Ex-fiance sues to get engagement ring back
A New York doctor is suing his ex-fiance to get the $58,000+ engagement ring back after the wedding was called off. The doctor claims his ex-fiance is a pro at agreeing to marry others, get the goods, break off the engagement, and refuse to return the jewelry and other gifts. Read the story here.
Reported by: Robert Kisselburgh, Mississippi Divorce Attorney
Warren and Scott County added to list for e-filing in Chancery Court
Madison County, Mississippi Chancery Clerk's office was the first county in Mississippi to offer e-filing and online access to Chancery Court records. It has been a resounding success, in large part due to Chancery Clerk, Arthur Johnston, and his office. Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice William Waller, Jr. recently announced the e-filing program would be expanded to Warren County and Scott County Chancery Courts. Hopefully, this service will soon be available in Circuit Courts.
Tiger Woods in Mississippi, but not for golf
The search for Tiger Woods is over. He is in Mississippi. Unfortunately, it is not to play golf. Sources say Tiger Woods is in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where he took up residency at Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Service for treatment of sex addiction. It remains to be seem if this is part of a deal to appease his wife or truly treat a problem.
Information provided by: Robert Kisselburgh, Mississippi Divorce Attorney
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Enjoy the music and light show from my favorite Christmas band, Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Tennessee woman faces contempt for Facebook "poke"
A 36-year-old Tennessee woman was arrested and charged with violating a protective order that prohibited her from "telephoning, contacting or otherwise communicating with the petitioner." How did she violate the order? It seems she "poked" the other petitioner on Facebook. According to Facebook, if you "poke" someone, they will receive a poke alert on their home page. According to the article, her attorney says she was surprised that a "poke" violated the order. I guess she has a hard time understanding what "contacting" means. It is rather apparent if you "poke" someone on Facebook, you are contacting them. Good luck at her contempt hearing.
Information provided by: Robert Kisselburgh, Mississippi Divorce Attorney
Dog shares time with split owners
Here is another story of an expensive custody battle except in this case it was over a dog. A New Jersey couple spent the last three years battling over who gets the dog. $40,000 later, the judge ruled that the couple must share custody. The six-year-old pug, Dexter, will spend alternating five week periods with each party.
The amazing part of the story is that the husband is considering appealing the decision. I guess they have a lot of extra income they don't mind spending on attorney fees. According to the article, the wife, who frequently dresses Dexter in costumes and lavishes him with gifts, was pleased with the decision.
Can I collect Social Security benefits using my ex-spouse's employment history?
Typical scenario: Husband and wife have been married for twenty years and they get divorced. For the majority of their married life, husband was the bread winner in the family while the wife was a stay-at-home mom. Following the divorce, the wife goes back to work but never makes what her husband. When it comes to retirement, the question is whether the wife can collect social security benefits using her employment record or can she seek social security benefits using her ex-husband's employment record.
In an article today on ABC news, the author said the general rule is:
In addition to the required 10 years of marriage, there are four key qualifications to collect divorced spouse benefits:The person seeking to collect must not have remarried.
This person must be 62 or older.
The benefit this person would collect based on his or her own earnings record must be smaller than what they would collect on their former spouse's earnings history.
And the ex-spouse must be entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits on their own.
Another rule is that if you remarry, you generally cannot collect your ex-spouse's benefits unless the current marriage ends in death, divorce, or an annulment. The Social Security Administration also has some good information on their website.
If you or a loved one are contemplating divorce, you should speak with an experienced attorney. At the Kisselburgh Law Firm, we are experienced in representing clients going through a divorce. Call us at 601-936-4040 or contact us online to set up a consultation.
Teens in Texas must take parenting class
With teen pregnancy a real problem in our society, Texas decided to require high school students in public schools to take a class on parenting and paternity awareness. The class, according to the article, will teach teenagers to calculate child support payments as well as the cost associated with raising a baby. The classes are aimed at preventing the high incident of teen pregnancy and are definitely a step in the right direction.
To all those who have served this country and to those who are currently serving either home or abroad, thank you for your service to our country. And a special thanks to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in giving of their life in defense of this country.
To all others, please take time today to remember our soldiers, sailors, and airman. Through their sacrifices, you and I are able to do what we do today.
All of us can breath a sigh of relief. After today, we have a bit of a reprieve before the television airways are filled again with political advertisements. Today is our day—our day to make our choice known. So whatever you stand for and whomever you support, go to the polls and cast your ballot.
“People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote - a very different thing.”
