Law Office of Kevin Jensen - March 2019

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - March 2019

March 2019 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

Hello, Spring

Celebrating the Seasons in Wyoming and Arizona

G rowing up in small-town Wyoming, nice, pleasant weather almost seemed like a myth. When temperatures would climb above freezing for the first time each spring, everyone seemed almost skeptical that our harsh, unrelenting winters were really over. Spring never really started until all the snow had melted, and sometimes that didn’t even happen until May. One year, it even snowed on June 22 — my birthday, of all days. But it’s hard to complain too much about snow and bitterly cold temperatures when every day felt like an adventure. Even just driving to the grocery store meant braving the dark, slippery roads at Instead, we go from very pleasant and warm to unbearably hot, but the real difference between Wyoming and Arizona is the duration of the unpleasant weather. Sure, Arizona is arid and unrelenting in the sun sometimes. Sometimes the few steps between your cool car and the air-conditioned store still conjure up a sweat. But those days are less frequent than the

My family and I love being in Phoenix, and Arizona has provided some wonderful family trips. We’ve explored an old ghost town and taken in the incredible history of this state. In 2019, we’re hoping to do some more camping and spend hours fishing and hiking. And despite being spoiled with snowless winters, my wife and I still try to show our children how cool and beautiful snow can be. We’ve taken our kids to Flagstaff so they can see the snowy mountains. Plus, we still have family in Wyoming and Idaho that we try to see, so snow isn’t too foreign to them. Sure, my children may never know the real fear and crazy adrenaline rushes you get when your car zigs when you wanted to zag. Snowy weather may never thwart their plans, and summer days will likely only be spent in sweltering weather. But Phoenix will always be their home, and it’s been a great one so far. Besides, if they ever really want to experience a snowy winter, I know a great place in Wyoming.

crawling speed in your car and bundling up in more layers than you could imagine. (Somehow, some part of your body was still freezing, though.) The springs and summers that we did get were wonderful, too. The temperature was just right, and we had a wonderful garden with tomatoes, green beans, and peas. We’d spend about five months enjoying the weather and nearly forgetting about the unforgiving snow — and then a sharp reminder that we lived in Wyoming would hit in the form of a freezing snowstorm.

beautiful ones. There really aren’t many places in the U.S. where you can comfortably walk around outside in the middle of winter, but Phoenix is one of them. Spring is my favorite season, and there is no better place to experience spring than in Phoenix. Although there really isn’t that spring thaw and warm-up, it’s relieving to watch the weather only change from really nice to really warm and not worry about a late-season snowstorm.

Living in Phoenix for the past two years, I’ve experienced the opposite, but equally troublesome, problem.

480.632.7373 1 -Ben Hutchinson

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When Should Your Kids Start Working?

Out of the Game Room and into the Workplace

When the dolls and baseball cards get pushed to the wayside for cell phones and movie dates, it may be time to gently nudge your child out from under your wing and into the workplace. It doesn’t have to be pushing shopping carts or spinning signs on the corner; working in any capacity during formative years builds character and gives your child real-world experience. Summer jobs teach the value of a dollar and give kids lasting memories, and after-school gigs lead to more pocket change for the weekends and less worrying for Mom and Dad. The hard part isn’t asking yourself if they should work; it’s asking yourself when they should work. Grab Your Passport Traveling With Your Kids as a Single Parent Summer vacation is just around the corner, and with it comes summer sports, camps, and — best of all — trips! Planning for a vacation as a divorced and single parent may sound exhausting, but the following tips can help create a memory-filled adventure for you and your children. Travel in Groups Being the only parent in the household can be exhausting, and for some families, vacations can be equally tiring. This is why traveling in groups can be beneficial. Some

