Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.3, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Hancock Law Firm Madison County Lawyers ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Newsletters & Articles](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/) - [Child Custody: What is in the Child’s Best Interest?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/07/child-custody-what-is-in-the-child-s-best-intere/) - In child custody cases, nearly all courts make decisions based on what is in the best interests of the child. Missississippi is no exception to this law. However, it can be confusing trying to determine what a court considers is in the child’s best interest. When you are going through a custody case, it is - [Obtaining a Protective Order in Mississippi](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2015/10/obtaining-a-protective-order-in-mississippi/) - No one deserves to be in a relationship that becomes threatening or violent. If you feel unsafe in your home and want the comfort of knowing that you can legally bar a spouse or former partner from your home, obtaining a protective order may be a good idea. An experienced family law attorney can walk - [A Parent's Inheritance Can Affect Child Support Payments](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2017/11/a-parents-inheritance-can-affect-child-support-p/) - The federal Child Support Enforcement Act of 1984 requires each state to develop its own set of systematic guidelines for calculating awards of child support. Generally, state child support guidelines are based on the parents’ incomes and expenses, however, these guidelines vary significantly from state to state. One consistent factor considered in determining an adequate child support - [Your Essential Guide to Mississippi Child Custody Laws](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/07/your-essential-guide-to-mississippi-child-custod/) - During a divorce, it’s important that parents fully understand Mississippi's child custody laws. In this time, a parent will have to make decisions that will not only affect their child’s life but their own as well. Parents need to know what factors the judge looks at when she determines custody, the types of custody arrangements, and how - [Types of Divorce Explained](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2018/04/types-of-divorce-explained/) - Types of Divorce Explained Although most people immediately assume that divorce has to be stressful and full of arguments over property and asset division, that isn’t always the case. In fact, there are many different forms of divorce that you and your spouse can use to separate from one another. In this blog, we talk about some - [Hancock Law Firm: COVID-19 Notice](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2020/03/hancock-law-firm-covid-19-notice/) - Like you, Hancock Law Firm is deeply concerned about the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, and the well-being of our clients and our staff during this time. We recognize the unique challenges we are all facing, and want you to know that we are here for you during this time. We are fully operational and stand willing - [Getting Pulled Over for a DUI in Mississippi](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2015/05/getting-pulled-over-for-a-dui-in-mississippi/) - The best way to avoid getting a DUI is not to drive after you’ve been drinking. However, there are occasions where you may have a momentary lapse in judgment, fall prey to an overzealous patrol officer, or encounter a DUI checkpoint, and be subjected to questioning regarding driving while under the influence of alcohol or - [Tips on Managing Your Aging Parents' Finances](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2015/07/tips-on-managing-your-aging-parents-finances/) - As your parents age, they may have an increasingly hard time keeping up with their finances. They may lose track of their various financial accounts and where they’re located, may forget to pay bills, or may even fall victim to scams preying on the elderly. If you find yourself in the position of managing your - [What to do when you've been arrested](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2015/08/what-to-do-when-youve-been-arrested/) - Hopefully, you’ll never have to find out what it’s like to be arrested. If the moment does arise, however, it is important to know about what you have a right to do upon arrest. First of all, it is important to know whether you are actually being arrested, rather than just being questioned by police, - [Why Do I Need a Will?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2015/09/why-do-i-need-a-will/) - Have you created a will? Dying without a will means the government gets to decide where your money goes. When someone dies without a will, the Mississippi laws of intestacy will determine how the estate is distributed. This means that your estate will automatically be divided evenly between your spouse and children, and if you - [How to Move Forward After a Denial of Your Social Security Disability Application?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2015/11/how-to-move-forward-after-a-denial-of-your-socia/) - If you’ve become injured or seriously ill and are unable to work, you may be wondering how you’re going to meet your daily expenses without your regular income. If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and been rejected, you’re in good company. The Social Security Administration has an extremely high denial rate - [What Causes Long-Term Effects of Whiplash?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2015/12/what-causes-long-term-effects-of-whiplash/) - Rear-end accidents are one of the most common types of car crash. While many rear-end victims walk away without any long-term effects, some will suffer neck pain or headaches for weeks or months. Despite how common both rear-end accidents and whiplash are, they can be difficult to study accurately, since researchers cannot reproduce accidents with human subjects - [Can I Force Someone to Take a Paternity Test in Mississippi?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/01/can-i-force-someone-to-take-a-paternity-test-in/) - When we think of relationships, we rarely think of the legal ramifications of those bonds. However, when we do run into relational legal issues, it becomes apparent that the legality of relationships is extremely important. Arguably one of the most potent legal relationships is between parents and children, as parents have a legal obligation to - [What’s the Best Valentine Gift this Year?