Atlanta Divorce Law Group - April 2021

Atlanta Divorce Law Group - April 2021

April 2021

Spring Break after 2020 I WENT BACK TO DISNEY — AND I THINK YOU SHOULD TOO

I have some good news for you: Disney isn’t the sad, empty dystopia it appeared to be during most of the COVID-19 pandemic. A few months ago, I made a trip there with my husband and our kids for the first time in more than a year, and it’s still the happiest place on Earth! My family missed out on a lot of things during the pandemic, but Disney was one of the biggest. In the past, every year between Christmas and the New Year, my husband and I would load our kids into the car and drive to Disney World. We’d buy FastPasses and plan each trip down to the minute. Usually, we put in 14-hour days exploring the parks that were as fun as they were exhausting. Every time we go to Disney, I love watching the kids run around like wind-up toys after we pass through the park gates. They’re always thrilled to see the characters and scream through their favorite rides. But in 2020, we put our annual trip on hold. It just seemed too risky to see that many other people in one place, even with masks and social distancing. Our kids were really bummed out about the trip, though, and so was I. So, I started doing research to ease my worries. I was nervous about what Disney would be like during COVID-19, but the more I looked into it, the better I felt. So, on President’s Day weekend, we did it — we grabbed our masks and hand sanitizer and went back to the happiest place on Earth! “This was our first trip to Disney with our 6-month-old baby, Amir; 8-year-old Rami and 5-year-old Hanna were so excited to see Disney through his eyes.”

Against all odds, the trip was amazing. It was definitely a different Disney experience than we’d had in years past. FastPasses weren’t an option, some of the rides were closed, and you couldn’t meet the characters. We had to make reservations to visit Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios because the parks had limited capacity, and there were hand sanitizer machines everywhere. Still, I really appreciated the change of scenery, and it was nice to be outdoors in the fresh air with my family. I actually enjoyed the slower pace and shorter days, too! This was our first trip to Disney with our 6-month-old baby, Amir; 8-year- old Rami and 5-year-old Hanna were so excited to see Disney through his eyes. I could tell they felt like the cool kids on the block every time they showed their little brother something new. On the practical side, it was amazing how smoothly the trip went. We got into all of the rides we wanted in 50 minutes or less, even the Aerosmith Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, which is Rami’s favorite. Because we live within driving distance, we had no problem getting to the park safely, and once we were there, we found plenty of places to eat with cordoned-off areas where we could remove our masks. Social distancing, sanitizing, and mask-wearing were strictly enforced and we felt very safe. So, why am I telling you all this? Well, I wanted to share my experience just in case you and your family have been considering a trip to Disney. If no one in your group is high-risk or feeling sick, I’d suggest you go for it! Spending a day or two in the parks can be a great bonding experience, and you can do it safely thanks to Disney’s precautions. If you do plan a trip, our team would love to see your photos. Don’t hesitate to email them in!

AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com 678-203-9893

–Sara Khaki 678-203-9893

1

Do You Need Guidance and Support? PUT THESE ADLG VIRTUAL EVENTS ON YOUR CALENDAR

CHILD CUSTODY BOOTCAMP (COMPLIMENTARYWEBINAR)

Our complimentary divorce support groups and seminars are available online! Register for these upcoming events to gain knowledge, resources, and emotional support that will help you feel empowered while you go through major life changes. HAPPILY EVER AFTER DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING (VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP) When: Saturday, April 17, at 10 a.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/Happily-Ever-After-Divorce- Support-Group It’s impossible to fully understand the pressures, stresses, and motivations of another person, even if you were married to them. It’s normal to wonder what happened after a divorce, but questioning yourself will only make the process more difficult. Luckily, there is a way to break the cycle and find closure: listening to the advice of experts and sharing with your peers. Our monthly Happily Ever After Divorce support group brings people going through divorce together. Kathleen Shack, the founder and CEO of Family Solutions Counseling, LLC, will lead the discussion, and you can join from anywhere with an internet connection! Sign up online today and learn how to put your questions to bed.

When: Wednesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. Register: AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com/ Webinars/Child-Custody-Bootcamp

Your children are the most precious people in your world and the vessels of your hopes and dreams. Of course you’re worried about the impact a divorce will have on them! If you’re in the

middle of a custody battle or see one on the horizon, this bootcamp will help you and your family weather it with grace.

At our complimentary webinar, you’ll learn about your custody options, how courts decide custody, and what you should and shouldn’t do to help your custody case. We’ll also dive into how you can protect your kids from parental conflict and go over the process of custody scheduling with your ex-spouse. When the webinar wraps up, you’ll have a plan for the future and a better understanding of which custody arrangement is right for you.

