Law Office of Kevin Jensen - January 2021

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - January 2021

January 2021 480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com

What I’ll Remember About 2020

I haven’t stepped foot inside a courtroom in almost nine months. As a trial attorney, that’s huge. That was unheard of for most of my career, but as we learned last year, 2020 was the year anything could happen. As we begin 2021, I want to take a moment to appreciate the positive parts of 2020, while recognizing that there was a lot of bad in this last year. It took its toll on our lives, our livelihoods, and the way we interact with one another. It even unexpectedly took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. I wish it never happened, but I want to make a counterargument. There was a lot of good to come out of 2020, too. It wasn’t a wasted year, and while all of these silver linings won’t take the sting out of what happened, we can use what we learned and what happened in 2020 to motivate us in 2021. Professionally, this year completely changed the way we practice law. My office has become the backdrop for my hearings, and almost all my in-person meetings now happen on Zoom or GoToMeeting. Family law matters haven’t stopped — and in some cases, these issues have been magnified — but we’ve had to completely adapt to how we do law. Thankfully, most of our clients are very flexible, and this new process has made our services much more affordable. We haven’t had to waste time driving to a court or slogging through the slow legal process. Despite some technical issues, it’s been a positive experience overall. As a sports fan, I’ve also really enjoyed 2020. In fact, I’d venture so far as to say this has been one of the best years for the Jensen family sports teams! Despite COVID-19 obstacles, some of our favorite teams are doing great this year. In particular, BYU is one of the top 10 college football teams in the country — at the time of writing this — and we’ve been running over teams left and right. It makes me excited to think about what kind of team they could be next year and the possibility of catching a game when it’s safe to do so. But perhaps one of the greatest sports moments of this year actually had little to do with what was happening on the field. Instead, it was that the circumstances of this year gave my family and me a very special memory. We get a lot of flak for rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers over their rivals, the local Arizona Diamondbacks, but this year we got our ultimate redemption. The Dodgers won the World Series in thrilling fashion against the Tampa

Bay Rays, and we could not have been more excited. Because of their hybrid learning situation, our oldest boys were able to come home for the week of the World Series and continue their college classes online. Our whole family was together in those final moments, jumping up and down in our living room when our Dodgers were crowned champs! I’ll never forget it. None of us are likely to forget 2020 or the many bad things that happened during the past 12 months, but I’ll also cherish the time with my family and the ability to grow in my practice. I’m hoping to take what has become my “normal” in this past year and create space for it in 2021.

After all, if 2020 taught me anything, it’s that everything can change in an instant. Happy New Year!

-Kevin Jensen

480.632.7373 1

Published by Newsletter Pro · www.NewsletterPro.com

Don’t Get Lost in the Sauce

The 4 Best Cooking and Travel Shows Streaming services are booming right now, and there’s no shortage of entertainment between HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, and more. But the important question is this: What are the best binge-worthy cooking shows? Here are four streamable culinary shows you’ll love. ‘The Chef Show’ Get cozy at home and turn on Netflix to watch Chef Roy Choi, the man responsible for bringing the food from the movie “Chef” to life, on “The Chef Show.” You’ll get incredible home-cooking tips while enjoying appearances from your favorite celebrities, like Tom Holland trying oysters for the first time. This show travels all over the world to explore recipes and honor the tradition of sharing good food. Four seasons are out now! ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’ If you’re not familiar with the late Anthony Bourdain, you’re missing out on one of the most influential, internationally lauded chefs of the past few decades. “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” one of his longest-running TV shows, filmed 12 seasons over seven years, and all 12 seasons are streaming on HBO Max. The show follows Bourdain as he travels and discovers little-known places in order to celebrate diverse cultures by

exploring their food and dining rituals.

‘Gordon Ramsey: Uncharted’ Want something a little more recent? Hop on Disney+ to watch

Chef Gordon Ramsey of “Hell’s Kitchen,” who has seven Michelin stars, leap out of

helicopters to take some of the most epic adventures you can imagine — ranging from the icy waters of Alaska to the plains of New Zealand — all while learning to cook local food along the way. The latest two seasons are available right now! ‘Great Chefs of New Orleans’ Whatever your favorite cooking show may be, it was likely influenced by this classic. One of the oldest cooking shows in the U.S., “Great Chefs” has aged like a fine wine. In this series, you’ll meet some of the best chefs in New Orleans and learn how they create and prepare an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Two seasons are available to Amazon Prime members!

Fostering Good Parent-Kid Relationships

Even When You’re Miles Apart

At the Law Office of Kevin Jensen, we’ve seen a lot of parenting scenarios. One of the most common concerns we hear from parents is how they can maintain a relationship with their children from a distance. Whether it’s across Arizona or across the country, living more than one town apart from your children can be difficult, but it isn’t impossible to build and maintain your connection — even at a distance. Start with the legal process. We always advise long-distance parents to include phone conversation times in the visitation and custody paperwork. This protects you as a parent from your ex-spouse potentially limiting or cutting off contact with your child. This is a worst-case scenario, but it can happen. A court order protects you from that. Then, make a plan based on your child’s attributes. You can do this by asking yourself a series of questions. • Are they old enough to text or FaceTime? If so, you have a very handy way to keep in touch. If not, you may need to consider regular letters or chatting on the home phone every week. • Do they have interests in art, science, reading, music, or something else? You could use these interests to foster a connection. Send them a book each month or create a playlist

of songs you both enjoy that you can listen to when you’re apart!

