The money raised from the event went to Special Olympics Florida and the YMCA Scholarship Fund.  Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in 19 Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy.  The YMCA Youth Scholarship Campaign supports kids and families in our community who need a  helping hand.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm was happy to participate in the 5K because we enjoy getting involved in local events and giving back to the community.  If you would like to learn more about Special Olympics Florida, click here, or visit the YMCA website for more information on their Youth Scholarship Campaign.

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To buy the book from Amazon, click here.

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The Men’s Divorce Law Firm appreciates that other states are calling for equal treatment for parents in regards to child custody.  We hope that this will help parents communicate more effectively after a divorce and consider each other’s visitation rights more carefully. 

To follow the bill’s progress, visit the Illinois General Assembly Bill Status online.

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Most feel the couple is made for each other, and Carter and Burton seem to agree.  However, they do enjoy their individualism, too.  The couple currently owns two houses in Hampstead, one for each of them, that are connected by a communal room described as a grand hallway.  Carter and Burton decorated each of their houses to suit their interests.  Carter’s has a girly, vintage theme, while Burton’s house is distinctly Gothic with skeletons and weird things laying about and neon lights in the floor.

They each have their own kitchen, but Carter admitted that Burton’s is rarely used.  “He always visits, which is really touching,” she said.  Carter continued to explain that having two houses is a really great idea.  “You never have to compromise or feel invaded,” she shared.

Alison Boshoff stated in her recent article from Mail Online that it’s only when you consider how different they are that you realize why the arrangement works quite so well.  Carter often rambles on in Burton’s presence, while he prefers to be quiet.  Having separate dwellings gives them the freedom to be themselves, while also keeping the door open to stay connected to each other.

For more about Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, click here to read the article “Mr. and Mrs. Mad Hatter” from Mail Online.

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Unfortunately for the husband, the panelists, including Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa, and Jerry Seinfeld, agreed that the dog was a bit too creepy, and that if the husband really wants to save it, he should keep it in the attic.  The referee, host Tom Papa, ruled with the panelists when he video-conferenced in the couple.  Lucky for the husband, even though he was outnumbered regarding his dog, he and his wife were given tickets for a resort vacation to thank them for participating in the show.

Overall, this show is a great way for couples all over the nation to finally be satisfied with finding out who is right in their disagreements with each other.   “The Marriage Ref” airs on Thursday nights from 10-11 p.m.  The celebrity panel changes week to week, so stay tuned to see more guests stars, such as Tina Fey, Madonna, and Eva Longoria. 

To read more about the show and preview a short clip, check out Ken Tucker’s review over at Entertainment Weekly Online.

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Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 college, high school and middle school campuses across the country and internationally – positively impacting more than 400,000 individuals last year alone. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States and has accredited international programs on six continents.

The Men’s Divorce Law Firm strongly believes in community service and takes pride in knowing that our support and contributions help to positively affect others.  Members of the firm were in attendance at Best Buddies latest event in Central Florida that raised money to further the organization’s current and future projects.   

Click here to gain further information and to learn how to become involved in this vital and compassionate organization. 

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Rebecca claimed that when they were married, Joseph agreed to raise their kids Jewish and had even converted to Judaism himself.  Joseph agreed that he had adapted to Rebecca’s religious practices to appease her parents and reduce any conflict in the family.  He did, however, deny that he had ever agreed to raise his kids Jewish, stating that religion was never a significant part of their life together.

As the marriage dissolved, Joseph said he was beat up in divorce court.  He felt the court was rigged against men because Rebecca got the car, the house, and custody of Ela.  After the divorce, Joseph baptized his daughter in a Catholic Church.  Rebecca went to court after she found out about the baptism, and the Chicago judge agreed that Joseph should be barred from exposing Ela to other religions during his visitations.

When the judge ruled, Joseph was shocked.  He felt there was no proof he had harmed his daughter by taking her to church or having her baptized, so he protested by taking a television crew with him and his daughter to a Catholic mass.  Rebecca is now charging Joseph with indirect criminal contempt that could lead to a jail sentence of up to six months.  Joseph’s attorney claims his client did not take his daughter to church out of spite, but that he did it because he believed in a fundamental principle.  “There are dads all over this country whose rights to be a parent are being infringed upon.  Noncustodial parents, overwhelmingly dads, get the short end of the stick.” Joseph explained.

Despite all of the media attention and controversy, both parents hope the case ends amicably.  They have said they are willing to expose Ela to both religions, but they want to reach a fair agreement.  Joseph is open to raising Ela Jewish as long as he can take her to church with him on Sundays and other holiday observances that fall during his visitation times.

Click here to read 20/20’s full story.

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Question: I have been divorced for 25 years, and my former wife remarried 22 years ago.

In the meantime I have had a long-term relationship with a woman I am considering marrying.

I have heard that as a former spouse my ex-wife could have a claim on my Social Security benefits when I die. If I remarry, who will have rights to those benefits?

-R.M., Orlando

Answer: Whether your former wife would be entitled to Social Security benefits based on your earnings will hinge on a number of factors, including whether your marriage with her lasted more than 10 years. If it did not, she would not be entitled to collect Social Security based on your earnings record.

If the marriage exceeded 10 years, she may qualify for Social Security benefits equal to one-half of your full retirement amount, or slightly less, if — at the time you start receiving your benefits — she is unmarried, 62 years or older and is not eligible for an equal or higher benefit on her own, or someone else’s, earning record.

But even if she did qualify, your new spouse’s benefits would not be affected. They will depend on her age, work history and whether or not you have dependent children. For more information visit the Social Security Administration’s Web site, SSA.gov, which features a retirement benefit estimator.

Question answered by Attorney Jeffrey Feulner

To read Attorney Feulner’s answer, follow the link here to the Orlando Sentinel.

If you would like to learn more about how the Men’s Divorce Law Firm can help you, please feel free to contact us at 407-644-1896, or e-mail us at info@mensdivorcelaw.com.

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The Men’s Divorce Law Firm is a proud sponsor of the arts, and especially the Orlando Ballet.  Members of the firm were in attendance and were pleased to have been part of such a unique cultural event.

Click here for more information on the upcoming events with the Orlando Ballet. 

Participants were also invited to play games before the event that tested their ability to navigate while blindfolded and learn how to approach guide dogs from local representatives of the organization.  “When we’re walking, they’re working.  It’s important to talk to us and not distract the dog,” they explained.

At the conclusion of the event, Jason Guy of WESH 2 News announced the award winners for top fundraising and participation.  Mrs. Orlando 2010, Dedra Curtis, took pictures with the winners and handed out the trophies.  Lighthouse has raised over $11,000 for the event, but donations are still being counted.  The Men’s Divorce Law Firm was happy to participate in this event, and looks forward to getting more involved in community events in the coming months.

To see our pictures from the event, click here.

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