Category Archives: Child Support

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!

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

 

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

 

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, 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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alienation, Child Custody, Child Support

Don’t be a Rotten Parent

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Rotten (adjective, rot·ten·er, rot·ten·est.)

1. decomposing or decaying; putrid; tainted, foul, or bad-smelling.
2. corrupt or morally offensive.
3. wretchedly bad, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory; 
miserable: a rotten piece of work; a rotten day at the office.
4. contemptible; despicable: a rotten little liar; a rotten trick.

Parenting is hard. Co-parenting even more-so especially with the one other person on the planet that you despise the most, but it MUST be done. Rotten parents, unfortunately, exist and some even thrive at their rottenness.  Seldom, it seems, are they actually held accountable for their conduct.

What is Rotten parenting?

  1. Bad mouthing the other parent to the child.
  2. Bad mouthing the child.
  3. Being unreasonable in your demands to spend time with the child.
  4. Being unreasonable in the other parent’s requests for additional time.
  5. Unreasonably interfering with the child’s schedule.
  6. Creating an unreasonable schedule for the child to interfere with the other parent’s time.
  7. Making false abuse allegations.
  8. Perpetrating abuse against the child and/other parent.
  9. Using finances to the detriment of the child.

So, what do you do as a “non-rotten” parent?  You keep doing the right things. Every time. It’s what is best for your child.  And when it’s bad enough, take action and follow it through.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody attorney and warns against rotten parenting.

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

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Child Custody, Child Support, divorce, Visitation

A Parent’s #1 Obligation

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A parent has a moral and legal duty to promote a healthy, affectionate relationship between the child and the other parent!

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What?  You justify your conduct by saying, “I am not bad-mouthing him.”  But, just not bad-mouthing him is not enough.  You have an affirmative duty to promote a good relationship. (with rare exceptions for the health and safety of the child.)

Encourage, promote and truly desire a good relationship between your child and the other parent.  Your child will benefit!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law & Divorce Attorney and reminds you that a child with two parents that get along and are involved is better than the alternative.

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