Atlanta Divorce Law Group - December 2019

Atlanta Divorce Law Group - December 2019

Winner of the Law Firm 500 Award RECOGNITION OF OUR MISSION MEANS THE WORLD TO US

December 2019

It is my absolute pleasure to share that Atlanta Divorce Law Group was named Law Firm 500’s fastest-growing law firm in the country at this year’s conference! We’re completely honored and humbled to have received this award. The committee analyzed our growth over the last three years and discovered that we’ve experienced an incredible 1,477% increase during that time. But it’s about so much more than numbers. This award is given to a firm that also consistently provides true value to its clients and community, and that’s the true reason we’re so honored to accept this accolade. Every year, the Law Firm 500 award goes to a firm that is growing quickly as a result of continued operational excellence and commitment to its mission. We know this decision isn’t taken lightly, and the committee gathers their research from an array of resources, including other professionals we work in conjunction with. So we also want to say thank you to all the counselors, therapists, and other attorneys who believed in us and were willing to provide a recommendation on our behalf. It means the world to know you stand by us and support our mission to create healthy, happy families after they’ve gone through a challenging time in their lives. Since the inception of the Atlanta Divorce Law Group, our trademark has been Happily Ever After Divorce, and that’s something we truly live and work by every single day. We’ve built and designed our firm around a vision and an impact we want to make. We go beyond simply providing legal services to our clients. We examine the ways everyone is impacted by divorce — not only husbands and wives

but also children, grandparents, and extended family members. Our mission has always been to put divorce in a positive light, rather than portraying it as something that can tear a family apart. It’s important to remember that divorce happens for a reason, and when that choice is made, it’s to make repairs, not break hearts.

We often see divorce attorneys take a stance that is polarizing. Instead, we view these circumstances as a chance to challenge the status quo. During a divorce, your life might seem like it’s being divided into a rigid battle between two opposing sides. “Us versus them” is a common mindset to have when you enter the room. But we don’t want to pick sides and pit parties against one another, because past experience has shown us that it simply doesn’t lead to healthy outcomes. Our goal is to come to a conclusion by means that are productive and enhance your life. Divorce should never be viewed as an ending to life as you know it. Instead, it’s an opportunity to repair, grow, and, above all, find happiness again. We instill our clients with the mindset that this change is good, and it should be used as an opportunity to live life to the fullest. This mindset, our growth, and the Law Firm 500 award could not have been achieved without the work of the entire team at Atlanta Divorce Law Group. Each and every one of the women I work with provides outstanding services to our clients, and they work hard every day to improve lives. I am so humbled and honored to work with such a fantastic team, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our firm and for all our clients looking to live happily ever after divorce. “We often see divorce attorneys take a stance that is polarizing. Instead, we view these circumstances as a chance to challenge the status quo.”

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–Sara Khaki

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Don’t Let it Get You Down CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE KIDS

DISTRACT YOURSELF If you can’t help but let the exact date of Christmas hang over you, then a great option is distraction. Work on that home project you’ve been putting off or dive into a book on your reading list. If sticking around a quiet house won’t cut it, then take the full plunge and plan a trip. If you really want to get away from the reminders of winter, book something south of the equator. The seasons are flipped, so you can get a tan while sipping a piña colada on a sandy beach this Christmas. With that kind of distraction, you might not remember what day it is at all! Christmas before having children. What were your traditions then? Did you spend time with parents and siblings? Did you get together with friends for festivities imbibed with good times? Christmas without kids is a great chance to harken back to more care-free days. Do something you’ve always wanted to do on Christmas, but never had the opportunity to before having kids. FEEL YOUNG AGAIN There once was a time when you celebrated

When you’re divorced, or in the midst of finalizing a divorce, the holidays can feel somber rather than merry. Filling yourself with joy might seem impossible without a house full of excited kids to make you smile. But we have some great suggestions to keep the season special for both you and your children. CELEBRATE EARLY The holiday spirit is in the air, and there are plenty of cozy nights for fires, and multiple dates for early-morning gift-giving in December. The 25th is just another day on the calendar, so there’s no reason not to celebrate on a different day. Pick a date and plan ahead so that your kids can still open gifts with you, spend time with your family, and indulge in treats they love. We suggest celebrating before the 25th so when the day rolls around, you’ll feel like you aren’t missing out on anything. We bet your kids will be thrilled to celebrate two Christmases!

Everything You Didn’t Know About This Holiday Tradition THE JOY OF A GINGERBREAD HOUSE

THE LARGEST GINGERBREAD HOUSE In 2013, the world record for the largest gingerbread house in the world was broken. The house, topping out at 21 feet and covering 2,520 square feet, was built by Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas, to raise money for a local Level II trauma center. To construct the house, builders created a recipe that required 1,800 pounds of butter, 2,925 pounds of brown sugar, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour, 1,080 ounces of ground ginger, and a few additional ingredients. BUILD YOUR OWN! While you don’t have to challenge yourself to beat the Guinness World Record, you can still have fun creating your very own gingerbread village. Starting your gingerbread house from scratch can be a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy. Give the kids a chance to mix the ingredients, roll out the dough, and set out plenty of candies and frostings to use, and remember to have fun!

Of the many seasonal traditions that sweep our nation, few are as creative, delicious, and satisfying as building your very own gingerbread house. Whether you’re looking to create a simple table decoration or bake a tasty treat to nibble on, everyone can enjoy this holiday activity! THE ORIGINS OF GINGERBREAD Ginger was first cultivated in ancient China, then traded into medieval Europe. There, Europeans incorporated it into culinary traditions and used it to bake cookies into elaborate shapes and works of art, including figures of animals and people. The gingerbread house first appeared in the early 19th century in Germany. Although historians don’t know an exact date, it’s speculated that it gained popularity around the same time that “Hansel and Gretel,” the popular fairy tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm, was published.

