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, General Legal, Opinion

How NOT to Communicate; 10 Methods or Means of Communication that are more Trouble than they are Worth.

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A big part of the any relationship is communication.

cuteimage/ freedigitalphotos.net

A big part of the trouble in many relationships is  difficulty with or lack of communication. So, I have made a list of ways to NOT communicate.

1. Threats. Don’t make them.

2. Unreasonable Demands. They are unreasonable.

3. Information Dump on a Whim.  The time must be appropriate for the discussions necessary.

4. Sensitive Information in a Non-protected Environment. Have private talks in private. Not in front of the children, friends, family and others.

5. Blaming the Other Incessantly. Accepting responsibility is one thing, being the reason that every bad thing that ever happened is not likely.

6. Screaming. Not necessary. He who is the loudest does not win.

7. Cursing. Not necessary.

8. Being Unprepared. If you or the other person are not in a position to discuss intelligently it is likely much will not be accomplished.

9. Win at All Costs. I’m always right. Even when I am wrong, I am right…right?

10. Lying. What good does it do to “win” if it’s a lie?

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and cautions persons to be careful how they communicate with others.

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.

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General Legal, Opinion

Want a Better Life? Don’t Do This! One Divorce Attorney’s Take

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I give GREAT advice everyday. At least most, I think, is good to great advice, but seldom is it truly something you did not already know…

Hearing the obvious however, sometimes helps it “click.”

I have recently spent some time speaking with former clients, now close friends, about work, life, family and why things are not magically better now that they are on the other side of divorce.

Primarily the reason is perception versus reality.  The idea that if I can just get through this period in my life all will be better does not hold true.  As soon as you make it through that time, something else comes up in life that kicks you in the teeth, figuratively speaking of course. The “just power through it” mentality usually results in a let down when that next issue inevitably crops up.

So, back to what is that I am not to do for a better life? Do NOT invite DRAMA into your life. You have  enough to deal with.  Do not allow persons who steal your spirit and crush your soul to be in your life, if you can help it.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and warns clients about who and what they allow in their lives.

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.

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Crime, General Legal, Opinion

Nuclear Scandal or Atomic Ado About Nothing? How Controversy “Follows” the Clintons like Thunder follows Lightening.

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For good or for bad, the Clinton family is the face of American Politics.

http://legalinsurrection.com/2015/04/clinton-foundation-becoming-radioactive/

The “scandal du jour” is that “a Canadian company known as Uranium One wanted America to defend its Uranium interests from a Russian firm, Rosatom;  then later decided to simply let Rosatom acquire it. To do so,  Uranium One needed State Department approval. (The approval was necessary because Uranium One controlled American uranium mines and exploration fields, a strategic asset. And approval was gained.)” 

“As the Russians assumed control of Uranium One in separate transactions from 2009 to 2013, Canadian records show a flow of cash to the Clinton Foundation.

Uranium One’s chairman made four donations totaling $2.35 million. Other persons with ties to the company made donations as well. The donations were not properly disclosed.

Complicating matters, Uranium One had acquired its interests after its major shareholder, Frank Giustra, travelled with Bill Clinton to Kazakhstan in 2005 and met with the country’s leader. Giustra sold his interest in the company in 2007 and was not involved in the later dealings. But Giustra has put tens of millions of dollars into the foundation’s work; the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, which bears his name, is a formal component of the Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton Foundation. Id. 

The Uranium One story is troubling, and potentially damaging, because of the personal ties, the foreign interests, the opacity, and connecting the dots, which involves Putin allies publicly gloating over Russia’s increased dominance of the world’s uranium supplies. 

Putting aside who got rich, did this series of uranium deals damage or compromise national security?   “the sale gave the Russians control of one-fifth of all uranium production capacity in the United States.” It makes Russia stronger. 

