Month: February 2021

February 2021

Priorities and Promises

February 26, 2021 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

As a 10-year-old, I took my promises seriously, at least when it came to trying to be a good girl in a Catholic culture. For Lent, I’d commit to give up candy or to place any coins –my only income at the time– into the slot of the little yellow cardboard box shaped like a church. For 40 days I would strive to help the children of Guatemala and to develop a form of discipline that today helps me to hold my promise to intermittently fast until 11 a.m. These days I capture promises on my iPad where I keep

Dividing International Assets in a Nebraska Divorce

February 23, 2021 / Divorce Made Simple

Internationally owned assets present unique challenges during a divorce. As global holdings and investments have become more common for Nebraskans, so too have the complexities in equitably dividing international property. While each international asset presents its own unique challenge to divide in a divorce, some assets are more challenging to divide than others. And when significant amounts of marital wealth are held abroad, it is vital that divorcing spouses secure experienced legal representation to protect their interests. How Are Internationally Held Assets Treated in a Nebraska Divorce? Under Nebraska law, Nebraska courts may equitably divide all assets and debts acquired

Easy When Times Are Good

February 19, 2021 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

It’s easy to feel grateful, given my charmed life. Excellent COVID-free health, a successful law firm, a loving life partner. End of day entries in the gratitude journal flow: Morning dancing Incredible coworkers Bills paid Even at the end of a challenging day, there’s plenty. What doesn’t make the list: Wind chill of twenty below Power outage to start the day Double booked appointments I fail to feel grateful for the events and circumstances that invite me to look at the ways I’m being, that I’d rather not see. Like these: Entitled: “I

Seeing Sophia

February 18, 2021 / Doing Divorce

“Mom, I need to go to the doctor,” Sophia matter-of-factly stated. “Something isn’t right.” I didn’t spot the signs. Amidst the pandemic taking away her first real day of high school, her 14th birthday having just passed, and navigating new friends and classes remotely, I can say it would have seemed impossible to know. But I have been beating myself up for the not knowing, not seeing, and not being present to her. I am her mom. I am supposed to see and know before she does. She revealed she had lost 15 pounds off of her already small frame.

Bitter Winter Made Better

February 12, 2021 / NEXT: An Empowerment Series

The bitter cold of the pre-dawn dark stung my cheeks. The bag on my shoulder heavy with the Sunday edition Omaha World-Herald, I trudged along the snow packed sidewalks making my deliveries. Nose dripping, I stifled my silent weeping as I approached the corner where I’d meet my brother delivering his section of the route. Perhaps it’s this childhood memory that makes me averse to even the thought of being outside in the Nebraska winter when temperatures fall to single digits. Despite my beautiful vintage coat, warm red boots and collection of gloves, as this week’s cold goes from a

Acknowledging Anna

February 11, 2021 / Doing Divorce

“Anna! I don’t know why you won’t listen to my advice. I am telling you this for your own good. You need to know how to advocate for yourself!” I was getting on her for something inconsequential. Telling her she should do this, she should do that – reciting by heart the common refrain heard around the world in households between mothers and teenage daughters. In response, she picked up the bullet journal she was artfully drawing in as we had been chatting and walked out of the room. I had just squandered a rare moment when she had sought

Miracles

February 4, 2021 / Doing Divorce

Divorced nearly 30 years ago, Susan shares how a horrific accident reminded a divorced couple of the one thing they could always agree on. He opened his eyes and saw the stars. The roof of his Prius was gone. His hand dangled from the end of his arm. Benjamin had safely driven west over a thousand miles en route from Los Angeles when the teen driver heading the opposite direction crossed over the median of I-80 and hit his car head on. The miracles were many and immediate. Being a half mile from the exit to Kearney, Nebraska where the sign read “Hospital.” Being life-flighted to