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Screenshot Rumors have been swirling around Hollywood that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s marriage is all but over. It started May 17 when Lopez attended the Met Gala alone one day after the two were spotted together at Affleck’s son’s school play. His absence could very well have been due to scheduling obligations on his new film, but that didn’t stop In Touch Weekly from firing the first shot of turmoil. So, how did we get here? When the Romance Started Affleck and Lopez first met in 2002 on the set of Gigli. The movie may have bombed, but their love affair became a blockbuster of epic proportions. So much so, they were labeled “Bennifer”, igniting the trendy pop-culture-name mashup craze. The hottest couple around was engaged later that year, but the spark soon fizzled. After calling off their 2003 wedding (supposedly because of “excessive media attention”), their separation became official in January 2004. Both seemed to move on quickly, though. Lopez married Marc Anthony in 2004; a year later, Affleck married his new girlfriend, Jennifer Garner. Relationships Crumble Lopez and Anthony were the first to call it quits, ending their marriage in 2014. Affleck and Garner lasted another four years before their divorce was finalized in 2018. Both then moved on to new suitors for a brief period. But as Affleck’s flirtation with Ana de Armes fizzled and Lopez’s engagement to baseball phenom Alex Rodriguez ended in 2019, the door was finally open for Affleck and Lopez to rekindle their tabloid flame. A Second Chance at Love The Bennifer hurricane swept through the rumor mill once again when Affleck and Lopez separately attended the Vax Live concert. They were then spotted together several times over the next few months. Their newfound love quickly flourished into another engagement, this time culminating in marriage at a 2022 Las Vegas ceremony at the A Little White Wedding Chapel. What About Their Kids? Even though Affleck and Anthony only have visitation rights to see their kids, both Affleck and Lopez share joint legal custody with their respective exes, and all parties feel the same when it comes to the health, safety, and education of their children. An US weekly source has stated, “They have a mutual respect for each other as parents and know how well all their kids get along. They want to foster and nurture those relationships and will do whatever it takes to show their support.” What now? Neither Affleck nor Lopez has confirmed or denied these rumors. That hasn’t stopped sources from revealing the couple doesn’t see eye-to-eye on parenting and finances, nor does it negate the fact that Affleck has moved out of their home. It doesn’t help, either, that Lopez canceled her This Is Me… Live tour, citing the need to spend more time with her family to be “absolutely necessary.” This still isn’t enough to know if the marriage is over. Until an official announcement is released, we can assume this is nothing more than a Schrodinger’s cat situation — Affleck and Lopez are both happily married and filing for divorce.

No matter where you live, odds are you have heard about the indictments handed down to Donald Trump. The former president has several ongoing cases, but one in particular—the financial fraud case led by New York Attorney General Letitia James—is at the forefront of the news. This past month, Trump decided against testifying. As predicted, his supporters agree with this decision. His detractors, on the other hand, believe it proves his guilt. There is only one issue with that. Refusal to testify in your own trial does nothing to prove innocence or guilt. Nor does it permit a prosecutor or jury to question the defendant’s motives or make note of this silence as proof of guilt. It simply protects the accused from self-incrimination. The Fifth Amendment No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. Privilege Against Self-Incrimination Read this statement again: “nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” This clause derives from the maxim, “nemo tenetur seipsum accusare,” or “No man is bound to accuse himself.” In other words, a defendant is not obligated to help the prosecution (or the court, state, or federal government) prove its case against him. Under certain contexts, individuals can manipulate and construe words to have a different meaning. The founders included this clause to protect the accused from words being used against them. Because Trump adamantly believes the trial is nothing but a witch hunt, his refusal most likely means he felt he might somehow be entrapped by the state into saying something that could be misrepresented as guilt. Self-Incrimination and Pleading the Fifth Your fifth amendment protection from self-incrimination is often referred to as pleading the fifth. Television shows and films have use this term frequently. However, unlike a lot of those fictionalized trials, any defendant who takes the stand during a criminal trial in real life waives their right to invoke the fifth amendment. This is another reason why Trump refused to testify. The only way to invoke his fifth amendment right and “plead the fifth” was not taking the stand. Otherwise, he would have opened the door to an interrogation the court could use against him. Exceptions from The Fifth Amendment The Supreme Court has debated multiple levels of the fifh amendment over the last hundred years. Because of this, they have excluded several incidents from its definition. Self-incrimination is a personal matter. No business or corporation can plead the fifth. Evidence considered non-testimonial, such as getting fingerprinted, providing a handwriting test, or having DNA swabbed or drawn, is not protected under the fifth amendment. The fifth amendment does not negate voluntary statements made by the accused or a witness, either before or after being charged. Whether you like the former president or not, Trump has a constitutional right to refuse to testify against himself. As do you. If you have been criminally charged for any reason, contact King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. for help in protecting your right during trial.

