All posts by BowTieLawyer

Matthew operates the Thompson Law Firm, pllc, a Mississippi based Family Law firm emphasizing; Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Modification, Contempt and Appeals, handling family law cases throughout Mississippi. (601) 850-8000 Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms www.BowTieLawyer.ms

MS Bar Convention Cancelled

For the first time in 15 years I will not be attending the annual Mississippi Lawyer’s meeting in San Destin, FL.

https://www.msbar.org/news/bar-convention-in-florida-canceled/

This convention is one of the highlights of lawyering. It’s a week of seeing your judges not in their robes and with their hair down, so to speak.

It’s an opportunity to see lawyers from all over the state in a friendly atmosphere that sometimes the Courtroom does not provide.

The Bar Convention allows attorneys to earn their annual CLE requirements, meet new lawyers, judges and their families, and to unwind.

A virtual Bar will takes its place. I will attend; COVID-19 be damned.

Matthew Thompson is a civil litigation attorney in Mississippi and can answer your questions at (691)850-8000.

Quote of the Day: Covid-19 & Homeschooling.

I’d rather have him watch classic Godzilla movies and play in the yard and pretend to be a Jedi rather than figure out basic math.

A Boston, MA parent is tired of homeschooling his kindergartener.

Amid the barrage of learning apps, video meet-ups and e-mailed assignments that pass as pandemic home school, some frustrated and exhausted parents are choosing to disconnect entirely for the rest of the academic year.“Id.

Respect and admiration for teachers are growing as the pandemic-forced school closures continue.

As a parent, your job is to do what is best for your child, even during a pandemic.

Matthew Thompson is a child custody lawyer and enjoys his share of Godzilla and Jedi movies, but reminds parents that rearing your child continues to be a top priority.

Somebody can always do it cheaper…is that better?

Cheaper is NOT always better.

Everyone wants a good deal, myself included. However, often in life you get what you pay for!

We’ve all seen the advertisement for the $500 divorce. That could be a really good deal if everything is agreed, it’s just drafting papers and sending for entry.

But, is it a good deal when it doesn’t work? Is it a good deal when it does work, but you weren’t advised of your rights. You did not know about all of the financial and equitable relief you could have gotten.

I’ve seen agreements where the parties agreed to maintain a million dollar whole life insurance policies. They had no idea what that meant or what expense that really involved.

I’ve seen agreements that have not included the correct child support and included terms so onerous a Court would never order it otherwise.

My advice is this, if you spent more than $500 to get married, plan on spending more than $500 to get divorced.

Matthew Thompson is a civil litigation attorney in Mississippi.

Mississippi Doctor Makes State, Nation Proud; How “One” Person can make a Difference…

Mississippi making national news is usually a very, very bad thing.

Photo credit: Magnolia State Live

However, UMMC pediatric anesthesiologist, Dr. Charles Robertson has Mississippi in the spotlight for all of the right reasons.

Dr. Robertson spearheaded an effort to create the “absolute simplest ventilator we can build with parts available in any city, you don’t need specials tools to put together and can be done quickly as the need arises.” Clarion Ledger.

The “Robertson Ventilator” is made from a section of garden hose, lamp timer, electronic valve and various couplings. Each can be made for around $50.00 in parts and in 20-30 mintues.

While these are true emergency, last resort machines, with the COVID-19 pandemic and a potential shortage of ventilators, these could literally be life saving devices.

Dr. Robertson was featured on WLBT-3 with a live unveiling and demonstration of the Robertson Ventilator in action. Since the debut this device has been publicized by every major news service in the state, numerous out-of-state publications, and nationwide entities, including the USA Today and the CATO institute .

Dr. Robertson was also quick to point out that he did not build the current stock of approximately 170 units by himself. He had assistance from his colleagues, co-workers and others, pitching in as they were able to procure, prepare and produce the Robertson Ventilators.

Mississippi is actually world renowned for its medicinal pioneering. Dr. Robertson is the next in line following the Hippocratic Oath and serving the residents of the State of Mississippi.

Mississippi Essential Services; COVID-19 & Executive Order 1463

While we are operating under a Shelter-in-Place Order, some of us are deemed essential and are still carrying on. Below is a cut and paste job of Mississippi’s listing of “Essential” businesses and personnel.

This includes all law enforcement, fire and rescue, court personnel, military, 911 and Child Welfare workers.
Manufacturers of food, medical, pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive, and energy among others…

SHELTER-IN-Place; Mississippi Custody & Visitation

Essential Travel includes, “Travel required by…court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.

We are operating in uncharted waters as far as what to do and when to do it regarding getting out of the house. However, generally speaking the Court expects you to abide by its Order unless it is unsafe to so do. The Court then expects parents to act reasonably, communicate and make reasonable accommodations.