Go out today and be a part of the majority who make themselves heard. If you are not sure where you are supposed to vote in Mississippi, click here to find your local polling location. You need to know your precinct code. If you do not, contact your County Circuit Clerk.
Reading like a headline out of the National Enquirer, this case out of Canada leaves more questions than provides answers. Here are the facts as related in the story.
Read the story for yourself here.
A week ago, the Kisselburgh Law Firm grew one with the addition of Maggie. Maggie, a 9 week old Golden Retriever, faithfully comes to the office each day and greets visitors as they arrive. Stop by sometime and see the newest and sweetest addition to our law firm.
"The Last Lecture" Professor Dies
Randy Pausch, who presented "The Last Lecture" as well as wrote a book by the same name, died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 47. I have talked about Randy on my website and urged folks to watch the video of "The Last Lecture" and read his book. This man truly understood the importance of living a legacy for your children. God Bless him and his family.
Man looks to eBay to start over following divorce
According to a recent article, an Australian man is attempting to start fresh following his divorce. He put all of his worldly possessions, plus more, up for sale on eBay. The 44-year-old is selling his car, home, jet ski, friends, hobbies, and job. Although offers have reached at least $1.7 million, no word on whether those bids are valid. This gives a whole new meaning to starting over following a divorce.
Man paying alimony to ex-wife who underwent sex change operation
Here is a bizarre story. A man and woman marry. After a bit of time, the wife starts cutting her hair shorter, gets some tattoos, injects herself with testosterone, voice gets deeper, and she now has to shave her beard. Divorce ensues--there's a big surprise. The husband is ordered to pay alimony. According to the article, the ex-husband finds out after the divorce that his ex-wife underwent a sex change operation and is now a man. The husband sought to terminate alimony payments based upon the sex change, but the court said no. Bizarre story to say the least.
Memorial Day--Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice
On this Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice by providing us the freedom to do what we do. Many brave men and women are not with us today while others are defending us home and abroad. Take time to remember their sacrifices.
Bernie Ebbers' wife files for divorce in Madison County, Mississippi
Bernie Ebbers' wife filed for divorce from her imprisoned husband in Madison County, Mississippi this last week. Ebbers was sent to prison in 2006 after his conviction for securities fraud and conspiracy while head of WorldCom. He is not expected to be released from prison until 2028. According to the Clarion-Ledger article, the couple married in 1999 and Ms. Ebbers still resides in their Bridgewater home in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
Federal officials will monitor the elections today in Madison County, Mississippi
According to CNN, Madison County is one of three counties where Justice Department officials will monitor voting today given past irregularities. Wonder if it has anything to do with the more than 10,000 names purged from the voter rolls last week by one election commissioner, although all the names were restored for today's election? Read here for that story.
I hope everyone will exercise their right to vote today.
Kisselburgh Law Firm is moving to Ridgeland, Mississippi
The boxes are packed, the movers have arrived, and the truck is loaded--we are moving. Starting tomorrow, Monday, March 3rd, our new office is in Ridgeland, Mississippi. We are conveniently located off I-55, south of the new Ridgeland mall, just down Highland Colony Parkway. You can find directions to our office on the "Contact Us" page and we will update it soon with a map once Google and Mapquest get their act together by adding our street.
Mississippi Justice--Grisham's latest project
A little off the beaten trail, my favorite Mississippi author, John Grisham, has a new book hitting the bookshelves--The Appeal. Check out his interview where he talks about writing this latest book as well as writing in general. Mississippi is or was home to some of my favorite authors--Greg Iles, Stephen Ambrose, Shelby Foote, and, of course, William Faulkner.
Natchez home to tamales and margaritas gets new abode
A little off the beaten path from family law, but important news nonetheless and great news for those lovers of tamales and margaritas at the infamous Fat Mama’s in Natchez, Mississippi. The Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the City of Natchez and Fat Mama’s to relocate Fat Mama’s from its current historic location to the corner of Canal and Washington.
The dispute arose when the United States Department of Interior designated land as a national park. The land included Fat Mama’s present location. So Fat Mama’s had to move. The city approved the new location, but some homeowners filed a lawsuit protesting its relocation and rezoning of the area. In an opinion issued this last Tuesday, the Mississippi Court of Appeals upheld the City of Natchez’s decision to approve the rezoning.
So for those of us who travel to Natchez (if you have not been, you are missing an experience), rest assured that Fat Mama’s will continue serving those tamales and margaritas and soon will be sporting a new location—hopefully one with a little more parking.
Robert M. Kisselburgh
