Law Office of Kevin Jensen - August 2021

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - August 2021

August 2021 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

A New Friendly Face Meet Our New Receptionist, Jennifer Gunnell

F or years, our clients have come to know and love Shantel. She was the first face our clients saw when they walked into the office, offering a thoughtful smile and an answer to any of their questions. Thankfully, Shantel isn’t going anywhere! She’s still a valuable member of our team, but her role is adapting. For that reason, we have brought on a new receptionist, Jennifer Gunnell. She joins our team as a receptionist, and this month, I’m happily handing over the reins of this cover article to Jennifer so she can introduce herself. I’m sure you’ll soon discover why we love having her on the team! Hi, all! As Kevin said, I am the newest employee at the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen, and I’m stepping into the big shoes Shantel left as the receptionist. I’ve already learned so much in the short time I’ve been here! It truly feels like I’m joining a family, one that’s committed to helping you mend yours in the healthiest way possible. I first met Kevin through our two youngest boys, who happened to play on the same flag football team for the past seven years. When I discovered that he was searching for a new receptionist, the timing seemed just right. I had spent the past seven years in education, and prior to that, I worked in food service and retail. -Kevin Jensen

I was ready to make another change, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I’ve learned a lot so far, my coworkers have welcomed me with open arms, and I’ve discovered that the ins and outs of the legal system are fascinating. I’m really enjoying learning about the law and how we can utilize it to fight for your rights and to build your next chapter. In day-to-day operations, you may chat with me when scheduling your next appointment or consultation. We may even interact in some of the follow-up emails, and like Shantel was for many years, I’ll be the first face you see when you walk through the doors. So far, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know each client. I know you’re coming to our firm during what feels like a low moment in your life, but I’m honored to help this be a place of refuge, support, and safety for you. Like many of you, I’m also a parent. My husband and I have one daughter and three sons. I originally hail from Vermont and graduated from a college in upstate New York before moving to Arizona after graduation. I wanted to trade the really cold winters for warm weather. In return, I discovered Arizona’s really hot summers! That move led me to my husband, who’s originally from Arizona. I’ve now lived in this state longer than on the East Coast! (Admittedly, I do miss the four seasons!)

Like any Arizona family, we often escape to the mountains during the summer to stay cool. We’re also big sports fans, and I tend to split my loyalties. I’ll root for the Arizona Cardinals, and I really like the Phoenix Suns. But I’m a lifelong New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan, too! I’ll never give up my allegiance to the East Coast! As I settle into this new role, I’m looking forward to interacting with more clients and continuing to guide you through this journey. I know this process can be difficult, but I hope we can provide you with the support you need to start this next chapter with the right foundation.

—Jennifer Gunnell

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5 Tips for Your Next Affordable Getaway

Are you excited to explore the world again? Or maybe you've just gotten back from your latest vacation! In either case, the economic challenges of the pandemic might require travelers to plan their trips a little smarter. Here are five tricks to do just that. 1. Consider your budget while choosing your destination. Any destination heavily impacted by tourists is going to be more expensive to visit. So, consider taking a tour through various French countryside towns instead of Paris! Not only could it be more culturally immersing, but it may even be more relaxing and less stressful than visiting a dense area. 2. Sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights. One of the most important parts of booking an affordable vacation is booking it at the right time. Scott’s Cheap Flights will track all the

cheapest flights at an airport of your choice — you’ll get over 50%–75% savings on highly rated airlines. This will get you stress-free travel for a much lower price! 3. Travel in a group. If you travel with friends, your expenses become a lot more manageable. Let’s say you and a partner travel with two other couples — renting a swanky cabin at $200 a night will only cost around $33 per person. Plus, you will create some amazing memories together! 4. Plan your meal budget ahead of time. Looking forward to eating certain dishes? Find local menus and prices to ensure you don’t spend more than you planned. If you want an authentic and homestyle culinary experience, consider signing up for a peer-to-

peer dining experience through Traveling Spoon or Bon Appetour, which is tax-free as well!

5. Consider volunteering for vacation.

Want to go on a self-discovery trip? Why not cut your expenses in half by volunteering? For example, Habitat for Humanity offers a nine-day Mexico trip for $1,200 with lodging, food, and activities included. You’ll get to build structures and create something permanent for the local community.

Traveling on a dime is no sweat with the right tools. Best of luck, traveler!

Prevent, Spot, and Treat Heat Illness This Summer STAY SUN SMART

suspect you or a loved one are experiencing heatstroke, call 911 immediately. This condition can be deadly if not treated properly. Can I prevent it? As scary as heat illness can be, it’s completely preventable! For starters, don’t go outside during the hottest point of the day, and schedule strenuous outdoor chores during cooler parts of the day. When you do go outside, wear loose-fitting clothing that allows your skin to breathe and keep you cool. Seek shade and always stay hydrated. Water is preferred, but try to avoid alcohol, which can quickly dehydrate you. Surviving the Arizona heat is no small feat! If you would like to learn more about heat-related illnesses and prevention, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention online at CDC.gov.

