Category Archives: Divorce

When to FIRE Your Attorney.

01/01/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

You’re Fired!

Start the New Year with a bang!
Firing your attorney is sometimes a necessity. So how do you know when the time is right?

They won’t communicate with you. Communication, or lack there of, is the #1 complaint against attorneys.

Charges, charges, charges! Attorneys must make a living too, but if your representation equates to a blank check Watch Out!

They lie. If your attorney is lying to you it’s time for them to go.

They do nothing. Sometimes this could be strategy and may be the smart play, but you should know the strategy.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and reminds you all attorneys are not equal.

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

Bow Tie, Divorce, Marriage

Bah Humbug!

Image 12/25/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Bow Tie, Divorce, Marriage

Merry Christmas!

Image 12/25/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Divorce, Opinion

Curse Words and Other Names to Call a Divorce Lawyer. (*#%$#&…and some Hate)

12/17/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

About half of all the people I come into contact with end up hating me…

I don’t think this bothers me, though. It suits my personality. However, my goal is not to be hated, nor is my goal to destroy your family. Enough of you do that without any attorney’s help.

I have been cussed out, threatened and heckled for doing my job. A few include;

“Terrorist” (by opposing party)

“Weasly, little, S.O.B.” (by opposing counsel outside of Court)

“@#@$^&@$*!” (too harsh to print)

“Homeboy” (by opposing counsel, in Court!)

“Bow Lie Lawyer” (by opposing party…a year later, hmm…)

threatened to be “filleted” (like a fish, I suppose, by opposing Counsel- in a call to my home after hours- we’re friends now)

and just about every other “name” in the book

What have you been called at work?

(leave a comment)

I consider this a badge of honor, in case you are wondering. I would also encourage the would-be-litigants to direct their anger not at the attorneys, nor even the other spouse, but to use that anger to search inward and resolve to improve yourself and those relationships with others. At least that is what Dr. Phil would say. And if all of that is too hokey – be your worst self and see how that works for you.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and encourages those of you that are name callers to Grow Up.

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

Divorce, Marriage, Opinion

Memo for Friends of Divorcing Couples; You Can Still be Friends

12/16/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

I think it was a Country music song that said in Divorce you not only lose a spouse, but also half of your friends.

download

Memo to Friends: You can still be friends. The tendency is to avoid the divorcing parties. After all you just don’t want to get involved and you could end up being a witness. While this may be true you have to ask “Are you being a Friend?“

Oftentimes the friends choose a side or stay out all together, however divorce does NOT require this. One of the divorcing parties may seem to “require” this, however.

If you are a close friend of a person going through a divorce or separation they need an outlet to vent to or take their minds off of things. If you are a party to a divorce or separation requiring your friends to divorce your spouse is usually not the right answer.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you of the wise words of WAR, the American funk band, – ” Why can’t we be friends…”

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, Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Mic Test: “Testing 1, 2, 3…”: Recording in Divorce- Good, Bad & Ugly

12/10/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Recording Fever has swept the divorce world, at least, since the 1980s.

Recordings set the record straight, right? It’s incontrovertible proof that so-and-so said what-they-said on any given date. It’s right there on tape…

Not so fast. First of all is it legal where you are? States have differing laws on recordings. Generally, in this state, recording is legal so long as one person to the conversation is aware that it is being recorded. However, this is not the case in every state and some require all parties know and consent.

Secondly, is the recording a set-up? There have been instances where a spouse (or ex-spouse) intentionally created circumstances where the other spouse would “blow up.” Under these circumstances your recording may get you in more trouble than it’s worth.

Third, is the recording complete and unaltered? Recordings can be edited. They can certainly be manipulated. Recordings must be authenticated, complete and relevant to be considered admissible.

Fourth, is it as valuable as you think? I know a Judge whose opinion is “You need to be focusing on parenting and communicating with the other parent rather than recording every interaction…“

Recordings, either audio or video or both, may well be legal, legitimate, complete and valuable, but it could easily be illegal, under false circumstances, incomplete and of no value. Discuss the laws regarding recordings and admissibility with your attorney.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and warns clients of the possibility of surveillance and recordings, reminding them to say and do things they do NOT mind being played back in Court.

You may contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000

Divorce, Marriage

Still No Gay Marriage in MS; Same-Sex Marriage Stayed Pending Expedited Hearing

12/09/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

You’ve seen same-sex marriage blogged aplenty.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has extended the stay put in place by Judge Carlton Reeves after he struck down Mississippi’s ban on same-sex marriage, finding same as unconstitutional.

The case has been fast tracked and will be heard in January, but not before 2 other cases regarding the same subject matter are set to be heard. One case originated out of Texas and the other, Louisiana. These states along with Mississippi make up the 5th Federal Circuit.

Regardless of the 5th Circuit decision, I expect this one to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

So, what does this mean for the average Mississippian? The law is the same as before the Federal Court ruling, for now.

Terribly interested in this Topic, like I am? Read more below;

MISSISSIPPI & SAME SEX MARRIAGE; THE END OR THE BEGINNING?

MISSISSIPPI SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN STRUCK DOWN

MISSISSIPPI: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND THE RATIONAL BASIS ARGUMENT

MISSISSIPPI IN THE NEWS- A TEST CASE ON SAME-SEX DIVORCE

MISSISSIPPI SAME-SEX DIVORCE DENIED.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and is keeping pace with the changes in the law.

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, Crime, Divorce, Marriage, Opinion

How Do You Tell When a Lawyer is Lying?

12/09/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

“His lips are moving.”

Perjury has been blogged about.

Never lie. (PERJURY) You will get caught. The truth is easy to remember. Remember, usually, it’s not the crime but the cover-up that gets you. The very affluent husband, with a great job, testified that he was unsure of his income, but knew his expenses down to the penny. He testified under oath that his expenses exceeded his income by over $10,000 per month. The problem? He had no debt. This situation of making $10,000 less than he was spending had been going on for months, if not years, but he always made payroll, carried no debt, had no loans and could not explain how this could be. Perhaps he had a money tree out back.

Lying to your kids has, as well.

It never fails. One of the aggrieved parties to a divorce tells the dirty details to the child regarding the other parent. This is never appropriate or “ok.” Never. Never to a young child. What about when….? No. Never.

But that parent, with their righteous indignation tells me, or testifies, “I do NOT lie to my child?” My response? “Well, what about the Tooth Fairy?“

The Top 5 Lies of Divorce clients are here.

5. Lies about Income.

4. Lies about their role within the Home.

3. Lies about Other Marital Fault.

2. Lies about Value$.

1. Lies about Adultery.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and encourages potential clients to tell your lawyer the truth!

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