One of the hardest things about the quarantine is the uncertainty. Not knowing how long the quarantine is going to last, not knowing how many small and mid-size businesses will not make it, not knowing whether or not you still will have a job next week.
Kemp's Executive Order #2, The Family Law Version
Governor Kemp issued a Second Executive Order last night, on April 3rd. I reviewed the more extensive First Order in my previous blog post. The April 3rd Order became necessary when family law attorneys realized that a huge visitation problem was created by the First Order.
Kemp's Executive Orders Analyzed and Maybe Explained
Governor Kemp has issued two Executive Orders in rapid succession. The first one dropped on April 2 and the second one on April 3. The April 2 Order is more extensive. The April 3 Order covered some additional ground. I will review the first Executive Order in this post. I'll review the second one in the next post.
Quarantined with Your Abuser
As many people retreat home to avoid risking further spread of COVID-19, jokes abound. The quarantine is testing the strength of the love and tolerance you feel for those who live in your household: your significant other - how the hell did you not notice, after all this time, their annoying humming habit. You jokingly announce that you have contemplated murder in hopes the infuriating habit would cease.
Gaslighting and You
Gaslighting is a term used to describe a particular type of psychological manipulation in which an abuser manipulates a victim into thinking they are losing their sanity. This term originated from the 1938 play, "Gas Light", which is about a woman who is gaslighted by her husband.
The New Night Time Routine
The New Night Time Routine
Will It Into Existence - A Letter to My Community
Have you ever heard the expression "will it into existence" or "speak it into existence?" You can certainly be positive and try to will or speak things into existence. But, in my experience, that is where it starts. You have to follow that up with action. And, in today's climate, facing the unprecedented closings, delays, and suspensions of events around the country and the globe, it may seem like a time to not take action. However, that could not be farther from the truth.
Social Distancing and Divorce
At this point, you've likely seen any or all of the following, lighthearted posts on social media. The basketball fan who cannot indulge in March Madness because the NCAA indefinitely suspended the remainder of the season, and is now faced with actual conversation with his significant other. The employee whose office implemented a thirty-day remote schedule, and her idea of remote work consists of watching reruns of "The Office." The forlorn parents who, on day two of schools being closed, are ready to send all of their children back to school.
How Are You Spending Your Covid-vacation?
At the Firm, we are into week number two of working remotely. The Firm is holding up to the self-imposed stress test well. Since we announced our complete conversion, all the court's have closed except for essential services and some have even shifted into video conferencing of their hearings, though on a greatly reduced basis. Several of our attorneys have successfully engaged in remote mediations, assisted by forward thinking mediators and equally adventurous opposing counsels. We still hold our daily Firm meetings (though now via Zoom) and still help out existing clients and new clients every day as they now come in through our virtual door.
King Solomon and COVID19
Many of you are familiar with the Old Testament story of King Solomon. Two women were claiming to be the mother of the same child. King Solomon was called to decide the issue. He announced that he would cut the baby in half and each woman would receive one-half. The imposter mother consented to this result. The real mother begged that the sword be put away and that the child be given to the other woman to spare the child's life. Having discerned the women's true feelings towards the child, the real mother kept her child. As you can imagine, this reference comes up a lot in the practice of family law and we reference it a lot with wise judges who are using the parties' own actions and deeds to determine who sincerely and genuinely cares about a child's best interests.
