in a year where it seemed like we all lost something, some of us were fortunate enough to have accomplished new goals and to continue moving forward. In the midst of the pandemic, one of us was able to buy a new home, another one of us recovered from a shoulder

surgery and was able to partake in their favorite outdoor activities again, and I think all of us were thankful that we were able to spend more time with our families. As much damage as the pandemic has caused to our communities, I think we can all say that it has caused us to slow down and regain what’s really important in life. Finally, we at DeWitt Law Firm are also thankful for all of you for continuing to trust us and rely on us for your legal help. We’re still here to be your choice legal team — without you, we would have significantly less to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season. With that, we hope that all of you have reason to be thankful during this time of year, as well. If you don't, we hope that we’ve inspired you to try. This year has been difficult for so many reasons, and we have every right to be frustrated by them. However, by finding just a few silver linings, I think we can make this Thanksgiving a welcome oasis from all we’ve endured so far. Happy Thanksgiving!

“That’s not to say there aren’t any events and circumstances worth being thankful for this year — we just have to try a little harder to find them.”

– Moses DeWitt

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PERSONAL INJURY - DIVORCE - REAL ESTATE

THIS MONTH ON THE 'D e W itt L aw R eview '

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 that number or email [email protected]. Q: I just received a letter from my homeowners’ association (HOA) saying they are going to bring legal action against me if I don’t paint my house. Can they do that? A: Yes, if your HOA Declaration requires the exterior of your home to be in a certain condition, then the HOA can require you to paint your house. They can even require that you use a certain color when painting your house. You should be aware that many HOAs will require that you submit the proposed color to the architectural review board for approval prior to painting the house. Q: I am interested in buying a house at a tax deed sale. I know the HOA and two different banks have liens on the property. Do all of the liens get discharged when the house is sold? A: Yes, the HOA and banks’ liens are wiped out. Florida Statute section 197.552 states that only municipal or county governmental unit, special district, or community development district liens survive after a tax deed sale. In other words, any governmental lien will probably be protected, while private liens are typically wiped out. Q: I’ve always wondered why law enforcement officers issue citations for car accidents if Florida is a no-fault state. A: Florida is not a no-fault state. Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which is why people are required to have personal injury protection (PIP aka no-fault) insurance in the amount of $10,000 and why Florida does not require bodily injury insurance. However, Florida does still allow individuals who are wrongfully injured due to the negligent driving of another to pursue the at-fault driver for damages. Q: If you are in a car accident and you have the same insurance as the other person, are you required to report the accident to your insurance company? A: Yes, if you want to make a claim through your insurance company, you are required to report it. If you both have the same insurance company, you also want to make sure you know which adjuster represents you and which one represents the other party.

AND HOW DO I PREVENT IT FROM AFFECTING MY FAMILY? WHAT IS FAMILY BURNOUT

According to one study from 2018, over half of all parents surveyed were experiencing some form of burnout (i.e., exhaustion, cynicism, lack of professional satisfaction, etc.) — and that was before the pandemic. Now, as the world enters the eighth month of the coronavirus pandemic, many parents are working from home or dealing with unemployment, and many children are doing school online. Families are spending a lot of time together at home, balancing new routines — and that’s led to family burnout. When you experience “family burnout,” the kind of exhaustion that comes from spending too much time with family, it manifests itself as physical and emotional exhaustion, an inability to handle usual tasks, and increased irritability. The more demanding your work and home responsibilities are, the more susceptible you are to family burnout. Single parents are especially susceptible, but burnout can drastically affect romantic relationships and even children. Most people are not used to spending so much time together at home. With all that in mind, don’t worry — family burnout is preventable. It starts with creating a balance between work and rest. While it might feel like you don’t have a moment to spare between work and taking care of the kiddos in the house, identifying those spare moments in your day is absolutely necessary for your health. Establish a routine that defines time for work, sleep, studying, and other tasks. You’ll then move from task to task easier, leaving less room for conflict between others in the household. You’ll also see more clearly when you can rest! Those breaks don’t have to be anything special — a 15-minute walk by yourself outside or a 30-minute stretch with a good book in a comfy chair. Find time to let your kids have a break, too, like playing their favorite games, reading their favorite books, or playing outside. You’ll all feel more refreshed to tackle the remaining tasks of the day. Even though you can prevent or minimize burnout through a more balanced routine, sometimes that’s not enough. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Family therapy can be immensely helpful for maintaining your mental health when your own attempts need a boost. These are unique times, so be patient with yourself and your family as you cope with new challenges and routines. Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable.

