Category Archives: Divorce

Divorce

Coldplay is a cold play – Uh Oh …

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These photos are still shots of a video taken at a recent Coldplay concert. A couple, caught up in a moment, got caught in the moment…allegedly.

Lead singer, Chris Martin is heard saying  “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy…Holy sh-t. I hope we didn’t do something bad,”

As the internet is known to do, online comments are all atwitter!

“Cost of a concert: Hotel $200, tickets $600, food/drinks $150, divorce attorney $50,000. Getting exposed by Coldplay having an affair with your co-worker: priceless,” wrote Instagram user Trustfundterry.

One X user claimed that Byron’s wife had dropped her married name from her Facebook profile, and didn’t restrict people from making comments. Source. https://nypost.com/2025/07/17/us-news/couple-caught-on-kiss-cam-at-coldplay-concert-dodges-out-of-sight-as-chris-martin-wonders-if-theyre-having-an-affair/

This video and story has gone viral for all of the wrong reasons!

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi divorce attorney and advises 1) do not have an affair and 2) if you are going to anyway, be discreet.

Divorce

Ferraez In CUSTODY!

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Local Hattiesburg Attorney Corey Ferraez was taken into custody for civil contempt today after an on-the-record-hearing in Forrest County before Judge Sheila Smallwood.

Ferraez was held in Civil Contempt for being found to have knowingly and willfully violated a valid Chancery Court Order requiring that he tender settlement proceeds from a wrongful death/estate matter unto the registry of the Court.

The widow of the estate, Ms. Weatherford, was present and testified at the hearing as was Mr. Ferraez. Hat tip to the Hattiesburg Patriot which Facebook Live – streamed the entire hearing. Mr. Ferraez sought to exclude the media at the outset of the Hearing and the Court denied this ore tenus motion.

Mr. Ferraez argued before the Court that he had substantially complied with the Court’s Order when he recently tendered some $215,000.00 of $450,000.00 ordered. Ferraez argued that he was entitled to a recovery of attorney’s fees and there were liens and pre-settlement payments to Ms. Weatheford, that when totaled up justified his figures. He also alleged to be having personal issues related to depression and substance abuse.

The Court reminded Mr. Ferraez that the Court, and Weatherford, had been seeking to get this matter resolved since Fall of 2024, that Ferraez was non responsive to the Court, missed Court appearances and never tendered all of the sums ordered. The Court was not unsympathetic, however the Court expects and requires that it’s Orders be complied with and followed.

Mr. Ferraez was taken into custody by the Perry County Sheriff, as the case was originally filed in Perry County.

One of the most interesting issues in this case is that Mr. Ferraez has the keys to the jail cell he is in. All he has to do is comply with the Court’s Order to be released from civil contempt. The Court Ordered that he is to be incarcerated until he pays the outstanding $195,000.00 +/- unto the registry of the Court.

Matthew Thompson is a family law/civil law attorney in Mississippi and shines the light on unethical and illegal conduct when it needs to be; whether it’s a Judge, a party or a lawyer.

Crime, Divorce, General Legal, humor

Dueling in Mississippi, Illegal since the 1800s…

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MS Code § 97-39-1 (2024)

It seems we pine for yesteryear when men were gentlemen. Well, guess what? They weren’t!!

Disputes were resolved with a fight to the death. Political rhetoric was uglier then than now and physical altercations were certainly more prevalent then than now between candidates.

Mississippi law provided then (and now),

“Every person who shall challenge another to a duel…or who shall accept any such challenge…or who shall be present at the time of any duel with deadly weapons, either as second, aid, or surgeon, …or give assistance to such duel, shall, on conviction thereof, be fined in a sum not less than $300.00 nor exceeding $1,000.00…, or be imprisoned not less than 6-months in the county jail, or both.”

Codes, Hutchinson’s 1848, ch. 64, art. 9(1); 1857, ch. 64, art. 51; 1871, § 2531; 1880, § 2745; 1892, § 1036; 1906, § 1114; Hemingway’s 1917, § 840; 1930, § 865; 1942, § 2091.

The good ‘ol’ days weren’t that good and hopefully we can learn from the past and not repeat mistakes (and worse…)

Also, a duel is no way to settle divorce matters!

Matthew Thompson is a family law and child welfare attorney in Mississippi, a student of history and continues to learn from the past.

Divorce

Happy Father’s Day!!

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#BowTieLawyer

#HappyFather’sDay

#ThompsonLawFirm

Divorce, humor, Opinion

Some “Crazy” Mississippi Laws…Polygamy

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Polygamy is one person married to multiple spouses. There’s actually some biblical precedent for such…

It’s actually illegal in every State in the United States and Mississippi takes it one step further.

