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
General Legal, Opinion

The Dirtiest Secret of Lawyer Advertising!

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“One call.  That’s all.”

Gone are the days when Lawyers do not advertise.  While some lawyers still think it’s a faux pas, most accept that lawyer’s advertising is just like any other industry and to some extent is a public service…

Regardless of whether or not you approve of lawyer advertising it is here to stay. However, there is one trap to be careful to avoid;

  • Bought and Paid for Search Rankings.

I get numerous Search Engine Optimization (SEO) proposals every week.  These groups claim they can have me at the top of Google searches, for a fee, in any legal category I choose. The SEO people Google specific terms and if you are not in the top 5, or on the first page, then the solicitations come. Sometimes you may even be on the first page organically and they still try to solicit you.

So what does this mean for you, the person looking for a lawyer? Be careful. Just because a lawyer shows up on your search does not mean he/she is the one for you or that they even handle the type of case you have.  Read more on How to Hire an Attorney.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi cautioning you to do your research before you hire an attorney.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at 

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Bow Tie, Opinion

Happy National Bow Tie Day!!

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August 28th is a memorable day each year for the recognition of the Bow Tie!

Notable Bow Tie Wearers

  • Abraham Lincoln

  • Franklin Roosevelt

  • Theodore Roosevelt

  • Winston Churchill

  • John Paul Stevens

  • Albert Einstein

  • Sigmund Freud

  • Humphrey Bogart

  • Frank Sinatra

  • Charlie Chaplin

  • Orville Redenbacher

  • Bill Nye

  • James Bond

  • Barney Fife

  • Donald Duck

  • The Cat in the Hat

  • Matthew Thompson

Matthew Thompson is a Bow Tie tying Lawyer in Mississippi and encourages you to learn to tie a bow tie!

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, Uncategorized

Pet Peeve of the Day: I’ve Met You 5 Times…

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I usually remember people…

Recently I “met” a man who I have previously met 4 times.

The first time was at a (1) community lunch that we both attended. We sat beside each other talked about our professions and several things we had in common. It was nice.  The second time was (2) two weeks later at a similar event, again sitting at the same table for lunch.  There was a vague memory of the first lunch.  The third time was (3) again at lunch, but this time by happenstance. It was as if we had never met.  The fourth time was at (4) a Wednesday night dinner at church.  We sat immediately next to each other and I intentionally had a “memorable” conversation about Jack Black singing gospel songs.  Who could forget that?

The fifth time (5) was just the other day…

I’m not sure what this means. I’m not sure if I should be offended, or not care, or treat it as proof that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” is just not true.  In any event, I recommend that you try to remember people and remember meeting them.

The one final take away is that on all of these occasions I was NOT wearing a bow tie.  Perhaps I am not myself sans bow tie.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Lawyer in Mississippi, the Hospitality State and is recommitting to the bow tie.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer

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

Child Custody, Child Support

Tell Your Kids You Love Them!

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Make sure your children know that you love them, unconditionally. Do it today.

(601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Divorce, Marriage

First Recorded Divorce in the U.S. (Colonies, actually)

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In the Quarter Court of Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Anne Clarke                                                                              Plaintiff

vs.                                                                                          1643-0001

Denis Clarke                                                                          Defendant

Complaint for Divorce

       COMES NOW, Anne Clark, a resident of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and files this her Complaint for Divorce and Other Relief, and would respectfully show unto this honorable Court, as follows;

      1.  Plaintiff, Anne Clarke, alleges as her ground for divorce Uncondoned Adultery and/or Abandonement…

History.com and the Nottage and Ward Blog note the first recorded divorce in the American colonies involved Anne and Denis Clarke of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  In January 1643, a divorce was granted by the Quarter Court of Boston on the ground that Denis abandoned Anne to be with another woman.

In a signed affidavit, Denis confessed his actions. There were two children of the marriage and Dennis sired two children with his paramour. He also refused to return to Anne. The Quarter Court of Boston granted the divorce to Anne based on Denis’ conduct.

Divorce, it’s been here at least 371 years…

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and can help make your marriage History.

(601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

 

Divorce

So, Two Alligators Get a Divorce…

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#BowTieLawyerMS  www.bowtielawyer.ms (601)850-8000

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Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Getting UnMarried Without a Divorce (Death is NOT the Only Way Out)

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There are ways to end a “Marriage” other than divorce, and no, I am not talking about death…

http://eofdreams.com/ death.html

I have previously blogged on Annulment and the very limited circumstances that one may be requested.  However, I recently had another Annulment scenario arise that is worth mentioning.

Mississippi has specific licensing requirements to get married.  You have to have a licensed issued, you have to have a ceremony and cohabit.  The license is issued by the Clerk, the Ceremony is the thing you have at the beach, or the church, or the Court House and Cohabiting is living together.

But, what happens when there is a failure of one of the (3) requirements?

Typographical errors in the license do not invalidate a marriage when the marriage is consummated and you are living together.  Failure to comply with licensure requirements and NOT living together does not a marriage make. This situation would result in an Annulment.

But, what if there was no ceremony? 

Failure to have a Ceremony is fatal.  It does not matter if the license was issued. It doe not matter if you shacked up.  If you did NOT have a ceremony; at the beach, church, Court House, or backyard, if you did not jump the broomstick, you are not married.  A Ceremony, of some type, is required.

So, want your marriage to Count- get a license, have a ceremony and live as husband and wife.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce/Annulment Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you to act fast if you are seeking an Annulment.

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

“But, I Pay Child Support!?!”

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Child Support.  The two most despised words in all of child custody related matters. Ok, maybe not the most despised, but it leads to more litigation than any other single issue.
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I have previously written on Child Support in Mississippi.  Today’s post is about what Child Support is really for and what it is not.

I have lost count of the times that a parent paying child support demanded to know how the monies are being spent and wanting to know just what the other parent is spending “their” money on.  I have also heard when the receiving parent has requested additional monies the response is,”I paid my child support, you figure it out.”

Child Support is intended to go towards the child’s needs. Food, shelter, clothing and necessities. However, the statutory sums rarely equate to an amount sufficient for all of that.

Mississippi has the lowest amounts, percentage wise, in the Country. 14% for one child equals approximately $150.00 -$585.00 per month. By the time any rent or a mortgage is paid, it’s gone.

Child support may be used to pay the rent, groceries, gas, clothing, shoes, school expenses, medical, dental, utilities, activities, etc. It’s not limited to solely purchases just for the child and it’s not improper for the parent to spend it as they see fit, so long as it’s a benefit for the child.

The paying parent may well gripe. And, it may be a lot of money to you, but it’s usually not enough to pay for a child’s true expenses.

Matthew Thompson is Child Support lawyer in Mississippi.