In the face of great adversity Martin Luther King Jr preached for equality and peace.  He stood behind what was right, not what was simple, or what was accepted.  He did not advocate for violence, or hatred, but for the rights which all Americans are granted through the constitution which governs us all.

Dr. King was born on January 15th 1929 in Atlanta.  He graduated high school at age 15, and received his Ph.D. at age 26 from Boston University.  He led the black boycott (1955-56) of segregated city bus lines and in 1956 gained a major victory and prestige as a civil-rights leader when Montgomery buses began to operate on a desegregated basis.  His philosophy of nonviolent resistance led to his arrest on numerous occasions in the 1950s and 60s. His campaigns had mixed success, but the protest he led in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963 brought him worldwide attention. He spearheaded the Aug., 1963, March on Washington, which brought together more than 200,000 people. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  On Apr. 4, 1968, he was shot and killed as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel (since 1991 a civil-rights museum).

The holiday honoring Dr. King’s birth and the achievements during his life was created in 1983, making it one of the most recent U.S. holidays.  What many do not know, however, is that it is two holidays in one.  There’s the overall King Day, set in ’83 when President Reagan signed a bill putting it in federal law. And there’s the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, established when President Clinton signed the King Holiday and Service Act of 1994. King Service Day is meant to be a day of personal action in Dr. King’s memory on or near his holiday – as its boosters say, a day on, not a day off. It’s promoted by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that also runs AmeriCorps and similar initiatives.

Most recently, on August 28th 2011, a memorial was erected and dedicated on the Mall in Washington DC in honor of Dr. King and his long-standing achievements and contributions to our country.

So, if you are at work, or enjoying a day off today, take time to reflect upon the meaning of this holiday.  What, and who, it stands for.  Take the time to listen to Martin Luther King Jr’s famous speech at the foot of the Lincoln memorial now nearly five decades ago.  Reflect upon your fellow man and the injustices which still exist in this world and question how you can not simply do what is easy, but what is right.  Consider how you can contribute to your community and make a difference that will let Dr. King’s famous words, “I have a Dream” continue to ring on.

We recognize the commitment and sacrifices enlisted men and women make to and for our country every day.  These are not to be taken lightly.  Attorney Jeffrey Feulner and the Men’s Divorce Law Firm harbor a deep respect for this dedication and would like to give back to our troops by ensuring price does not prevent them from possessing experienced legal representation.

People with active military I.D.’s will now receive discounts throughout the length of their case.  If it is a divorce, child support, alimony, or other family law military case the Men’s Divorce Law Firm has the skills to aggressively represent our troops.

If you or someone you know is enlisted and in need of assistance with a family law matter contact the Men’s Divorce Law Firm today to see how we can help.

Get healthy with you kids

It is an age-old cliche to resolve to lose some weight, and get fit.  But, with the rising obesity rates in America it is more important than ever to take the first literal step toward wellness.  Don’t hesitate to involve your kids in this process!  From a walk around the block to playing in the park there are plenty of things you can do with your children that will get you both active.  If you need another source of inspiration look to The National Fatherhood Initiative’s Fit2Father pledge.

Plan an at-home dinner night with your family

Fathers have a great influence on the foods their kids eat.  As we previously reported upon one study showed that, “By far the biggest influence on how often children ate out was the number of times fathers did.”  While preparing food and setting the table after a long day at work can seem daunting, your family’s waistlines and mental health will thank you for it.  When we spoke about the positive effects of family dinners studies showed that beyond giving the family a space to talk freely without distraction kids who ate with their parents were less likely do be involved with drugs and other destructive behaviors.

Do something your children will remember forever

It is impossible to replace the role of the father in a child’s life.  Read about what other dads have done for their children in our previous stories: Waving at the Bus, Blind Crippled and Playing in a Marching Band, and Father Quits Job to be at Son’s Game to get inspired.  Remember, when children are grown they do not look back and remember their father through toys and gifts, but the experiences they shared together.  It can cost little to no money to perform a gesture or create an experience that your child will remember forever.

Respect their mother

If you are still in a relationship with the mother of your children, or are co-parenting, children gain more when parents work together toward a common goal rather than struggling against each other.  All Pro Dad shared some benefits children gain when you respect their mother, including: Security, stability, and added perspective.