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/02/what-s-the-best-valentine-gift-this-year/) - What does real love look like; a diamond ring, a new car, a big house? While these things show affection, real love doesn’t look like a thing: it’s an act. To be more specific, real love is thousands of acts that all have one thing in common: self-sacrifice. Real love is when you’re willing to give anything and everything for another person: with - [Why March Has the Highest Divorce Rate in America](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/03/why-march-has-the-highest-divorce-rate-in-americ/) - Divorces are a common occurrence, as reportedly 50% of all marriages will end in divorce; however, divorces are not spread out evenly across the year. In fact, the divorce rate spikes at different times throughout the year, peaking in March and hitting a valley in December. In this blog post, Hancock Law Firm explores this - [The Power of Parents: What Are Parental Rights?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/03/the-power-of-parents-what-are-parental-rights/) - “I’ve brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it,” is said by many exasperated parents. While parents can’t “take their kids out,” they do have a surprising amount of power over their children due to their parental rights. What are these parental rights and how do they impact the parent-child - [Who Is Eligible for a Mississippi Divorce?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/04/who-is-eligible-for-a-mississippi-divorce/) - You may be surprised to learn that couples can’t get divorced until they “qualify” for the process. Every state’s qualifying criteria is different, which is why it’s crucial that all Mississippi couples learn about our state’s divorce laws. In this blog post, an experienced Ridgeland divorce firm will walk you through the different requirements. Who Can File - [3 Things You Should Know about Mississippi Divorce](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/05/3-things-you-should-know-about-mississippi-divor/) - Divorce can be a challenging experience for couples and families. If you live in the state of Mississippi, there are three things you should know about divorce so you can properly prepare yourself for this transition. Mississippi Divorce Requirements If you're filing for divorce in Mississippi, you must meet the residency requirements for the state. - [Grounds for a Fault-Based Divorce in Mississippi](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/06/grounds-for-a-fault-based-divorce-in-mississippi/) - Many spouses who file for divorces want nothing more than their relationships to end, but those that can prove that there is a cause for the end of their marriage could receive better outcomes for their proceedings. In this blog post, an experienced Mississippi family law firm explores the legitimate legal reasons for fault-based divorces in Jackson. - [Do Children Get a Say in Which Parent Gets Custody?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/08/do-children-get-a-say-in-which-parent-gets-custo/) - With an increasing percentage of children witnessing the separation of their parents, it is crucial to determine the best-case scenario for the child. Separating parents might be wondering, “Do they get a say in who to live with?” In Mississippi, a child’s preference depends on their age. The Court and a Child’s Preference The child’s - [5 Effective Ways of Avoiding a Child Custody Case](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/09/5-effective-ways-of-avoiding-a-child-custody-cas/) - Every child custody battle is nerve-wracking, both to the parents and their child. As a parent, it can be challenging to negotiate a custody arrangement with someone you are no longer with. Emotions might be running high, and fighting can become more prevalent during this time. However, a child custody battle can be extremely harmful - [Costly Mistakes to Avoid in a Divorce](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/10/costly-mistakes-to-avoid-in-a-divorce/) - Getting a divorce can be a nasty business. The worst part is it can end up costing you a small fortune if you aren't careful. Many people are so anxious to get the process over with that they often overlook details that really need more attention. Here are three costly mistakes you should avoid in - [Divorcing in Mississippi? Here’s What You Need to Know](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/11/divorcing-in-mississippi-here-s-what-you-need-to/) - Getting a divorce is difficult, but it can help to be aware of Mississippi’s divorce laws. Knowing the state’s different laws for filing for divorce can prepare you for the process and help you understand the proper guidelines and conditions you might face during the process. In this guide from our Ridgeland family law attorneys, - [How Long is the Mississippi Divorce Process?](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/11/how-long-is-the-mississippi-divorce-process/) - Divorce is a formal legal procedure, and it can’t simply be taken care of with an afternoon visit to the country clerk. While you may want your divorce to be over with as soon as possible, this isn’t always the case, especially if you and your spouse don’t agree on the terms of your divorce. - [How to Handle Divorce During the Holidays](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2019/12/how-to-handle-divorce-during-the-holidays/) - Holidays at the end of the year can be one of the most difficult times to go through a divorce. The winter holidays are associated with the celebration of family, making the fact that yours is breaking up is especially unsettling. However, there are ways to make this holiday merry and bright. Tips for Managing - [Requirements for a Will under the Uniform International Wills Act](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2017/11/requirements-for-a-will-under-the-uniform-intern/) - The Convention on the Form of an International Will (the “Convention”) was drafted and presented to the international community in 1973. The Convention was signed and ratified by a number of countries, including Canada and Belgium, and signed but not immediately ratified by other countries, including the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and - [The Legal Fiction of Equitable Adoption When a Person Dies Without a Will](https://www.hancocklawgroup.com/newsletters-articles/2017/11/the-legal-fiction-of-equitable-adoption-when-a-p/) - In general terms, the judicial doctrine of “equitable adoption” recognizes a valid parent-child relationship in the absence of a formal adoption procedure, holding a person who has acted like a child’s parent for a number of years (without ever formally adopting the child) to the same rights and obligations as an adoptive parent. 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