Per MS Code § 97-29-43, It is ILLEGAL for any person to teach another the doctrines, principles, or tenets of polygamy; or induce or persuade another to embrace or adopt polygamy, or to emigrate to any other state, territory, district, or country for the purpose of embracing or practicing polygamy.

Upon conviction the person shall be fined not less than $25.00 dollars nor more than $500.00, or imprisoned in jail not less than 1 month nor more than 6 months, or both.

This law is not about the actual practice of polygamy it outlaws the teaching about Polygamy!

Polygamy (bigamy) is also a basis for divorce grounds and annulment grounds as you can only have one legal, valid marriage at a time.

Matthew Thompson is a divorce and annulment lawyer in Mississippi and is specifically NOT educating you about Polygamy.

Divorce, General Legal, humor, Opinion

Some “Crazy” Mississippi Laws…Setting Aside Your Divorce

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Just one in a series of posts of some State Laws that are on the Books in Mississippi. In Mississippi you can undo your Divorce!

In Mississippi, you can legally UNDIVORCE!  Yes, you can have your judgment of divorce revoked by the Court that granted it.  This is not a remarriage, but rather judicially undoing the legal divorce. Why, you ask?  

Well, just like sometimes people marry the wrong person, sometimes you divorced the wrong person…

MCA 93-5-31, provides that a judgment of divorce may be revoked at any time by the Court that granted it.  The Court may require “satisfactory proof of reconciliation,” as well as “such regulation as it may deem proper.”  It requires a joint application of both parties. The process can be fairly simple and quick.

Upon approval by the Court, you can have your divorce erased and it’s as if you were never legally divorced.  You get “credit” for being married those years you were not, so 25 years still equals 25 years.

This is a very unique quirk in MS law and not widely known. In fact, a few judges, I have heard, have questioned whether they had the authority to do an undivorce and if it was legal.  They do and it is.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and whether you marriage was a mistake or your divorce was a mistake, I can help!

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Visitation

You have the right…to fight…to PARENT your Child!

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Apologies to the Beastie Boys, but as a PARENT you have RIGHTS!

beastie-boys1
http://publicsf.com/events/fight-for-your-right-a-beastie-boys-tribute-night-feat-felonious-jazz-mafia-dj-cyclofunk-with-videos-from-spike-jonze-tamra-davis-adam-mca-yauch-11697

Mississippi Law provides that you are entitled to your minor child’s records regardless of your Custody papers. This is regardless of the LEGAL CUSTODY and regardless of the PHYSICAL CUSTODY ORDER.

REGARDLESS of CUSTODY!

Miss. Code Ann., Sec. 93-5-26, guaranties non-custodial parent’s right to access to records and information pertaining to their minor child(ren).

“Notwithstanding any other provisions of law…access to records…pertaining to a minor child, including but not limited to medical, dental and school records, shall not be denied to a parent because the parent is not the child’s custodial parent if such parent’s rights have not been terminated by adoption or by termination of parental rights proceeding.” Id.

As a parent you have the right to this information by law.  You can request medical records regarding your child’s health and appointments. You can get their school records, progress reports and grades. You are entitled to schedules, calendars and to know the events coming up.

Armed with this Statute and a smile, schools and doctor’s offices have no right to refuse you this information. But ask nicely. They are potential witnesses in the future!!

Print YOUR Copy of the Law Here!   Miss. Code Ann., Sec. 93-5-26

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Litigation & Child Welfare Attorney in Mississippi and wants parents to know their rights and fight for their right to…Parent!

**DO NOT PHYSICALLY FIGHT**

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

Joint Custody Bill- DOA – Dead on Arrival

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Senate Bill 2484, seeking to create a presumption of joint custody died yesterday, March 12.

This Bill which passed the Senate initially, then amended in the House, passed and sent back was ultimately not voted on and died a calendar death on 3/12/25.

It sought to require Joint Physical Custody and equal parenting time in every custody case unless the Court found a compelling reason to not grant shared parenting.

It necessarily would have put the every other weekend schedule as “standard” as outdated…

It also sought to amend child support determinations in the event joint custody was granted.

But, alas, it’s for naught. The scuttlebutt was there was an upswell of concerns about how far this proposal really went and that judges and even some family law attorneys had concerns.

Regardless, there will be no significant changes in family law this session…

Matthew Thompson is a child custody and child welfare attorney in Mississippi.