Category Archives: Child Support

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Modifications, Opinion, Visitation

Court is Unpredictable.

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Court. The true final frontier.

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Court is where disputes that otherwise cannot get resolved get resolved. However, Court does not always go as planned. Witnesses freeze up and forget details that matter. Your client talks too much and argues with the other side. Or, your client cries uncontrollably and is hard to understand while testifying. The other party has spontaneous amnesia. The Judge has other cases and the other attorney has an emergency in the next Courtroom.

Even the best laid plans go awry. Court starts late and finishes early, for the day. Court runs long. Court is not fun and a “win” is hard to come by.

Avoid it if you can. Prepare like you can’t.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Attorney.

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, Crime, Opinion, Visitation

How NOT to Hire an Attorney.

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Desperate times call for desperate measures, but don’t take things too far..

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A recent Craigslist add was seeking to raise funds via a non-traditional manner. Organ sales.  However, this is not your grandmother’s musical instrument.  The ad stated, in part;

I am a healthy active 37yr old, 6′ tall white man of strong european bloodline. I am drug a disease free and have two healthy kidneys and all I have left to sell is one of them. I have been going through custody battles for the last 4 years and am flat tapped out of money and property left to sell. My son is my one true love and his mother wont be happy or stop lying until Im out of the picture and she is being helped by a devious liar of an attorney. I wont give up on my son and am willing to do what it takes to stand up for him. I have to give my attorney some money and this is all I can come up with. I am employed and have a job I love, but I need to lay down thousands of dollars at this point, attornies are not cheap. Please help. Call ****** ***-***-**** ALL EMAILS WILL BE DELETED. Thanks.

I do NOT know if the above is legit or not and I assume it is not.  Sacrificing your health and potentially your life is not the way to “win” custody. Also, organ sales are illegal in the U.S.  The National Organ Transplant Act (1984 Pub.L. 98–507), approved October 19, 1984 and amended in 1988 and 1990, outlawed the sale of human organs and provided for the establishment of the Task Force on Organ Transplantation; authorized the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants for the planning, establishment, and initial operation of qualified Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs); and established the formation of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.

Don’t sell your organs to hire or pay for your attorney.  There are other solutions if you are completely tapped-out, but this ain’t it.  Read about options if you cannot afford an attorney here.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney and cautions those in legal situations, not to make their circumstances 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, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Here Comes the Judge; Election Results

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Mississippians elected some new Judges and re-hired some familiar ones.  Of the contested elections here’s what we have so far.

Winners in Bold.

Chancery Court, District 11, Place 1 (Madison, Yazoo and Holmes)

This is a new Judge as Judge Goree is retiring.

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 2 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 3 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 1 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

This race was interesting as the incumbent, Shoemake, ran and won against Buffington in the last election – who was the Judge prior to Shoemake. Buffington sought to be re-hired, Shoemake held the seat.

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 2 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

Heading for a run-off between Martin and Burnham. This seat was vacated by Joe Dale Walker for Judicial misconduct.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 1 (The Coast)

Too close to call and are still counting affidavit ballots.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 3 (The Coast)

Fondren will be a new Chancery Judge and this race was interesting as the outgoing Judge, Chuck Bordis, withdrew from the race. There was gossip of soap opera issues between Bordis and Fondren.  Interestingly, its exactly the type of matters Chancery Judge’s hear. Nothing better than real-life experience for preparation for the job.

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 1 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 2 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Court Attorney in Mississippi and will continue to update the Family Law Judicial elections that effect you.

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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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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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

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!

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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

 

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

Chancery Judge Campaign in Full Swing.

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Madison, Yazoo, Leake and Holmes Counties will be getting a new Chancery Judge in the November 4, 2014, election.

A Chancery Judge hears matters involving wills and estates, child 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.

Why should you care?  Because this will be your judge if you find yourself in Court and it’s not due to a criminal case, a car wreck or an unpaid bill.

Who are the Candidates?

Bluntson has practiced law in Mississippi for the past 20 years.  She began her legal career in 1994 as a staff attorney for Mississippi Child Support.  Thereafter, she opened her private law firm where she handled divorces, child support, child custody and wills & estates cases.  A few years after the death of her husband, Barbara Ann was hired by the City of Jackson as the Chief City Prosecutor.  She maintained that position for 10 years.  As city prosecutor, Barbara Ann and her staff prosecuted in excess of 8,000 misdemeanor cases per year.  She also assisted domestic violence victims with Petitions for Protective Orders when they were filed in municipal court.  Barbara Ann currently serves as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Jackson and City Prosecutor for the City of Durant.  She is also a certified Family Law Mediator.

Clark is running for Chancery Judge because he believes the citizens of the 11th Chancery District would benefit from his experience, skills and proven record of serving the public in the district; as an Attorney, Municipal Judge and Youth Court Judge.  He has represented the citizens of the district in Chancery Court handling all types of cases. He touts that he is the only candidate that was born, raised and practiced law in District 11, Sub-district 1.  If elected Judge he promises to work daily to be fair and impartial judge who demonstrates sound judgement and run an efficient court.

Each name above is clickable, directing you to their election site as well as their FaceBook page.  Do your research, pick a candidate and vote!

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Family Law Attorney and handles cases in Chancery Courts throughout Mississippi.

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, 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