Category Archives: Child Custody

Child Custody, General Legal

Children Should NOT Pay for Adult Mistakes

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We all mess up. It happens. However, when our mess up negatively affects others, merely fixing the mistake is not enough, especially when it’s a child.

Being an adult can be hard. Being a parent is hard. Being an adult that has to deal with children is hard. Making mistakes is inevitable. However, how those mistakes are dealt with is the difference between showing a true servant’s heart and being a cold, unapologetic robot.

As a parent, we have all messed up. A quick, heartfelt apology is always best. To the extent you can fix your mess up, you do it. When the correction causes more trauma, you don’t.

A child does not need to learn from an Adult’s mistake – even an honest mistake. That isn’t teaching the child a lesson. That’s actually showing adults are not accountable for their actions.

“My bad, but you suffer…”

Also, admitting your mistake is good. But the way its handled thereafter matters too. A heavy-hand is not always the best. Being respectful never goes out of style and attempts to deescalate problems is the #1 priority when dealing with these situations.

A wise man once said the referee could throw a flag on every play, wisdom is not doing so. Also, sometimes picking that flag up and waving it off is the right thing to do.

The lesson here is ultimately do the right thing. Protect the child, be honest, but don’t make that child suffer because of your mistake.

Also, it’s NEVER too late to do the right thing!

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and advises parents/adults to not make a child suffer because of your mistake.

Child Custody, Child Support, Crime, General Legal

TN Law Makes DUI Driver of Fatal Wreck Pay Child Support

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“Ethan’s, Hailey’s, and Bentley’s Law“1 requires a sentencing court to order a defendant who has been convicted of vehicular homicide due to intoxication, and in which the victim of the offense was the parent of a minor child, to pay restitution in the form of child maintenance to each of the victim’s children until each child reaches 18 years of age and has graduated from high school.

Cecilia Williams , grandmother of, Bentley Williams, 5, and Mason Williams, 3, is raising her grandchildren after their parents were killed April 13, 2021, in a drunk-driving accident in Missouri.

Since her family members’ deaths, Williams has worked to get legislation called Bentley’s Law passed in Tennessee and several other states, including attempts in Missouri, that requires those convicted of driving while intoxicated to pay compensation to families affected by a drunk-driving death.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill on May 25, 2022.

Along with Tennessee, Bentley’s Law has also been introduced in Missouri, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois, Alabama, South Carolina and Oklahoma. Vermont, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Kansas, Arkansas, Delaware, Wisconsin, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Texas and Utah have stated plans to introduce similar laws during 2023 sessions.

David G. Thurby, 26, of Fenton, TN was charged and convicted of three counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal accident in Byrnes Mill, Missouri.

After the fatal accident on April 13, 2021, Thurby was arrested and told a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper that before the crash, he had seven shots of Crown and water, and a preliminary breath test showed Thurby’s blood-alcohol content was .192 percent, more than twice the legal limit, according to the probable-cause statement in the case.

A jury found Thurby guilty following a trial in front of Jefferson County Circuit Judge Victor Melenbrink.

In March, Judge Melenbrink sentenced Thurby to four years in prison on each of the three counts. Two of the counts are to be served consecutively with the other to be served concurrently, meaning Thurby is to serve eight years in prison.

Williams has set up a Facebook group called “Bentley’s Law” to share updates about the law’s progress in each state.

Matthew Thompson is Child Support lawyer in Mississippi and supports a law such as this in Mississippi.

  1. The law is named after children whose parents were killed in crashes caused by drunk drivers.
Child Custody, divorce, humor

Tip of the Day:

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Don’t be a Drama Llama.
Child Custody, General Legal, Visitation

Happy Father’s Day!

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Child Custody, divorce

Lying is ProteCting?

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I hear this often, “I don’t lie to my kids.

This is said shortly after one party disclosed the dirty details to the child regarding the other parent.  Followed by the statement, “they have the right to know.”

  1. They do not have the Right nor the need to know.
  2. This is never appropriate.

But what about that parent, with their righteous indignation, who says, “I do NOT lie to my child?”  My response?  “What about the Tooth Fairy?

I get a blank stare.

We lie to our children all the time  A LiveScience.com article stated it better, “Parents Lie to Children Surprisingly Often.”  This article concluded that parent’s lie to protect their child and lie to preserve some semblance of innocence and childhood for their children. These are all good things.

The Tooth Fairy question gets that indignant parent every time. There is no good reason to “tell all” about the other parent’s misdeeds.  You should be telling them that the other parents loves them very much. When the kids are older they will realize the truth and appreciate you all the more for allowing them to have a childhood and to love their other parent, even if the other parent did not deserve it.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Attorney in Mississippi and believes sometimes lying to your children is in their best interests.

Child Custody, General Legal, humor

Quote of the Day: Covid-19 & Homeschooling.

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“I’d rather have him watch classic Godzilla movies and play in the yard and pretend to be a Jedi rather than figure out basic math.”

A Boston, MA parent is tired of homeschooling his kindergartener.

“Amid the barrage of learning apps, video meet-ups and e-mailed assignments that pass as pandemic home school, some frustrated and exhausted parents are choosing to disconnect entirely for the rest of the academic year.“Id.

Respect and admiration for teachers are growing as the pandemic-forced school closures continue.

As a parent, your job is to do what is best for your child, even during a pandemic.

Matthew Thompson is a child custody lawyer and enjoys his share of Godzilla and Jedi movies, but reminds parents that rearing your child continues to be a top priority.

Child Custody, divorce, Visitation

SHELTER-IN-Place; Mississippi Custody & Visitation

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Essential Travel includes, “Travel required by…court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.

We are operating in uncharted waters as far as what to do and when to do it regarding getting out of the house. However, generally speaking the Court expects you to abide by its Order unless it is unsafe to so do. The Court then expects parents to act reasonably, communicate and make reasonable accommodations.

COVID-19 is NOT an excuse to be a terrible parent.

There are a lot of ways to interact safely; in-person, ( so long as it is safe to do so), Facetime, Zoom, telephone, email, text, video and other electronic means.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody lawyer and encourages parents to be reasonable and not try to take advantage of these circumstances. Do what you believe is in the best interests of your child.

Child Custody, Visitation

Child Custody & COVID-19

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We are getting many questions concerning Custody and Visitation schedules and exchanges of children during this time.
The first advice to give is to use common sense and follow the recommendations of authorities.  


From the CDC, The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.  
If the necessary precautions have been taken, no one in either home is sick or showing symptoms, and no one in the home is in the vulnerable class, visitation exchanges should take place as ordered.  

If someone has been exposed to the virus or showing symptoms or is traveling from an infected area, be SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE! Try to avoid travel and exposing other individuals to the virus. While children are resilient and may be asymptomatic, they can still spread the virus to vulnerable persons.  

If visitation exchanges are not possible, utilize FaceTime or video chats to maintain daily contact with your children. Parents need to work together for the safety and well being of everyone, which calls for flexibility and access, whether direct or remotely through technology.

Chad King is a Child Custody lawyer in Mississippi and reminds parents that being reasonable is not a weakness.