Gillette Law July 2017

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ILLETTE

GAZETTE

JULY 2017

WE ALL HAVE GIFTS TO SHARE ONLINE LESSONS

HOW MY SON AND YOUTUBE HELPED ME TIE THE KNOT

I actually love using the internet for its instructional offerings. I frequently watch TED Talks (https://www.youtube.com/user/ TEDtalksDirector) for their entertainment and educational value. I’ve also been known to watch how-to videos any time a task around the house has me stumped. There are good and bad ways to use the internet, and I think that’s one of the best. The same YouTube instructor who taught Liam also taught his father how to tie a bow tie.

Check it out at https:// youtube/iQct9QAThvM!

Brenda from Coastal Virginia Magazine stopped by to present me with my Top Lawyers plaque!

I started wearing them regularly and really liked it. You don’t have to wear a suit with a bow tie — you can put on a collared shirt and khakis and still look spiffed up. That’s good, because wearing a suit in these summer months can be torturous. As I continued wearing them, I started to get comments from people. It’s just different enough

Growing up, most of us received an abundance of sage wisdom from our fathers. “Always trust your instincts.” “Don’t ask anyone to do anything you aren’t willing to do yourself.” “Never wear a clip-on bow tie.” I told that last one to my 16-year-old son, Liam. A while back, he decided bow ties are pretty cool and started wearing them. I told him, “No self-respecting man wears a clip-on bow tie. If you’re going to wear one, you have to learn how to actually tie it.” Teenagers don’t always listen to their parents, but this advice seemed to work. He committed to learn the art of bow tying. His instructor? Some guy on YouTube. You can learn just about anything online these days. If you’ve never tied a bow tie, it’s pretty tricky to begin with. But he got the hang of it and started wearing them every opportunity he could. I saw him one day and admitted to myself, “He looks pretty sharp.” Despite my advice, I actually didn’t know how to tie a bow tie. But I was intrigued. Around Christmas, I decided to give it a shot. I went to Macy’s and bought a nice bow tie so I could try it for myself.

My 16-year-old son, Liam, got me started wearing bow ties.

to be interesting, but not zany or unprofessional. I started wearing them to hearings, and I felt like judges looked at me differently. Not worse, just more intrigued. I count that as a good thing. It’s funny, because we expect our children to follow our trends, not the other way around. As a father, I do my best to set an example for my children and teach them how to live. I dispense the aforementioned

N e x t D o B

sage wisdom at a pretty rapid clip. But any parent would tell you that they learn more from being a parent than anything else they’ve ever done. It’s nice that the tables turned this time. I’m grateful for my wonderful kids — and Liam’s impeccable sense of style.

– Brian Gillette

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CoreyMiller Photography

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PUT DOWN THE SCISSORS AND STEP AWAY FROM THE NEWSPAPER

If it wasn’t for coupons, you wouldn’t be able to afford everything you need, right? Well, there are two ways to look at it. Coupons can be a way to put food on the table that you otherwise couldn’t afford. But they can also trick money-conscious consumers into buying stuff they normally wouldn’t. To find out which option describes your situation, answer two questions. The first question is, “Do I need — and will I use — everything that I buy with coupons?” Coupons affect you psychologically; the same part of your brain that governs basic instincts (like hunger and pleasure) also loves a screaming good deal. That means you may spend money on things that you normally wouldn’t, because you have a coupon for them. Instead, stick to the staples — like rice, beans, oats, and salt — that you’ll use eventually and won’t go bad. If you’ve wanted something for a long time and it goes on sale, it makes sense to buy. But don’t let the coupon section dictate your desires! The second question is, “How much is my time worth, and how much time do I spend hunting down the best deals and clipping coupons?” If you’re saving $25 a week on stuff you actually need,

but it takes 4 hours a week to get those savings, you’re losing money — even if you make minimum wage. That’s time you could be spending with family, picking up a half-shift at work, or finding innovative ways to make money. We won’t deny that there are great deals that are now more available than ever thanks to apps like Groupon. But remember: Coupons come from businesses trying to trick your brain into buying more stuff. Use them wisely, but don’t let them rule you.

HAS YOUR CHILD BEEN A VICTIM OF CRIME?

Fact: Adolescents and young adults are less likely to report when they are a victim of a crime. That is a problem. Being the victim of a crime can leave you sad, confused, angry, or scared. This is especially true for young people, who are at the most vulnerable and formative part of their lives. Why don’t they always report? Studies say it’s due to a lack of knowledge of services. This is why it’s important to spread the word about places like the Center for Child & Family Services, Inc. (www.kidsandfamilies.com), that provides crucial free services for crime victims ages 12–25.

During their work, CCFS workers regularly see how these terrible experiences cause youth to lose sleep, do badly in school, or even blame themselves for terrible things that happened to them. They operate by the mantra, “Don’t just survive … THRIVE!”

The Center for Child & Family Services, Inc., regularly assists victims of ...

• Date rape • Relationship violence

If your child has been victimized by a crime, we encourage you to call The Center for Child & Family Services, Inc. for help!

• Stalking • Bullying • Assault

Hampton office: 757-838-1960 Williamsburg office: 757-229-7940

• Gang violence • Other crimes

Brian Gillette is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCFS, so this is a cause near to his heart. If you’d like more information on their services or how you can get involved, feel free to ask him about it on your next visit!

