Holland & Usry February 2019

Family Court Requires Emotional Intelligence IN ADDITION TO LEGAL SKILL

I know all too well that this month doesn’t bring roses and candy boxes for everyone. I’m not going to win any awards for insightfulness when I tell you divorce is hard. Even if you’re looking forward to getting the next chapter of your life started, nobody views the dissolution of a marriage as a fun time. Couple the financial strain that separation entails with the emotional stress of divorce, and it’s enough for anyone to want to just get it over with. Despite this, I’m here to tell you that making a good faith effort to resolve your grievance before you get to court is essential. You can be as adversarial as you want, but that will only result in a judge deciding who gets what. That may sound easier than hashing out custody and property distribution with your ex, but the results are often not as good. A judge doesn’t know you or your situation, and they’re going to make the best decision they can based on the evidence in front of them. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t; but whatever the result, you lose a mountain of agency the second your family court matter goes in front of a judge. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced divorce attorney who will coach you through the process and present your argument in the best possible light. Too many people hire cut-rate attorneys with little experience to handle their divorce. Believe it or not, the Family Court is insanely complicated. There is a lot to consider, and if somebody’s not used to the process, they can’t accurately advise you on what to do. It’s just as crucial to find someone who will help you with the emotional aspects of your divorce, in addition to the legal ones. In family court matters, feelings can compromise your best

judgment. A good family court lawyer isn’t one who’s going to promise you the moon; it’s one who will honestly assess your situation and let you know what’s possible. They should also be able to dispel your preconceived notions about how the Family Court works. The biggest surprise many people going through a divorce experience is how long it takes. A proceeding can easily last up to a year and often can exceed it. Another common shock for those experiencing divorce is mandated mediation. “I know we can’t reach an agreement,” clients will say, “and now I have to try to mediate with them.” Mediation is involuntary, but whether you actually make an attempt at it is up to you. Like I said at the beginning of this article, mediation may not be pleasant, but at least it isn’t the gambit of going in front of a judge with the possibility of losing control of the outcome. Don’t get me wrong, there are some divorce proceedings that result in no other option than going to court. If that is the case, you need an experienced trial lawyer on your side. –John Holland

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In Family Court matters, feelings can compromise your best judgment. A good Family Court lawyer isn’t one who’s going to promise you the moon; it’s one who will honestly assess your situation and let you know what’s possible.

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GAMING WITH YOUR KIDS WHY YOU SHOULD PICK UP THAT CONTROLLER

author Jane McGonigal, Ph.D., writes, “Games make it easy to build stronger social bonds with our friends and family. Studies show that we like and trust someone better after we play a game with them — even if they beat us.” FIND THE RIGHT GAME Finding the right game to play with your child can be a challenge. Regardless of what platform your child plays on, there’s a nearly inexhaustible list of games to choose from, and some are more child-friendly than others. At the very least, research the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s (ESRB) rating of a game to make sure its content is age-appropriate. When choosing a game, it’s a good idea to keep your child’s interests in mind. Do they enjoy creating things? Games like “Minecraft,” “Super Mario Maker,” and “Scribblenauts Remix” can act as a great sandbox for you and your child’s imaginations to run wild. Does your child love to solve puzzles? “Snail Bob 2,” “Snipperclips,” and “Portal 2” will have you and your child thinking outside the box for hours. Want to engage in a little friendly competition? “Mario Kart,” “FIFA,” and “Bam Fu” are all excellent choices. GOING BEYOND SCREEN TIME Whether you pick up a controller yourself or just watch your children play games, the most supportive thing you can do as a parent is reinforce the skills they are learning. Understanding that the same creativity and determination that gets them to the end of a level can be applied in the real world is be a powerful thing for a child’s development.

Video games are present in an increasing number of American households. The Entertainment Software Association found that in 2018, 70 percent of parents reported that games were a positive activity in their children’s lives, and 67 percent even play alongside their child at least once a week. Some of you may already be regularly gaming with your kids, but for the rest of you, here are some things to keep in mind. WHY GAMING TOGETHER MATTERS Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and UC Berkeley have shown that video games can have many positive effects on a child, from encouraging critical thinking and social skills to imparting the value of perseverance. Beyond these life skills, video games can also be a way for you to better connect with your child. As game designer and New York Times bestselling Testimonials SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US After getting rear-ended last May and suffering pain and mounting medical bills, I did not know where to turn. I thought about trying to handle the insurance companies myself but was advised to seek legal assistance. I asked my nephew, a lawyer in Spartanburg, for suggestions, and he told me Holland & Usry was my best choice. From our first meeting, I felt very comfortable that you were working in my best interest and actually cared. I appreciate all the diligent work on your part. After being overwhelmed with evidence and your knowledge of case law and precedence, the insurance companies had no choice but to settle my claim for the full amount possible. I was impressed with your fast work on getting the matter settled, as it involved a misconception on the part of the insurance companies of a possible pre-existing condition. Thank you very much, and I will recommend your firm to anyone who needs a great legal team. It was indeed providence that led me to your door.” “Dear Rob and John,