Here at ADLG, we’re not letting COVID-19 slow us down. Sign up for these virtual events to get the information and support you need without leaving home.

ONE FOR THE BIRDS Making a pine cone bird feeder is a fun and inexpensive project. In addition to creating and hanging your bird feeder, you’ll get hours of extra entertainment from watching the birds it will attract to your yard. If your kids are older, take photos of the birds or note their colors and features and look them up in a field guide or online. This craft just requires a pine cone (the bigger the better), peanut butter, and some twine or string. Top the peanut butter with “sprinkles” of mixed birdseed or small pieces of nuts and fruit to appeal to even more birds. For full instructions, visit TheSpruce.com and search “pine cone bird feeder.” AN EGG-CELLENT PLANTER Save those eggshells from breakfast (and the paper carton, too!) and use them to start a garden! Your little ones will enjoy planting some seeds, watering them, and watching them sprout and grow into something new. When the sprouts are big enough and it’s warm enough outside, you can plant the shell and carton directly into the ground! This easy project just requires rinsed eggshell halves, some lightly moistened potting soil, and seeds of your choosing. Note that smaller seeds, like those for herbs, lettuces, peppers, or tomatoes, work best for this project. For full instructions, visit GardenBetty.com and search “starting seeds in eggshells.” STICK WITH MAGIC Nature is a magical place. Many kids know this instinctively and often point out things adults take for granted or overlook, like bright-colored leaves, fun-shaped rocks, and acorn “hats.” Making a nature wand is a great way to let your kids explore their environment, whether that’s in your backyard, on a neighborhood walk, or in your favorite park. Let their imaginations run wild with what their magic wand can do! This simple project starts with a stick and masking tape. Your kids add all the extra flair by hunting for natural treasures and sticking them onto their wand. Complete instructions can be found at LaughingKidsLearn.com/nature- wands-outdoor-play .

Sprout Your Kids’ Imagination

With 3 Fun Earth Day Projects With spring officially underway, April showers starting to bring May flowers, and Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time for outdoor family activities.

2 AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com

Vacation Destinations That Will Pay You to Visit

In the wake of COVID-19, tourist destinations worldwide have been hit hard. To lure travelers back, some places are offering steep discounts and other incentives throughout all of 2021. With cheap airfare and great deals on accommodations, tours, food, and more, you can take a luxury vacation on a dime this year.

MEXICAN CARIBBEAN Few words evoke the image of beaches, sun, and saltwater like “Cancun” does. This Mexican locale has become synonymous with leisure, as have other destinations in the Caribbean — beautiful places like Isla Mujeres or the Riviera Maya. Tourists can visit all of them at a steep discounted rate until the end of 2021 thanks to promotions from the Hotel Association of Cancun and the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion’s council. Head to En.Come2MexicanCaribbean.com to find vouchers for two free nights in a hotel for every two you pay for, steeply discounted airfare, and even options for free food and drinks.

THAI PARADISE Although it’s no longer the hidden destination it once was, there are still a lot of good reasons to visit Thailand. In addition to being an affordable place to travel, Thailand also has great food and an amazing climate. To make up for the financial hit due to suspended travel because of the virus, the Cape Fahn Hotel is offering incentives into 2021 including a complimentary upgrade to the next class of care, which gives economy spenders access to executive accommodations. Other incentives include free meals, round-trip airport service, and discounted beach picnics and boat tours. Check out CapeFahnHotel.com/offers for more information.

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA Although this destination in British Columbia might be known for its winter activities, there’s a lot to love about Whistler in late spring and early summer! One great thing? The amazing array of money-saving options you can find here. The Riverside Resort, for example, is offering mountain-view cabins at a 3-for-2 discount — pay for two nights and get a third for free! Traveling to Canada can be tricky at the moment, but if you use a good travel agent, you can take advantage of some great deals. Other incentives in the region include free meals (or a per diem meal rebate) as well as discounts on guided tours.

Concierge Partner’s Corner

HERE’S WHAT OUR Clients Are Saying!

When Tiger Woods and his ex-wife Elin Nordegren divorced in 2010, Tiger reportedly handed over a whopping $750 million to Nordegren as a settlement. Unfortunately, few people are on the financial level of Woods and Nordegren. For most couples, a divorce is a strain on their finances, and they need to seek out professional help to finance their homes, second homes, or investment properties.

