Wow, what a year of life changing decisions it’s been for Andrew and me!
A few years ago, following encounters of many frustrating situations (including Covid!), we decided to follow a lifelong dream of spending more time in Latin America. We both needed a break and change of pace.
With both of us still working full-time and running our law practices, we needed to find a place that was easy and quick to travel to. Zihuatanejo, or as we call Zihua, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico fit the bill perfectly for us.
It was coastal so Andrew could continue to fish to his heart’s content. The warm, sunny climate was, and continues to be, a welcome respite to the cold, rainy (sometimes snowy!) months in Pensacola. And the Zihua residents are kind and friendly to visitors. Also, because we get asked this frequently, we feel very safe there.
We love Zihua so much, we bought a second home there and we started visiting more frequently over the next few years. This past winter, we spent a total of three months in Mexico, returning to Pensacola as needed for brief stints to take care of business. While out of the office, the amazing team at My Pink Lawyer®, including two other fantastic attorneys, kept the practice running smoothly. Most of you probably never even noticed that I was gone!
I recently decided that the time has come to turn over the reins of My Pink Lawyer® to new leadership. Attorney Amanda Lynch Elliott has been with My Pink Lawyer® off and on for almost a decade now. (She left for a brief stint to start her family.) Amanda is not only intimately familiar with how we do things at My Pink Lawyer® (which is much different than most law offices) but she also cares about each of our clients as much as I do.
Amanda is younger than me, though still well-seasoned professionally, and has the enthusiasm to lead My Pink Lawyer® to new heights. In fact, Amanda is the same age as I was when I started My Pink Lawyer® almost 20 years ago. Talk about coming full-circle!
I recognize that to many of you reading this, my decision to retire from My Pink Lawyer® may seem premature. However, I had an epiphany that the timing to step away is actually spot on.
I am 55 years young and have been practicing law for 30 years! Andrew and I are in the “sweet spot” of our lives. Our kids are “grown and flown,” our parents do not (yet) need our assistance with their care, and we are still young and healthy enough to travel and do all of the things that we want to explore for ourselves. Although the timing is never perfect in big decisions like this, the timing will never be better either, so I decided to take the retirement leap.
I understand that change is tough for some of you reading this. You may be thinking, “But YOU’RE my attorney! I trust YOU and have built a relationship with YOU.”
I get it but I’ve always stressed with all of my clients that they are in great hands with our firm, no matter who they are working with. I take great pride in the amazing team we have built over the years to serve you. You are still in great hands with Amanda and the other attorneys and team members at our office.
Trust me, you don’t need ME. You need a trusted team working alongside you to ensure that your estate planning needs are covered. Plus, you need the peace of mind knowing that our firm has your back even if someone is out of the office.
** Our Client Care Program is an excellent way for us to ensure that your estate plans stay current no matter what life changes come YOUR way. Check out the program here.**
Although I will no longer be available at the office, you may still occasionally hear from me in your inbox. Andrew and I have fun plans to explore the Southwest (more on that in a future update) and of course, the adventures in Mexico will continue. Plus, I imagine that some other international trips will be in store for us as much as our kids love to travel too.
So, I am signing off for now but this is not good-bye. I love and appreciate each and every one of you reading this today. I send you my deepest wishes of well-being and happiness.
All the best,
Kristen “The Time is Right” Marks
Founder, My Pink Lawyer®