Will Farrell and Paul Rudd in The Shrink Next Door Marty Markowitz and Isaac “Ike” Hershkopf were the subject of “The Shrink Next Door,” a wildly popular podcast by journalist Joe Nocera that was adapted into an AppleTV+ limited series starring Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd. As the story goes, Marty started seeing Ike as a patient in 1981 after losing his parents and becoming overwhelmed with running the family’s fabric company. After quickly gaining Marty’s unconditional trust, Ike spent the next 30 years alienating Marty from his entire family, taking “ownership” over Marty’s Hamptons home, controlling the day-to-day operations of Marty’s business, and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. It wasn’t until Marty had hernia surgery that he realized Ike manipulated him and began cutting him out of his life. In 2021, after a long, ten-year battle to end Ike’s manipulative practices, Ike was forced to surrender his license to practice. Why isn’t Ike Hershkopf in prison? Since the above incident is a textbook case of undue influence, he probably should be. However, undue influence is a pliable legal term that is difficult to apply unless overwhelming evidence of a crime is present. Unfortunately, direct evidence of wrongdoing is often impossible to prove due to the tactics and secrecy enabled by the influencer over the victim. What is undue influence? Undue influence happens when a person’s decisions are hijacked or influenced by another, usually someone in a position of power or a trusted authority (such as a psychologist, caregiver, therapist, teacher, attorney, or an accountant), through coercion or manipulation for their own financial or social advantage. Undue influence targets the most vulnerable of populations, most commonly through psychological manipulation. It can come in all forms from small advertisements to cults and dictators seeking control over a population. And though some seasoned con artists may use their skills of affluence, position, and charm to manipulate someone to their will rather quickly, undue influence isn’t normally a short-term event. It generally takes months or years for the influencer to gain a strong foothold of trust with the victim. What are the signs of undue influence? Influencers perform their manipulation behind closed doors or when they are alone with their victim, so it can be hard for an outsider to witness direct manipulation. However, there are some signs to look for: Isolated from family and friends. The influencer has moved into the victim’s home or coerced them into paying for the influencer’s lifestyle. The influencer doesn’t allow the victim to speak directly to anyone, thus controlling the flow of information. The victim is dependent on the influencer to live their daily life. How can you fight undue influence? When confidential or fiduciary responsibilities are found alongside suspicious circumstances, burden of proof can be shifted to the influencer in many jurisdictions. If this happens, the influencer must now prove the victim did everything under their own volition. If you feel you’ve been victimized or know someone who may be victimized by undue influence, contact an attorney right away.