Talk to your kids

Don’t be afraid to dig deeper than how your child’s day was or what they did in school, make a resolution to really sit down and level with your children about the issues they face.  Even though it may be awkward or difficult occasionally, for you and them, your children need your presence, guidance, and wisdom.  Reaching them may seem impossible at times, especially depending on their age, but you will be glad you did!  The National Fatherhood Initiative previously featured ways on how dads can use text message as one resource to help open up dialogues with their children.

Your resolutions may look very different than these, and you should always custom-tailor any advice to fit your own life and the specific needs of you and your family.  Use these resolutions as possible guidelines to help guide you in self-improvement as a father in the coming year.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm believes that fathers are an irreplaceable presence in a child’s life, for that reason we stand for Fathers, Families, and Fairness.

For many years, it did.  Scandals of infidelity and divorced were the nails in campaign coffins for many electoral hopefuls.  However, on December 10th during one of the latest GOP Debates a new page was turned for both the American public and its political world.

Since the politician’s martial status is more important than issues such as national debt or global warming questions inevitably came up with regards to the question of marriage.  Governor Rick Perry argued that marital fidelity should be a determining factor in voter’s minds: “If you cheat on your wife, you’ll cheat on your business partner.”

Then came Senator Rick Santorum, who bested all the candidates with seven children from his 21-year marriage, though Romney tried to compete by lumping children with grandchildren: “I have quite a few of them, 16.” Ron Paul, in his charming way, won points for valiantly changing the subject. “What about our oath of office? That’s what really gets to me!”

All of it was, of course, a build-up to Gingrich, whose marriage history looks like the grand finale of a fireworks display, complete with sparklers, black snakes and Roman candles. But if anyone thought Gingrich would go up in flames over this character test, they were sorely disappointed. Gingrich poured cold, quenching water on the question, and it ended up fizzling flatly.  He granted everyone the right to ask every single question, and render judgement on its respective answers.  Then proceeded to admit to his mistakes, went to God for forgiveness and sought reconciliation.  Putting a neat bow on top he added, “I’m a 68-year-old grandfather.”

Romney continued to poke at the burning embers of the question, trying to reignite the issue. His ads, and the appearance of his wife on the trail, are meant to set himself up as the “constant” one, a foil to Gingrich’s foibles. But it’s too late and the issue drops fairly flatly for the rest of the night.

If you are a fan of Gingrich or not he is a conservative favorite and this new stance is both a push forward and a representation of the sentiments of the country which he is running to lead.  The pain of divorce touches so many in America today that the happy, “complete,” families which politicians parade around are beginning to seem more and more the exception and less the norm.  An ideal which is beginning to look glaringly fake.  Despite what those politicians may say about the “sanctity of marriage” and the “luxury of both parents” the fact remains that tens of thousands of parents raise well adjusted, happy, and stable children who just happen to come from divorced households.

So the question remains, does anyone today really believe that divorce does such irreparable damage to a person’s moral fiber that they are unfit to lead our country?

Twilight fans are hardly subtle with their crazes, from “Team Edward” to “Team Jacob” t-shirts and more Twlight has swept the nation.  As a result, the radio show “Rollin’ With Nick Cannon” has something worth more than gold (or relationship security, apparently) to these Twilight fans: tickets to a special preview of the new movie “Breaking Dawn” a day before the movie is released in theaters.

But these tickets aren’t given out for free, or even just to “lucky caller number 7,” they want their contestants to work for them.

Playing off of the name, “Breaking Dawn,” the radio hosts are asking people to break the hearts of their significant others on air.  The rules are simple: the participants cannot mention the tickets, indicate they are on air, let their significant other know its for a radio show, and must break the person’s heart.  Co-host Sarah Lee said she wanted to, “hear [their heart] shatter.”

At first, you may think that no one would dare put their significant other through such an ordeal just for some movie tickets.  However, a slew of contestants (mostly women given the subject matter) happily put their boyfriends, fiancees, even husbands on the air and mock (or seriously) broke up with them.

Their website has two clips which you can listen to of the contest in action:

Clip 1

Clip 2

The article on 92.3′s website claims that (in their opinion) the relationship was made stronger from the ordeal.  But we could imagine a discussion might have occurred when the women got home.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm realizes divorce is a serious issue which should not be taken lightly or encouraged, even in a joking manner, for frivolous reasons.  Because of this we handle all cases our clients bring to us with sensitivity and care in a matter fitting of this difficult issue which many face.  If you find yourself in such a position contact our law firm today to see how we can we can help you and your family law case.