What does heat illness look like? When your body overheats, it can present as either heat exhaustion (mild) or heatstroke (severe). The first phase is heat exhaustion, but your body can go into heatstroke without it. Exhaustion can look like intense sweating, cold skin, muscle cramping, weakness, dizziness, fainting, and nausea. During heatstroke, your body can experience similar symptoms, but these may present more severely. You may become unconscious or experience a fast pulse. Your skin can also feel very hot, and you may experience confusion. What should I do if I have symptoms? Seek cool shelter — such as an air conditioned room or shade — immediately. Drink water in regular sipping intervals and focus on your breathing. If you are only experiencing heat exhaustion, a cool bath or shower can help, too. This will force your body to cool down faster and relax its overworked systems. If you

Every month, our staff at the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen tries to add value to this new chapter of your life through our newsletter content. Starting over after divorce is never easy, but our hope is that our legal guidance and the support in our newsletter will help you rebuild your foundation. This month, we decided to do something a little different. With record heat waves hitting the west this summer, and August traditionally posing as the hottest month of the year, we felt it was prudent to offer a reminder about staying cool and avoiding heat illness. Keep these tips in mind before going outside!

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3 Steps to Amicably Splitting Up Your Household Items Who Gets the Plates?

There’s a lot of separation involved in divorce. You divide assets, your children’s time, and vehicles, and at some

party. Find one neutral person, or each of you can choose one person. Assign them to oversee the task to ensure items are distributed fairly.

Consider appraisal for the leftovers. If you have high-end items, like

point, you will even have to choose who gets the pots and pans (and everything else, too). But how do you do this without setting off World War III over the garden hose?

china, fine art, or even a fancy espresso machine, these products can be appraised and included in your separate agreement. Let’s say you really want the nice dish set, and it’s appraised at a few thousand dollars. You may have to be willing to compromise on losing a few thousand dollars’ worth of other assets to make up the difference. Divorce is really about finding a fair outcome. Try to decide who gets what before it gets to this point, but high-value items can benefit from the appraisal process. The division process in divorce can be one of the most contentious moments — and we can help. If you need additional guidance or support, please contact the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen today.

Determine what’s easy and make a list. It’s pointless for your ex to sort through your clothes or a memento from your college spring break. It’s obvious those are yours! The items that will be the most difficult to split are items

Each couple is different. There may be some who have no personal attachment to items, while others will do anything in their power to “win.” Regardless, there are a few approaches that can make dividing up the household items easier than you may think.

that were acquired in marriage. These could include kitchenware, electronics, or furniture. Make a list of what’s obviously yours and another list of items that belong to both of you — even if you want said item. Start with the second list and be willing to compromise.

Designate coordinators. You can do this a few different ways. One person could oversee the whole project, or you could assign a room to each person. Maybe you’re more concerned about the garage, while your ex would prefer to sort through the kitchen. Another option is to seek a third

Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables

LAUGH BREAK

Dinner is ready in 30 minutes with this easy, seasonal August sausage and vegetable bake.

Ingredients

• • • • • • • •

4 sausage links of your choice

1 lb green beans

• • • • • •

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 red bell pepper, diced 1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1 tbsp thyme 1 tsp oregano

1 red onion, diced 1 zucchini, diced

1 tsp basil 1 tsp salt

1 yellow summer squash, diced

1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

3 tbsp olive oil

Directions 1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 425 F.

480.632.7373 2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Divide into four equal portions. 3. Prepare four 16-inch pieces of foil and place a portion in the middle of each section. Wrap each foil piece tightly and avoid holes. 4. Grill each foil packet for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also bake each packet for 20 minutes at 425 F. 3 Inspired by NutmegNanny.com

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DogDays of Summer 3740 E. Southern Ave. #201 Mesa, AZ 85206

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Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables

Lincoln’s Law The Revenue Act and the History of the Federal Income Tax

Even with the extended May deadline, we’re well past tax season, so why talk tax history now? As it turns out, it was in August way back in 1861 that the Revenue Act was passed, which imposed the first federal income tax. If you’re trying to recall your American history lessons, you may have already figured out that it was President Abraham Lincoln who signed this bill into law. A Look at the First Tax The Revenue Act called for a 3% income tax on Americans making over $800 a year. That’s almost $26,000 in today’s dollars. The tax was levied primarily to fund the Civil War. While federal income tax dollars are spent in myriad ways today, defense remains a major category. About 16% of taxes collected for the 2019 tax year were spent on U.S. military and defense.

taxation following the end of the Civil War. It wasn’t until the 16th Amendment was ratified in 1913 that the federal government once again got the power to tax individuals on their income and to spend the money how government officials saw fit, rather than in proportion to state populations. Since then, taxes have been used in three main ways: mandatory spending on programs like Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ benefits; discretionary spending on defense, education, transportation, and health; and finally, interest on the national debt. As the old saying goes, two things are certain: death and taxes. However begrudging Americans are about paying taxes these days, income tax has become a given.

Changes Over Time About a decade after the Revenue Act was passed, it was repealed. While it was possible to coax income taxes out of Americans during wartime, there was significant opposition to

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