The Center for Child & Family Services, Inc. provides free and confidential trauma information, support, counseling, and case management for victims.

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BANKRUPTCY AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY It has been a trying time, due to your medical problems. You can no longer work and your bills are piling up. You are in the process of a Social Security disability claim, or perhaps you have finally been approved for Social Security disability, but you still have all of your bills. What do you do? Is bankruptcy your only option? creditor money. No big deal, you knew that you owed the money. The question is, what can the creditor do with that judgment?

The next step for a creditor is to file for a garnishment. The creditor will attempt to collect the money owed by having it deducted from a paycheck or a bank account. However, Social Security payments are exempt from garnishment. If you are receiving your Social Security by deposit into a bank account, the bank cannot take that money to pay a garnishment. Social Security will not take any money to pay a garnishment like an employer is required to do. So if your only income is Social Security disability, the creditor cannot touch those funds. I normally advise individuals who only receive Social Security disability to ignore the creditors and use their money to live on, but there are exceptions. Now, if you have other income going into the bank account or you are working part time, those funds can be seized by the creditor. If you own real estate, the creditor may be able to put a

If your only income is from Social Security disability, you may not need to file a bankruptcy to get rid of debts that you can no longer pay. When the laws were written to create the Social Security disability programs, Congress realized that these payments were necessary for an individual to live on and should be protected from creditors. They made it so that a creditor cannot touch your Social Security benefits involuntarily. This means that if you do not make payments to a creditor, like a credit card company or a medical provider, there is little that they can do about it. When you fail to make the payments required for a loan, credit card, or medical bill, the creditor can file a lawsuit against you. This is usually a warrant in debt filed in general district court, but it can be a motion for judgment filed in circuit court. The only issue that the court has to decide is whether you actually owe the company the money that they claim is owed to them. If you have this type of lawsuit filed against you, you are not required to attend the hearing. At the hearing, the judge will normally grant the creditor a judgment. This is simply a legal term that means the judge has said that you owe the

lien against your house. In these cases, you may need to file a bankruptcy to protect your other assets. For more information on whether you need to file a bankruptcy, visit my website at HamptonRoadsLegal.com. I have a tool that will walk you through whether you need to file for bankruptcy. For more information, you can also call me at 757-346-5815.

– Edrie-Pfeiffer

Corn Pudding

Ingredients

• •

3 eggs

2 cups whole kernel corn, well drained

• • • • • •

1 ½ tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 cups milk

½ cup light cream

Directions

PET OF THE MONTH!

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Grease a 1 ½ quart casserole.

HARLEY, AN ITALIAN GREYHOUND, BECAME A MEMBER OF THE GILLETTE FAMILY IN MAY. SHE WILL GROW TO BE ABOUT 8-15 POUNDS AND STAND ABOUT 13-15 INCHES TALL AT THE SHOULDER. SHE LOVES TO PLAY, AND IS ENJOYING ALL THE ATTENTION SHE IS GETTING FROM OUR FOUR KIDS!

3. Beat the eggs until they are light and fluffy.

4. Stir in the corn, sugar, salt, bread crumbs, and butter.

5. Add the milk and cream and mix well.

6. Pour into the prepared casserole and place the dish in a pan of boiling water.

7. Bake at 350 F for 50–60 minutes, or until the custard is set.

Recipe inspired by The Williamsburg Cookbook.

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INSIDE this issue

How My Son and YouTube Helped Me Tie the Knot page 1 We Do the Math on Coupon Clipping page 2 Has Your Child Been a Victim of Crime? page 2

Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability page 3

Corn Pudding page 3

3 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Immediate Results page 4

NATURE’S GREAT MULTITASKER 3 Ways to Use Coconut Oil and See Results!

Coconut oil is one of nature’s great multitaskers. You can cook with it, bake with it, use it as a dietary supplement, apply it to your skin, and run it through your hair, all of which deliver unique benefits. In this issue, we’re going to look at three of the most immediate benefits you can enjoy by using coconut oil. Rejuvenate your skin. Instead of reaching for lotion or body oil, reach for the coconut oil. It’s a single ingredient, so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin, which means you don’t have to worry about any sort of reaction. That is, as long as you aren’t already allergic to coconut! It helps keep skin hydrated and youthful-looking, plus it can treat symptoms related to dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and numerous other skin conditions. Just keep in mind, it cannot treat the base cause of any of these conditions. Give your hair extra luster. The plant-based fatty acids in coconut oil help alleviate dry hair, dry scalp, and dandruff. At the same time, it can help reduce the effects of everyday damage, including sun damage. Use coconut oil as-is, or combine it with an essential oil for an extra punch. Apply it about 30 minutes before showering and let it soak in. Just be sure not to use your typical shampoo to wash away the oil; hot water alone should do the trick. It may take a little longer to rinse the oil residue, but you’ll be left with soft, clean hair.

Freshen your smile. When swished around in the mouth, coconut oil can reduce bacteria and freshen your breath. It’s all thanks to coconut oil’s antibacterial properties, and the fact that it literally pulls bacteria away from your teeth and gums as you swish it around. All it takes is a tablespoon of oil and about 20 minutes. Once you’re done, spit the oil into the trash. That may sound a little gross, but avoid spitting in the sink. The oil may solidify and cause a clog.

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