There’s a new compassionate yet no-nonsense approach to survive and recover from divorce in the new book, Re-Singled: 12 Truths, Half-Truths and Untruths of Divorceby national divorce coach and expert, Lee Block.

In this tell it like it is book, Block provides an ideal combination of coach, trusted advisor and best friend who, as she likes to say, has “been there, done that.” Speaking from professional as well as personal experience, she offers up what’s true, what is sometimes true and what is absolutely not true when it comes to divorce. This difficult topic is addressed in a good-natured, inspirational and non-judgmental approach about what at times, can be a tough and overwhelming road.

Re-Singled: 12 Truths, Half-Truths and Untruths of Divorce provides guidance on dealing with divorce every step of the way including how to recognize if divorce is the answer, healing from divorce and creating a new happier and healthy life while recognizing how not to repeat the same mistakes through Block’s “T.I.M.E.” process – Tough love, Inner work, Makeover and Energy. Important advice is also provided about protecting children through the break-up of a marriage, getting along with the ex and protecting your own interests in the divorce process.

“Divorce is one of those things you think you know all about until it actually happens to you,” says Block. “Regardless of where you are in your personal divorce journey, I feel confident in saying that there is something in this book for you. Whether it is an idea, a spark or even a life-altering shift that changes everything for you, it is here for those going through divorce, already divorced or even contemplating it.”

Published by Allie Girl Publishing, Re-Singled: 12 Truths, Half-Truths and Untruths of Divorce is available for $12.99 at http://www.leeblock.com and http://www.postdivorcechronicles.com.

About Lee Block:

Lee Block is a multi-talented, twice divorced mom of two who saw a need in the post-divorce community and created a family of sites centered on fulfilling that need. Lee has successfully launched http://www.postdivorcechronicles.com, http://www.LeeBlock.com, and http://www.postdivorcedatingclub.com all within a matter of months. Ms. Block is a nationally recognized expert in her field and certified life and divorce coach. She is a well known and engaging speaker and her coaching style has helped hundreds of people navigate divorce. Lee also writes for the Huffington Post and was recently recognized by Startup Nation as a Leading Mom in Business in 2011.

Veterans day is a time for remembrance and thanks to the fearless few who stand for people who they have never met, and will never have the chance to meet.  The people who believe in our country, serve its leaders, and in many cases pay the ultimate price for freedom for us all.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

At the end of World War I the United States Congress officially recognized and changed the day to Veteran’s Day to continue to honor those who served in the war, and wars to come.

Take the time today to vocalize the gratitude you feel for our nation’s soldiers.  Let them know you respect their sacrifices and how they have touched your lives without ever knowing them.

Employees at the Men’s Divorce Law Firm are related to and friends of veterans.  We know both the mantle of pain and honor that our soldiers willingly place upon their shoulders.  So we would like to take this moment to say thank you to all those who have served, are currently, or will in the future.  Your sacrifices mean our freedom, and that does not go unnoticed.

Published in the latest issue of Journal of Marriage and Family, the study proclaims that fatherhood, unlike marriage, can help change men’s bad habits; earlier research had shown that marriage can infuse positive behavioral changes in men but could not state specifically if marriage helped decrease tobacco and alcohol use significantly.

Kim Kardashian cancelled on a scheduled appearance at an Australian horse racing event to return home and deal with the fallout and emotions from her surprising divorce.  This was yet another mixed signal from the star, when earlier in the week she repeated in interviews in Australia  that she “really didn’t want to bail on everyone.”

However, she did spend enough time in the land down under to plug her new handbag line.

Kim met her husband, basketball player Kris Humphries, on October 31st 2010.  She filed for divorce due to “irreconcilable differences”and on her website she insisted that she married for love and it just didn’t “turn out to be the fairytale” she wanted.

Where is the 26 year old NBA star in all of this?  Humphries has been sighted around his Minnesota hometown still wearing his wedding band.  Being a more private person he has not discussed any marital problems with friends, family or paparazzi.  However, he did make a statement to US Weekly saying, “I’m committed to this marriage and everything this covenant represents. I love my wife and am devastated to learn she filed for divorce. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.”

