Category Archives: Divorce

Child Custody, Divorce

What you “Lose” in a Divorce.

09/05/2014 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

There’s an old joke about “What do you get if you play a Country music song backwards?“

“You get your wife back, your house back and your dog back.“

Similarly, there are things you potentially can “lose” in a divorce, such as;

Your Spouse.
Your home, possibly.
1/2 of your retirement.
Unfettered access to your children.

There are also things you can potentially lose, which you may not even realize, such as;

Your Church, through the ability or comfort to continue attending.
Your Financial Security.
Your Friends – they either don’t want to get involved or they pick the other side…

Divorces can be messy, stressful, time consuming and costly and there are costs beyond time and finances.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and advises you to consider the true costs of a divorce.

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.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

Leaked Photos!

09/03/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

The headlines have been abuzz of leaked celebrity photos in compromising positions, including Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton.

However, celebrities aren’t the only targets of this type of conduct. All too often these are threatened to be made public or sent to your mother by your former significant other when pitted against one another in a heated divorce or custody case. You mean your soul-mate may turn on you? In a second!

In addition to being embarrassing the pictures can influence a Court’s determination on contributions to the stability of the marriage and custody. I am not saying you lose your kids because you took naughty photos, but depending on what they depict and whether they include illegal activity they may well impact your case and may also impact negotiations. You may settle for less than you should to prevent them from being used.

So, how do I keep these from being used against me? Easy, don’t allow them to exist in the first place.

What if they already do? Tread carefully…

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and cautions you to NOT put yourself in compromising positions.

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.

Divorce, Marriage

First Recorded Divorce in the U.S. (Colonies, actually)

08/22/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

In the Quarter Court of Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Anne Clarke Plaintiff

vs. 1643-0001

Denis Clarke Defendant

Complaint for Divorce

COMES NOW, Anne Clark, a resident of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and files this her Complaint for Divorce and Other Relief, and would respectfully show unto this honorable Court, as follows;

1. Plaintiff, Anne Clarke, alleges as her ground for divorce Uncondoned Adultery and/or Abandonement…

History.com and the Nottage and Ward Blog note the first recorded divorce in the American colonies involved Anne and Denis Clarke of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In January 1643, a divorce was granted by the Quarter Court of Boston on the ground that Denis abandoned Anne to be with another woman.

In a signed affidavit, Denis confessed his actions. There were two children of the marriage and Dennis sired two children with his paramour. He also refused to return to Anne. The Quarter Court of Boston granted the divorce to Anne based on Denis’ conduct.

Divorce, it’s been here at least 371 years…

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and can help make your marriage History.

(601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

Divorce

So, Two Alligators Get a Divorce…

08/21/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

#BowTieLawyerMS www.bowtielawyer.ms (601)850-8000

black bow

Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Getting UnMarried Without a Divorce (Death is NOT the Only Way Out)

08/18/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

There are ways to end a “Marriage” other than divorce, and no, I am not talking about death…

I have previously blogged on Annulment and the very limited circumstances that one may be requested. However, I recently had another Annulment scenario arise that is worth mentioning.

Mississippi has specific licensing requirements to get married. You have to have a licensed issued, you have to have a ceremony and cohabit. The license is issued by the Clerk, the Ceremony is the thing you have at the beach, or the church, or the Court House and Cohabiting is living together.

But, what happens when there is a failure of one of the (3) requirements?

Typographical errors in the license do not invalidate a marriage when the marriage is consummated and you are living together. Failure to comply with licensure requirements and NOT living together does not a marriage make. This situation would result in an Annulment.

But, what if there was no ceremony?

Failure to have a Ceremony is fatal. It does not matter if the license was issued. It doe not matter if you shacked up. If you did NOT have a ceremony; at the beach, church, Court House, or backyard, if you did not jump the broomstick, you are not married. A Ceremony, of some type, is required.

So, want your marriage to Count- get a license, have a ceremony and live as husband and wife.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce/Annulment Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you to act fast if you are seeking an Annulment.

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.

Divorce

“But, I Pay Child Support!?!”

08/15/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Child Support. The two most despised words in all of child custody related matters. Ok, maybe not the most despised, but it leads to more litigation than any other single issue.
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I have previously written on Child Support in Mississippi. Today’s post is about what Child Support is really for and what it is not.

I have lost count of the times that a parent paying child support demanded to know how the monies are being spent and wanting to know just what the other parent is spending “their” money on. I have also heard when the receiving parent has requested additional monies the response is,”I paid my child support, you figure it out.”

Child Support is intended to go towards the child’s needs. Food, shelter, clothing and necessities. However, the statutory sums rarely equate to an amount sufficient for all of that.

Mississippi has the lowest amounts, percentage wise, in the Country. 14% for one child equals approximately $150.00 -$585.00 per month. By the time any rent or a mortgage is paid, it’s gone.

Child support may be used to pay the rent, groceries, gas, clothing, shoes, school expenses, medical, dental, utilities, activities, etc. It’s not limited to solely purchases just for the child and it’s not improper for the parent to spend it as they see fit, so long as it’s a benefit for the child.

The paying parent may well gripe. And, it may be a lot of money to you, but it’s usually not enough to pay for a child’s true expenses.

Matthew Thompson is Child Support lawyer in Mississippi.

Divorce

Signs of Terrible Parenting

08/14/2014 BowTieLawyer 5 Comments

In case you are wondering, “Am I being a terrible parent?” Ask yourself these questions, if you answer yes, you may well be parenting terribly.

Do you withhold financial support from your child?
Do you discuss grown-up issues with your young child?
Do you degrade the other parent to your child?
Do you take the position Easter is not a “holiday”?
Do you prevent your child from seeing the other parent?

A “Yes” to any of these does not require that you are a terrible parent, however your parenting as to that issue may be terrible. So, you ask, how do I not parent terribly?

Pay your support- if you have the means go beyond.
Do not discuss grown-up issues – the child does not need to know the details of the divorce.
Do not criticize the other parent – I agree they deserve it, but the child does not.
Easter is a holiday. It just is.
Allow your child to see the other parent – exceptions for dangerous circumstances only.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you to not be a terrible parent.

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.

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

How to Be a Reasonable Client.

08/04/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

On the heels of “Signs of an Unreasonable Client” comes the counter, so you know how to be a reasonable client.

Listen to your Attorney. You hired them, now listen.
Ask if you Don’t Understand. We can sometimes fall into the trap of speaking in legalese and assume you get it you aren’t indicating otherwise.
Pay Your Bill. That is how attorneys make money and all attorneys are not as rich as they want you to think.
If you Have an Issue with us, Let us Know. Don’t tell someone else about your concerns and not allow the attorney a chance to address it.
Don’t Ignore your Attorney. One of the worst things you can do is go off the grid and not communicate.
Don’t Text Incessantly. It’s great for “running 10 minutes late” or “the date is Aug. 4,” otherwise call or email.
Don’t Email when a Call is Better. Somethings you just have to talk about.
Don’t Abuse the Cell Phone. Do NOT abuse the cell phone.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and encourages all clients to be reasonable.

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