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

Signs of Terrible Parenting

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In case you are wondering, “Am I being a terrible parent?” Ask yourself these questions, if you answer yes, you may well be parenting terribly.

  • Do you withhold financial support from your child?
  • Do you discuss grown-up issues with your young child?
  • Do you degrade the other parent to your child?
  • Do you take the position Easter is not a “holiday”?
  • Do you prevent your child from seeing the other parent?

A “Yes” to any of these does not require that you are a terrible parent, however your parenting as to that issue may be terrible. So, you ask, how do I not parent terribly?

  • Pay your support- if you have the means go beyond.
  • Do not discuss grown-up issues – the child does not need to know the details of the divorce.
  • Do not criticize the other parent – I agree they deserve it, but the child does not.
  • Easter is a holiday. It just is.
  • Allow your child to see the other parent – exceptions for dangerous circumstances only.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you to not be a terrible parent.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

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

Child Support, Crime, General Legal

Child Support, FaceBook and Poor Judgment = Rich Consequences

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Pay your Child Support.  It’s been said and blogged before, but a few payors have yet to get the message…

Newly Internet famous, John McCroy, reportedly paid his $100.00 per month child support only one time.  He allegedly refused to pay because he  died and could not afford it.  Neither appears true.  Above is the recent photo of himself with at least $100.00 and being alive.

Social media like FaceBook (also, don’t do this on FB) and other sites are now routinely reviewed in determining a potential party’s whereabouts, goings-on and can be used as a snap shot into their financial status.

I have personally prepared to use FaceBook photos of an ex, severely behind on their obligations, claiming they cannot afford it, but had numerous pictures of their new car and the recent vacation they just took to the beach.  Certainly, there are circumstances where persons cannot afford their obligations when life gets in the way, but pictures of your new car and recent vacation are proof positive you are choosing to not pay your obligations.

Just like McCroy, it was proof they could meet the obligation, but chose not to.  McCroy posted numerous photos and comments once his “story” broke. He noted that no one in the media has mentioned that his Baby’s Mama was keeping the child away from him.  If true he should seek Contempt against her or specified visitation rights, it is not a basis to not pay your child support.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Support Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you that as a parent you have a moral and legal obligation to pay Child Support.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

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

General Legal, Opinion

Gun Myths Debunked

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People make a lot of assumptions about guns.  Most of them are wrong…

NPS photo

Mississippi has fairly straight forward gun laws.

Can I purchase a gun from a dealer? 

Yes, if you are 18 or older for a long gun (ie: shotgun, rifle, muzzle loader)

or

Yes, if you are 21 or older for a hand gun (ie: pistol, revolver)

and

have not been convicted of domestic violence, a felony and have not been committed for alcohol or drugs, and are not under the influence at the time of purchase.

What about Possessing a Firearm?

Possession as opposed to purchasing has lesser restrictions.  There is not minimum age for possession of a long gun. It’s not uncommon for 9-year-olds and up to have a shotgun for dove or duck hunting.  It’s legal, and assuming proper supervision, safe.  The law is a little more restrictive on a youngster possessing a handgun, but you can possess one if you are 18 or older, and if younger than 18 you may possess one for hunting purposes, at a shooting range or on private property with permission of the landowner.

Do I need a Permit or License?

No.

Do I have to Register my Firearm?

No.

What about Concealed Carry?

MS has recently adopted new laws concerning concealed carry vs. open carry and a license is required for Concealed Carry.

Where can I have this gun?

Your home, your business and your car and a lot of other places too, unless there is a Federal restriction against it, or if your local entity has the proper signage, unless of course you have the instructor certified endorsement (though the endorsement does not override Federal restrictions). Confused yet?

I would suggest you consult with your local law enforcement office if you have specific questions, though reading the law for yourself may prove more beneficial.  Also, the laws are ever-changing.  Confer with an attorney if you have any questions concerning the use, purchase or possession of a firearm in Mississippi before you have an issue.

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.

black bow

General Legal, Opinion

Should I Get a Gun?

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Doing what I do I get asked a lot of questions.  Family Law leads to a lot of weird situations, but one question that I get more than you’d think is
“Should I get a gun?”

hin255/ freedigitalphotos.net

Should I Get a Gun has a lot of moving parts as far as a question goes…

  • Do you fear for your physical safety?  
  • Is that reasonable under the circumstances?

Fearing for physical safety requires more than the purchasing of a firearm.  Upon a good faith belief of bodily harm you should be considering getting to a safe place, a Restraining Order, Law Enforcement Involvement and further Court action, in addition to a firearm.

  • Do you know how to use a gun?  
  • Are you willing to educate yourself?

