Tag Archives: order

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion, Property Division, Visitation

When an “Agreement” is Not an Agreement.

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Let’s agree to disagree.

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Parties in a lawsuit have a lot of latitude to agree to settlement terms. This is certainly true in divorce. Virtually everything is negotiable and if an agreement can be reached, usually it will be approved by the Court.

However, to be an enforceable agreement it must be approved by the Court. Until such time as your agreement is reduced to writing, signed and approved by the Court, it is on iffy ground as to enforceability issues. While some issues may be contracted without Court approval in a family law case, such as property division and alimony, some issues can not be enforced absent Court approval, such as child custody related terms.

Likewise, “changing” your Court papers without Court approval is dicey. Swapping out a holiday here or a week there is not usually a big deal, but changing payment terms, amounts, or duration can lead to serious consequences if done without Court approval. Child support vests as it comes due and absent exigent circumstances cannot be forgiven.

An agreement to agree is no agreement at all.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney and reminds you to have your Agreement approved by the Court in an Order.

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General Legal

The Rules Apply to You.

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This is a lesson for Youths, Adults and Children of All Ages…

THE RULES APPLY TO YOU!

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“But, but…” Whether you are a Lawyer, Mother, Father, just a Child, or  the Judge The Rules Apply to You.

A Court Order that requires you to do certain things in order to have privileges is valid, even if you disagree with it. Just because you think it unfair, unnecessary, sexist, biased, dumb or a waste of money does not change the fact that it is a Rule you have to abide by.

Following the Rules is not always fun nor easy, but not following the Rules leads to trouble and expense and may put your freedom in jeopardy.

Follow the Rules.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and advises his clients to follow the Rules.

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@bowtielawyer.ms.

Divorce

Contempt, Fine$ and Your Toothbrush; Disobeying Court Orders

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Contempt is the willful refusal to follow or abide by a valid Court Order.

Contempt is what the Court finds when you 1) do NOT DO what you have been Ordered to do, or when you 2) do what you have been Ordered NOT to DO.

The most common finding of Contempt is failure to pay child support.  A willful failure to pay child support usually leads to a finding of Contempt and if repeated can lead to very bad results.  It is the most common contempt ground leading to incarceration.  A finding of contempt can result in fines, the payment of the other side’s fees and possibly incarceration.

However, you can be in Contempt of any valid Court Order if you do not follow it.  This can include violating a No Contact Order– meaning you are to not have contact or communications with a certain person and if you do you may be held in contempt.

So you can be held in contempt for NOT doing what you should, ie: pay support or for doing what you should NOT, ie: contacting a person you are barred from contacting.

So, what do you do when there is a valid Court Order? Follow it to the letter.

What happens if you don’t?  Well, you better bring your toothbrush…

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you to NOT do things that can lead to your incarceration.

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