Category Archives: Divorce

Divorce, General Legal

Attorneys are Like Used Cars

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Used car salesmen, stock brokers and door-to-door salespersons have tough reputations, at least the internet says so.

Well, what about attorneys? Lawyers represent the 4th highest rank of depression for any given career.  Attorneys are like used cars.  Some are shiny and look great on the outside, but are held together with JB Weld and duct tape on the inside.  Some look rough and haggard, but can get the job done in an economical fashion.  Some are much more expensive than necessary, but it’s your choice.  Some are just not equipped to get the job done.  Given this, how do you know what you are getting?

  • Ask.  Ask your friends, family and neighbors who they used? How was their experience?
  • Inspect.  You interview the lawyer as much as they interview you. Can they explain the law in terms you understand?
  • Listen.  Are they telling you just what you want to hear?

As Forrest Gump said, “You never know what you are going to get.” But, with a little homework and due diligence you can avoid getting a lemon.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and warns you to avoid the Lemon Lawyer.

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

Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Have a Plan.

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It cannot be stressed enough. Have a plan. 



Too often lawyers and litigants do things just to be doing something. I like having a plan and carrying out that plan.  I discuss options, steps and expenses for each option and what I recommend and why. 

While this approach takes more effort and time on the front end it can lead to amazing results of achieving seemingly very difficult goals very quickly or without causing a huge scene. 

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney and loves it when a plan comes together!

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Child Custody and Divorce. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

SOULMATES do NOT do the Following; The TOP 5 Signs that you have NOT found your “soulmate”

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A noted Practitioner, Professor and Author once said, “Soulmates and Unicorns live in the same zip code.” – Matthew Thompson

That is to say, that perhaps, Soulmates in the truest sense may well NOT exist, a la Unicorns.  However, regardless of your belief, for purposes of this post, assume Soulmates do exist. *

The TOP 5 Things Your Soulmate Will NOT Do:

5.  Physically/Verbally assault you.

4.  Harm your family members.

3.  Fake a pregnancy to induce you into marriage or remain in one.

2.  Isolate you from all other persons/friends/family.

1. Encourage you to establish a shell LLC so that you may then purchase their dream home at your expense, placing ownership interests into their sole name and doing all of this in a fashion as to hide it from all others. All the while, said Soulmate pays no heed as to your current financial condition and whether it is what is best for you.

*Science has yet to conclusively prove that Soulmates exist.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and can help you part ways when you realize your Soulmate is NOT your Soulmate.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Child Custody and Divorce. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage

The Worst Fault Grounds Ever = A Divorce.

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Emotional abuse, verbal abuse, multiple affairs are all grounds for divorce in Mississippi.

David Castillo Dominici /freedigital photos.net

But, what if your spouse was really bad?  What if they said, as my grandmother-in-law used to say, “both words?”  IE: “I was so mad that I said ‘both words!'” What if you had really, really bad grounds and lots of it?

That gets you a divorce.

One affair or 1,000= a divorce. Being incarcerated for 1 year or for life = a divorce. Abandonment and the other grounds, if proven, gain you a divorce.

Here’s what Fault does not equate too.  “Getting taken to the cleaners.”

A mother having an affair does not lose custody because of that fact alone. A father who cheats does not have to pay the wife due to that fact alone. The Court, instead, looks at the totality of the circumstances.  If you are a good parent despite your fault you will still get to see your child.  If it was a short marriage or your spouse makes more than you, you will not have to pay a boat load just because you messed up.  Courts do not “punish” you financially for affairs, usually.

Just because you messed up does not mean you have to continue messing up. Just because you messed up does not mean you will pay for it the rest of your days. But, if you are messing up Stop now and call an attorney.

Matthew Thompson is an Attorney practicing Divorce Law in Mississippi and may can help you even if you really, really messed up.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Child Custody and Divorce. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

What is a “Biblical Divorce?”

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I hear this term a lot, “Biblical divorce.”

