I see it almost every day, some DIY-divorce-in-a-box for the low, low price of $395.99 and it’s even “state specific!”
These are almost always a disaster. They are a disaster for several reasons, but primarily because they are so often wrong, incomplete and inadequate. There is no uniform body of law in our country for Family Law. Each state has their own take on things, nuances and requirements.
Most lawyers are not out just to get your money. They want to help, usually. They want to be paid for their experience, expertise and specialized education.
Are there some duds? Yes. But, if you spend a few minutes researching, ask a trusted friend or other professional, you can usually get aimed in the right direction.
It may cost a little more on the front end, but long term having it done right is worth it.
Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and hires a lawyer when he needs one too.
With back-to-school comes the end of the summer schedule, loose routines and late bed times. Along with the return to school comes “Meet the teacher,” “Back-to-School Night,” & “Meet the (insert mascot of your school here).”
Regardless of your “Custody” arrangement, both parents are free to attend any and all events. It matters not whose “time” it is. I routinely advise clients that if our children attended school or events together, if I can go, you can go.
Additionally, Mississippi law specifically provides that a parent, even a non-custodial parent, shall have “access to records and information pertaining to a minor child, including but not limited to medical, dental and school records, [and] shall not be denied to a parent because the parent is not the child’s custodial parent if such parent’s parental rights have not been terminated by adoption or by a termination of parental rights proceeding.” MCA 93-5-26
So, parents, go to these events for your child. Meet their teacher, meet the other parents, their classmates and school administrators. Stay plugged in. It will benefit your child.
Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody attorney in Mississippi and encourages you to be an engaged parent.
I recently read the book Flim Flam. One theme that stuck out was that your activities through electronic devices leaves a footprint that can be traced back to you.
This is a good lesson for persons maneuvering a family law matter. Your digital footprint will lead back to you.
For divorced parents, or parents operating under a custody order, summertime is a change in the standard schedule. The summer is full of activities that start and stop at different times. There are camps and visits to grandma’s house. There are trips out-of-town, out-of-state and last-minute opportunities that could be amazing. Be a reasonable parent.
Think about putting the children’s needs ahead of your own. Think about encouraging a good, healthy relationship between the children and the other parent. Think about “what is the right thing to do?,” as opposed to “how can I get the other parent?” By the way, if you do not know what the “right thing” is, you are part of the problem.
Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and wishes we all could just get along. He also recommends you be a reasonable parent year-round, not just in the summertime.
The Mississippi Supreme Court has reversed a Lowndes County Chancery Court Judge’s Order which essentially banned firearms from all areas of the courthouse.
The Judge- by Taurus, a revolver capable of firing a .45 long colt or .410 shotgun shell. It is legal for Judges to carry guns, even on the bench in Mississippi.
This is somewhat controversially in light of several recent MS law clarifications on where one could and could not carry a firearm. A resident of the local community challenged the Court Order, alleging it contradicted state statutory law which limited broader restrictions to the wisdom of the legislature.
The law currently provides that if you have a concealed carry license and enhanced carry license endorsement you may carry in most public places, including Courthouses, so long as it is not in the Courtroom while Court is in session.
The Family law judges thought that did not go far enough and entered an Order, declaring the entire Courthouse a Courtroom, effectively banning firearms from the entire building.
The challenge was successful in having the Judge’s Order reversed. The Mississippi Supreme Court declared the Order an unconstitutional infringement on the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms.
“One of the clearest delegations of legislative power in our Constitution is found in
Article 3, Section 12. It provides: “The right of every citizen to keep and bear arms in
defense of his home, person, or property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called in question, but the Legislature may regulate or forbid carrying concealed weapons.” (Emphasis in original.) Without equivocation, the Legislature is the branch of government that the citizens of Mississippi chose to regulate or forbid concealed weapons.”
Justice Mike Randolph, Mississippi Supreme Court
The Lowndes County Chancellors have filed for a Rehearing and made several compelling arguments on why the Mississippi Supreme Court may have gotten this one wrong. Stay tuned for more.
Also, you may be wondering why the title says Don’t take your Gun to the Courthouse, even though the Supreme Court says you can, well, it’s just good advice.
Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney, gun enthusiast and practices in Lowndes Chancery Court and does not think family law litigants having guns at all times is a great idea.
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
Depression symptoms include:
Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Loss of energy or increased fatigue
Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)
Feeling worthless or guilty
Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. Depression can strike at any time, but on average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime.
Depression is a common side effect of being involved in a family law case. Experiencing depression as part of a divorce and/or custody case is normal. It does not mean that you are crazy, weak or broken. Also, being a part of a case can exacerbate symptoms of depression.
Below is a simple “test” that is available online. It is the Beck Depression Inventory. It is the standard in helping diagnosing depression.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI, BDI-1A, BDI-II), created by Aaron T. Beck, is a 21-question multiple-choice self-report inventory, one of the most widely used psychometric tests for measuring the severity of depression.
Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and reminds you that an online test is no replacement for an evaluation by your physician, counselor or healthcare professional.
Going to the Dr. is not what we most look forward to.
However, it is a good idea. Getting a check up is a part of a healthy life and if you are dealing with the stress and anxiety of a Family Law matter it is all the more important to live a healthy life.
In custody cases your physical and mental health matters. It is one of the Albright factors that the Court must consider in determining custody of children. It is one of the Armstrong factors; health and earning capacity are used to determine whether or not to award Alimony and these factors impact how much and how long the award may be for.
Health insurance coverage and expenses is an issue in almost every case. Pre-existing conditions, insurability and availability of health coverage matter.
Get a check up and get checked out.
Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and recommends that you get a medical health check up.
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