In the U.S., most of us have about four decades of working to look forward to. Many start working in late adolescence and continue until retirement age. Now, that’s a lot of work to be had. So why rush it? Well, idle hands often spell disaster. Sitting around all day is a burden on both child and parent, whether they realize it or not. Those few years between hitting puberty and graduating high school are the sweet spot for your child to start their part-time career. There’s no shame in flipping burgers, stocking shelves, or mowing lawns. As of 2014, there were 16 million workers in the families choose to take babysitters along with them, while others plan group trips for single parents and their children. Both options provide your children with plenty of kid- focused time to traipse around, and you get some well-deserved rest and relaxation with other adults. As a bonus, you’ll create lasting memories and friendships with families in similar situations as you. Ask for Help When you’re the only adult, you’re tackling many jobs all at once. No one will judge you for asking for help, and there are plenty of services ready and willing to help. Tropical

retail and food service industries, and the numbers have only gone up from there. But work ethic is changing among American teenagers. Just one-third of individuals aged 16–19 had a job lined up for last summer, compared to 51.2 percent for the same age range in 1997. While surviving on minimum wage as an adult is a topic of great debate, raking in around $10 an hour as a 14-year- old can seem like a king’s ransom. A few working hours here and there will do your grown baby a world of good and prepare them for the next chapter of their lives. resorts often have day camps for children to keep them entertained and engaged while you enjoy your own activities. Airlines will also be accommodating to families, and some travel agencies offer packages designed for single parents and their children. The help is out there; you just have to ask for it. Stick to a Budget You do not have to go bankrupt to give your kids a vacation. The best part about a trip isn’t necessarily where you go; it’s about being on vacation and just enjoying the company. Instead of springing for the latest cruise, check out the abundance of travel destinations within driving distance that make for great trips and save you oodles of cash. Near Phoenix, we’re just three hours away from the Grand Canyon, about four hours away from the Petrified Forest National Park, and less than three hours away from Meteor Crater. You don’t even have to leave Arizona to see some of nature’s greatest feats and make it a vacation to remember.

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What Qualifies You for Arizona’s Spousal Maintenance Payments? The Ins and Outs of Alimony

One of the biggest changes for those going through divorce is the rapid fluctuation in their finances. This can include a decline in the amount of income they have to budget for each month, purchasing new assets — such as a house or a car — and a new level of individuality in their financial plan. The courts do their part to help mitigate the seriousness of abrupt financial changes for divorced couples by offering alimony — spousal maintenance support payments. These payments are made from one ex-spouse to another, and they are designed to help the receiving party afford a livable environment each month.

Almost anyone can qualify for or be disqualified from receiving these benefits, but you do not have to meet all of these criteria points to qualify for spousal maintenance.

Arizona recognizes that every divorce case is different. These considerations are intended to help aid a decision, not determine that a single thing should eliminate a person from necessary income.

It’s also important to remember that some pieces of your divorce proceedings may be considered in spousal maintenance requests, while others have no bearing. For example, while faithfulness is considered in standard divorce proceedings, it is not a factor in deciding worthiness of spousal maintenance. However, prenuptial agreements are recognized by the courts when granting spousal maintenance. The courts can nullify this document if the spouse who would have been disqualified from receiving spousal maintenance due to a prenuptial agreement now qualifies for welfare or public assistance. Spousal assistance is designed to give everyone an opportunity to succeed after a divorce, but its stipulations and qualifying factors can be confusing. Don’t fight for spousal maintenance alone; find out how The Law Offices of Kevin Jensen can help you by calling 408.632.7373 or visiting jensenlawaz.com.

To qualify for spousal maintenance, the court considers a variety of factors, including:

• What property does the spouse who is requesting spousal maintenance have? • Are they unable to work? • Have they contributed to the educational or career opportunities of the other spouse? • How long did the marriage last? • Does the spouse’s age prevent them from working?

Inspired by Food Network

Homemade Corned Beef

LAUGH BREAK

ingredients

• 2 quarts water • 1 cup kosher salt • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassium nitrate) • 1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds

• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns • 8 cloves garlic • 8 whole allspice berries • 12 whole juniper berries

• 1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed • 1 small onion, quartered • 1 large carrot, coarsely chopped • 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

• 2 bay leaves, crumbled • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 2 pounds ice

directions 1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices to make brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip-close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily to make sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred. 4. After 10 days, remove brisket from brine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.

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

Spring in Wyoming and Arizona

Is It Time for Your Child’s First Part- Time Job?

Vacationing as a Single Parent

Spousal Maintenance Payments 101

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

Family-Friendly Activities

Exploring Irish Culture Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make their own. There’s also fascinating history on St. Patrick and why he became the patron of the holiday that your family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage. Watch Irish Movies For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” Make an Impact Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate. Irish-Themed Food What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day-themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or — for a more traditional dish — Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A Mischievous Leprechaun To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination.

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