FAMILY LAW
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis attorneys have litigated major divorce and child custody cases for over 40 years. We do not have to send our business and professional clients to other attorneys outside the firm to have top quality representation in what can be difficult and trying family law problems. Our decades of experience provide our clients with an in-depth knowledge of local court proceedings, conditions, available experts and general local knowledge. The standing and reputation of our attorneys in these courts assure that our clients will have a respectful and fair hearing. A member of the Firm is listed in the Family Law Section of Best Lawyers in America and is a respected mediator who is frequently called on by courts and fellow attorneys to assist in resolving difficult cases.
Our lead attorney in Family Law suits is always an experienced commercial and family law litigator. Each case is staffed with such associate and legal assistant help as may be needed. Because of the complexities of the marital assets involved, tax, corporate, business, estate planning and bankruptcy questions must be considered. The Firm resources in these areas are also available. The instant availability of these firm-wide resources insure that the Family Law client will seldom face any adversary who has access to better or even equal resources.
Although our Family Law Practice Group is experienced in highly contested, high profile divorce and child custody litigation, our first emphasis is on resolving the problems by negotiation and, if necessary, mediation. We pride ourselves on considering the needs of the family to resolve these painful and emotionally charged issues with a minimum of disruption. Our business, tax and bankruptcy attorneys are called in where needed to insure that our clients get a sound and well thought out property settlement agreement.
Of special interest to clients with substantial business interests is the increased need for, and use of, expert valuators in divorce cases and use of mediation to avoid protracted and expensive marital litigation. The Mississippi courts are ordering the more complex cases to mediation. An expert valuation of business interests is required. Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A. is a leader in these field. One of our attorneys has been at the forefront of both of these trends, having written and lectured extensively in both areas.
The most recent lecture was a presentation to the annual meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of Certified Valuation Analysts on "Mediation and the C.V.A." Other publications include: Dividing the Property in a Marital Dissolution, L.J. Vol. 62: 57, 1992 and Mississippi's New Equitable Distribution Rules, Miss. Col. L.R. Vol. 15: 414, 1996 The Ferguson Factors and Valuation, as well as other numerous papers and presentations at seminars and CLE courses; "Mediation of Family Law Disputes", Mississippi College School of Law, Alternative Disputes Resolution Class, 2002; "Mediation of Family Law Disputes", University of Mississippi School of Law Class, 2002; "Current Development in Ethical Aspects of ADR", ADR Section, The Mississippi Bar, 2002; "Valuation Issues in Equitable Distribution," "Equitable Distribution in Divorce Settlements in Mississippi: Valuation, Tax and Other Issues, National Business Institute, Inc., 1997;" "Use of Mediation and ADR in Divorce Proceedings," Mississippi College Law School, Annual Family Law Seminar, 1995; "Valuation of Assets in Divorces," "Tax Aspects of Divorce in Mississippi," National Business Institute, Inc., 1992.
Attorneys
Thomas W. Crockett
David B. Grishman
