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
Here’s your chance to be a part of history-in-the-making, changing Mississippi for the better.
There is a movement afoot to change/adopt a state flag that celebrates MS, while respecting her heritage. (…at least the heritage worthy of respect.)
The above link is a pre-order for a specialized car tag with a proposed new flag for MS. I for one support and encourage a change. I encourage you to join in, show your support and be a part of making History in Mississippi.
Kansas City, Kansas. John Ripple walked into a bank and handed the teller a note demanding cash and stating he had a gun. The teller handed over $2,924.00. Ripple then sat in the lobby for police to arrive.
Ripple surrendered. Upon his arrest, he told investigators that he wrote the note in front of his wife, telling her he’d rather be in in jail than live with her.
Prior to sentencing, Ripple sought leniency as he was facing up to 37 months in prison. Ripple cited his recent heart surgery and depression, causing him to not “be himself.” Interestingly, the bank vice president and teller also supported a lesser sentence.
In a twist of fate, the Court sentenced Ripple to 6-months of home confinement. Sentencing him to the fate he was seeking to escape. There has been no update as to whether he was seeking post-conviction relief for cruel and unusual punishment, being forced to live with your spouse.
Matthew Thompson is a divorce attorney in Mississippi and reminds you there are easier ways than robbing a bank to get divorced.
Facebook, despite its many flaws, has a great feature showing memories and photographs from the past. Today it reminded me of Chad King.
Chad and I have worked together for 15 years in the family law arena. Neither was a lawyer so many years ago…
Chad brings with him over a decade of family law experience, having served as law clerk, paralegal and office administrator over his many years of working in the legal community, and now as Associate Attorney.
Chad handles family law cases such as divorce, alimony, child custody and support and also heads up adoptions and termination of parental rights on the plaintiff’s side, as well as the defense of same.
Chad earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Mississippi College School of Law in 2015, where he served as President of the Family Law Society and as a Student Attorney in the Adoption Clinic. He also served as an Adjunct Professor in Paralegal Studies at Hinds Community College.
Chad is an integral partner at TLF and the many, many families in Mississippi are better off because of Chad’s service.
THANK YOU!
Chad King is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and prefers “No Tie” over a Bow Tie.
We all have “bad days.” The same is true for the judge, your lawyer and you.
Ruleville, MS water towers. Photo by Matthew Thompson
Part of the reason that Court is so unpredictable is because there are humans involved in the process. You just do not know what that other persons has had to deal with the last day, week, or month. Those outside influences, while they should not impact a case, can effect the outcome.
When the judge has a “bad” day, lawyers get chastised, witnesses “corrected” and rulings may be delayed. When lawyers have “bad” days client got to jail!
A short post today and not a lot of solutions, however the take away is show grace and until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, you do not know what someone else is dealing with.
Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and former Photo Editor/Photograph for MC Law’s Legal Eye student newspaper.
Below is a short clip from my most recent appearance on Law Call with Rocky Wilkins of Morgan & Morgan. The caller wanted to know about recovering unpaid child support and her facts allowed for a few more opportunities to educate the public on Mississippi Law.
Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Child Support Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you that in Family Law, you can never go wrong if you do what is Right!
Common Law Marriage was the law of the land in Mississippi until 1956.
Jorodo via Cartoon Stock
Prior to 1956 if you lived with someone, holding yourselves out as Mr. and Mrs., for longer than a certain number of years, it made that union a valid, legal marriage.
In 1956 the Mississippi legislature ended Common Law Marriage, or at least NEW Common Law Marriages within the State. Mississippi Code § 93-1-15 was passed that required a License and solemnization for a valid marriage.
(1) No marriage contracted after April 5, 1956 shall be valid unless the contracting parties shall have obtained a marriage license … and …shall have been performed …solemniz[ation]. Failure in any case to comply with both prerequisites …shall render the purported marriage absolutely void and any children born as a result thereof illegitimate.
(2) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect the validity of any marriage, either ceremonial or common law, contracted prior to April 5, 1956.
Now if your Common Law Marriage was valid prior to 1956 in Mississippi and you and the Mrs. are still alive and together, then your marriage is valid. Interestingly, if you have a valid Common Law Marriage from another state Mississippi will also recognize that. 16 states still recognize Common Law Marriage according to Find Law and in the 1980’s Mississippi recognized a Common Law Marriage of a couple from Georgia. They eventually relocated to Mississippi and the wife sought and was granted a divorce. George v. George, 389 So.2d 1389 (Miss. 1980).
Don’t count on a Common Law Marriage for marital purposes, and don’t believe your “spouse” if they tell you you’re married and you have not followed the State licensure requirements.
Matthew is a family law attorney and was married using the post 1956 Mississippi methods.
(601) 850-8000 - - BowTieLawyer.MS 