Category Archives: Child Custody

Happy Mother’s Day!

05/09/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Mother’s Day is Sunday.

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.

05/01/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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

04/17/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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.

Now, 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

Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Visitation

Go to Your Kid’s Programs.

04/01/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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.

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?

03/12/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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?

03/03/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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.

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

Child Custody, Opinion, Visitation

It’s Soccer Saturday!

03/01/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Spring is right around the corner and soccer season is in full swing. We have a double header today and will spend most of our day outside at the soccer field.

I sponsor and coach an Under 6 girls soccer team. There are 2 critical issues when coaching 5 & 6 year old soccer. 1) Jersey Color. Our team got Pink so our season was a victory without playing a game! And, 2) Snacks! The secret to a successful soccer season is having great snacks!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in the Magnolia State and he knows snacks!!

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, Irreconcilable differences, Visitation

Common Divorce Vocabulary- 8 Terms to Know

02/19/2014 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

Lawyers have their own language. It’s a mishmash of legal jargon, Latin phrases, arcane vocabulary words and .50 cent words to make us sound smart. Here are just a few of the common terms.

Final Judgment of Divorce, or Final Judgment or Decree of Divorce or Final Order of Divorce.

This is the technical divorce. This is the document that once signed by the Judge and filed by the clerk means you are divorced. Every single case will have this document.

Property Settlement Agreement, PSA, Marital Dissolution Agreement, MDA, Final Separation Agreement, etc.

These are your “divorce papers.” This recounts your rights, obligations, and the terms of your divorce. If your divorce ended via an Agreement you will have one of these.

Opinion of the Court.

These are your “divorce papers” if the Judge decided your case. If you did not agree, but went to Court and the Judge ruled you will have, most likely an Opinion and Final Judgment.

Qualified Domestic Relations Order

This is how divisible retirement accounts are divided and apportioned to each party without tax consequences. Commonly referred to as a QDRO (pronounced quah-drow) . Depending on what you do with the funds after the QDRO transfer ultimately determines if there are taxes, what amount and penalties, if any.

No Fault Divorce.

It’s not technically “No Fault” in Mississippi, but rather Irreconcilable Differences or (ID). This requires the parties to agree to the divorce and all the terms, which include custody, support, alimony and division of the property both real and personal. This would be detailed in the Property Settlement Agreement.

Fault Divorce.

A divorce granted on fault grounds; adultery, cruelty, drunkenness, drug use, etc.

Real Property.

The house(s) and land.

Personal Property.

The stuff; cars, couches, TVs and spoons.

Child Custody

A determination of both legal and physical child custody. Sometimes referred to as primary or joint or sole or paramount. Each possibly meaning something different and then Visitation thrown in for good measure.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi based Family Law Attorney and Adjunct Professor of Domestic Relations. Knowledge is Power, the more you know…