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
Divorce, Marriage, Opinion

Things you CAN Cheat on…

Leave a comment

We’re constantly told, reminded and scolded about what we cannot cheat on.  But, there are some things you can cheat on, or things that even if you do the consequences are not so dire.

KEK064 /freedigitalphotos.net

#1. Your Diet. Go ahead and cheat.  “Tomorrow” is the most popular day to start a diet anyway, followed closely by “next Monday.”

#2. Video Games.  While you do not want to teach your children to cheat, using the “god mode” code makes the game more better. Invincibility only exists in a video game world anyway.

#3.  Taxes.  This is not recommended, but chances are you are cheating and don’t even know it with the complexity of the Internal Revenue Code. Under reporting income or over reporting expenses or deductions  is common and often unintentional.

These are just 3  of the things that cheating on likely will not lead to a long, miserable life, well #3 might, just ask Al Capone.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and advises you to cheat on your diet, not on your spouse or taxes!

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

 

Child Support, Divorce, General Legal

Tip of the Day: Speak with Efficiency

Leave a comment
ef·fi·cient
(especially of a system) achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
(of a person) working in a well-organized and competent way.
Sira Anamwong/ freedigitalphotos.net

Too often in Court, depositions, and generally responding to questions, witnesses provide too much information.  In an attempt to tell the “whole truth” the facts get muddled and the point gets lost.

I routinely ask client questions that can be answered simply, but rarely get the simple, straight forward response.

“How much child support are you Ordered to pay?”

“”$750.00 per month.”

“Have you paid it?”

“Well, you see, I was going to, but my car broke down and then I was writing the check ,but she said I could’t get them…”

There may be a great explanation, but first things first. Did you pay? Are you in compliance with the Order? Yes or No? Then explain if needed. Don’t try to guess. Just answer what is asked.

A great tip for doing this is to practice with your attorney so that you know why the question is being asked. Said another way, begin with the end in mind.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and wants you to tell your story, but answer the question first.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Opinion

Vote for a new Flag.

Leave a comment

The Clarion Ledger has had several articles and polls regarding the potential change of the current Mississippi State flag.

Vote Here.

I’ve previously blogged on the current State flag and my opinion that same should be changed.

Now here’s your chance to vote on the one you like or submit your own.  The prior poll had readers opting for a flag change 55% for – 45% opposed.  The majority of poll takers wanted a change.(Granted it was about 1,500 responders.) The disagreement came on what the change should be.

Pick your favorite. Other options are available at the link.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi, does not consider himself to be a “whiny, liberal” and still supports changing the flag in Mississippi. 

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or  Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

 

Divorce, Opinion

Adultery Train; All Aboard. Next Stop, TROUBLE.

Leave a comment

An affair plays a significant role in a large number of divorces.  It is a train wreck to a relationship.

big_bad_locomotive_by_beezqp-d4mfi8t-1024x727
Beezqp- “Big Bad Locomotive”

A sure-fire way to wreak havoc in a marriage is to have an affair. Mississippi law defines adultery, for now*, as sexual intercourse with a person of the opposite sex, not your spouse.  However, due to the secretive nature of affairs you do not have to have an admission to prove adultery.

The ground can be proven through circumstantial evidence.

Upon a satisfactory showing of

1) inclination or infatuation, which can consist of cards, notes, emails, love letters, texts and phone records showing many calls; and

2) opportunity, which is the spouse and that other person alone together, be it in a car, house, motel, hotel, park or back alley, a Court can find that fault grounds exist.

Due to this, even the whole “it’s only an emotional affair” and the “we didn’t have sex” may not be enough to stop the Adultery train from running over you.

So, why do people have affairs?  They can be exciting, fun and pleasurable, at least for a little while.  What leads to this? Sometimes the person is unhappy, dissatisfied, over-stressed, unloved, under-appreciated, or at least believe that they are.

The problem is the affair does not fix the problem.  It only serves to make things worse.  Because along with an affair comes new baggage.  Guilt, secrecy, and the emotions of a third person are now commingled in your personal life.  An affair not only hurts your spouse, but also you, your children and the other party.  It has emotional consequences, financial consequences, custody consequences and legal consequences.

An affair is a Train wreck in the making.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Professor at MC Law and a Divorce Attorney encouraging you to avoid train wrecks!

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

General Legal, Opinion

Happy “Love Your Lawyer Day!”

Leave a comment

Yes, it’s a “real” day.

https://bol.bna.com/what-are-you-doing-to-love-your-lawyer/

Love Your Lawyer Day is the one day a year that Lawyers can legally and safely be shown gratitude. The day, which has existed for years, but just this year was recognized by the ABA, is a day to celebrate the good things lawyers do.

To help celebrate the day, persons are to abstain from lawyer jokes and if any are uttered a $20.00 donation should be made to a reputable charity of the offender’s choice.

I was going to blog about the MS Supreme Court, months later, acknowledging the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell. I’ll do that next week.

So, thank you, Lawyers. I truly believe most are good and are trying to help. To those Lawyers who are not and do not, it’s not too late to turn.

#LoveYourLawyerDay #BowTieLawyerMS

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and it is hard for others to show the love in Family Law.

