Category Archives: Child Support

Child Custody, Child Support, General Legal, Modifications, Visitation

Churchill Wisdom; On Perseverance

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Never, never, never give up.  

– Sir Winston Churchill

I recently concluded a 3 year, 4-day, custody trial.  The matter began 3 years ago on an emergency basis, removing custody of a child from one parent, due to their conduct, and placing custody with the other parent.

The matter took three years because it was in two different Courts; Youth Court and Chancery Court.  There was a lawyer change about a year into the matter and it took some time to have the matter transferred from one Court to the other.

There were Orders regarding pyschological evaluations and parenting classes and requirements of completing those processes.  Also, the delay benefited the party that had emergency custody, so having it concluded sooner was not a huge priority.  It also took a long time to get to the trial setting. It was set months in advance but due to the Court docket being backed up it was not quick.  Also, when the matter was not finished on the day set for trial, you do not just go back the next day, you get another setting months down the road.

This, however, is by no means a standard time frame, but it does happen. During the three years both parties wavered on pursuing the matter to the end, on compromising and just giving up.  But, perseverance prevailed.  Justice prevailed and the Court ultimately ruled on Custody and what was in the best interest of the child.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and can attest that perseverance can win the race.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@wmtlawfirm.com.

Child Custody, Child Support, General Legal, Opinion

War Stories; How NOT to testify (grandmother edition)

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War Stories are the fun, awful, tough and unique occurrences that lawyers and parties in litigation get to experience and live to tell about it. At water coolers and break rooms throughout the world lawyers regale anyone who will listen about that time they…(this series will include a few of my own).

Facts: This was an initial Child Custody case, which means the Court must consider the Albright Factors. Dad had temporary custody due to prior child neglect allegations against mom. Mom was required to pay child support pursuant to this Order. Mom called her mother (Grandmother) to testify to corroborate that mom is good, dad is bad, and custody should be with mom.

On direct examination, that is when mom’s attorney was questioning grandmother, she did fine. She said mom was good, dad was bad for reasons including; he was not around and did not support the child, and that the child should be with mom.

On cross-examination, that is when I get to ask questions, the tone changed. From the jump Grandmother was defensive and combative. This was a mistake on her part. She should have stayed calm and exuded confidence, not anger. Even if she had to fake it.

Upon questioning about the neglect allegations grandmother downplayed them as a misunderstanding and had a story which completely excused mom’s conduct. The problem was there had already been 3 prior witnesses which contradicted this, one of whom was mom! Certainly they had to have had a discussion prior to court.

Next, grandmother took dad to task for “not supporting” the child, but her only “proof” was anecdotal. Nonetheless, she concluded he was no good because he was not supporting them and she knew this because mom told her so. Grandmother changed her tune about a parent being no good for not supporting the child however, once my questioning revealed mom had not paid child support in months, though ordered. It was different for some reason, but she could not be explain how.

Lastly, Grandmother had no real complaints about dad’s care-giving the last several months when he had custody and reluctantly admitted the child was doing well. She was also extremely evasive about mom’s new beau and that person’s involvement with the child. It was obvious she was trying to avoid giving that testimony.

Grandmother should not have testified. She added nothing and ended up undermining mom’s case. The only way to have known this would have been to thoroughly prepare her for direct and cross-examination and taking the time to view the case from both parties’ perspectives.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and assesses your case from your perspective, as well as how the other side may approach it.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

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Child Support, divorce, General Legal, Modifications

Change, Change, Change…Change of Child Support

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I have previously blogged on the Mississippi Legislature, a.k.a. “the hissing possums” thanks to SNL, possibly taking action on proposed Child Support changes.  One such change was passed and will be in effect as of July 2013.

Senate Bill 2338 sought to increase the income levels that the child support guidelines are applied.  Child Support is a statutory amount on income. (Child Support, What you Owe).  If your income was between $5k -$50k per year, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), the guidelines applied and the Court computed what you owed.  The new law increased the income range to $10k-$100k per year, AGI, for the Court to base Child Support. MCA 43-19-101(e)

Currently, if you make $50k per year support for one child would be around $585.  This figure is 14% of $50k.  From there the Court could skew it upwards based on the needs of the child or if you made higher income, if appropriate.  So, your obligation could range from $585 -$1,200 per month, give or take, depending on your AGI income.  The law change makes the 14% apply directly to all sums over $50k up to $100k.  So, support on $100k AGI would be $1,166.00 per month.  As stated prior, this change likely just keeps higher wage-earner’s support in line with what they are already paying and is not a substantial change, as the Court could always deviate upward, or downward, if warranted.

I think the “possums” got it right and this change, while in practical effect is not too significant, does address in some respects the low rates nationally that MS is known for.  H/T to Judge Primeaux’s blog, 12th Chancery Court District of MS.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and reminds you to pay your child support and pay it often.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000

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Child Custody, Child Support, divorce, General Legal, Modifications, Visitation

A Fool for a Client…and Lawyer

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“He who represents himself has a fool for a client.”