If you’re looking for unique gingerbread house ideas, take a look at 20 gingerbread house ideas at TasteofHome.com/collection/ gingerbread-houses.

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YURT SWEET YURT GLAMPING IN BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS

The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent. TREEBONES RESORT, CALIFORNIA For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants,

and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day.

offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.

SPRUCE HOLE YURT, COLORADO Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow- lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold. FALLS BROOK YURTS, NEW YORK For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight

CONCIERGE PARTNERS’ CORNER:

HERE’S WHAT OUR Clients Are Saying!

Featuring Michael Bean of Divorce Sense, LLC

We’re dedicated to helping you feel secure and confident in the choices you make as you navigate your divorce. An important part of that process is figuring out how it might affect your financial circumstances. Divorce Sense, LLC is devoted to “The Dollars & Sense of Your Divorce,” which means they’re here to help with just that.

“Having Atlanta Divorce Law Group work on my case was a flawless experience, start to finish. They were extremely up front and professional from the first day I met them for a consultation all the way through the signing and certifying of my final papers, and I knew exactly what to expect and consider from day one. Based on conversations and other communications with various people in the office throughout the process, it was evident that they had taken the time to really know all of the details of my situation and understand exactly what my end goals were. They all worked hard, even through nights and weekends when the opposing party tried to cause issues, and in the end they were able to secure what was best for me and, most importantly, for my children’s future. One hundred percent recommend without hesitation.” –Miss M.

Michael Bean is the CEO of Divorce Sense. He specializes in evaluating and advising his clients on the tax and financial aspects of their divorce. He also understands the emotional toll going through a divorce can take on those involved, and is dedicated to lightening that load. His mission is to operate with his client’s best interests at heart, and he achieves this by dissecting all financial elements involved in their situation. As a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Mike is equipped to recognize and leap over any hurdles that may surface during the process. If you’re going through a divorce and aren’t sure what it might mean for your financial situation, make sure to reach out to Mike Bean and Divorce Sense, LLC. They’ll help navigate the financials through the divorce with the confidence you need to keep moving forward in life. Send Mike at email at [email protected], or give him a call at 770-790-5050 to see how he can help.

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What Do Other Countries Eat to Celebrate the Season? HOLIDAY CUISINE AROUND THE GLOBE

Celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa vary from country to country, but there is one thing that unites holiday parties around the world: food. While some American traditions overlap with those of other countries — Peru, for example, shares our love of hot chocolate; England and Canada raise glasses of eggnog; and Italy digs into a version of latke fruitcake called panettone — there are plenty of dishes beloved all over the world that never make it to the American table. Below, we’ve rounded up a few you might consider exploring this season. COSTA RICA: TAMALES Christmas in Costa Rica wouldn’t be complete without tamales, a savory treat made by stuffing corn dough, meat, garlic, onions, potatoes, and raisins into corn husks or banana leaves. The process of filling and steaming the tamales can take days, and every family makes their own signature filling. ETHIOPIA: YEBEG WOT Ethiopians start preparing their Christmas meals as early as October, when they buy the still-live lambs that will eventually go into their

of custody to the grandparent is best for promoting the child’s health, welfare, and happiness. A DEPENDENCY PETITION is filed in juvenile court to obtain temporary custody of a child while a parent addresses the issues that make them unable to properly parent the child. In this case, if the parent is able to rectify the issues that caused their child to be taken away by meeting certain conditions set by the court, then custody may be returned to them. Outside the parameters of these laws, it’s important to remember to trust parents to make the best decisions for their children. A divorce is a stressful process for everyone involved, but as the dust settles, agreements are made. You can find solace in remembering that your grandkids love you no matter what might happen, and they will be thrilled to see you under whatever circumstances the law allows. savory, spicy lamb stew on the holiday. As with many of the country’s dishes, yebeg wot is scooped up and eaten with injera (teff flatbread). ISRAEL: LATKES Latkes have been synonymous with Hanukkah for more than 900 years, and no Israeli Christmas would be complete without the little potato pancakes cooked symbolically in oil. Despite their long history, though, latkes now vie with sufganiyot — a kind of jelly-filled donut — for a place on the holiday table. JAPAN: FRIED CHICKEN Thanks to a clever 1970s marketing campaign, the dish of choice for Christmas in Japan is fried chicken — specifically, KFC. Unlike in America, holiday orders in the country come with chocolate cake, roasted chicken with stuffing, and even bottles of Christmas wine emblazoned with Colonel Sanders’ face. SWEDEN: SAFFRON BUNS According to Delish, Swedish tradition “dictates that the eldest daughter dress in a white gown tied with a red sash and a crown of lit candles, then wake her parents with hot coffee and a tray of saffron buns.” Swedes also feast on a casserole called Jansson’s Temptation made with potatoes, onions, anchovies, and cream. •

GRANDPARENT CUSTODY RIGHTS

And How to Navigate Them

The holidays can be a sensitive time when it comes to visitation. During a divorce, agreements are made between parents about hosting holidays and attending other family events. It can be a stressful time for both parents and children, so it’s no surprise that other parties are overlooked when it comes to making agreements about visitation. One of these overlooked parties is often the grandparents. After a divorce, grandmothers and grandfathers who have played a role in their grandkids’ lives may not have the ability to see them on

a regular basis or during special events, like holidays. It can be frustrating because there’s a level of expectation about spending time with family during the holidays. But it’s important to understand how Georgia state laws may affect child visitation. If you’re a grandparent who is adamant about visiting your grandchildren, there are only two legal circumstances that allow for absolute access: PETITION OF CUSTODY is achieved when a case is filed with the superior court in which the grandparent shows that parental custody would harm the child or the award •

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