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FUN SPOT PARTY 2020 To celebrate the end of 2020, we are inviting all of you to join us on Dec. 6, 2020 at Fun Spot America in Orlando. and a souvenir drink cup. You will also be able to grab some free JustCallMoe.com swag on your way to have some fun!

We would like to celebrate the end of 2020 with you and also show our appreciation to everyone who has supported us at the DeWitt Law Firm over the last 22 years. We look forward to seeing you all on Dec. 6!

There is something for everyone to do at Fun Spot America. Whether you are a thrill seeker who wants “Bigger! Faster!” or someone who prefers the lights and sounds of the arcade, Fun Spot has exactly what you are looking for. Location: Fun Spot America 5700 Fun Spot Way, Orlando, Florida 32819

Date: Dec. 6, 2020 Check-in: 1–3 p.m. Cost: FREE, FREE, FREE! RSVP REQUIRED:

RSVP at JustCallMoe.eventbrite.com no later than DEC. 1, 2020, as space is limited. Please include your T-shirt size in your RSVP! Everyone who attends will be given a wristband to enjoy all of the rides offered at Fun Spot. They will also be provided with a meal card

BREAK TAKE A

ZESTY ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Inspired by OnceUponAChef.com

INGREDIENTS

• 12 oz fresh cranberries • 2 tsp orange zest • Salt to taste

• 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed • 1/2 cup water • 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the orange juice, water, and sugar to a boil. Add other ingredients, then bring mixture back to boiling. 2. Reduce the heat to medium and cook gently for 10–12 minutes, until the cranberries burst. 3. Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until serving.

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THIS ISSUE

PHONE AVAILABLE 24/7 (OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9 A.M.–5 P.M.)

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What We Hope Thanksgiving Can Be This Year

What Is Family Burnout, and How Do I Prevent It?

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This Month on the 'DeWitt Law Review'

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Celebrate With Us at Fun Spot!

3

Zesty Orange Cranberry Sauce

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3 Memorable Thanksgiving Day Football Plays

3 MEMORABLE THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL PLAYS

LAWRENCE TAYLOR New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor was said to have “single-handedly” beat the Detroit Lions in this memorable 1982 Thanksgiving Day matchup. The game was only the fourth of the season for Taylor, who had just recovered from a sprained knee injury suffered in a previous game. With the score tied at 6-6 in the fourth quarter, Taylor intercepted the ball from the Lions quarterback, Gary Danielson, and ran it 97 yards for a touchdown. LEON LETT The Miami Dolphins were up against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in 1993. This game was marked by its strange weather: Snow covered the field in Dallas, and temperatures reached only 26 degrees F. But that wasn’t what made the game memorable. In the last 15 seconds of the game, the Cowboys blocked the Dolphins’ last 40-yard

field goal attempt. As the ball was rolling on the ground, Cowboys defensive tackle Leon Lett dove for it but slipped and missed. The Dolphins recovered the ball and were given the chance to kick another field goal at the 1-yard line. The attempt was successful, and they won the game. PHIL LUCKETT One of the most memorable moments during a Thanksgiving game took place in 1998, when the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions entered overtime in a 16-16 tie. Referee Phil Luckett oversaw the coin toss, and that’s when things became tense. Steelers running back Jerome Bettis appeared to call tails, but Luckett said, “Heads is the call.” Upon review later, officials discovered that Bettis changed his mind mid-toss and had indeed called heads first. The Lions got first possession and scored a field goal to win the game.

Thanksgiving is all about good food, family, and football. Each year, football fans look forward to sitting down and watching the game with their family, regardless of whether or not their team is playing. While many games have been played over the years, some stand out more than others because of some major players and their quick actions. Here are three individuals who made their Thanksgiving Day games ones to remember.

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PERSONAL INJURY - DIVORCE - REAL ESTATE