– Abraham Lincoln

en.wikipedia.org

Oh, I have heard the stories that so-and-so did it and “won,” but that is the exception and not the rule.  Family law cases are hard to manage anyway, much more so if you don’t know what you are doing and if your judgment is clouded by high emotions.  I have seen many a Pro Se client just do awful.

Pro Se is the term the Courts use. It is Latin, meaning “for oneself.”

Lawyers have specific training and education regarding Court rules, rules of evidence and procedure.  Legal matters require things be done in a certain fashion or they are not valid.  Lawyers, usually, have experience with that particular area of the law and the Judge handling the matter.

I was involved in a case where the father, representing himself, sued the mother for interfering with his visitation, according to him.  He filed the suit, had her served and got a Court date.  Oops!  He did it wrong.  After filing, he should have gotten the Court date, had a summons issued (the correct summons by the way, a Rule 81 Summons in this instance) and then had the mother served.  Because he did it wrong it, he could not get the relief he was seeking and had to do it over.  In the meantime, mom met with her attorney, who asked the right questions.  It turns out dad was well behind on his child support and that the child and the father had a significant altercation which prompted the visits to stop.  Now, mom was armed with a lawyer, the law and filed against dad.  Ultimately, dad was held in contempt for non-payment of support.  He had to pay mom’s attorney fees and once the Judge heard about the altercation between the child and father, he ordered anger management counseling for dad and restricted visitation until dad re-petitioned the Court for visitation, after completing the counseling.  I like to think that if I had represented dad it would have been a different outcome or perhaps dad could have tried to resolve things without Court involvement. He should have had an attorney.  Click here for blogs on “Do I Need an Attorney?” & “How do I Find an Attorney?”

Representing yourself is about the worst thing you can do in a divorce and custody case!

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and thinks it wise to see an attorney before you try to represent yourself, and to not do it even after that.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@wmtlawfirm.com.

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Child Custody, Child Support, divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage

Mediating Family Law; Resolving Your Case on Your Terms or Not.

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I will be mediating a family law case, or rather agreeing to mediate a divorce, custody and property division case in the near future.  Mediation is a process whereby the parties agree to meet and attempt to resolve all issues prior to going to trial or without having to go to trial.

In a mediation the parties agree to hiring a third-party, typically another attorney or retired judge, to “hear” their  case.  Now the mediator is NOT the main authority.  In fact, the mediator cannot compel either of the parties to do or agree to anything. The mediator’s role is to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each sides case and to try to find common ground.  Sometimes the mediation is based on reason and logic and sometimes it is based on emotion or just some number someone is trying to reach. Almost anything can be mediated, though a rule of thumb is to not mediate when not prepared factually, legally (research wise), or with an abuser.

Pros:

  • The parties have the ultimate say in the final outcome.
  • Mediator gets to hear “everything,” so a party may have their “say.”
  • It is appeal proof. (unless fraud involved)
  • It can save fees and expenses.
  • It can reveal strengths and weaknesses in a case.
  • It works.  (approx 90% of the time)

Cons:

  • If there is no agreement there is no settlement.
  • Mediator’s opinion is non-binding.
  • It can add a layer of expense.
  • It can be frustrating.
  • It may not work.

Mediation is not a silver bullet to end litigation. It is just another implement in the tool box of resolving and litigating cases.

Is mediation right for you?  Almost any matter can be mediated. Speak to your attorney for more information.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and believes in the mediation process, though it may not be right in every situation.

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Child Custody, Child Support, divorce, Grandparent Visitation

‘Til Death, Even in Divorce

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There  is an old joke that the only sure things in life are death & taxes.  Even in divorce you still have to worry about death and taxes.

Death:  I have had several pending cases ended by death.  In one instance my client’s spouse died very suddenly of an accident.  It ended a contested divorce and custody case that had been progressing very slowly and not particularly amicably.  While the divorce and custody issues were over, it created new issues with the deceased spouse’s family. Grandparent visitation issues and intestacy issues arose, since the spouse died without a will (intestate).  This made the surviving spouse and children equal beneficiaries.  This was something the deceased’s side of the family was not to keen about.

I was also involved in a case where the non-custodial parent got custody of the children when the custodial parent died after the case was “over.”  They had been divorced for a few years.  But upon the custodial parent’s death the children when back to the surviving parent.

Death does not end the issues you have with the other parent or former spouse.  I know a lot of divorcing spouses may think it will solve all of their problems if that so-and-so would just die, but it could leave your children without their other parent.  It can create issues with the former in-laws, who now may be pursuing their rights of grandparent visitation.  It can create financial uncertainty as support obligations end at death, usually, and there might not be insurance or enough insurance.

Be careful what you wish for…

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney that hopes your case is not prolonged or shortened due to the death of your attorney.  (Taxes will be the subject of another riveting post).

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer  

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

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Bow Tie, Child Support, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Modifications, Opinion

Behind the Scenes; LawCall, TV, Radio & Speaking)

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Recently I was invited to be on the TV show LawCall.  I decided to write about that experience; the good, the challenges, and the behind the scenes “secrets.

