The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller - June 2022

The Law Offices of Daniel J. Miller - June 2022

IN YOUR DEFENSE

JUNE 2022

757.852.3000 | LegalDefense.com

Lessons Learned From My Father

ABOUT LAW AND BUSINESS

Throughout our lives, we come

since he worked on such large-scale cases. They took a lot of work and preparation since he had to make sure that any witnesses were ready and prepared for their role while ensuring he was fully prepared for trial and any curveballs that could be thrown his way. He was always focused on the details and made sure to give each one the attention it deserved. I believe I received this skill set from him since I never go into a case unprepared. I want my clients to receive the best possible representation.

across many people who

leave an impact on us. Some of us had teachers who tried to steer us in the right direction so we could see success in the classroom and beyond, while others have mentors

Watching my dad work in the legal field and operate his own business eventually encouraged me to follow in his footsteps. If you read last month’s newsletter, you probably remember I took some time

“Having a philosophy degree that was focused on the ideals of logic while also having a strong familial foundation in law made choosing my career much easier.”

who give sound advice about difficult situations. Oftentimes, we’re inspired and encouraged by a source much closer to home. In my case, it was my dad, who served as the role model for my law career. My dad was an attorney who practiced a very different type of law than what I practice. He practiced plaintiff’s work for union members who were injured while working on the railroad. I have a lot of fond memories of walking through his office in my younger years. I learned many lessons regarding business and law from watching my father. He was a big believer in treating his staff well in both pay and how he interacted with them. He truly believed in treating his staff as equals and went out of his way to create a family-like atmosphere in the office. He cared about his team and took a personal interest in their lives. He was empathetic if they had an unforeseen situation arise and would always offer them time off. If it was needed, he would even help them financially. He taught me a lot about how to create a positive environment in the workplace. Another major lesson I learned from my dad was the importance of preparation. I have 3–4 trials a day, five days a week, 52 weeks out of the year, but my dad only saw a handful of cases each year

off to play in a band between graduating college and starting law school. That time really helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life, but the inspiration behind my path was always there. I came from a family of lawyers. My dad was a lawyer and my brother was, too. Having a philosophy degree focused on the ideals of logic while also having a strong familial foundation in law made choosing my career much easier. On June 19, we celebrate Father’s Day, which is a great opportunity to spend some time with your father or reflect on some of your favorite memories. I hope all of the fathers out there can enjoy a wonderful Father’s Day this year.

–Daniel J. Miller

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W hen to F ile C ustody O rder C hanges

When you’re going through a divorce that involves children, the judge is going to decide on the best possible child custody situation. When they make this decision, they’ll try to decide the option that works in the best interest of the child. Sometimes what was in the best interest of the child then is not the same months or years down the line, which means you may have to modify your custody agreement. There’s a chance that changing a custody agreement could have an effect on the child’s stability, so a Virginia family law judge will need to see strong evidence of a material change in circumstances from the requesting parent. If both parents agree, the judge is more likely to grant the modification. Examples of material changes in circumstances include, but are not limited to, changes in a parent’s financial or work situation, geographical relocation, changes in the health of a parent, or any circumstance that negatively impacts the child.

In order to receive a modification to your child custody agreement, the parent requesting the change will need to file a motion with the courts. For the state of Virginia, this motion is typically filed with the same Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court that first ordered the original custody agreement. A judge will then decide if the modifications requested are actually in the best interest of the child.

It can be difficult to figure out the best time to file a motion

for a modification because you probably don’t want to disrupt your child’s current routine. It can often take 5–6 months to get a hearing date and your child needs to be at the hearing. If you’re trying not to pull your kid from school, the best time to file for a custody change or modification is in January or February. That way, your child will not

have to miss any school since they’ll already be away from school on summer break.

If you’re planning to file for a modification or change to your child custody agreement, give our office a call. We can offer advice to help ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. 3 D reamy T rails in the N ortheast

GET YOUR HIKING BOOTS ON!

Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a lush dream? You don’t need to travel too far to experience truly stunning outdoor adventures. The U.S. has plenty within our borders! Here are just a few, located in our Northeastern states. No. 1: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire If you want to visit an enchanted forest, look no further than White Mountain National Forest! Whether you want to hike its various mountain ranges to spy some gorgeous views, wind through an endless sea of trees, or spot a plethora of unique local fauna and flora, this beautiful national forest has a trail for everyone. You can even hike the Appalachian Trail to walk a mile in our American ancestors’ shoes.

along a picturesque river and you’ll see fabulous slabs, cascades, woods, and much more. Unlike the popular — and often busy — White Mountain trails, this one is relatively quiet with its narrow foot path. It’s also a gentle walk, being mostly flat with some alternating, gentle ups and downs. It’s a great walk for all ages. No. 3: Camel’s Hump Trail, Vermont As the third highest peak in the state, Camel’s Hump Trail offers unbeatable views in nearly every direction. It’s easy to reach the trailhead, as it’s just off Camel’s Hump Road with a small parking area for visitors. It’s very convenient, but make sure to arrive early in warmer months and on weekends — the road is not an option for parking. The trail offers stunning views of Vermont because of the high elevation, but it may be challenging if you’re afraid of heights. The last part of the trail is quite steep, but once you reach the peak, you’ll see an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even see Canada!

