FAMILY lAW

Protect what matters. Move forward with clarity.

Divorce does not have to mean destruction. Custody does not have to mean combat. When both parties are willing to work toward resolution, you can protect your family, your finances, and your future—without the courtroom drama that tears lives apart.

​

I help families navigate life transitions through planning, negotiation, and clear documentation. My practice is built on one principle: if we can resolve it without litigation, we should. You keep control. You save money. You move forward.

Please Note: I do not handle contested divorce litigation, custody trials, or high-conflict courtroom battles. If you need a courtroom advocate for a contested case, I am happy to refer you to excellent attorneys who specialize in that work. My practice is focused entirely on helping families find resolution without the financial and emotional cost of litigation.

​

Is This Right for You?

This approach works best when both parties are willing to communicate, negotiate in good faith, and prioritize moving forward over fighting. You may be a good fit if:

You and your spouse have decided to divorce and want to do it without destroying each other financially or emotionally. You have children and want to create a parenting plan that actually works for your family. You are considering marriage and want to protect assets, businesses, or inheritance with a prenuptial agreement. You already have court orders but need help understanding what they mean and how to live with them. You need to modify an existing agreement and both parties are willing to work together. You want to adopt a child, establish guardianship, or change a name—and everyone involved is in agreement.

If you are looking for someone to fight, I am not your attorney. I am devoted to building agreements, lives, and families through working together, negotiation, mediation, and strong documents.  I litigated for nearly 30 years and I do not think that is the best path forward for most families.  If you are looking for someone to help you find a path forward, let us talk.

​

Family Law Services

Uncontested Divorce

An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses agree on all major issues: property division, debt allocation, custody, visitation, and support.

​

What I provide:

Consultation to ensure both parties understand the process and their options. Drafting of all required documents including the petition, property settlement agreement, and parenting plan if children are involved.

Guidance through the filing process.

Preparation and Appearance for the final hearing.

 

Why this works: Uncontested divorce typically costs a fraction of contested litigation. More importantly, it allows you to maintain control over the decisions that affect your family rather than handing those decisions to a judge who met you thirty minutes ago.

 

Agreed Custody and Parenting Plans

When parents can agree on custody and visitation, children benefit. An agreed parenting plan gives both parents clarity about schedules, decision-making authority, holidays, vacations, and communication expectations.

​

What I provide: Consultation to help you think through all the practical details that parenting plans should address. Drafting of a comprehensive parenting plan that reflects your agreement. Guidance on what the court will expect to see. Preparation and appearance for the finalization of the agreed documents.

 

The goal: A parenting plan that works in real life—not just on paper. One that anticipates conflicts before they happen and gives both parents a clear framework for co-parenting.

 

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is not about planning for divorce—it is about protecting what you have built and entering marriage with clear expectations. This is especially important if you own a business, have significant assets, expect an inheritance, have children from a previous relationship, or simply want clarity about finances before you marry.

​

What I provide: Consultation to understand your goals and concerns. Drafting of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that reflects your intentions. Review and explanation of the agreement so both parties understand what they are signing. Coordination with your partner's attorney if they have independent counsel.

 

Important: For a prenuptial agreement to be enforceable, both parties must enter it voluntarily with full financial disclosure. I can represent one party and draft the agreement, but I encourage both parties to have independent legal review.

 

Pre-Divorce and Pre-Separation Planning

If you are considering divorce but have not yet filed, this is the time to plan. Decisions made before filing can significantly affect the outcome. Pre-divorce planning helps you understand your options, gather necessary documentation, and make informed decisions before emotions take over.

What I provide: A confidential consultation to assess your situation. Guidance on financial preparation and document gathering. Education about the divorce process in Mississippi so you know what to expect. Strategy for approaching your spouse about an uncontested resolution. A roadmap for moving forward.

 

Post-Divorce, Post Custody Guidance and Agreed Modifications

Life does not stop changing after the order is signed. Children grow. Jobs change. People relocate. When circumstances change, court orders may need to change too.

 

Understanding Your Court Orders: Many people leave their divorce without fully understanding what their court orders actually require. I offer consultations specifically to help you read, understand, and interpret your existing orders. What does that custody schedule actually mean? What are your obligations under the property settlement? What happens if your ex is not following the order?

 

Understanding your orders is the first step to living with them—or knowing when they need to change.

​

Agreed Modifications: When both parties agree that a modification is needed—whether to custody schedules, support amounts, or other terms—I can draft the modification agreement and guide you through the court approval process. This is far less expensive and far less damaging than fighting over modifications in court.

 

Guardianship

Sometimes a child needs a legal guardian other than their parents—a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other responsible adult who can make decisions about the child's care, education, and medical treatment. Guardianship gives that adult the legal authority to act on the child's behalf.

 

What I provide: Consultation to determine whether guardianship is the right solution for your situation. Preparation of the guardianship petition and all required documentation. Guidance through the court process. Preparation and appearance for the guardianship hearing. Presenting the order to the Judge.

 

Name Changes

Whether you want to resume a maiden name after divorce, change a child's name, or legally change your name for other reasons, I can guide you through the petition process and court requirements.

​

Uncontested and Agreed Adoption

Adoption is one of the most joyful areas of family law. When all parties are in agreement—whether it is a stepparent adoption, relative adoption, or private adoption where the birth parents have consented—I can help you navigate the legal process to make your family official.

​

What I provide: Consultation to understand your specific adoption situation. Preparation of the adoption petition and all required documents. Coordination with any required home studies or background checks. Guidance through the court process. Preparation for the finalization hearing—the day your family becomes official. Presentation of the order.  Submission of documentation. 

​

Why Resolution Works

Contested litigation is expensive. A contested divorce can easily cost $15,000 to $50,000 or more—per side. A contested custody battle can drag on for months or years, draining your savings while lawyers bill by the hour and your children watch their parents fight.

​

But the cost is not just financial. Litigation is designed to be adversarial. It encourages each side to paint the other in the worst possible light. It creates conflict where there could be cooperation. It leaves scars that make co-parenting harder for years to come.

​

Resolution-focused family law is different. Instead of fighting over who gets what, we work together to divide assets fairly. Instead of battling over custody, we create parenting plans that work for everyone—especially the children. Instead of spending your savings on legal fees, you keep that money for your next chapter.

​

This approach requires both parties to be willing to negotiate in good faith. It is not for everyone. But when it works, it saves time, money, relationships, and sanity.

 

How It Works

Step 1: Consultation. We start with a consultation to understand your situation, your goals, and whether a resolution-focused approach is right for you. I will explain your options, answer your questions, and give you honest feedback about what to expect.

Step 2: Planning. If we move forward, we develop a plan. What needs to be decided? What documents need to be gathered? What conversations need to happen? We map out the path from where you are to where you want to be.

Step 3: Drafting. I draft the necessary documents—agreements, petitions, parenting plans, whatever your situation requires. You review them, we make revisions, and we get everything right before anyone signs.

Step 4: Resolution. We file the documents, attend any required hearings, and bring your matter to a close. You move forward with clarity, with documentation, and with your dignity intact.

​

NEXT STEP

Ready to find a path forward?

​

Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation. I will listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your options. If resolution is possible, we will find it together. If litigation is necessary, I will help you find the right attorney for that fight.

​

Schedule a Consultation

Phone: 228-342-8222 and 907-252-9223