“My daughter was in a horrible accident that was caused by some teenagers in another car who decided to play ‘chicken.’ She was in the back seat without a seat belt when the accident happened. Her face hit the back of the driver’s seat. The impact of the crash broke several bones in her face and around her eye. Thankfully, she has no scars! However, she did miss a lot of school and lost a lot of weight. We decided to contact Holland & Usry Law Firm. Everyone there was kind and helpful! Initially we spoke to Bob Holland, and he introduced us to Rob Usry. My daughter received her settlement over the next four years, and all we had to do was tell Mr. Usry the facts; he did the rest. I was very impressed with the dedication and skill of this law firm!”

–Kim H., mother of Inman car accident client

–John Hayes, Travelers Rest car accident client

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The Basics of a Filing Car Accident Claim

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A WRECK

As if being in a car accident weren’t serious enough, the aftermath of a crash requires you to perform a task that’s frustrating at the best of times and exasperating at the worst: dealing with insurance. You can expect long delays spent on hold, questions that don’t seem to make much sense, and people who only pretend to want to help you. It’s enough to make anyone want to raise the white flag, which is exactly what the insurance companies want.

any less annoying? We can’t promise that, but we can promise that foreknowledge of the system will help resolve your claim with the best possible outcome.

At the scene of the accident a police officer will give you a green sheet of paper known as an FR-10. Do not leave the scene of the accident without this document. Provide it to your insurance agent and keep a copy for yourself to get an official crash report from the officer. The next important event that will occur is the at-fault party’s insurance company contacting you. The person on the other end of the line is an insurance adjuster, and you should be wary of them. They may be nice and polite, but they ARE NOT your friend. Their motive is to settle the claim for the smallest amount possible. If you’re filing claims for both personal injury and property damage, you may even have to deal with two separate adjusters. To pay some medical bills, you may have to file an additional claim with your own insurance company. You’ll only be doing this if you have personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage in your policy. You will also have an adjuster for that, but those claims tend to be pretty easy. Filing these claims is just the start of the process, but it’s crucial that you get it right. We can help you from the moments after an accident to the resolution of your case. Call us today to find out more.

While there’s no magic pill that will grant you unlimited patience, understanding a bit about the process will make it less mysterious and easier to navigate. Will it make it

Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111 Good News

This easy, delicious vegan chocolate bark is the perfect Valentine’s Day treat. Make it a few days in advance, bag it up, and share it with your loved ones. HAZELNUTBERRY CHOCOLATEBARK

Ingredients

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7 ounces dark chocolate

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1/4 cup dried cranberries

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1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts

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1/4 cup dried cherries

Tools

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Candy thermometer

Directions

1. Chop chocolate and place into a mixing bowl. 2. In a double boiler, melt chocolate. Stir frequently and remove from heat as needed to prevent burning. Keep chocolate under 115 F. 3. Once melted, pour chocolate into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread evenly. 4. Add hazelnuts and dried fruits. Let sit at room temperature until set. 5. Break into shards and serve.

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Inspired by Simple Vegan Blog

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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.

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INSIDE this issue

1

Why You Can’t Compromise on a Divorce Attorney

2

Why Parents Should Play Video Games Testimonials

3

The Drawn-Out Process for Car Accident Claims Hazelnut Berry Chocolate Bark

4

All About Chocolate

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WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT CHOCOLATE Fun Facts to Wow Your Loved Ones This Valentine’s Day

Chocolate is a treat savored by people all over the world. What we know as the sweet, creamy decadence that sustains Valentine’s Day actually has greater historical and cultural significance. Fermented chocolate drinks have been dated back to as early as 350 B.C. The Aztecs believed it was the beverage of wisdom, and the Mayans saw it as something to be worshipped. While the history of chocolate is as rich as its flavor, there are some common misconceptions about the treat. Dutch chocolate doesn’t necessarily refer to chocolate made in the Netherlands; the name refers to a specific chocolate-making process that uses the cocoa press. Before Dutch chemist and chocolate-maker C.J. van Houten invented the machine in 1828, chocolate was only used in beverages. Dutch chocolate is chocolate that has been modified with an alkalizing agent in order to produce a milder flavor, making it a fantastic option for use in baked goods, candy, and ice cream.

German chocolate actually has nothing to do with the country of Germany, either. It used to be called “German’s chocolate,” named after its inventor, Sam German, an American who made sweet chocolate for baking. Adding sugar to the chocolate made it a go-to option for bakers around the world, and the base for German chocolate cake was born. For chocolate to be classified as Swiss, it has to be made in Switzerland, as chocolate-making is considered an art form in the country. Known for its “melt in your mouth” quality, Swiss chocolate uses condensed milk to add a velvety texture. Many chocolate makers outside of Switzerland will refer to their interpretations of Swiss chocolate as milk chocolate instead.

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