Celebrity status is likely to be the first choice pick. Spears, Jobs, and Manson are household names recognized across the United States, and even internationally. Somewhere on the list of commonalities, these infamous beings also share the experience of being involved in California court proceedings; more specifically cases involving the control of their person. #FreeBrittany Brittany was the subject of a California conservatorship case for over 13 years where her father, Jamie Spears, was granted the legal authority to make decisions over Brittany’s every move including who she dated and what her text messages said. Jamie’s decisions were controversial at best and more likely an abuse of power, resulting in the #FreeBrittany movement. In 2021 Spears was finally granted her freedom. #Apple Steve is best known for #Apple. But far before changing the trajectory of technology, Jobs ended up going through California court dependency proceedings when his mother gave him up at birth. Fortunately for Steve, his foster experience sent him to live with his soon-to-be adoptive parents. #MansonFamilyCult Charles, may not be liked nearly as much as Spears and Jobs, but his California court experience received more notoriety than both of them combined. Manson is best known as the mastermind behind the #MansonFamilyCult; a cult responsible for numerous murders and deaths. Interestingly, after his death, family members and potential heirs went to battle over his remains and his stuff. Fighting For Your Rights Most of us are not going to become founders of the next #imac, or #superstar, and hopefully, we won’t have another #deathcult developing. Celebrity or not, one thing we all have in common: we know someone suffering from dementia, a child without parents, or a family member battling for their inheritance. We know someone fighting to protect their rights in the California probate system. Brittany Spears, Steve Jobs, and Charles Manson didn’t plan on being the subject of California court proceedings. I venture to say, that none of them thought control of their person would be in the hands of a judge. Your Best Advocate I may not have much in common with Manson, ideas as innovative as Jobs, or the ability to entertain like Spears, but I know that if I end up being the subject of a California probate court proceeding, I want an advocate on my side that will fight for me, and ensure that my voice is heard. © Rachel King 2022

The case of Gabby Petito’s disappearance has dominated many news stories over the past couple of weeks. On the surface, it feels very much like a cut-and-dry case. After a couple of months into a planned four-month road trip with her fiancée, Brian Laundrie, Laundrie returned home without her. As a person of interest in her disappearance, Laundrie is currently hiding from authorities. Meanwhile, Gabby’s body was recovered and an autopsy proves she was murdered. The question this ultimately raises is, “How could something like this happen to such a happy, loving couple?” No matter how much we may want to believe it was a crime of passion, growing evidence suggests the couple was deeply ingrained in serious levels of domestic violence and abuse. Domestic Violence Statistics According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV): 10 million people (approximately 20 people per minute) are abused in the U.S. every year. The abused are mostly between the ages of 18-24, and only 34% of those injured seek medical treatment. 15% of all violent crime begins with domestic violence Gabby Petito and Domestic Violence The last statistic above is important regarding Gabby Petito. Though we can’t speculate on Gabby’s state of mind, recently released body cam footage from a traffic stop involving Laundrie and Petito clearly shows Gabby is in distress with signs of a physical altercation. Unfortunately, Gabby informs the officers that her hysterics are due in part to anxiety and underlying mental condition. It’s clear the officers on scene did everything they could to find cause to legally separate the two out of fear of domestic violence. However, because Gabby was unwilling (or unable) to confess to domestic violence, officers were limited to placing a temporary protective order in place and requesting they stay separate for the night. They did everything right, but it wasn’t enough to stop the inevitable. Emotional and Psychological Abuse Domestic violence doesn’t always equate to physical altercations. Many victims discuss how physical abuse started with emotional and psychological manipulation. This may include: Embarrassment or humiliation in front of family and friends. Keeping someone from seeing their friends and family. Intimidation and threats to earn compliance. Degradation, insults, or criticism to make someone feel unworthy. Prevention of participating in activates. Always monitor the whereabouts and phone conversations. Withhold affection as a form of punishment. Guilt In the Relationship Because of the manipulative nature that comes with domestic violence, many people acknowledge when they are being abused, but reconcile the abuse with the false belief that what’s happening is their fault; that when they are able to change, the situation will change. No one should stay in an abusive relationship or accept domestic violence in any form. This is not love; it is power and control. When you see it, or you experience it, please speak up. Tell a friend, a family member, a neighbor, or call one of the many hotlines setup to help escape a harmful and debilitating situation. https://www.thehotline.org/ https://vawnet.org https://www.nrcdv.org https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/family-violence-prevention-services/programs/ndvh