COVID-19 is NOT an excuse to be a terrible parent.

There are a lot of ways to interact safely; in-person, ( so long as it is safe to do so), Facetime, Zoom, telephone, email, text, video and other electronic means.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody lawyer and encourages parents to be reasonable and not try to take advantage of these circumstances. Do what you believe is in the best interests of your child.

CAlling in Favors: COVID-19 and How YOU Can Help

The need is great! Mississippians are nationally renowned for their charitable giving. Per capita we are the most generous state. In this time of crisis the need is greater than ever.

I am asking for your help. If you are able, the below items are in high demand for families in Mississippi and especially in the Jackson Metro area. We are working with Calvary Baptist Church and His Heart to try and help fill this void.

So what can you do? Pack 1 food box to-go with non-perishables. Contact me to retrieve and deliver. (601)906-6545

If you can do more don’t hold back. If you are not comfortable or in a position to give, please just pass along this request.

We can all get through this by working together and helping as we are able.

Matthew Thompson is civil litigation attorney in Mississippi and is focusing on the civil part and reminds you to keep your social distance!

The Mississippi Supreme Court & COVID-19

The Mississippi Supreme Court has been responsive to the COVID-19 threat and issued a number of Orders regarding same. As the information regarding the virus has changed the Court has made the necessary adjustments. Below is the content of the latest MS Supreme Court Order regarding proceedings throughout Mississippi Courts. Here is a link to all of the Supreme Court Orders, along with other Orders. Source; Mississippi Bar Association.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:

  1. All courts are urged to limit in-person, courthouse contact as much as possible by utilizing available technologies…
  2. Judges’ offices or court clerks’ offices shall remain accessible by telephone and email, to the extent possible, during regular business hours…
  3. To the extent that … technologies are prohibited, unavailable, or otherwise infeasible, certain in-person proceedings shall continue to be conducted in all local and state courts including, but not limited to:

    1. a. Jury trials currently in progress.
      b. Department of Child Protection Services emergency matters related to child protection.
      c. Proceedings directly related to:
      (1) Protecting the constitutional rights of all persons;
      (2) Habeas corpus;
      (3) Emergency child-custody orders;
      4) Relief from abuse and orders of protection;
      (5) Mandatory youth court detention hearings for youth held
      in custody;
      (6) Emergency mental-health orders;
      (7) Emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons;
      (8) Petitions for temporary injunctive relief;
      (9) Issues involving the COVID-19 public-health emergency;
      (10) Obtaining arrest and search warrants, and other
      proceedings required by law enforcement;
      (11) Ensuring the Mississippi Judiciary has met its
      constitutional requirements.
      d. Any other emergency and time-sensitive matters, in the discretion of individual judges.
  4. Each judge is authorized to determine the manner in which necessary in-person proceedings are to be conducted. Any such in-person proceedings shall be limited to attorneys, parties, witnesses, security officers, members of the press, and other necessary persons, as determined by the trial judge.
  5. All other in-person proceedings beyond those mandated under Paragraph 3., in all local and state courts, are subject to the Court’s prior Emergency Administrative Orders.
  6. In the interest of preventing the transmission of COVID-19, personnel should be posted at all public entry points of all courts in the state, and individuals should be prohibited from entry if they have:

    1. a. In the previous 14 days, visited China, Iran, South Korea, any European countries, or any other high-risk countries identified by the CDC, or traveled on a cruise ship;
      b. Resided with or been in close contact with someone who has been in any of those countries within the previous 14 days;
      c. Traveled domestically within the United States where COVID-19 has sustained widespread community transmission;
      d. Been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital, or health agency;
      e. Been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; or
      f. A fever, cough or shortness of breath. Individuals may also be screened for fever through use of a digital forehead and/or ear thermometer.
  7. A case involving an attorney or party who is ill or in a high-risk category shall be rescheduled.
  8. Individuals with legitimate court business who are ill, caring for someone who is ill or in a high-risk category are advised to stay home and request a continuance.
  9. Jurors who are ill, caring for someone who is ill, or in a high-risk category shall have their jury service postponed to a later date.
  10. Bailiffs should discourage congregating outside courtroom doors and encourage social distancing inside the courtroom.
  11. To comply with the CDC’s latest guidance, within the discretion of the trial judge, gatherings may be limited to no more than 10 people.
  12. This Order may be amended, extended, or otherwise modified, as circumstances may dictate.
  13. SO ORDERED.

Matthew Thompson is a Civil Litigation Lawyer in Mississippi and advises you to take necessary precautions concerning COVID-19.