Matthew A. Dunaway June 2018

www.matthewdunaway.com · 205-705-3590

June 2018

HIT THE DIAMOND Memories at the Ballpark

In my family, June is the height of baseball season. My son plays baseball and my daughter plays softball, so for the first part of the summer, we’re at the ballpark almost all the time. I love watching my kids play. In the past, I’ve talked about how I don’t believe sports should ever be “the most important thing,” but I am happy for the physical exercise, mental discipline, and emotional growth being part of a sports team encourages in my kids.

got so filthy, I was worried my mom wasn’t going to let me back into her car! Fortunately, she loved me too much to leave me at the ballpark, though she did make me ride down on the baseboard so I wouldn’t get dirt all over the seats! Don’t

ask me what I got into — I can’t recall — but if you’ve had little kids, you know they always find a way. When I got old enough to play on a team, I was thrilled. Playing ball as a kid was a lot different for me than it is for my kids now. Today, when my kids pile into the car to go to practice, they are each carrying a duffle bag full of equipment. When I played, all I needed was a bat, a hat, and my glove. Good thing, too. I don’t think I could have carried a huge duffle bag to practice on my bike! Keep in mind: This was the 1980s in a much smaller town, so I could ride my bike anywhere. I also remember baseball being far less hectic when I played. Even when my kids are just a few weeks into baseball or softball season, I’m shocked by how much running around and planning there is to do. Baseball season felt much simpler when I was a kid. To be fair, though, I was a kid! There’s a good chance things were extraordinarily hectic for my parents.

One thing that hasn’t changed is how fun ball games are. When I played baseball, my favorite part of the season was going out to games in Montgomery. The other team would always get a little cocky. They saw us as “the little guys” who couldn’t possible compete with the big-city teams. I’ll admit, it felt good to beat those teams. Every year, I played with the same group of guys. We became closer friends and better players each season, and we taught those big-city teams to never underestimate the underdogs. Today, I guess my kids would be considered part of those big-city teams. It’s pretty cool to see them playing the sport I loved when I was their age, making friends and memories they’ll remember for years to come.

Every year, I played with the same group of guys. We became closer friends and better players each season, and we taught those big-city teams to never underestimate the underdogs.

I have a lot of fond memories at the ballpark — a lifetime of them, in fact! I remember going out to my older brother’s baseball games to cheer him on when I was really young. As a 7-year-old, I’d get bored of cheering pretty early on and go to the back of the field to play around and get ridiculously dirty. One time, I

Call today – 205-705-3590 1. –Matt Dunaway

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As your teen becomes more independent, they may be interested in getting a summer job. Whether they want to save up for a big purchase or just have some extra spending money, summer jobs can solidify the importance of hard work and responsibility for your child. Plus, the earlier your teen starts, the sooner they can learn how to manage their money. Fast-food restaurants and clothing stores are popular first jobs, but encourage your teen to think outside the box and try one of these creative money- making opportunities. Unconventional Summer Jobs for Teens Think Outside the Box

Sudoku Online Surveys and Reviews Companies are eager for consumer feedback, and they are willing to pay for it. Sites like Swagbucks and MySurvey offer members the opportunity to complete tasks like taking surveys, writing reviews, and watching videos to redeem rewards in the form of cash or gift cards. Teens can also preview up-and-coming music as reviewers on Slice the Pie. Sites like these require quite a bit of work for a relatively small wage, but they can be the perfect first job for a child who wants to try earning a few bucks for the first time. Teens under the age of 18 will require parental consent. Virtual Storefronts If your child has a flare for arts, crafts, or anything else DIY, encourage them to set up an

Etsy shop. There are no membership fees, and after Etsy’s 3.5 percent cut, sellers receive their profits via PayPal. Minors age 13–17 must have a parent or legal guardian manage their Etsy account. Petsitting and Housesitting If your teen is trustworthy and responsible, there’s no reason they can’t work for neighbors, friends, and family. Most professional petsitting and housesitting services require their sitters to be over 18, but Care.com allows teens 14–17 to register as “Teen Providers” with parental consent. Depending on where you live and how much experience your teen has, they can expect to earn $15–30 per visit, and they may be able to ask for more to stay overnight. Help your teen get the word out by posting on social

media. Most importantly, keep your teen safe by helping them screen clients and teaching them what information to share. Summer jobs are a great way for teens to earn extra cash and learn responsibility. The next time your teen asks you for money to go to the movies, encourage them to earn some spending cash of their own. Who knows? They might actually treat you to a movie sometime!

