Category Archives: Child Custody

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Irreconcilable differences, Modifications, Visitation

But, I Cannot Afford an Attorney…Low to No Cost Help is Out There.

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Can you afford an attorney?  More often than not, you cannot afford to go without an attorney!

Oftentimes I hear, “I want the best!

We’re going to take this one all the way!

No, I don’t have any money...”

Having no money is a problem, but more often than not it’s more of not being willing to pay the money you do have.  In Family Law, in all but the rarest of incidences you do not have the right to have an attorney appointed to represent you.  This is a common misconception.  In the Criminal arena you do have the right to an attorney.  While Civil issue may be no less important to you the protections afforded to Civil litigants are typically lesser.

So, what do I do?  If you really have no money there are 3 great resources for Civil Litigants.

  • Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project.  MVLP handles civil matters, through volunteer attorneys for low income persons in Mississippi. (Primarily Uncontested Divorces, Guardianships and Expungements, etc…)
  • Phone: 601-960-9577      Fax: 601-944-9678     Email: mvlp@mvlp.org           Jackson Office.
  • Mississippi Center for Legal Services.  Legal Services handles civil matters, through in-house and some volunteer attorneys for low income persons in Mississippi in a variety of Civil matters. (Uncontested Divorces, Adoptions, Name Changes, Disability, Consumer, Education Law matters, etc…)
  • Contact the State-wide Intake Hotline at 1-800-498-1804
  • Mission First Legal Aid.  Missions First uses a combo of in-house and volunteer attorneys, but offers a more limited scope of representation. (Family law matters, Government Benefits, Housing,and  Debt,  but they do not handle divorce cases.) Approached from a mission, christian-based model of service.
  • Legal Aid Office, please call 601.608.0056

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney and volunteers with all 3 entities above.

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, Child Support, General Legal, Visitation

Why a Lawyer Does NOT Call You Back.

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It’s just a “…quick question.  Just one question. Does the father of my baby have any rights and will I get in trouble if…”

We all get them. A voice-mail left in the inbox, an email or a comment/question on the website.  The problem is answering just one question could very well be considered rendering legal advice.  Upon that being done, a lawyer’s responsibility can grow exponentially. Huh?

You call and say;

“this is Miranda. I just want to know if Ricky can see my baby and if I’ll get in trouble if I don’t let him.  We went to court some years ago and the judge said he had to pay but that I had custody…”

There is no way to answer the above adequately without more information.

  • What did the Order state?
  • Who has legal custody?
  • Who has physical custody?
  • Does he have visitation?
  • Why are you refusing?
  • Is he dangerous?
  • What was he ordered to pay?
  • Is he in arrears?

Without more information any answer is dangerous and could very likely be wrong.  And once you’ve relied upon it and then sued over it you say, “Well, Lawyer so-and-so told me to do “x.”

That is why lawyers do not call you back when you are not a client. (When you are a client and don’t get a call back is another story entirely, and a blog for another day.)

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and sometimes cannot respond to the comments and questions left on this site because of lack of information.  Additionally, if you do not include a means to contact you directly the only way to respond is through a public posting which would require disclosing your information which is generally not appropriate.

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, Opinion

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Mother’s Day is Sunday.

The 4 Thompson Mothers

Make sure that the mother of your children is recognized.  Mothers are the most influential force on a child.  Dads are important, no doubt, but a hug from mom makes everything better.

Too often, in separated families, the dad takes the position that “well, she’s not MY mother” and  leaves it to the kids to take care of.  Don’t.  Help your child get an appropriate Mother’s Day gift, every time.

Send flowers, give a card – handmade by junior is a winner every time, a gift certificate for a massage, a dinner, the movies, or bowling, whatever it is, Do it.

Thompson Law Firm wishes all of the Mother’s out there a Happy Mother’s Day!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in the Magnolia State.  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, Opinion

Don’t Trash Your Ex Publicly.

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Sure they probably deserve it, but what is the old saying?

Never wrestle with a pig because YOU get dirty and the pig likes it. –

George Bernard Shaw

It is hard, sometimes seemingly impossible to pass up a good opportunity to besmirch the ex, however telling the Homeroom teacher you are unsure about how you are going to pay for Jr.’s field trip because his dad is a deadbeat isn’t right, especially when it’s not true.  The problem is, even when it is true, it is still NOT right.

Saying negative and hurtful things about the other parent always backfires.  In the day and age of twitter, FaceBook, texting and digital recorders- assume all conversations are heard, overheard, recorded and shared.  This means it gets back to the other parent, back to the kids and is as bad as the tattled-upon conduct.