Assuming the couple goes through with the divorce an iron-clad pre-nup protects Kim from loosing any property to Humphries.  Anything she has earned during the marriage is hers to keep.  But there is one thing Humphries and Kim: Profits from their E! Wedding Special that reached over 4 million viewers.  Kim and Kris earned 30% revenue from every commercial that aired, since the wedding special aired in about 50 countries that ended up being a large sum.

As questions and accusations about the marriage’s legitimacy get thrown around by fans and friends alike it is important to remember that the product of television drama has been the Kardashian’s product since their show “Keeping up with the Kardashian’s” aired in 2007.

“I think you try to milk it and say you’re not going to milk it,” said Derek Baine, a cable TV analyst for SNL Kagan, talking about E! News‘ coverage of the Kardashians. “You don’t want to seem real crass and taking advantage of a personal tragedy. In fact, it’s their job to boost the ratings. There’s nothing like a good car wreck.”

Suzanne Kolb, President of E! Entertainment had this to say about this season of the Kardashians, “The show is obviously going to have more drama in it that we originally expected with a newlywed couple.  At the same time, people are going to be able to see how difficult this was for the two of them.”

No one will deny or argue that divorce is an expensive and difficult process.  From lawyers fees, to moving fees and the day to day expenses that occur at a time when an income, for most people, is being cut in half.  In today’s economy, when money is even tighter people are finding new solutions and the “Live-In” Divorce has evolved.  This is when a couple going through a divorce makes the decision to continue to live together in the marital home.  It can be a decision made as a result of finances or the perceptions of our legal system, but for a family in New York it was a decision that proved fatal.

New York-area lawyer Sam Friedlander had filed for a divorce in April 2010. He and his wife, Amy Friedlander, continued to live in the same house in separate bedrooms even after a custodial agreement had been reached in April. Their $799,000 Cross River, N.Y., home had been on the market for five months.

Their divorce proceedings, described by some as contentious, took a deadly turn when on Oct. 18, according to police, Sam Friedlander bludgeoned his wife to death then fatally shot their two children before turning the gun on himself.

It has lead people to ask the question that can never be answered: could this tragedy have been avoided if they had chose to live apart?

Most lawyers and court systems agree that in cases of documented domestic violence moving out is the only option for the safety of the spouse and any children involved.  Even when there is no record of violence between the couple some couples are forced by finances to continue to to live in the same home.  However, why do couples chose to stay together even when they have the capacity to leave?

Many clients are informed that if they leave it could look unfavorable in court for both property and custody of their children.

Dr. Mark Banschick, a child psychiatrist in Katonah and author of the book series, ” The Intelligent Divorce,” said couples often feel financial and legal pressures to live together while going through a divorce. Banschick said he consulted with attorneys who explained that what’s driving parents to stay together is mainly the issue of custody and the idea that judges will see the person who moved out as less responsible.

” This is a patronizing, 19th-century version of marriage and divorce where the notion of male judges is that any man who leaves his wife and family should be punished,” he said. ” We must stick to the 21st-century, evaluate every family based on its own merits … We should not create a situation that compels people to stay together when they shouldn’t.”

Jane Aoyama-Martin, an attorney and executive director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center at Pace Law School, said ” live-in divorce” cases are often the result of finance and/or custody and property issues. Sometimes people don’t want to leave because they think it could hurt their ability to get custody of the children, she said, or it’s a control struggle over who has rights to the house.

Tamara Mitchel, a matrimonial and family attorney in White Plains, said that child custody agreements are often reached before a parent leaves the house. If not, she said, it could be considered a ” de facto agreement” by the spouse who moved out to give up custody to the spouse left with the children.

Despite the perceptions in the legal system some couples are working to find a solution that benefits them both legally, financially, and within their family.

Dr. Grant Mitchell said he heard of one recent case in which a divorcing couple had their lawyers draft up an agreement, saying they would be living separately but that they were not abandoning their kids.

” We think that’s a healthier approach rather than forcing yourself to stay in an unpleasant situation,” he said.

Other couples have found solutions such as renting an apartment and developing a rotating schedule for the parent who stays in the apartment and who stays in the marital home with the children.  This avoids placing more relocation stress on the children and puts both parents on an equal playing field with time in the marital home.

No matter the solution to habitation during a divorce it is paramount for both parents to consider their personal well-being as well as the well-being of their children.

If you are struggling through a divorce with a home, children, or other complex factors contact the Men’s Divorce Law Firm today to schedule an appointment with Managing Attorney Jeffrey Feulner.