Arvind Balaraman

Most commonly it means having the fault ground of Adultery as the basis for the divorce. It is widely held that this is the only “Biblical Ground” for divorce and absent Adultery you cannot or should not get a divorce.

“Biblical grounds” can also include abuse and abandonment, depending upon your denomination.  These, adding to the list the reasons that a divorce may be allowed.

Interestingly, the Bible also states “I say to you that everyone who looks at a another with lust has already committed adultery  in his heart.” Mt. 5:28 This expresses the idea that lust for another, not your spouse, is “Biblical Grounds” for divorce.

Divorce is something no one really plans for (prenups notwithstanding). It is something that is routinely despised yet,  it is also sometimes very necessary.

If you are struggling with issues of Divorce contact your clergy, counselor, or even an experienced family law attorney.  They may well help you with your struggles.

Matthew Thompson is an Attorney practicing Family Law in Mississippi and may can help you.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Child Custody and Divorce. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion, Visitation

Do You Pass “The SleepOver Challenge?”

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Sometimes being a Family Law Attorney leads to having information that you wish you did NOT have.

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From swinging key parties to recreational substance abuse, you would be surprised to learn what good, normal people are doing, even your neighbors.

One way to determine if your conduct is “ok” is to ask yourself “Do I pass the SleepOver Challenge?” This simple test is would you allow your child(ren) to go to a sleepover at so-and-so’s house if you knew they were doing whatever it is that you are doing.

If your answer is “yes” then in the eyes of a Judge you’ll probably be fine, (assuming you are in the bounds of societal norms, whatever that means).  If your answer is “no” it’s time to re-examine what you are doing.

And, if you have some rally bizarre behind closed doors conduct, just disregard this, keep it to yourself and don’t invite anyone for a sleepover.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Attorney practicing Family Law in Mississippi.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer 

Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Child Custody and Divorce. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Divorce

Celebrating Your Divorce Vegas-Style!

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It’s an odd concept to Celebrate Divorce. Yet sometimes it is appropriate…

http://shoot.machinegunsvegas.com/products/the-just-divorced-experience

A gun range in Las Vegas offers a unique way to celebrate your divorce.

“The ‘Just Divorced’ package is the first of its kind in Las Vegas. This package encourages ex-spouses to celebrate their recent uncoupling and new beginning by taking aim at wedding items from years past including (but not limited to) wedding dresses, tuxes, and marriage certificates with the largest caliber-shot available.   Up to four guests can celebrate the divorcee’s new independence by utilizing wedding memorabilia as targets in Machine Guns Vegas private VIP room!”

Shoot a standard, or pink, fully automatic weapon, complimentary transportation and Free VIP upgrade available. All of this for just $499.99. And up to 4 guests! Act now!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Jackson, Mississippi and can help you celebrate your divorce.  Act now.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Collaborative or Amicable Divorces. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Divorce

Welcome to Divorce Hotel

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Amicable, Collaborative divorces are all the rage. At least as much as something in the divorce world can be “all the rage…”

http://nypost.com/2015/02/10/i-checked-into-the-divorce-hotel-to-check-out-of-my-marriage/

Well, now you can have the spa treatment, champagne & strawberries, a mint on your pillow and a Divorce!

DivorceHotel, a UK based  divorce corporation, has a package for the couples who can agree to part ways and agree on most everything else.  DH provides a mediator, financial planner, 2 rooms (though one is an option) and all the tools necessary to finalize a split if wedded bliss just is not working out.

All of this, by the way, for the low, low fee of about $5,000.00… depending on the season, of course.

Is this right for you? Probably not, but there are certainly worse ways to divorce.  If you can agree on everything, want a memorable divorce experience and those memories be as pleasant as possible this may be an option for you.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and recommends that if it’s time to Check-Out of your Marriage, you may consider Checking-In to the Divorce Hotel…or maybe the DivorceMotel6.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Collaborative or Amicable Divorces. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.