Training course are offered all the time now.  Handgun, shotgun, self-defense, and home defense courses are all the rage. Take one or two or all of them.  Even experienced gun users would benefit.  Proper training, muscle memory, repetitive exercises will all aid in your confidence as well handling of a serious situation.

  • Will you practice?  
  • You have to practice!

Practice, practice, practice.  There are several ranges throughout the state.  You have to shoot and need to shoot to be comfortable with your firearm.

  • Safety. Safety. Safety.

Safety is the most critical aspect of owning and handling a firearm. Treating them all as loaded. Only aiming at intended targets. Keeping them safely and securely locked away from children and those that should not have access to a firearm is critical.

So, Should you get a Gun? Yes, if you are willing to educate, train, be safe and use it responsibly.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney and encourages safe and responsible gun ownership.

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

 

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

How to Be a Reasonable Client.

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On the heels of “Signs of an Unreasonable Client” comes the counter, so you know how to be a reasonable client.

  1. Listen to your Attorney. You hired them, now listen.
  2. Ask if you Don’t Understand. We can sometimes fall into the trap of speaking in legalese and assume you get it you aren’t indicating otherwise.
  3. Pay Your Bill.  That is how attorneys make money and all attorneys are not as rich as they want you to think.
  4. If you Have an Issue with us, Let us Know.  Don’t tell someone else about your concerns and not allow the attorney a chance to address it.
  5. Don’t Ignore your Attorney.  One of the worst things you can do is go off the grid and not communicate.
  6. Don’t Text Incessantly. It’s great for “running 10 minutes late” or “the date is Aug. 4,” otherwise call or email.
  7. Don’t Email when a Call is Better. Somethings you just have to talk about.
  8. Don’t Abuse the Cell Phone.  Do NOT abuse the cell phone.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and encourages all clients to be reasonable.

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

 

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Don’t Want Things to Get Worse? Don’t do Something to Make Things Worse

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Want things to get worse? Do something worse!

http://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/a-marriage-made-in-hell

In family law it is often desired by a party to do something to get back at the other spouse.  The awful soon-to-be-ex did something first that was mean, so they want retribution and to do something meaner.  Usually this is a very bad idea. Two wrongs don’t make a right and it may well get you into trouble.

John and Jenifer were married. John had an affair with Jane. Jane was married to Jim.  So, guess what Jenifer did? She had an affair with Jim!  It did not make things better…

There’s a reported case where the soon-to-be-ex-husband threw all of the wife’s clothes in the driveway, squirted them with lighter fluid and lit them afire.  This conduct did not make things better.

Unless you want to end up in the War of Roses, stop doing things to make things worse.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and advises all of his clients to abstain from doing things to make things worse.

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

 

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Opinion

Lying Eyes & Other Signs of Lies and the People That Tell Them.

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If you’ve ever been involved in a family law case then you’ve dealt with someone lying.

Clients, witnesses and even lawyers sometimes lie.  It could be a little white lie or a huge whopper. A former CIA officer said to watch out for these cues that you might be being lied to;

  • The Eyes Tell the Tale.  When asked a question the witness looks up, closes their eyes or looks down, especially on a question they should know.
  • Shielding the Face.  When speaking the person have their hand in front of their eyes or mouth.
  • Verbal Answer/Body Language Disagree.  The best example of this was when the deponent was asked if she was having an affair.  She said, “No,” but shook her head Yes.  When confronted with this she spilled the beans.
  • The Delayed Response.  Some things you should not have to think about.
  • Fidgeting.  Messing with your hair, your cup, or your pen when answering.
  • Nose Grows.  Think Pinocchio.  Very rare*

Want to know more about lies and the people that tell them?  Try these;

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and advises you to NEVER lie while under oath.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer

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

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Irreconcilable differences, Modifications, Opinion

The First Phone Call to the Attorney; What to Know?

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The first step is always the hardest!

cuteimage/ freedigitalphotos.net

When you call a Family Law Attorney for the first time there are some basics that are pretty universal.  Be ready with this information.

  • Your full name and that of your spouse/defendant
  • Whether anything is on file in any Court
  • Critical deadlines, trial dates, hearing dates, etc…
  • Who the attorneys are, if any
  • Who the Judge is
  • What Court you are in, if so
  • What County is home for you
  • Date/Place of Marriage
  • Date/Place of Separation
  • Ages of children
  • Job description and approx. income
  • Whether it will be contested or Agreed

These are the basics that any family law practitioner is going to need to do a conflicts check and to do a proper evaluation of your case.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and encourages potential clients to educate themselves and know their stuff!

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