On the surface, Britney Spears is a successful entertainer worth nearly sixty million dollars. A flourishing music career and a seemingly upbeat public persona would indicate she’s living a healthy life. However, as evidenced by Britney’s outcry to end her father’s conservatorship, her life behind-the-scenes is a lot darker than we’ve been led to believe. What is a Conservatorship? Conservatorships allow someone to gain legal guardianship over an adult. Its original intent was to protect the best interests of those who have been in a serious accident or have been found to be mentally incapable of making rational financial or medical decisions. Conservatorships can be limited to the control of someone’s finances or healthcare, or they can be given full control over the entirety of another’s decisions. A probate or family court will determine if a conservatorship will be short-term, temporary or permanent. What Led to Britney Spears’s Conservatorship? The road that led to Britney’s conservatorship began in 2002 with her very public breakup with Justin Timberlake. She spent her days mired in work and her nights partying with the likes of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. In 2004, Britney met and married Kevin Federline. The couple divorced shortly after the birth of her second son two years later. Although both parents partied after the divorce, Britney got the brunt of tabloid fodder. This constant deluge of attacks on her character eventually led to the infamous shaving incident. Her downward spiral continued after losing shared custody of her children. During one of her visitations, Britney refused to let her kids go and was placed under an involuntarily psychiatric hold. A second incident a few weeks later led to the inevitable request for a conservatorship. How was Britney’s Conservatorship abused? Abuse happens due to the broad aspects of conservatorships. In Britney’s case, a lot of factors opened the door for her father, Jaime, to take advantage of his daughter’s hardships. Legal proceedings for Britney’s conservatorship took very little time, with no questions or testimony. The California law requiring a five days’ notice before the enactment of a conservatorship was waived. Monitoring of the conservatorship was lax, allowing Jamie to revoke Britney’s marriage and reproductive rights, monitor her friends and conversations, and limit her spending. She was also constantly threatened if she refused to perform or agree to jobs her father assigned her. #FreeBritney and the Future An online movement that would become known as #FreeBritney has led the United States Congress to draft bipartisan legislation to reform the state-run conservator system. A judge in the case has finally agreed to allow Britney to hire her own lawyer and file a petition demonstrating that the conservatorship is no longer required. The rise in Britney’s net worth after the conservatorship was put in place would indicate that everything was done in her best interests. Only those close to the matter may ever know for sure. But, regardless of whose story is true, Britney’s case has brough a spotlight to the possibility of conservatorship abuse.

Screenshot Earlier this month, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife of twenty-seven years, Melinda French Gates, officially filed for divorce. It’s been reported that Melinda had been speaking to divorce attorneys since 2019, and now rumors are flying as to why it happened and how the $129 billion in assets will be divided. Let’s break down what we know. Who Are Bill and Melinda Gates? Bill Gates met Melinda French in 1987 after she became a project manager at Microsoft. They started dating soon after and got married in 1994 at a lavish ceremony on the Hawaiian Island of Lanai. The couple currently live in Washington State and have three children. A year after their marriage, Gates formed the holding and Investment company, Cascade Investment. In 2000, the couple started focusing on philanthropic causes with the formation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which helped fund several initiatives in education, health, and other worthwhile, global causes. Melinda then started her own personal investment firm, Pivotal Ventures, in 2015 to focus on and support women and families. What Are the Details Behind the Divorce? It’s not exactly certain why the two are separating. Divorce documents only claim the “marriage is irretrievably broken” and the couple’s public statements simply say, “We no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in the next phase of our lives.” However, the couple’s decision comes on the heels of sexual misconduct allegations from Bill’s money manager and an affair with an employee. There’s also a level of distrust between them after the public revelation of Bill’s relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite being the richest man in the world at the time of their wedding, Bill and Melinda never signed a pre-nuptial agreement. They have asked the court, though, to follow a supposed separation contract to help divide their assets. The divorce looks to be amicable, as both seem to have been working on how to divide the assets for a few years now, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation released a statement that read, “ will continue to work together to shape and approve foundation strategies, advocate for the foundation’s issues, and set the organization’s overall direction.” Does Bill’s Infidelity Accusations matter? Because Washington is a no-fault state, the reason for the dissolution of marriage will not play a part in the divorce proceedings. Neither can claim full ownership of any of their houses, and all assets will be split evenly, based on the separation contract. This may also be why they waited until their youngest child turned 18, as now they won’t have to worry about the issue of child custody or support. How Can You Avoid These Same Issues? Regardless of your net worth, divorce isn’t a decision anyone wants to make. However, if a relationship does become unsustainable, it’s always best to speak to a divorce attorney about your rights before filing in order to protect yourself and your assets.

