Same Sex Divorce with Child Custody in Mississippi
Hello,
My name is Chris Strickland. I would like to share with you, my story. You see; I have been caught in the middle of a nasty divorce. To put a spin on it, there are children involved. Before I get into details, I want to express how much my boys mean to me. These two precious boys are the world to me and without them I am nothing. So, let me begin my story. I share this not only to gain support but also to help inspire some of you that may be going through the same situation. You see, I am in a same sex marriage and we have two boys together. The oldest is 15 and the baby is 5. We both reside in Mississippi but we were married in Massachusetts in 2009. She and I were in a long- term relationship since 1999. Our oldest son was adopted in 2007, but I could not be placed on his paperwork/ birth certificate. In 2010, we, as a married couple, wanted a baby. So, we started the IVF process and it worked the first time. In 2011 we had a baby, and yet again, I could not be on his paperwork/birth certificate. Well, I did not think anything about it because I never thought that we would be in a divorce and a custody battle. Let me also add that we separated in January 2013 and I found out that in August of 2013 (yes the same year), she married the man that she left me for. She married him before she divorced me, which makes her in a bigamist relationship with this man; meanwhile, she still has both of our children. I filed for divorce in August of 2015. This was the quickest I could do so because as you know, Mississippi did not recognize same sex marriage until recently. As soon as Mississippi recognized our marriage and would allow me to file for divorce, I did even though our marriage was legal in 37 states. (Welcome to Mississippi!) Before this, I had visitation with the baby every other week and the oldest child when he wanted to come over. Now that she has been handed divorce papers with child custody, she has refused to allow me visitation or to speak with the children. It has now been 1 year since I have seen or talked the boys. I feel as my RIGHTS are being withheld from me to be mom to my sons that I have raised from the start. They know me as their MAMA! You see, my wife has taken these sweet boys and held them from seeing or talking to me. Which is wrong is many ways for our boys not to have both of us in their lives. I have paid child support as well as provided all clothes and necessities they need at my house, as well as split school fees, school clothes, school supplies and sports fees/equipment to which I have receipts on everything. Now, I have not talked to them nor have I seen them since the papers were filed. Dianne Ellis is my lawyer and she can be reached at 228–215–0037 or at Dianne@EllisLawFirmMS.com Please feel free to contract Dianne Ellis or myself for more information on my case. Thank you for taking a little time and reading my story. Here is 2 links to the stories that was done about my story. Clarion Ledger Newspaper and WJTV Channel 12 here Jackson, Mississippi. Thanks for your support and time.
UPDATE: May 9, 2016, Judge Grant said that my marriage between my wife and I is legal and the marriage between Tom and Kim is voided and will not be recognized. New court date for divorce and child custody is set for September 27, 2016 in Rankin County, Mississippi.
http://wjtv.com/2015/12/03/same-sex-court-battle-over-marriage-children/
Sincerely,
Chris Strickland