No. 2: Stepstone Falls (Ben Utter Trail), Rhode Island If you’re in Rhode Island, especially in spring, you won’t want to miss

this perfect trail. Follow this walk

If you want to live out your outdoor dreams, these are excellent places to start! Give them a try!

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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO Your Ex-Spouse Broke Your Custody Agreement?

When this happens, the aggrieved parent can petition the court for an order to show cause. The petition lets the court know of the other parent’s noncompliance and requests the court use its power to enforce the order by holding the other parent in contempt. The court will then require the parent who broke the agreement to attend a scheduled court hearing and explain why they should not be held in contempt. The judge will decide one way or the other, and if they rule the parent was in contempt of court, they could be subject to fines and even jail time. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, reach out to our office. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the court system during this difficult situation and provide the help you need.

Summertime is just around the corner, and kids will soon be released from school to roam the neighborhood yelling and screaming. While the kids will be excited about going swimming, taking trips to the water park, and going to camp, some of their parents will be trying to figure out how summer vacation changes their custody arrangement. In most custody agreements, plans are in place for each parent on how to split time over holidays, special occasions, and of course, breaks from school. But what happens if it’s your time with your child during their summer vacation and the other parent decides not to put them on the plane or drive them to your house?

It happens more often than you think. In some cases, the child doesn’t want to go visit their other parent, and in others, the parent doesn’t want to send their child. Regardless of the specifics, this situation can be incredibly disheartening for the parent who thought they were going to get some much-needed time with their child. It’s important for every parent to know what can be done in this situation. If the other parent is refusing to allow visitation during a scheduled time outlined in the custody agreement, they could be held in contempt. In divorce, civil contempt is most often a willful violation of a court order. Additionally, it could be considered parental kidnapping if the other parent is preventing you from seeing your child.

SWEET AND SPICY BBQ CHICKEN SKEWERS

SUDOKU

Inspired by RecipeRunner.com

Summer is here, and you know what that means: It’s time to break out the barbecue and meat skewers!

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

For the Marinade • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 3 tbsp honey • Juice of 1 lime • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp salt For the Skewers • 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes • 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes

1. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients.

2. In a reusable freezer bag, combine cubed chicken and all but 1/4 cup of the marinade.

3. Seal bag and massage marinade into the chicken. Chill in the fridge overnight.

4. The following day, preheat the grill to 400 F. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, adding two cubes of chicken for each cube of pineapple. 5. Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade in the final minutes.

6. Serve over rice or with your favorite barbecue sides!

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LAW AND BUSINESS WISDOM IMPARTED BY MY FATHER PAGE 1 MODIFYING YOUR CUSTODY ORDER 3 DREAMY NORTHEASTERN HIKING TRAILS PAGE 2 HOW TO HANDLE A BROKEN CUSTODY AGREEMENT SWEET AND SPICY BBQ CHICKEN SKEWERS PAGE 3 FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

6 GIFTS DAD IS SURE TO LOVE IT’S DAD’S DAY!

A New Cooler Men love their coolers — it’s a foolproof Father’s Day gift! Whether Dad loves to camp, fish, tailgate, go to the beach, or barbecue in the backyard, he’s sure to appreciate a new way to store ice, drinks, food, or bait! Tool Bucket Organizer Is your dad a bit of a handyman? Help him get organized and never lose track of his tools again. Tool bucket organizers come in many forms and, again, can be purchased right online, making your shopping easy!

Dad is a very important person in your life! Every year when Father’s Day rolls around, it can be tough to come up with the perfect gift, whether it be for your dad, a new father, your grandfather, or a father figure. Getting creative can be tricky, but this list is sure to help you with an idea or two for all different price ranges! Wallet Why not go really classic and opt for a thoughtful and practical gift? Most men’s wallets see a lot of wear and tear. After all, they’re sat on, toted around in pockets all day long, and sometimes forgotten about and sent through the wash. A new one just may be in order! Massage Gun Massage guns are rising in popularity. To help Dad recover from soreness and injury or just a tough workout, a massage gun

will do the trick! The best part is that they range in price, and you can even purchase one on Amazon! Apple Watch Strap Does the dad you’re celebrating own an Apple Watch? If so, help him customize it with a new Apple Watch strap. You can choose from many materials, colors, and designs so he can blend in or stand out as much as he wants.

Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers If your father doesn’t have Bluetooth

headphones or speakers yet, he’s missing out. The opportunity to jam out wirelessly while working out, cutting the grass, doing hobby work, or just relaxing is effortless with this thoughtful gift.

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