Law Office of Kevin Jensen - June 2019

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - June 2019

June 2019 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

Carrying the Weight What My Dad Taught Me About Parenting

In June, people’s thoughts are often turned to their fathers. I have an outstanding father who set a very high bar for all fathers. For example, my dad was always up to go camping with me. He had a special talent of always being positive, even when it meant he would be sleeping on the ground. As a dad myself, I now realize that the ground is substantially harder for a middle-aged man than it is for a 10-year- old boy. When camping, my dad would find special ways to connect with me. He would always make sure to spend time looking at the stars high above us and talking about why they shine so bright. He had learned the constellations “Looking back, I realize how much my dad’s simple actions meant to me.”

and would point them out to me as well as distinguish the stars from the planets that were in view. That he knew when the planets were in view was an impressive feat, especially considering that Google hadn’t been invented and no one had smartphones. He also taught me important skills necessary for a successful camping trip. I learned how to set up a tent with rain tarps and all, how to build a fire the right way (using the log cabin method), and how to leave no trace. Looking back, I realize how much my dad’s simple actions meant to me. He taught me the value of spending time with your children and proving their worth. Living with two sisters and two brothers, it would have been easy for me to get lost in the shuffle, but to this day, I have a great relationship with my dad. In fact, we have always had that great bond. I have distinct memories of my first backpack trip with my dad. When I was 10 years old my dad was the scoutmaster for our local Boy Scout troop. He set aside a week to take the Boy Scouts backpacking in the Targhee National Forest of Eastern Idaho. Even though I wasn’t old enough to be a Boy Scout, my dad brought me along. Near the end of the approximately 7-mile hike to the lake where we would set up camp, I remember feeling exhaustion setting in. My dad grabbed my backpack in his arms and carried it for about a quarter of a mile, even though he was carrying the tent and the bulk of the gear.

Now that I am a dad, I see that there are times I need to carry the extra weight. On that hike, my dad must have been exhausted too, but even with all the weight on his back, he found a way to carry my pack when I needed it. As a kid, I had no idea that my dad might have been tired. He always had my back. As I think about my dad, I am reminded that dads step up for their families, even when they are carrying the brunt of the weight. As a dad of four children, I try to follow my dad’s example. I will always be grateful to such a strong man willing to carry the extra weight for me and hope I can do the same for my kids.

-Brandon Yost

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Enjoy Your Family Time

By Taking a Break From Your Phone

on the first screen. You can also designate times for specific apps to be used throughout the day.

your phone and try to access an app, Forest will send you a notification asking you if you want to kill your baby tree by giving up. Who says guilt isn’t a good motivator? Besides Apps Aside from using these apps, silencing your phone and putting it in another room, leaving it in your car if you’re out at dinner, or keeping it in your purse or back pocket during a social event can also reduce your screen time. Having your phone out of sight and out of reach will keep the temptation of pulling it out at bay. Spending time with your family is crucial, and with these apps and tips, you’ll enjoy each other’s company without too many screen distractions. content, the opposing side can twist these against you too. Anything that’s posted about you online is usable in court. So, with all the problems social media can cause while you are divorcing, you should probably delete your accounts, right? WRONG, ACTUALLY. Your ex’s legal team could twist your sudden absence from the social world as your attempt to hide something. You should continue to live your life after your divorce and keep your social media accounts. In fact, for some, social media can offer emotional recovery post-divorce by pairing people up with support groups and friends. Divorce changes your life, but it shouldn’t consume your life. The process of a divorce can be wrought with complications. Learn how the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen can make this process a little easier by calling 708.632.7373 and visiting JensenLawAZ.com.

Setting some time aside to be with family is important, but it can be difficult when everyone is always on their cellphones. Constant cellphone use has become a global problem, and the habit is hard to break because we rely on mobile devices heavily for work, school, and keeping in contact with friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that can reduce how often you’re on your phone and minimize distractions. Siempo After you install Siempo on your phone, it will ask which apps are likely to distract you. Once you select them, the app will move those apps away from the home screen and place the important ones, such as the messaging, contacts, email, and calendar apps,

Stay Focused Stay Focused is like Siempo, but there are some significant differences. You can set times to access certain apps and put the most distracting ones on lock. Stay Focused also has a “strict mode” that prevents you from uninstalling it, so be sure to think carefully before activating the lockdown because you won’t have access to those specific apps until the timer runs out. Forest In the time that Forest takes control of your device for a set time limit, the app starts growing a tree. Once the tree is fully grown, your time is up, and it joins the other trees that were grown during other breaks. If you pick up page. For example, if you post pictures of your weekend party on Facebook, the opposing legal team may use these photos as proof that you are unfit to have full custody of your children. Another component to consider is what your friends and family are posting. Having their support during a divorce can be crucial and highly beneficial to you, but when your dad How Social Media Can Impact Your Divorce

Social

Because of social media, you can connect with old classmates, learn about food trends in Asia, and meet new friends without ever having to leave your living room. But for all the good that social media brings into our lives, it carries a slew of complicated circumstances, and your divorce proceedings can suffer because of it. Social media is used in the courtroom every day, and everything you post, like, and share can be used against you, even if your intent was harmless. When you are going through a divorce, keep any information pertaining to it off social media. Avoid ranting or complaining about your soon-to-be-ex-spouse or the situation, and be mindful of the photos on your

is posting about how horrible your ex is or when your best friend tags you in inappropriate

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Tips for a Late-in-Life Divorce Gray Divorcing

than they are for younger couples. For starters, most late-in-life divorces don’t involve custody, which can be one of most drawn out points of a divorce. Additionally, splitting up your financials is rarely as complicated as it seems, and emotionally, most older adults facing divorce report a sense of renewal.

