Atlanta Divorce Law Group - March 2019

Atlanta Divorce Law Group - March 2019

All 4 of Our Attorneys Received ‘Super Lawyer’ Distinctions in 2019! CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TEAM!

March 2019

Our entire team fundamentally believes in the value of trying to find new ways to better ourselves as individuals. Throughout our combined experiences, we’ve learned firsthand that a true commitment to personal growth has a profound effect on every single aspect of our lives. Whether that means we are each aiming to be the best attorney, mother, spouse, or friend that we can be, we collectively regard personal growth as the ongoing process of understanding and developing ourselves in order to achieve the greatest potential. To us, personal growth is the foundation of intellectual, physical, emotional, and even spiritual health. One area of growth we consistently emphasize is our ability to help each and every client who walks through our doors. We aim to not just get their complex legal questions answered and resolved, but we take our responsibilities a step further by helping our clients prepare for their new realities post-divorce. In short, we genuinely want to be there every step of the way. To that end, we are happy to announce that, as a result of our dedication to our clients’ well- being, every single one of our attorneys has received a Super Lawyer distinction for 2019! The Super Lawyers committee selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research, and each candidate is evaluated

This is Sara’s fourth consecutive year receiving Super Lawyer recognition. She has also been awarded the prestigious AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale-Hubbell, and she has been named a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Advocates. Our team is so thankful for her dedication to personal growth and the excellent example that she sets for our entire office. Jeanette has now achieved Super Lawyer status for the last two years! Jeanette’s extensive courtroom experience enables her to litigate the most complex child custody cases. In fact, she has worked for over a decade focusing on divorce and custody cases, handling hundreds of family law matters throughout the metro Atlanta area. Her work has since been highlighted in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and her efforts caused the Atlanta Municipal Court to reevaluate its practice of barring the public from the courtroom on weekends. Additionally, she earned two CALI Awards for Academic Excellence. This is both Ashley’s and Ryan’s first Super Lawyer recognition, and we are all so excited for their achievements. Ashley has multiple years of experience with Georgia family law and has devoted her career to protecting families who are going through a period of transition. Likewise, Ryan finished law school in the top of her class and immediately joined King and Spalding, working on massive tort litigation cases. Soon after, Ryan transitioned to family law and maintains a strong interest in helping nontraditional families find their legal voice. While our team views these Super Lawyer achievements as excellent validation of our collective commitment to helping clients, we know that it is just a stepping stone on our continued journey of personal growth and development. Thank you to all of you who make our wonderful jobs possible. We can’t wait to see what happens next!

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based on both peer recognition and professional achievement. This recognition is particularly coveted due to the fact that in the state of Georgia, only 2.45 percent of all attorneys are awarded Super Lawyer status! This is why we are especially excited that our founder and owner, Sara Khaki, our managing attorney, Jeanette Soltys, and our associate attorneys, Ashley Pepitone and Ryan Mullis, were recognized by their peers for the amazing work they provide!

–The ADLG Team

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Family-Friendly Activities CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY

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. 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. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good start to get your family to create new ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You might even create family traditions that will last for years to come.

LOOKING FOR SPRING BREAK PLANS?

4 Local Attractions Your Kids (and You) Will Love!

Spring break is the perfect time to take your kids on an adventure. You don’t have to worry about them getting behind on their homework, and the warmer temperatures open up a lot more locations. However, if you’re recently divorced, you might feel stuck trying to come up with fun activities that won’t break the bank. The good news is that, while Atlanta may not get as much press as the Disneylands of the world, the city’s rich history, abundant cultural attractions, and love of parks means the city is ideal for kids ages 1 to 100. To help you and your family make the most of your spring break, we want to offer suggestions for some great local activities that will provide your kids (and you) hours of fun without emptying your pockets on travel expenses. 1. LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER Encourage your child’s inner architect by taking them to this indoor Lego paradise. The center’s exhibits include two different rides, a Lego Racers build and test zone, a Duplo village for the little ones, and a 4D cinema. 2. ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER Set on 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails, and forest, the Atlanta History Center brings history to life with exhibitions on the Civil War,

Southern folk art, and the 1996 Olympic Games. Don’t miss the Smith Family Farm, where costumed characters — and sheep! — teach kids hands-on homesteading skills.

3. CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS Come for the museum collection of more than 200 puppets from around the world, and stay for top-notch performances like “The Wizard of Oz” or “The Cat in the Hat.” The museum-only admission gives access to a self-guided tour of iconic Jim Henson puppets, but it’s best to reserve performance tickets in advance.

4. GEORGIA AQUARIUM One of the world’s largest aquariums — which is set to expand again soon — boasts everything from beluga whales to manta rays to neon-colored fish. There is also an amazing whale shark exhibit, an underwater tunnel, and an entertaining sea lion show.

