While most child custody cases arise in a divorce between parents, many other cases involve a nonparent’s right to custody over a minor child. Nonparental custody can occur where the parents are unfit to have custody or when a third party has had custody for a long time. This article explains the legal issues that […]
Under Mississippi law, each party in a divorce presumably has a fair share to marital assets. Marital assets include the parties’ rights to real and personal property acquired during a couple’s marriage. Personal property assets include income from whatever source, other than noninterspousal gifts, bequests, devise, and inheritances. However, what about income from a monetary […]
When someone dies without a last will and testament in Mississippi, they are considered to have died “intestate” – which literally means “without testament/witness.” As a result, Mississippi intestacy laws will apply. Mississippi law has rules regarding how a person’s property is distributed in the absence of a valid will (“intestate succession”). Intestate succession is […]
Coping with the passing of a family member or loved-one is a difficult process. When the deceased (or “decedent”) leaves behind assets, dividing and distributing them can be challenge. Mississippi courts oversee how the assets and liabilities of the decedent’s estate are divided and distributed (probate administration). But probate administration can be a drawn-out process […]
One of the most challenging and difficult decisions judges must make with determining custody in a divorce is the best interests of the child. They often do this by closely examining the evidence, as well as assessing each applicable factor before ruling on the matter. In determining the best interests of the child, Mississippi judges […]
Congratulations! Your divorce has been finalized! You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that there are no more documents to complete, no more papers to file, and no more frustration from the process. However, there are certain things you need to take care of to ensure the provisions of your divorce decree are met […]
You probably remember the mental and emotional effort it took to draft your original estate plan. Maybe you locked your legal documents away in a safe and considered it a job well done. However, it’s recommended that you review your estate plans regularly with the assistance of an attorney or a tax advisor. After all, […]
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three women and one in four men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. In fact, violent acts committed by intimate partners account for 15 percent of all violent crime in the United States. There are over […]
Purchasing a home will most likely be the largest and most significant investment you will make in your lifetime. However, such an accomplishment also involves the law of real property, which raises unique issues of practice, including issues not apparent in other transactions. This is why you may require the legal experience of a qualified residential […]
No matter the size of your estate, it is important to create an effective estate plan in order to ensure that your family is able to inherit your assets. Part of creating an effective estate plan involves navigating the probate process. In this blog, we explain what to expect from the probate process. What is Probate? The […]