Ok, Russia has nuclear interests, So what?  Russia is also allied with Iran.  From 2005 to current, Russia has assisted Iran with developing their Nuclear Technology.  The director of the Russian state nuclear power company recently signed an agreement for the additional reactors with his Iranian counterpart, at Rosatom.

Iran has been under sanctions for years due to their Uranium Enrichment program.

The United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia and other nations want the enrichment program to be shut down because the same industrial process, using centrifuges, can be used to produce materials for nuclear weapons. 

The links above go to the New York Times and New Yorker articles with additional info.

Confused yet? Headache? It’s a big deal because who has radioactive materials matters and millions of dollars exchanging hands going to persons responsible for who ends up with radioactive materials matters and the “errors” in reporting said millions of dollars matters, and Iran’s access to radioactive materials matters and what Russia does matters.

Matthew Thompson is an Attorney in Mississippi and wondered why this story was buried about 3 pages below Jeb Bush’s Paleo diet and just wanted to see if anyone out there cares… 

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.

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Child Custody, Child Support, divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Opinion, Property Division, Visitation

New Judges are Coming… 11th, 20th, & 4th Districts; The Scoop on the Candidates.

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Family Law is not necessarily full of exciting news. Sure, we have juicy stories of debauchery, but that has occurred since man became upright…

Illustration by Barbara Kelley 

But, getting 3 new Judge positions is exciting!

Governor Bryant signed into law a bill that creates 3 new judges to hear divorce, custody, child support, paternity, will, estate and land matters, among other limited areas of the law.

These 3 new judges will be over districts that have been in much demand for another Judge.

District 11 is getting a 3rd Judge. District 11 covers Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo counties. The Current Judges are Cynthia Brewer and Robert Clark, III.

The candidate for this seat is James Walker (click for website). Walker is the current Family Master for the District, hearing Emergencies,Temporary Hearings and the types of matters the current Chancellors hear. Walker is the former staff attorney for Judge Cynthia Brewer and former staff attorney for DHS.  Walker is the definite front-runner (FB).

District 20 covers Rankin County and will likewise be getting a 3rd Judge.  The current Judge is John Grant.  There is a vacancy for the 2nd Chancellor due to the untimely passing of Judge Dan Fairly– which will be filled, most likely, by appointment and special election.

Craig Slay is the only candidate that has qualified for the new position, but the rumor mill has at least 4 other candidates in the mix. Slay is the Board Attorney for the  Rankin County Board of Supervisors and has practiced law for nearly 20 years. At the time of this post Slay’s social media presence was not readily apparent.

Prentiss Grant is one of those candidates. He has announced publicly to be in the running for Rankin Chancery Judge, though not listed yet on the Secretary of State’s website.  P. Grant has practiced for over 25 years and handled many Chancery Court cases, among criminal and personal injury areas of practice as well.

This will be an exciting race to watch!

District 4 covers Amite, Franklin, Pike and Walthall counties and will be getting a much needed second Chancellor.

Conrad Mord is the only candidate to toss his hat in the ring so far. Mord has practiced in the district for 40 years and currently serves as the Youth Court Referee, a.k.a. Youth Court Judge. The current lone Chancellor is Debbra Halford.

Stay tuned for all of your Family Law Judge news.  This election coverage will be updated as more candidates qualify, though not so much coverage as to be soul-crushing to the casual reader!

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and is interested in the election process and the candidates that will decide critical issues for Families 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.

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Child Custody, Crime, divorce, General Legal

Hacking, Passwords and Family Email Accounts; Your Information is NOT Secure

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Emails and text messages have helped “do in” more marriages, as far as evidence goes, than any Private Investigator could hope to.

What you think is deleted is NOT.  There are recovery programs and computer gurus that, for a fee, can recover that which you think is gone.

Shared emails and shared cell phone plans allow the other person the same access you have.  It’s not hacking if it’s a “joint account,” nor is it hacking if you gave them the password, even if it were years ago. It’s not criminal under these circumstances.