“Kate and her team helped me through one of the hardest times in my life. At every step, Kate was there for me, helped me understand the process, and kept me focused when I started to become overwhelmed. I cannot recommend Kate and ADLG enough.” –Tricia C. “The team at Atlanta Divorce Law Group genuinely cares about their clients. I never imagined walking into an attorney’s office and having such a warm feeling about the people that work there. They take a truly holistic approach during one of the most difficult times in a person’s life.” –John G.

If you’re in that situation right now, Geoff Smith can help. Geoff is a mortgage banker with Assurance Financial Group, LLC. He works with individuals across the state of Georgia to make sure they and their families can live and invest comfortably in cities like Atlanta. He can look at your full financial picture and determine the best financing options for your situation.

Geoff specializes in keeping things simple, communicating financial details clearly, and closing deals at a record pace. With him on your team, you won’t have to worry about piling financial stress on top of your other worries. Instead, he’ll take things off your plate and make life easier.

To learn more about Assurance Financial and its services, reach out to Geoff today by calling 678-779-5066 or emailing [email protected].

3 678-203-9893

Winter the dolphin was only 2 years old when rescuers found her with a crab trap line wrapped so tightly around her tail it was cutting off the circulation to her flukes. Unfortunately, this led to the eventual loss of her tail. In most cases, dolphins can’t survive without their flukes. When Winter first arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, her caregivers worried about her overall health. The infection that had taken over her tail due to loss of circulation was spreading, and if it reached her spinal cord, they knew she would die. Fortunately, her spinal cord remained untouched. Winter adapted to her situation, but then a new problem arose. Without flukes, Winter began moving her body side-to-side to swim, which caused scoliosis in her spine. However, an expert created a custom prosthetic tail for her, enabling her to swim normally again without impacting her spine. Since then, Winter has thrived! The story of what Winter went through, her struggle to recover, and how she fought to live has inspired thousands of people. Children and adults who have lost their limbs or were born with disabilities travel from around the world to meet her. She encourages people to keep fighting, and many feel that if Winter could overcome her obstacles, they can, too. There was even a film made about her called “Dolphin Tale.” In fact, many of the scenes from the movie were shot at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Winter starred as herself. The film captures her triumphant story and chronicles how she inspires people around the world. To learn more about Winter, read inspirational stories, or donate to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, visit CMAquarium.org. And, of course, “Dolphin Tale” is a great film for your next movie night! A TAIL THAT INSPIRED THOUSANDS WINTER THE DOLPHIN

Photo: Clearwater Marine Aquarium

COVID-Proof Your Disney Trip 5 Ways to Keep Your Family Safe and Enjoy Your Vacation

3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DISNEY’S COVID-19 AMENITIES. Don’t plan your trip without checking DisneyWorld.Disney.Go.com first to read up on park closures and precautions. It’s a great resource! When you’re at the park, you can also use Disney’s hand sanitizing stations and the cordoned-off areas for eating and drinking without masks to stay safe. 4. EXPLAIN THE CHANGES TO YOUR KIDS BEFORE YOU GO. If you have small kids, explain that Disney will look and feel different and let them know what your expectations are for their behavior. This precaution will stave off a meltdown at the park and ensure you all enjoy your vacation. 5. THROWYOUR SCHEDULE OUT THE WINDOW. “If you’re used to having FastPasses and a daily plan, let those expectations go,” Sara says. “Be flexible and open to last-minute changes. You’ll have more fun and feel more relaxed!” If you really can’t let loose, download the Disney World Lines app from TouringPlan.com to get an idea of the wait times for each attraction.

Disney World feels different right now because of COVID-19 — but it’s still the happiest place on Earth! If your kids are itching to get out of the house and you could use a break from the city, why not plan a visit? On their recent trip, Sara and her family proved that with the right precautions, you can keep your kids safe and enjoy your vacation. Here are a few smart steps. 1. BRING A PANDEMIC SURVIVAL KIT. Disney has hand sanitizer stations throughout the park, but it’s still wise to pack your own pandemic accessories like hand sanitizer, wipes, gloves, and multiple masks (bring one per person per day, unless you prefer to wash them at the end of each day). 2. CHECK THE TEMPERATUREWITHYOURMASK INMIND. Spring and summer at Disney can be scorching, so check the weather when you plan your trip. Keep in mind that wearing a mask will make you feel even hotter, and you’ll likely spend more time outdoors because of social distancing. Look for a cooler day and bring plenty of water with you.

4 AtlantaDivorceLawGroup.com