The media has always held a gleaming spotlight over the British royal family, literally from birth (hello Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor) to death (who doesn’t remember Princess Diana’s infamous car crash?). It’s so entertaining that whenever anything big or small happens, the world becomes fully engrossed. This has never been truer than over the last few weeks as it relates to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. As the high-profile celebrity couple bared a great number of behind-the-scenes tidbits during their highly-anticipated interview with Oprah, the media — and public — scrutiny burst into overdrive. Racism in the Royal Family Animosity arose after Meghan Markle accused the royal family of being racist. She noted that “They were saying they didn't want to be a prince or a princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol…. They said they want to change the convention for Archie.” She then added there were “concerns and conversations about how dark skin might be when he's born.” The royal family have all come out to denounce this accusation. “We are very much not a racist family,” Prince William stated. The Queen added, “Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.” Harry’s Royal Family Relationship It appears that Prince Harry’s relationship with his father and brother has also become strained. This could stem from Harry and Meghan’s decision to permanently leave their roles as working royals so as to pursue their own private business arrangements. Meghan’s Mental State as a Royal In one of the more shocking moments, Meghan revealed that she contemplated suicide while living as a royal. With the barrage of hateful attacks against her and Harry across social media when it was first revealed that the couple were officially dating, this is far from implausible, though some media figures would disagree. British TV host Piers Morgan attacked Meghan in the days following the interview by admitting he didn’t believe a word Meghan said in the entire interview. Soon after his remarks, Morgan left his perch as host when he wouldn’t apologize for his beliefs. On a Happier Note Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting a baby girl this summer! Regardless of whether anyone lied, or each side has a version of events that may have been exaggerated, Harry and Meghan have a lot to look forward to in the future, including, among other things, a production deal with Netflix. As for the British Royal family, the Queen, although disappointed that the couple have disavowed their place among the family, insists they are still loved and welcome as members of the royal family. Did Harry and Meghan go too far in the interview with Oprah? Who’s to say. When you’re in such a steady, unforgiving spotlight, there is a fine line to walk. All we know for sure is this won’t be the last time we hear from or of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

A few years ago, Gwyneth Paltrow made “Conscious Uncoupling” famous with her divorce to then-husband Chris Martin. But most people were still confused. Was it a divorce? A separation? Something in between? Regardless of its definition, the world collectively became familiar with how conscious uncoupling might just change the way many perceive divorce. Another high-profile marriage now looks as if it’s on its last legs. Though divorce proceedings have yet to begin, it’s been widely reported that the seven-year marriage between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West is officially over. If that’s true, the divorce will not be easy, especially with all of the money and assets that must be divided between these two high-profile celebrities. What could make it easier on them and their four children would be to strongly consider conscious uncoupling. What is Conscious Uncoupling? The idea of conscious uncoupling has been around since 2009, after Katherine Woodward Thomas taught the divorce alternative to students worldwide. The idea focuses on making sure a separation from a partner is kept amicable and respectful; always remembering the needs of the children and applying self-reflection to internalize how the mistakes were simply a roadmap in identifying negative roadblocks and building a better future for you and your spouse. Kim and Kanye’s Divorce According to multiple entertainment sources, divorce was ultimately decided in December to be the correct path after the couple spent some time in couple’s therapy. Though nothing official has been initiated, Kim has discussed the matter with Laura Wasser, who also oversaw Kim’s last divorce. Insiders have said Kim has “grown up a lot this past year” and is looking to focus on passing the bar and working for her prison reform campaign. In comparison, Kanye’s mental health seems to be deteriorating as evidenced by his failed Presidential run and the spontaneous and shocking public admission that