Key-stroking software and spyware abound. A program on the computer or your smartphone can send every button typed or your current location.

This is not so much a warning on how to cheat, but rather a warning of knowing your surroundings.  Even innocent meetings may be used against you under the right (or wrong) circumstances. Also, communications that you think or intend to be private may well not be private.

Be smart. Be safe. Be secure.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and warns clients to be careful on how they communicate.

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.

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Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Why Do I Need a Private Investigator?

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Private Investigation is not as glamorous, or as easy, as you think it is…

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Why should I get a P.I.?

They know what they are doing. (usually)

They are good at what they do. (usually)

They are professional, will document their efforts and testify in Court.

They can be objective and unemotional about your circumstances.

They aim to satisfy as they care about their reputation.

Why doing it myself is a bad idea?

You do NOT know what you are doing.  (Watching old reruns of Magnum PI does not qualify you for the job)

You are NOT good at it.  You will get caught following too closely, spotted watching them, seen taking an obvious picture, or will lose them in the crowd.

You’re efforts will be viewed as biased. (of course you will say you saw him cheating, you’re trying to get a divorce!)

You CANNOT be objective nor unemotional. (the desire to confront her will be almost unbearable)

You do not care what anybody thinks!!  (He’s a perv!!)

Read more on what a Private Investigator needs from you.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and has seen the P.I. at the restaurant, “on the clock” and knew NOT to say hello!

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.

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divorce, General Legal

Testimony in Court; Answering Yes or No.

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Testimony is nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be that hard.

Courtroom sketch: Wired.com / Norman Quebedeau

A witness’s job is to tell the truth and answer the question asked.  It is not to guess, to anticipate, to make-up, or change the story.

Judges routinely get irritated with a witness when asked a “Yes or No” question , but the answer begins with, “You see, what had happened was…”

There are 2 different sets of Rules when testifying.

1) You are called by your attorney or are a “friendly” witness. Under these circumstances you may not be asked yes or no questions of material importance. If you are, the other side may object due to “leading.”  That is asking a question which suggest the answer.

Lawyer 1: You witnessed Jimmy kissing Jane, didn’t you?

Lawyer 2: Objection. Leading.

Judge: Sustained. Don’t lead your witness.

Lawyer 1: (asked one at a time)How do you know Jimmy? How do you know Jane? On what occasions, if any, have you seen them together?

2) When you are called by the adverse lawyer or are deemed a “hostile witness” then the questioning attorney may use leading questions.

Lawyer 2: You witnessed Jimmy kissing Jane, didn’t you?

Lawyer 1: Objection. Leading.

Judge: He’s on Cross Examination. The witness may answer.

Witness: Yes. (explain if allowed)

If the question can be answered with a Yes or a No, then you as a witness need to answer Yes or No. The Court will allow you to explain your answer, if necessary.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and can handle the truth.

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.

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General Legal, Opinion

Purse Packin’, Mississippi’s Evolving Law on Carrying a Firearm

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Mississippi Law requires a license to carry a concealed weapon under most circumstances. However, a proposed change in the law will allow for carrying a pistol or revolver in your handbag. No license needed.

SENATE BILL NO. 2394 holds, in part

“No license shall be required under this section for a loaded or unloaded pistol or revolver carried in a purse, handbag,  satchel, other similar bag or briefcase or fully enclosed case.”

The proposed legislation also decreases the fee for a concealed carry license from $100 to $80.

This change in the law  is consistent with Mississippi’s prior gun law legislation.  Many anti-gun voices predicted Mississippi going the way of the “Wild West” when “Open Carry” was defined in the law. These fears were unfounded.  This change, too, will not lead to shoot outs at the OK Corral, but rather serve to allow persons to protect themselves easier and, perhaps, cause a criminal to reconsider their target…

Mississippians, as a whole, believe in responsible gun ownership and the law (MS Gun Law Q/A)  & (101) is just now catching up with those beliefs.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and supports responsible gun ownership.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

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