•

Are they overly vocal, or will you have to prompt them to communicate? This will help you determine how you need to approach this relationship. Some

kids — especially teens — just might struggle with reaching out. Don’t be afraid to be the vocal one in the relationship. Your child will appreciate the effort. (If not now, they will someday.) Finally, get to work! You can’t build a relationship without a little effort. Keep in contact with your children or child when you’re apart, dedicate effort to connecting, and be present during your time with them. If you have your child for the summer, then your summer should be built around spending time with them! Find value in the time you have together, and it will make the time you spend apart that much easier. Our team is always willing to help you find the resources and guidance you need to succeed after your divorce. If you have questions, call our office today at 480.632.7373.

2

jensenlawaz.com

3 Steps to Buying a House or Car on Your Own Make Big Moves

Do Your Research Buying a house or a car isn’t like buying a pair of jeans or a new tool. Instead, you have to do a little research to discover what you need and what would best serve you. For example, if you’re not very handy, you may not want to buy a fixer-upper for a house. If you need your car for a long commute, don’t buy the prettiest gas guzzler you find. An hour or two of Google searching can help you narrow down your options before you get reputable experts involved. Find Your Experts Bankers, financial planners, Realtors, brokers, and car salespeople are all great sources of information. But who do you trust? Ask your experts if they are or know anyone who specializes in divorce. Realtors who work with divorcées will be more sympathetic to your situation and often will

When you’re married, you make many of life’s biggest purchases with someone else. You buy a house, cars, and even technology together, and each one of these purchases further links you with your spouse. During the course of a divorce, these items can be lost by one party to the other, and you may be left with a looming question: How are you going to make a big purchase — alone? Whether it’s a house, car, or another big item, you can make this purchase all on your own! Here’s how to get started. Set a Budget It sounds obvious, but many of us can get so lost in the shine of a new item that we throw our budget out the window! Talk to experts at your bank or search for free financial services and guidance through libraries and community agencies. (Mesa Community Action Network is a great place to start!) Learn more about what you can truly afford and anticipate added expenses, like gas, oil changes, upgrades, and appliances.

take your unique needs — more manageable mortgage payments or proximity to your children’s school — in mind. The same goes for salespeople and financial experts. These should be your go-to resources for success with this big purchase. After you buy that house or car, celebrate! You did it! If you’re ready to start celebrating, our team at the Law Offices of Kevin Jensen has the resources to get you there. Ask us to learn more!

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

LAUGH BREAK

Ingredients

•

8 chicken thighs or drumsticks, lightly salted

• • • • • • •

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 onion, finely sliced

2 celery sticks, thickly sliced

• • •

14 oz chicken stock 1 sprig rosemary

2 carrots, thickly sliced 1 leek, thickly sliced

Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks

•

1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

•

2 garlic cloves, sliced

480.632.7373 Directions 1. In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry salted chicken on high until brown. 2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add flour and stir. 3. In the frying pan on high heat, fry the onion, celery, carrots, leeks, and potatoes until lightly browned. Add garlic and fry for 30 seconds. 4. Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker and add the stock, rosemary, and lemon zest. 5. Cook on high for 2.5–3 hours or until chicken is tender. 6. Check seasoning and add lemon juice to taste. Top with parsley before serving. 3 Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com

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

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Moving Forward With the Good From 2020

Don’t Miss These Cooking Shows!

Maintaining a Long-Distance Relationship With Your Kids

You Can Make Big Purchases on Your Own in 3 Steps

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

4 Old-School Hobbies Making a Major Comeback Out With the New, In With the Old! January is National Hobby Month — and for good reason! As people set goals for 2021, they’re also thinking about trying new hobbies. But with so many out there, picking just one can be a hobby in itself. Thanks in part to COVID-19, many people have rediscovered old-school hobbies. Some of these have been around for decades or even longer, and others have established communities that can rely on one another for support, sharing information, and more. Here are four great examples. Collecting Cards No matter what people were into during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, there was a trading card game for it. And even going into 2021, that tradition has been kept alive. When many people were stuck at home last year, they rediscovered their card collections and remembered how much fun they were. As a result, card sales went through the roof, and online card communities lit up with activity from all over the world.

Making Bread Over the last year, interest in this ancient hobby has skyrocketed. Homemade bread is tastier and more nutritious than store-bought, and it’s so satisfying to watch it come together. Not to mention it’s a great skill to have! With so many types of bread to try, you’re not going to run out of ideas any time soon.

Restoring Cars Car restoration is a hobby that lets you get your hands dirty, and it's one that you can do with your kids or grandkids. It can be not only educational for them but also fun! Together, you can track down parts, talk to folks who are also interested in restoration, and learn about the history of your car. Though car restoration can be a bit costly and time consuming, it’s certainly a journey worth taking. Embroidering Embroidery has taken off because it’s both inexpensive and fairly easy to get into. Plus, many people have fallen in love with its meditative quality. One of the great things about embroidery is that you can use it to make amazing personalized gifts, like pillows, wall hangings, and kitchen towels!

4

jensenlawaz.com

Published by Newsletter Pro · www.NewsletterPro.com