the couple was in talks to abort their first child. Both Kim and Kanye are reported to be “fed-up” with the other and Kim hasn’t been seen with her wedding ring since November. Conscious Uncoupling is the Best Path Forward If Kanye and Kim are serious and divorce is imminent, it would be in their best interest to follow the path of conscious uncoupling. If the two agree to make the divorce amicable, they would be sparing the children a lot of grief, both in their living situation and via the press. One of the major assets that could be in dispute is the couple’s Calabasas home. It is the only home the couple’s children have known, so to remove them from that environment now not be in their best interest. And there’s nothing more inviting to the press than a bad break-up. By pursuing conscious uncoupling, it would prove to everyone itching for succulent gossip that despite their tumultuous relationship the couple respect one another, wish each other great health, and will remain friends into the foreseeable future. Don’t forget to celebrate National Conscious Uncoupling Day on January 21!

Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020, setting off a political firestorm. Despite all that, one thing is certain: Ginsburg was a pioneer in the field of law and should be remembered for all of the good she accomplished as a student, a mother, a professor, an advocate, a lawyer, a judge, a Supreme Court Justice, and an icon. “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” Ginsburg led a relatively uneventful life until she graduated at the top of her class from Cornell University in 1954, opening the door to becoming one of only nine women (out of a class of 500) to attend Harvard Law School. There, she did triple-duty as a student for both her and her husband (who was diagnosed with testicular cancer) and as a full-time mother. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception.” Before landing her first job as a law professor at Rutgers University, Ginsburg spent time in Sweden as an associate director of the Columbia Law School Project on International Procedure, starting her on the path to gender equality. Shortly thereafter, she become the first tenured female law professor at Columbia Law School, co-wrote the first law school casebook on sex discrimination, and co-founded both the Women’s Rights Law Reporter (the first and only original journal exclusively for women’s rights) and the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project. “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Ginsburg’s passion for gender equality gave her the opportunity to fight for both men and women. Of the six cases she argued in front of the Supreme Court, she won five of them, including her fight over a widower’s inability to collect social security benefits while raising minor children, and her argument against optional jury duty for women. She also wrote the brief for Reed v Reed, extending the Equal Protections Clause of the fourteenth Amendment to women, and argued as Amicus in a case favoring men over women in housing allowances for military spouses. Outside of gender equality, Ginsburg also fought hard for the equality of black and Native Americans. “I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability.” Ginsburg would go on to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia before becoming only the second female to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Over time, she became a pop culture icon, eventually earning the nickname “Notorious R.B.G.” for her incredibly impassioned dissents. Of her many honors and accolades, the most notable include winning the American Bar Association’s Thurgood Marshall award in 1999, her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002, and being Forbes Magazine’s 100 most powerful women for 7 years in a row starting in 2004. By the time Kate McKinnon brought the “Ginsburn” to Saturday Night Live, Ruth Bader Ginsburg had produced a legacy in life, the courtroom and the world that anyone would be proud of having accomplished. “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”

In these uncertain times, a lot of people are stressing over how to keep their businesses afloat until we as a nation can get back to some semblance of normal. Luckily, we live in an age that gives us easy access to the public. Entertainment as far as the eye can see One industry that’s been hit hard by the current pandemic is the entertainment industry. Hollywood, Broadway, concert venues and sporting events have all been shuttered. Has this stopped them from producing new content? Absolutely not. Production studios and entertainers alike are restructuring their business models by moving their focus online. Streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Apple TV have seen a rise in viewership since the quarantines went into effect. Because of this, many studios quickly shifted movies