Jackson Family Law Blog

Recent reports indicate that Kobe and Vanessa Bryant will continue the property division process in their divorce despite indications that they are reconciling. The basketball star married his wife in 1999 when he was 21 years old and she was 19. The couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement, which means that Vanessa may be entitled to half of Kobe's $150 million net worth in addition to child support and alimony.

"A married couple can decide to split their specific assets and continue their marriage," one attorney said. He also added that there are times when a financial split strengthens a marriage by restoring a balance of power between the couple.

When a noncustodial parent in Mississippi skips out on child support payments, the custodial parent has a number of options that are available to enforce payment. In the past, these options have included garnishment of wages, interception of tax refunds and liens on property. However, if one Mississippi senator has his way, the state could extend the list of available options to enforce child support payments to include gambling winnings.

Recently, the Mississippi State Legislature reconvened for its 2012 session, and legislators are currently taking up proposed laws. Among the bills introduced is one by Sen. Michael Watson from Pascagoula that would give custodial parents and the state the option to intercept the casino gambling winnings of noncustodial parents who owe back-due child support. If passed, the bill may increase the state's ability to collect child support payments from parents who have skipped out on their financial obligations.

Cases in Mississippi and elsewhere involving the non-payment of child support can often be difficult to resolve. On the one hand, the custodial parent has every right to enforce the collection of child support on behalf of the child or children. Yet on the other hand, the non-custodial parent may be simply unable to pay rather than unwilling to pay. Nonetheless, a failure to pay could very well lead to serious ramifications for the non-custodial parent, including hefty fines and time behind bars.

Recently, a 44-year-old mother from Guntown, Mississippi, pleaded guilty in a Clay County Circuit Court to felony non-support. According to court documents, she owes $30,000 in back-due child support payments. Under the terms of her sentence, she will need to immediately pay $5,000 to cover the arrearage along with court costs. She will also need to pay $250 more a month in addition to her regular court-ordered child support payments.

We all have our ups and downs when it comes to being healthy. Sometimes we love it and want nothing more than to go for a jog and follow it up with a veggie-packed salad. Other times, however, we crave couch time and junk food. Often, our health habits are affected by our life circumstances. When a major change occurs in our lives, we may lean toward one lifestyle or the other.

For some people in Mississippi, divorce can be a difficult transition with many new and unfamiliar challenges. A recent study indicated that these changes may be negatively affecting the health of some people. According to a recent review of several published studies, divorced adults suffer greater health problems and live shorter lives than those who are married.