LawCall is a live, weekly, thirty-minute call-in show hosted by local personal injury attorneys Rocky Wilkins and Tim Porter of the law firms, Morgan & Morgan and Porter Malouf, respectively.   The show features guests attorneys from across the state of Mississippi.  Every show highlights usually an area law.  The attorneys take live phone calls from viewers pertaining to that topic. My appearance was the Valentine’s edition; Love & the Law – Family Law in Mississippi.

This was not my first time on television discussing legal themes. I was previously a guest on the Local 98 TV Show The Reel Deal with Cole Berry discussing legal movies.  I have also been on the radio discussing Father’s Rights on WLEZ, in preparation for the then upcoming Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project’s free family law seminar.  I also routinely speak at CLEs (continuing legal education seminars) on Family Law.  I really enjoy these opportunities to talk about what I do.

On LawCall the usual hosts were out-of-town so Ben Wilson, an attorney with Rocky Wilkins Firm, filled in for Rocky.  Ben and I discussed general family law topics prior to the show.  I also met and spoke with the moderator/ TV facilitator Tamica Smith.  Tamica is a pro.  She has been on the news and TV for over 15 years in various markets and was as cool as a cucumber.

When I arrived, I received my instructions from Charley Jones and his wife Angela.  They produce LawCall.  I received an ear piece where I could hear the control room and the callers.  We did a run down, which is just a practice run of the show.  I was told where I would be sitting, how the show would open, when to expect commercial breaks and generally where to look.  This was the toughest part for me.  There were 3 cameras.  The one to my right I was never to look at.  When the shot showed the whole panel I was to look into the middle camera and when I was speaking directly to the caller I was to look to the left camera.  It took some practice and just as I was getting the hang of it the show was over!

There were 4-5 callers with some really good questions.  There was a question about whether a new spouse would be responsible for the husband’s support obligation from a prior relationship. She would not be.  There was a question about Grandparent’s rights.  Grandparents have rights guaranteed by law in Mississippi.  A caller asked about whether his alimony obligations could be changed.  Based on what he described he could seek to modify his obligations.

Behind the scenes.  One of the newscasters had on jeans.  You only saw him from the waist up on TV so it did not matter…  It made me think of the old joke showing all the newscasters in their “heart boxers” and suits up top.  It was only water in the coffee mugs.  I got to keep the mug.  Also, I had one call to my office within one minute of the show ending and had another call at 9:05 a.m. Monday morning.  How is that for marketing results!

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney that has appeared on Local 98 TV, WLBT’s Law Call, WLEZ on the radio and at numerous speaking engagements.  If you need a speaker or TV personality at your next Family Law Seminar/Banquet please contact Matthew about his low, low “Celebrity Appearance Fee!”

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer    Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000

Child Support, General Legal, Modifications, Opinion

Mississippi Legislature Considering Tweak to Child Support

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There are a few Bills kicking around the legislature that would impact child support in Mississippi.

Senate Bill 2338 seeks to broaden the income levels that the child support guidelines are applied.  Currently, Child Support is a statutory amount (see Child Support blog) on income if your income is between $5k -$50k per year, adjusted gross income (AGI).  This bill seeks to increase the income range to $10k-$100k per year, AGI.

As the law is currently, if you make $50k per year, AGI, support for one child would be at least $585.  This figure is 14% of $50k and from there the Court could skew it upwards based on the needs of the child.  So, your obligation would likely be in a broad range from $585 -$1,200 per month, give or take, depending on your income.  This change would make the 14% apply directly to all sums over $50k up to $100k AGI.  So, support, at the least, would be $1,166.00 per month.  This likely would keep higher wage earners support in line with what they are already paying and is not a substantial change.

Senate Bill 2339 proposes a more significant change.  This skews upward all statutory amounts, as follows;

  • 1 Child  from 14% to 17%
  • 2 Children from 20% to 24%
  • 3 Children from 22% to 26%
  • 4 Children from 24% to 28%
  • 5 or more Children from 26% to 30%

So in the same example from above the parent that owed $585 would now owe $710 in support, and if both Bills pass then the amount could be $1,416 per month if the paying parent made $100k AGI.

Mississippi has some of the lowest rates nationally for child support, but also extends the obligation to (21), which is longer than most other states, which end support at 18 or 19.  SB 2339 also proposes to decrease the age for emancipation to 18, or 19, depending upon whether the child has finished high school.  This is a significant change in the law and would only apply to post July 1, 2013, Orders and Judgments.  Neither are law now and it does not appear there is a groundswell of support for either, those these changes would make Mississippi in line with most other states.

Stay tuned to see what the “Hissing Possums” pass.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney that keeps abreast of the law and changes related thereto.  He also just used abreast and thereto in a sentence and twice referenced to hissing possums, as Saturday Night Live mockingly referred to the Mississippi Legislature.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer    Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@wmtlawfirm.com.