Giving new moms a voice

Where did it all start? I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was a 28 year old sleep deprived new mom of a 3 month old working a crazy number of hours as a full time attorney, volunteering 10 hours a week for three non profit boards focusing on the needs of children and mothers, just created a youth peer court program that gave first time juvenile offenders a second chance and tending to my aging parents.

Something had to change. I wanted it all but would that be possible? Only if I started calling my own shots. And that would mean going out on my own and starting my own practice.

It was scary and it was hard. 22 years later I finally realize and truly appreciate what a gift this leap of faith proved to be. I’ve been able to choose the direction I wanted for my legal career, being an educator and advocate. I am an estate planning attorney whose practice helps parents put important legal documents into place should the unthinkable happen... a parent passes away leaving minor children at home. My first client was a husband and wife where the husband came from a very male dominated culture and felt that his wife had; no right to make any financial decisions for their family, no capability to understand where their monies were invested, no right to dictate what expenses were appropriate, no authority to decide what would happen to their children if they were to pass away unexpectedly, and no right to weigh in on parenting decisions. If he were to pass away she would be alone, with the world on her shoulders, future predetermined by her husband and her children taken away and moved to his home country. I was shocked by his very forthright stipulation that this is the way it was going to be and her silent acceptance of his resolution.

In fact, his wife was a bright, caring, inquisitive person who was not only capable but also desirous of being more involved. She just needed some support and a voice. She needed to be reassured that it was ok for her to want to and deserve to be more involved in family affairs. Her husband also needed some support too that it was ok to begin to think differently and to trust and to include her in the conversation.

Together we crafted a joint estate plan and a began a more healthy and energizing conversation that involved co-parenting all aspects of their financial and family demands/concerns.

I realized then that I really enjoyed the practice of law. Absolutely! But what I love more is the education and the mediation piece. I loved finding solutions and making sure that everyone at the table feels heard, understood and appreciated.

That is why I love World Pulse. It takes that language and conversation to a higher level. No topic is off limits, all participants are included, every word is important and the world is absolutely interested.

Thank you for inviting me to be involved in such an incredible organization.

Michelle-Shari Kruss, Attorney at Law www.krusslaw.com

(503) 490-4020