that had been in theaters, such as The Invisible Man and Onward, to on-demand services. Dreamworks Animation made one of the biggest decisions thus far by keeping the release date of Trolls: World Tour the same but moving the premiere from theaters to Amazon Prime. Live Shows Are Still A Go In other parts of the industry, several musicians and singers have gone live on Facebook and other social media platforms to provide free concerts to their fans. At the same time, performance shows that were set to go live, such as American Idol, have setup avenues to continue to produce their shows, even as the contestants (and audiences) are stuck at home. Saturday Night Live has now broadcast two shows wherein the cast create videos that the producers compile together to keep new product on the airwaves. Most of these choices have been a success, so expect it to continue as production studios and entertainers continue to find new ways to keep us entertained. How does this relate to my business? As a business owner, you are limited only by your imagination in restructuring your business. If you have a storefront that’s been closed due to the Coronavirus, setup an online store and use social media to keep your business and products in the public consciousness. If you are a hairdresser, start releasing videos with tips and tricks on how to create the best look at home. If you’re a realtor or insurance company, learn how to use zoom or some other online meeting app to stay in contact with your customers. These are just a small sample of how we can all continue to provide our services to the masses until the quarantine has lifted. Whatever you do, don’t sit at home and wallow. If Denny’s can setup a drive-through market, you have the ability to find a way to make the circumstances work for you and your business. King Law Firm Attorneys at Law, Inc. has recently started a new YouTube Channel where we provide tips and other information relevant to business owners and family law concerns. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

With the holiday season fast approaching, let’s take a look at three holiday films that feature separated families and what we can learn when it comes to dating, building unique relationships, and creating new traditions with your kids. Dutch (1991) Introducing a new significant other to your child can be a tricky situation. In Dutch, Natalie (JoBeth Williams) sends her boyfriend (Ed O’Neill), to pick up her son (Ethan Embry) from boarding school for Thanksgiving. This probably wouldn’t be an issue if her son knew her boyfriend was even a part of Natalie’s life. This is not the way you want to handle such a sensitive situation. It takes time for a child to bond with someone new because they may believe you’re trying to replace their other parent. Allow your child to get comfortable with the idea and make sure the relationship is going to last before introducing them. It’s also a good idea to introduce them in a group setting, where they won’t feel pressured or uncomfortable. Bottom line, throwing someone new into your child’s life unexpectedly is a good way to get shot with a BB gun. The Santa Clause (1994) There are many reasons why a couple grows apart. Whatever that reason, it shouldn’t affect the relationship your ex and your child. No matter how much you may not like it, each parent will have different ideas about how to raise their child. This isn’t wrong, it’s just their unique way of bonding. In The Santa Clause, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) becomes the new Santa after accidentally causing the old Santa to fall from his roof. This identity change scares his ex-wife (Wendy Crewson), leading her to strip Scott of his custody. However, just because you may feel aspects of the relationship are eccentric, it doesn’t mean the parent is negatively harming the child. Keep communication open and allow the relationship between your ex and your child to grow into what it’s meant to be. After all, forcing your child from a parent they love may just be what sends them running off to the North Pole. Four Christmases (2008) Figuring out custody during the holidays can be a difficult process, especially when each parent has traditions they want to preserve. The best thing to do is maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse so you can create a holiday schedule that works best for everyone. In Four Christmases, the dilemma becomes, do Brad and Kate (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) go on a tropical vacation or visit all four of their separated parents over Christmas? No one wants their child to be miserable during the holidays, so do what you can to accommodate your wishes with that of the child. Whatever the compromise, be creative and always make sure you’re putting the child’s needs first. Otherwise, when the kids are all grown up, they may rather spend the holidays on a tropical island.