Mississippi's New Custody Law: Does This Mean 50/50 Parenting Is Now the Rule?

Mississippi's New Custody Law: Does This Mean 50/50 Parenting Is Now the Rule?

Mississippi custody law just changed in a significant way. On April 8, 2026, Governor Tate Reeves signed House Bill 1662, creating a rebuttable presumption that joint custody with equal parenting time is in the best interest of the child. In this episode of the R+E Podcast, Matt Easterling and Sarah Didlake sit down with former Chancellor Ed Patten to break down what that actually means—and what it doesn't. Does this create automatic 50/50 custody? How will judges apply a "rebuttable presumption" in real courtrooms? And what happens to the traditional best interest analysis? Drawing on decades of experience from the chancery bench, Judge Patten offers a practical, real-world perspective on how this law will play out for families across Mississippi. The conversation goes beyond headlines to explore litigation strategy, settlement dynamics, and the new approach to child support in equal parenting time cases, making this essential listening for parents, lawyers, and anyone working with families.

Sure, Martha, I'll Go: A Conversation with Retired Chancellor Edward Patten

In this episode, Craig sits down with retired Chancellor Ed Patten for a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes look at a career spent at the intersection of law and real life. Judge Patten's path to the bench wasn't linear—he began as a pharmacist before earning his law degree from Ole Miss and building a successful legal practice in Hazlehurst, eventually serving five terms over more than two decades as Chancellor of Mississippi's Fifteenth Chancery Court District. In the first part of our conversation, Judge Patten reflects on his upbringing, his transition into law, and what led him to the bench, while offering a clear picture of what a chancellor actually does and the weight of decisions that shape families, estates, and futures. In the second segment, we explore his transition into mediation and how his role has shifted from decision-maker to facilitator, breaking down the critical differences between having your case decided by a judge versus resolving it through negotiation. Along the way, Judge Patten shares practical insight, hard-earned wisdom, and a grounded perspective on conflict, responsibility, and what ultimately leads to better outcomes for the people involved.

Before You Send That Text: Breathwork and Meditation During Divorce with Amy Wilson

Divorce and family conflict can push people into survival mode. A text message, tense conversation, or co-parenting issue can quickly trigger stress that makes it hard to think clearly or respond calmly. In this episode, divorce attorney Craig Robertson and R+E client advocate, former client, and meditation practitioner Mac Chaney are joined by yoga and meditation teacher Amy Wilson to discuss practical ways to calm the nervous system and create space between what happens and how you respond. Amy teaches at Glow Yoga Studio in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and has more than 900 hours of training in Vinyasa and Hatha yoga, including study with Sri Dharma Mittra at Dharma Yoga in New York City and immersive meditation training with Hridaya Yoga in France and Mexico. Together they explore how stress affects the body during divorce, why breathwork can shift you out of fight-or-flight, and how meditation helps develop the pause between stimulus and response. Amy also introduces the yogic concept of the koshas, the idea that we are layered beings—body, breath, mind, and deeper awareness—and explains how working with the breath can help move us out of reactivity and back into clarity. The episode concludes with a short, guided meditation designed for anyone navigating the emotional intensity of divorce or family conflict.

Yoga and the Inward Journey to Calm with Jennifer Guthrie of Glow Yoga Studio

In this episode of the Robertson + Easterling Podcast, Craig Robertson sits down with Jennifer Guthrie—Gulf Shores City Councilwoman, entrepreneur, and founder of Glow Yoga Studio—to talk about the kind of healing that doesn't show up in a court order: calming your nervous system, rebuilding resilience, and learning to be present when life feels heavy. Jennifer shares her journey from Division I athletics and a high-pressure career path to discovering yoga to heal chronic migraines, and explains why yoga is far more than stretching. Together they unpack the "eight-limb path" of yoga (including breathwork, focus, sensory awareness, and meditation), and translate it into practical tools you can actually use—especially during seasons of stress, anxiety, relationship strain, or major transition. You'll also hear simple, accessible breathwork like box breathing (used by Navy SEALs) and why consistent practice can change how you respond to pressure in everyday life. Whether you're navigating divorce, burnout, or just the grind of modern life, this conversation offers language and strategies to help you feel steadier, think clearer, and reconnect with who you want to be—on and off the mat.

Planning for the People You Love with Ethan and Stephanie Kelly of Providence Capital Management

In this episode of the Robertson + Easterling podcast, Craig Robertson is joined by new podcast sponsor Ethan and Stephanie Kelly of Providence Capital Management for a practical, wide-ranging conversation about estate planning, wealth management, insurance and retirement strategies. This discussion is designed for anyone who wants a clearer understanding of how financial decisions made today shape long-term stability—whether you are navigating a major life transition like divorce or simply trying to be more intentional about your future. Together, they break down complex topics like estate planning instruments, as well as a discussion about retirement and beneficiary designations in a way that is approachable and grounded in real life. Ethan and Stephanie bring a fiduciary perspective focused on clarity, coordination, and thoughtful planning as opposed to fear or urgency. This episode is not about reacting to crisis. It is about understanding the systems that protect your family, your assets, and your long-term goals without government interference, and learning how legal and financial planning works best when aligned.