Divorce, Marriage

Judge Election Update: Rankin Chancery, Madison Chancery Judge Elections; Roberts in Rankin, Walker in Madison…

2 Comments

The votes are in. Rankin County is getting a new Family Law Judge, and so is Madison, Leake, Yazoo and Holmes Counties.

Haydn Roberts– current Family Master, former staff attorney has been elected to be the third Chancellor for Rankin County.  This position was recently created by the legislature due to population increases in Rankin County and is much needed and will be a welcomed relief to ease the docket crowding currently in Rankin County.

Roberts stated he was “[E}xcited…I’m going to give everything in me, of course. Looking forward to…Court.“

James Walker– current Family Master, former staff attorney and DHS attorney handily won the 20th Chancery District race. This too was created by the legislature due to population increases in the district.

Walker released a statement, “I am deeply humbled and appreciative to be the next Chancery Judge for Madison, Leake, Holmes, and Yazoo Counties. This could not have been done without the support of my friends and family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Last, but not least, thanks to the fine citizens of the 11th District for allowing me to serve you as your next Chancery Judge.”

Both candidates worked hard for their respective positions, campaigned with vigor and integrity and have the experience and demeanor to be great.

The Family Law Judiciary in Mississippi just got better!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and can handle your family law matter in Rankin, Madison, Leake, Holmes or Yazoo counties, as well as throughout the State.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer 

img_6390

Child Custody, Divorce, Marriage, Opinion

You CAN Pick Your Judge! Rankin Chancery & Madison Chancery

2 Comments

Tuesday, November 3, 2015, is election day.

There are a myriad of candidate seats, but this post concerns the local Family Law Judge races.

Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo Counties.

Two candidates are vying for this seat.

#1  James C. Walker

The front-runner for this seat is James Walker. Walker has the backing of the majority of Family Law and Chancery practitioners in the district. Walker has also worked the beat for this seat. Walker has been at almost every festival, civic event, meet and greet and ribbon cutting in all four counties. If you do not know about this candidate, who he is and what he stands for at this point, it is not for his lack of effort. Walker is the current Family Master for the District; hearing Emergency Petitions,Temporary Hearings and the types of matters the current Chancellors hear. Walker is the former staff attorney for Judge Cynthia Brewer, former staff attorney for DHS and has his own private Chancery practice law firm.

Pearlene Jones

Attorney, Pearlene Jones is the other candidate that has qualified to run.  She is a resident of Lexington,  in Holmes County. She formerly served as the County Prosecutor for Holmes County, a part-time, elected position.

Attorney Jones has been at events local to Holmes County, but I am unaware of any significant campaigning in the other counties.

James Walker will hands-down be elected to this post.

Rankin County

Rankin Counties race will be closer. There are 4 really good candidates for one spot.

#1 Haydn Roberts

I think Roberts is the front-runner due to having previously served as the Staff Attorney in Rankin County for Judges Grant and Fairly for the past eight years. He has been involved “in over 10,000 cases. Roberts is also serving as the Family Master. The Family Master is a part-time Judge hearing Emergency Petitions, Temporary Hearings and DHS matters.

Prentiss M.  Grant

Prentiss Grant “has lived and built his law practice in Rankin County for the past twenty-six years. Prentiss’ law practice is concentrated in family law, and eighty percent of his cases are tried in Rankin Chancery Court.”

Rusty Williard 

Rusty Williard has “spent 30 years trying Chancery cases and 15 years [in] Rankin County.”  Williard is a self-proclaimed “ruthless defender of the rights of children in chancery court and with juvenile defense matters, he is currently a certified Guardian Ad Litem as well as a Youth Court advocate.

James (Jim) M. Nix

Jim Nix, who I affectionately referred to as the ghost, has come on strong.  He is running a “grass roots” campaign and not accepting any campaign contributions.  “He has over 35 years experience in Chancery Law, is not a part of the Rankin County Power Group.” I called him the ghost because at qualifying time he was a relative “unknown” candidate. Since that time i have educated myself and I like Jim Nix.

For that matter, I like all 4 candidates. Rankin County would be well served by any of the candidates, but only one will win.  I predict the necessity of a run-off. I think it will be between Roberts and Grant, but I think it will be a close race.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and encourages all citizens to vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

IMG_3045

*Thompson Law Firm has contributed to the James Walker campaign and was on the Host Committee for a Meet and Greet for the Candidate. 

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

How to Contact Your Attorney.

Leave a comment

With technology today we expect instant access. However, it is not always practical.

Emails, texts, Instant Messenger, FaceBook Messenger, office phone, cell phone, letter, fax, carrier pigeon or smoke signals are the myriad of ways you have to contact an attorney, but all are not equal and all are not best.

  1. Office phone, during business hours is the best way. It is usually staffed, usually answered and usually responded to if a message is left. If a reasonable period of time has elapsed call again. 
  2. Office email.  Likely will get a canned response to call the office number and the heads up to the receptionist/call screener to be expecting the call. 
  3. Cell phone. You’ve called the office, you’ve emailed and need to get a warm body.  If you have a cell call it. Leave a message and a return number and a good time to call back.  Most attorneys guard their cell number like Fort Knox. Mine is on my business card. 
  4. Other Methods. The last option is the other ways to contact. These means are not secure. FB messenger does not ensure confidentiality. 

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and is awaiting your call. (601) 850-8000