MVLP's Office Displays Works from Mississippi Artists

We've got ART! MVLP is partnering with Art Agent and Broker, Sarah Goodwin McGregor, to display BEAUTIFUL art from Mississippi artists throughout our office. Stop by today to view AND purchase the art currently on display (including the pieces below) and lend your support to some of the state's most beloved and talented artists.  New pieces will arrive every six weeks!

         

Ways You Can Financially Support MVLP in 2014
 
We accomplished so much in 2013, but our work continues.  In order to provide much-needed services to those who cannot afford access to attorneys and our courts, we need your consistent and sustained support.  In addition to making a donation on our website, you can support MVLP in three other ways this year:

1. Enroll in Kroger's Community Rewards Program:  MVLP is now participating in Kroger's Community Rewards Program where a percentage of your purchases will be donated to the organization. Join today and your purchases will begin counting towards MVLP within 7-10 days. Every time you shop for groceries and swipe your Kroger card (or provide the phone number linked to your Kroger account), MVLP will automatically earn a rebate. Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and create your account today using MVLP's name or assigned number, 74187. Join the Community Rewards Program today and support MVLP as you pick up your weekly groceries!
2. Make a monthly donation to MVLP through PayPal:  If you are unable to make a large annual donation to MVLP, consider a smaller monthly draft through PayPal.  Establish a PayPal account (if you don't already have one) and set up an automatic monthly debit from your checking account to be deposited into MVLP's PayPal account.  A draft of only $25.00 per month can mean an annual donation of $300 to MVLP!  Visit PayPal to learn more. 
3. Shop on Amazon:  If you enjoy shopping on amazon.com (and let's face it, who doesn't?), consider this:  With each qualifying purchase, Amazon through AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your purchase price to MVLP.  The donation comes from Amazon, not from you.  All it takes are a few simple clicks, starting with this one https://smile.amazon.com/ to connect you to AmazonSmile.

Calling All Attorneys:  We Need You to Take a Case!

There are 11 cases currently open at MVLP.  We have cases open in the following counties: Alcorn, Bolivar, Grenada, Harrison, Humphreys, Lowndes, Pearl River, Sunflower, and Tallahatchie.  As a reminder, MVLP's staff collects all documents necessary to file cases and we will even draft the initial pleadings before we refer the cases to attorneys.  We try to make representing our clients as simple as possible for the attorneys who volunteer with us.  If you are a new attorney, we will provide form pleadings, client questions and other documents and forms that you will need to assist the clients.  To view descriptions of these cases, click here.  Contact Tiffany Graves at tgraves@mvlp.org with questions.

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Recent Mississippi Family Law Cases
 

The following decisions were recently handed down by the Mississippi Court of Appeals or the Mississippi Supreme Court.  In an effort to keep our volunteers current on Mississippi family law, we are sharing cases with you and hope that you will review at your convenience.  The topics of the cases and links to the full opinions are provided below.
 

JANUARY 2014

KING v. KING, NO. 2012-CA-00515-COA – Divorce: Irreconcilable differences – Division of marital estate - Rule 8.05 financial statement - Earning capacity - Land ownership - Dissipation of marital assets
BORDEN v. BORDEN, NO. 2012-CA-01258-COA -- Child custody:  Albright factors - Guardian ad litem recommendations - Section 93-5-23 - Attorney's fees
HUBER v. EUBANKS, NO. 2012-CA-00030-COA – Wills & Estates:  Settlement distributions - Attorney's fees - Quantum meruit - Wrongful death beneficiary - Informed consent
PROCTOR v. PROCTOR, NO. 2012-CA-00760-COA – Divorce: Adultery - Property division - Alimony - Attorney's fees
 

FEBRUARY 2014

WARD v. WARD, NO. 2012-CA-01468-COA – Divorce: Irreconcilable differences - Equitable division - Periodic alimony - Retirement account
SHORT v. SHORT, NO. 2011-CT-01096-SCT – Contempt - Modification of child support - Material change in circumstances - Statutory guidelines - Child support agreement - Enforceability of de-escalation clause - Error in calculation of income 
COGGINS v. COGGINS, NO. 2012-CA-02030-COA – Divorce: Irreconcilable differences - Alimony - Life insurance beneficiary
MARTIN v. STEVENSON, NO. 2012-CA-01768-COA – Modification of child custody: Material change in circumstances - Past acts of domestic violence - Sanctions - M.R.C.P. 11(b) - Attorney's fees
O'BRIEN v. O'BRIEN, NO. 2012-CA-00660-COA – Divorce: Irreconcilable differences - Contempt - Child support - Section 43-19-101(4) - Written findings - Alimony - Division of marital property
PIERCE v. PIERCE, NO. 2012-CA-01966-SCT – Divorce - Subject matter jurisdiction - Res judicata - Military retirement benefits - Federal Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act - Personal jurisdiction - Waiver - Equitable distribution – Rehabilitative alimony - Attorney's fees - Section 11-21-31
COLLINS v. COLLINS, NO. 2012-CA-01059-COA – Modification of separate maintenance - Material change in circumstances - Attorney's fees 

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Upcoming Events
 

MVLP will hold four legal clinics in March and each will offer attorneys an opportunity to earn several hours of CLE credit. 
 

• On Tuesday, March 18, from 11:00 am-3:00 pm, there will be a Family Law CLE & Legal Clinic at the Biloxi Public Library in Biloxi. 
• On Friday, March 21, from 10:30 am-2:30 pm, MVLP will hold an Expungement CLE & Legal Clinic in Oxford at the University of Mississippi School of Law. 
• Finally, on Saturday, March 29, from 9:00 am-1:00 pm, there will be another Expungement CLE & Legal Clinic in Jackson at the Metro Center Mall. 

On Tuesday, March 4, from 4:30-8:00 p.m., MVLP will hold a Family Law CLE & Pro Se Legal Clinic at the DeSoto County Chancery Court in Hernando.  Attorneys interested in presenting a CLE or volunteering at the above clinics may contact Tiffany Graves at tgraves@mvlp.org.  You can earn up to four (4) hours of CLE credit for donating your time at these events.  Attorneys are asked to bring laptops when participating in legal clinics.

 

Lace up your sneakers!  The 2014 Legal Beagle 5K Run/Walk is on Saturday, March 8.  Register for the race here.  The proceeds from the event benefit MVLP!

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Handle Your Pro Bono Cases Through MVLP

MVLP encourages attorneys who are representing clients pro bono with family law matters to handle those cases through MVLP. MVLP’s staff will conduct intakes, collect supporting documentation and otherwise work up clients’ files to save attorneys precious time and resources. MVLP is a statewide organization so attorneys throughout Mississippi are asked to take advantage of this helpful way to manage your pro bono caseloads and keep track of your pro bono hours for reporting to the Mississippi Bar.