Mr. Dunaway was very concise and thorough in explaining our financial options concerning bankruptcy. He will work with you in making the correct solution to your particular financial situation, making you feel at ease as you work through the process. Thank you, Matt, for your professionalism and compassion in helping my wife and me resolve a difficult financial problem. God Bless. –Robert G. Great experience with Matt. I was under so much pressure, but after visiting with him it all seemed to have disappeared. Great attorney and great advice. Thanks again, Matt. –Brandon K.

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What Does a Bankruptcy Trustee Mean for My Case? The Trustee and Me

If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court will appoint what’s called a “bankruptcy trustee” to oversee your case. While the trustee plays an important role in the bankruptcy process, their goals will not always align with your own. Here’s what you need to know about your bankruptcy trustee’s job. One of the first things you will do when filing for bankruptcy is complete a petition and fill out a series of bankruptcy paperwork. It is the responsibility of the bankruptcy trustee to review this paperwork and make sure it’s all in order. They’ll verify your information is correct so that the court, as well as your creditors, can move forward. Review Bankruptcy Petition

creditors. This meeting will take place in front of the bankruptcy trustee. The trustee conducts the hearing, but while you are under oath, both the creditors and the trustee can ask questions about your assets and the bankruptcy paperwork you previously filed.

Sell Assets

The biggest job of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee is selling the debtor’s unprotected assets and distributing the profits to creditors. There are certain items that are exempt, like clothing or a qualifying retirement account, but anything declared “nonexempt” by the trustee can and will be sold to help pay off your debt. If the trustee and the debtor disagree about whether or not a certain item is exempt, it falls on a judge to make that call. It’s important to remember that bankruptcy trustees receive a small fee for examining your paperwork, and they are paid a percentage of

assets sold. It is not unusual for a trustee to be more critical of a debtor in hopes of making more money during a bankruptcy case. For this reason, it is vital you have someone in your corner who can make sure the trustee is treating you fairly. This is exactly what your bankruptcy attorney can do. Give Matthew Dunaway a call at 205-705-3590 to learn your rights in bankruptcy and make sure they are protected.

Examine the Debtor

Around a month after you file for bankruptcy, you will be scheduled to attend a 341 meeting of

Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe of the Month

Good News

Ingredients • 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter • 1 1/2 ounces store-bought waffle cones, lightly crushed • 1 1/2 cups oats • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed • 1 large egg yolk • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 4 pints ice cream (any flavor)

Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Instructions 1. Heat oven to 350 F. While oven is

4. Add egg mixture to food processor while spinning on low. Once integrated, slowly add browned butter; blend until dough forms a solid mass around blades. 5. Form dough into 26 balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten balls and bake 12–15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. 6. Let cool, then spread ice cream between cookies to make sandwiches. 7. Freeze for up to 5 days — or enjoy today!

heating, cook butter in saucepan over medium heat until browned, 5–8 minutes. Scrape browned butter into a heatproof measuring glass. 2. Pulse waffle cones, oats, flour, and salt in a food processor or blender. Once cones are finely ground, add brown sugar and pulse again. 3. Whisk egg yolk, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl.

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NSIDE Hit the Diamond ........................................... page 1 Unique Job Ideas for Teens .......................... page 2 Our Clients Say It Best .................................. page 2 How a Trustee Can Help (or Hurt) Your Bankruptcy .......................................... page 3 Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches....... page 3 A Word About the Good Book ...................... page 4

THE BIBLE A Page FromMatt’s Bookshelf

When I decided to feature a book every month, I thought a lot about which books were the most important to me. There was one book I knew I wanted to cover early on because of how much of my base is built on it: the Bible. One of my many shortcomings is that, in the past, I have not spent as much time reading the Bible as I should have. This is something I’m working to correct, not because we’re “supposed to” read the Bible, but because it is my personal belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God. We find ultimate universal truth in the Bible. Through these pages, we gain a better understanding about the Creator of the universe and His wisdom. As a Christian, I think that’s very valuable.

to learn more about philosophy? Read Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These books are less about spirituality and more about how not to screw up your life! Some of the best common-sense advice you will ever hear can be found in Ecclesiastes. And even though it was written around 500 years before the birth of Christ, that advice is still relevant today! Speaking of relevance, considering all the things mankind has written since the Bible was put together, it’s still cited as one of the most well-crafted. Beyond its role as an important religious text, it’s hard not to appreciate the Bible as a piece of literature. Harold Bloom is one of the most famous literary critics alive today. Bloom is a self-proclaimed agnostic, but that hasn’t kept him from writing a number of glowing pieces on the language of the King James Bible and how beautiful it is.

Anyone can read the Bible and gain something from it. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, black or white, rich or poor — something in those pages will connect with you and help you find some answers you’ve been looking for. I’d say that makes it a book worth reading.

Even people who are not Christian can gain something by reading the Bible. Do you want

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