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ON SPRING AND PERSONAL RENEWAL:

How Nowruz Can Help You Celebrate a New Season of Life

March 21 marks the first day of spring, but for millions of people around the world, it’s also the start of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year or Persian New Year. This celebration coincides with the equinox, which occurs between March 19–21. For the last 3,000 years, Nowruz has remained one of the most beloved, universal, and deeply

their owners can beat the dust out of them. Sara, whose family celebrates Nowruz every year, explains that it “translates to ‘New Day’ in Farsi. The holiday’s essence is about cleansing both oneself and one’s environment. From your home to everything in nature, it all experiences rebirth.” In these same weeks leading up to the actual day, families also set aside space for a “haftsin,” or a collection of items that symbolize a different hope for the new year. While some families add their own variations to the haftsin, there are seven things that are always included: sabzeh (sprouts to symbolize rebirth), senjed (dried fruit to symbolize love), sib (apples to symbolize health), seer (garlic to symbolize self-care), samanu (sweet pudding to symbolize wealth and fertility), serkeh (vinegar to symbolize wisdom), and sumac (a spice to symbolize the sunrise of a new day). While there are many other traditions associated with Nowruz, the most important aspect of this holiday to remember is the beauty of renewal — especially if you are facing major adjustments in your own life. Change often signifies stress, but if you can allow Nowruz to shape your perspective, you might look at your challenges as a positive opportunity to celebrate renewal and a brand-new season of your life. HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR Concierge Partners? Our dedication doesn’t end when a client’s legal matter is resolved. We will be there for you as you begin your new life. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of partners we have built relationships with, and who we trust to provide our clients with great services at fair prices. This month, we would like to highlight one of our amazing partners, Gayle Ely at Total Life Leadership. Gayle serves as a Life and Leadership Coach, specifically helping people restart their life journeys following a recent divorce. Even if your legal matters are settled, you might still experience difficulty knowing which steps to take next. If you want a little guidance or advice, we encourage you to reach out to Gayle at [email protected] or call her at 678-520-7477.

Sara’s children, Rami (age 6) and Hanna (age 3), celebrating last year’s Nowruz. They are standing in front of their family’s traditional haftsin, or the Nowruz decorative spread.

embedded traditions in Persian culture. If you need some motivation to navigate big changes in your own life, or if you’ve never taken the time to understand the idea behind this honored holiday, this month might be the perfect time to start. Unlike the versions of New Year’s you might be familiar with, Nowruz isn’t built on a foundation of fireworks, champagne flutes, and “Auld Lang Syne.” People start getting ready for Nowruz about three weeks before the actual vernal equinox. They rid their homes of any unnecessary clutter and lingering grime that’s settled in over the past year so they can start fresh. For example, in Iran, you’re likely to see countless Persian rugs hanging outside, where WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING! “I don’t know where to begin, as I am so overwhelmed with satisfaction and happiness because of this firm! My case was a rather unique and difficult one: I was wrongfully accused of having outstanding arrearage in child support, which wasn’t true. Yet, the Child Support Agencies continued to pursue me to the point where my bank account was frozen and my passport was revoked/seized. The Atlanta Divorce Law Group worked diligently to overturn this error, to fix the horrible nightmare I was living. They consistently stayed in contact with me, always provided me with up-to-date information, and — most importantly — they gave me awesome results! In the end, my bank lien was completely lifted, my passport was reinstated, and my life is back to normal! None of this could have been possible without the Atlanta Divorce Law Group.” –Wayne C.

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Inside This Issue

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All 4 of Our Attorneys Received ‘Super Lawyer’ Distinctions in 2019!

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Family Activities for St. Patrick’s Day

4 Spring Break Plans That Won’t Break the Bank

How Nowruz Can Help You Celebrate a New Season of Life

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How ADLG Helped This Client Find Their Happily Ever After!

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How to Make Your Sailing Dreams Come True

Set Sail for Vacation Take Your Next Trip Offshore

If you’re lucky enough to have been aboard a ship under full sail, chances are you know the thrill and serenity sailing can give you. If you’ve never been but have always wanted to know what it’s like to get out on the wind and waves, there are many great options available for beginners. Here are some ideas to inspire your next waterside vacation. START SMALL For those who dream of becoming a skipper one day, a great way to start is by sailing dinghies. These one-sail, beach-launch boats fit 1–2 people and can be rented at most water sports shops. If you want to make it a family experience, shops usually have 16-

foot catamarans for rent as well. Catamarans have two hulls rather than one, making for a smoother, more spacious ride. If you’ve never sailed before, inquire about lessons. Most rental operations have instructors on hand who can show you the ropes. The great thing about sailing is that whether you’re in a 12-foot dinghy or a 60-foot sloop, the same basic principles, rules, and skills apply. TAKE A DAY SAIL Many day-sail charters exist for those who want to go out a little farther than a dinghy would permit. If you’ve captained a boat and are familiar with the waters, you can apply

for a bareboat charter. However, if you are inexperienced or simply don’t want a local guide at the helm, signing up for a day trip with a skipper and crew is a great option. DO A FULL CHARTER Short of owning your own vessel, chartering a boat for multiple nights is the closest you can get to living out your nautical dreams. Some of the most beautiful destinations on earth — from the Caribbean Sea to the Mediterranean — are best experienced from the deck of a sailboat. Letting the sea guide you to amazing snorkeling destinations, remote cays, and bustling harbors is the stuff of real adventure.

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