Divorce

Navigating Contempt Proceedings After Divorce

Published on: April 19, 2024 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Going through a divorce is undoubtedly a challenging experience, but what happens if your former spouse fails to comply with court-ordered obligations after the divorce is over? In Mississippi, as in many other states, people who disregard court orders related to divorces can face consequences through contempt proceedings. Filing for contempt can be a strategic step to make sure your ex complies with the terms of your divorce. Let’s delve into the process of filing for contempt after a divorce in Mississippi.

Understanding Contempt of Court:

Contempt of court occurs when a person willfully disobeys a court order. In the context of divorce, this could involve failure to pay child support or alimony, refusal to adhere to custody arrangements, or neglecting to transfer property or assets as stipulated in the divorce decree.

What is the Difference Between Annulment and Divorce?

Published on: February 13, 2024 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Annulment and divorce are both legal processes that end a marriage, but they differ significantly in their legal implications and outcomes. Here are some key differences between annulment and divorce:

Legal Implications:

Annulment:

Mississippi Chancery Courts: What You Need to Know

Published on: January 23, 2024 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

When it comes to the legal system in Mississippi, there’s a special type of court that might not be on your radar: the Chancery Courts. These courts play a unique role in handling cases that don’t quite fit the mold of regular law courts. Let’s dive into what makes these courts tick and why they matter.

What Are Chancery Courts?

Think of Chancery Courts as the “fairness courts.” They deal with situations where following strict laws might not lead to a fair outcome. These courts have been around for a long time, with roots tracing back to England. When Mississippi became a state in 1817, it decided to have Chancery Courts alongside regular law courts to make sure justice was served even in tricky cases.

Mississippi’s Two Types of Divorce

Published on: December 14, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

There are two types of divorce in Mississippi: Irreconcilable Differences divorce (sometimes called “ID divorce” or “uncontested divorce”) and Contested or Fault-Based divorce. The type of divorce you choose largely depends on whether or not you and your spouse can agree to a divorce.

Irreconcilable Differences Divorce

Irreconcilable differences divorce is also sometimes called uncontested divorce. This type of divorce is used where both spouses agree that they want to get a divorce and can agree to all the terms of the divorce. If one spouse does not want a divorce and does not agree to the divorce, ID divorce cannot be used, and the spouse who does want the divorce will have to file for fault-based divorce. What happens if the couple agrees that they both want to get a divorce, but cannot agree on certain terms like child support? In this type of situation, the couple can still file for irreconcilable differences divorce as long as they agree that the court will determine any remaining terms of disagreement.

How to Prepare for Divorce

Published on: December 11, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

When a marriage is breaking down and it becomes obvious that divorce may be approaching, it can be scary for everyone involved. However, there are several things that spouses can do to prepare for divorce if they know that they are likely headed in that direction. It is never a bad idea to prepare ahead of time so that the divorce process runs as smoothly as possible.

Basic Divorce Requirements

The first part of starting the divorce process is determining whether you meet the state residency requirement. To file for divorce in Mississippi, you must be a Mississippi resident for at least six months at the time of filing. Most people satisfy this condition easily, but if you have not lived in Mississippi for at least six months, you may need to wait until that six-month period has passed. Residency may be proved in many ways including but not limited to filing for a homestead exemption, registering to vote, purchasing an instate drivers’ license, and so on.

Tips for Coparenting During the Holidays

Published on: November 30, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

The holiday season can be an especially stressful time for nontraditional families and blended families. When partners split up and share custody or visitation of their children, this can mean double the holiday celebrations and splitting time between many different homes. Children who grew up with divorced parents are all too familiar with this situation – two Christmases, two Thanksgivings, double the presents, hours and hours of driving back and forth, and living out of a suitcase for weeks at a time. From a parent’s perspective, the holidays can come with many additional sources of stress – more communication with their ex and coparent, bearing the financial burden of buying gifts without assistance, planning drop off and pick up times, and the additional sadness of coping with the fact that you might not have your own child at home on Christmas morning. Here are our tips for reducing the stress of coparenting during the holidays.

Plan Ahead, but Be Flexible

It can be helpful for co-parents to sit down and put together a plan for how they want things to go. This will obviously be easier if you have a good relationship with your ex, but it can still be attempted even if you do not have a good relationship. If you have a custody order that dictates how holidays should be split up, use that as your starting point for making a plan. Planning ahead will help avoid any last-minute disputes over who gets to see the child. But no matter how much you plan ahead, you’ll still have to be flexible. No plan is perfect, and unexpected things can always happen last minute, but clear communication with your ex can reduce stress and manage expectations.

What is Rehabilitative Alimony?

Published on: November 13, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Rehabilitative alimony is a type of financial support that helps one spouse become self-sufficient after a divorce. It acts as a boost to help them get back on their feet and become independent. Unlike typical forms of alimony, rehabilitative alimony is not permanent support. It is only given for a specific amount of time to give one spouse the education, training, or work experience they need to become financially independent.

When Would Someone Need to Ask for Rehabilitative Alimony?

The most common situation where someone might need rehabilitative alimony is if they were a stay-at-home parent during their marriage, and now they need to go back to school or get additional training in order to get a job and support themselves after divorce.

The Role of Mediation in Family Law: Resolving Conflicts Amicably in Mississippi

Published on: June 30, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Family disputes can be emotionally and financially draining, often leaving lasting scars on all parties involved. However, an alternative dispute resolution method called mediation offers a valuable opportunity to resolve conflicts amicably, particularly in the realm of family law. In this blog post, we will explore the role of mediation in family law, focusing on the specific mediation laws and practices in Mississippi.

Understanding Mediation in Family Law

Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party, known as a mediator, facilitates communication and negotiation between disputing parties. The goal of mediation is to assist individuals in reaching mutually acceptable agreements and resolving conflicts without the need for adversarial litigation.

Putative Father Registries

Published on: June 16, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

In Mississippi, the Putative Father Registry (PFR) is a tool available for men who believe they may have fathered a child out of wedlock. The registry is a legal document that allows a man to claim parental rights and be notified of any legal proceedings related to the child. In this blog, we’ll explore the PFR in Mississippi and the reasons why a man might or might not want to register.

What is the Putative Father Registry?

The Putative Father Registry is a legal tool available in Mississippi to allow unmarried men to claim parental rights for a child they believe they may have fathered. The registry is maintained by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS) and is open to any man who believes he may have fathered a child out of wedlock. To register, the man must provide identifying information, such as his name, date of birth, and address, as well as information about the child’s mother and any potential child support obligations. Once registered, the man will be notified of any legal proceedings related to the child, such as adoption or custody cases.

Co-parenting In The Summer Doesn’t Have To Be A Heated Discussion

Published on: May 31, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Tips for Co-parenting During the Summer

Co-parenting can be a challenging task, especially during the summer when children are out of school and schedules may be less structured. However, with a little bit of planning and communication, co-parenting during the summer can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved. Here are some tips to help you successfully co-parent during the summer months.

Plan ahead: Summer is a busy time for everyone, so it’s important to plan ahead as much as possible. Sit down with your co-parent and create a summer schedule that includes vacation time, camp schedules, and any other activities or events that you want to do with your child. Having a clear plan in place will help to minimize confusion and conflict.