Also, don’t assume your anonymous blog posting is really anonymous.  You have a unique ISP#, your online activity, site visits, time of the visit and duration of the visit are retrievable information.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and cautions you that if you would not say it your Mom, then you should not be saying it to someone else about your Ex.

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, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion, Property Division, Visitation

Judge’s Race Just Got Interesting- 11th District Chancery Election is Now Contested

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Previously we blogged about “We the People” getting to pick our Judges.  This year is an election year for most Judgeships in Mississippi and only a few were contested.

img_6390Now, the Sub District One Seat for Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo counties is contested. (See the full candidate list here, current as of April 16, 2014.)  This Court hears matters involving wills and estates, support and custody of minor children, divorces and alimony, and lunacy or commitment hearings.  The Judges also handle other matters, such as petitions to incorporate or enlarge a city, the establishment and management of drainage districts, children’s welfare funds, and other projects.

Attorneys Robert Clark, III, of Lexington, and Barbara Ann Bluntson, of Ridgeland, have both qualified to run for the seat currently held by the retiring Judge Janace Harvey-Goree.  The prevailing candidate will serve as Chancellor over all matters filed in Chancery Court in Holmes and Yazoo Counties and approximately 1/4 of the matters filed in Madison County, if past practice holds true.

Attorney Clark has served as a Youth Court Judge and Municipal Court Judge in Lexington/Holmes County and private practitioner.

Attorney Bluntson has served as the City Prosecutor for Jackson, handling criminal matters, violation of city ordinances and matters pertaining to Domestic Violence.

The qualifying deadline is May 9, so stay tuned to see if any other hats are thrown in the ring.  The election will be November 4, 2014.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi, practices frequently in the district at issue above, and is very interested in watching this election and learning more about each candidate. Stay tuned!

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

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Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Visitation

Go to Your Kid’s Programs.

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When can I go to my Child’s school?

Being divorced impacts all aspects of life. A lot of times you can keep certain aspects quiet or private, but when children are involved issues spill over into school.

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Under normal circumstances, regardless of the custody arrangement, you can go to your child’s school programs. It doesn’t have to be “your” time.

About the only times this is not true is if the Court has imposed specific restrictions preventing this or if the event is not open to all parents or you’re otherwise not welcome at the school.

So, if you can go, Go!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and does his best to put Family First.

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, Marriage, Visitation

Little People, Big Divorce?

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Well, I guess it was bound to happen.  According to People magazine, thestir.com and a plethora of other online sources the Roloff’s, America’s Little Couple, have separated.
Amy Roloff Matt Roloff
http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/169562/little_people_big_world_stars

The stars of Little People, Big World, which regales America with the Roloff’s somewhat hectic life, dealing with dwarfism, and running a farm in Oregon have announced a trial separation.  The two apparently intend to continue to work together, on the farm and on the TLC program which made them familiar to millions.

In Mississippi, a trial separation just amounts to not living with each other and does not require any Court process, as there is No Legal Separation. In Oregon, Legal Separation is recognized, and while allowing for the marriage to remain intact it provides for the parties to live apart, can divide property, divide debt, determine support, if any and provide for parenting plans.

Despite their many on-air disputes, here’s hoping they can resolve this amicably for the little and not-so little people in their lives, their 3 children.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and can handle your matter whether it’s big or little.

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

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Through the Eyes of Child; What Does Your Child SEE?

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One of the “rules” of Family Law is when you don’t know what the right legal answer is, do what is RIGHT and you will probably be okay.

Eyes

Doing what is right is not always easy, nor fun.  On several occasions I have had client’s faced with seemingly tough decisions or circumstances.  One client suspected the spouse of abusing illegal drugs.  They did not have direct proof, but knew of drug abuse in the past and had knowledge of very suspicious behavior lately.  Their idea was to create a circumstance where they would have the spouse under surveillance when the spouse was out buying drugs.  The problem was the suspected spouse would also have the child during that time.  I told them that you cannot put your child in that situation…

In other instances, parties have had the other spouse served while they had the children.  The problem with this is that it is scary and stressful for the child. Sometimes, it seems, having them served in this manner just cannot be avoided, but if it can, it should be.  (See my prior blog on service of process.

Think about your child,what they are experiencing and what they “SEE” before you go and do something to your soon-to-be ex-spouse.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Attorney in Mississippi reminding you to SEE things through the eyes of your child.

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

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