Decades ago, divorce wasn’t seen as the viable option it’s considered today. Instead, couples stayed together for fear of social rejection and harming their children, but as more studies highlight the benefits of divorce, more couples feel comfortable calling it quits after decades together. Follow these tips for a successful late- in-life divorce from your longtime spouse. YOU ARE NOT ALONE When you end your relationship with your long-term partner, it can feel like you are alone in your fight. But you’re not an anomaly; according to the Pew Research Center, the number of adults ages 65 and older who are divorcing has tripled since the 1990s, and even at the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen, we have a number of clients who are older adults. If you’re looking for additional support, many community and senior centers have singles groups, meet-ups, and opportunities for connection. IT MIGHT BE EASIER Despite the decades you spent together, the proceedings of a late-in-life divorce may be easier

PREPARE FOR THE AFTERMATH This late-in-life split can be a chance for you to reclaim your golden years, but keep in mind that others around you may not adjust as easily. Your adult children may suffer during the aftermath — studies show divorce may be harder on adult children than young ones — and friends may form an allegiance with your ex-spouse. You are also now solely in charge of your finances, and that can leave you strapped for cash. You can have a great life after a divorce, but it may take a little planning, budgeting, and tough conversations to get there. At any age, divorce is never simple. If you have questions about your case or are seeking help for a late-in-life divorce, learn how the experts at the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen can help by calling 708.632.7373 and visiting JensenLawAZ.com.

Inspired by Bon Appétit

No. 1 Dad Hash Browns

LAUGH BREAK

Creating golden, crisp, and delicious hash browns at home requires a little diligence and elbow grease, but that’s exactly what Dad deserves to start his special day.

ingredients

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, or 6 tbsp ghee • 3 russet potatoes (about 1/2 lb.), peeled

• 1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste • Pinch of cayenne pepper, plus more to taste

directions 1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until foamy. Reduce heat if needed to avoid browning. Skim off white milk solids to make clarified butter (ghee). Transfer to a bowl and reserve. (This step won’t be needed if using ghee.) 2. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate potatoes. Transfer to a large bowl of cold water and stir until water becomes cloudy. Rinse potatoes under cold water, then squeeze out liquid using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel, removing as much moisture as possible. Season potatoes. 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat ghee to medium-high. Add potatoes and cook until a crust forms underneath, about 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, break up potatoes and continue to cook, adding more ghee if potatoes begin to stick. 4. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. Serve.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

3740 E. Southern Ave., #210 Mesa, AZ 85206

Thank You, Dad!

Take a Break From Your Smartphone

Social Media and Your Divorce

Divorcing After 50

Journey Down a River of No Return The Unspoiled Beauty of Central Idaho

There’s more to Idaho than potatoes. Sitting square in the center of the Gem State is one of the largest contiguous areas of protected wilderness in the U.S. While the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area may not roll off the tongue as easy as Yellowstone or Yosemite, this 2 million- acre swath of mountains, gorges, and alpine lakes offers something for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. River of No What, Now? The name of the wilderness may sound a little ominous at first — who wants to travel down a river of no return? — but in truth, it’s a title from times gone by when canoes and small watercraft could travel down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River swiftly but couldn’t fight the current going back up. Today, those same rapids make the Middle Fork a wildly popular whitewater rafting destination, with plenty of local and out-of-state enthusiasts making a return journey every summer. Rafting Isn’t for Me. What Else You Got? If crashing down 300 Class III rapids isn’t your speed, the Frank Church Wilderness has plenty of other ways to enjoy the wild mountain country. There are several lodges that were grandfathered in to the wilderness area, most of which are only

accessible by jet boat, light aircraft, or good old-fashioned hiking. Some, like the Middle Fork Lodge, offer five-star accommodations, located conveniently close to one of the area’s many natural hot springs. Those with the right permits will find the rivers and lakes full of fishing opportunities, and the surrounding pine forests are teeming with game.

Lodges? I Just Want to Get Away From It All. For those looking for a truly unplugged experience, backpacking to the many campsites scattered throughout the region can be an incredible journey. If you spend a night beside the crystal-clear waters of Langer Lake, hundreds of miles away from any light pollution, you’ll find peace, quiet, and a sky bursting with stars. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a truly untamed part of the United States, Idaho is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.

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