Category Archives: Divorce

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Judge Candidate Pledges to Donate to Charities, Matching Monies Spent by Opponent

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Here’s a fresh take on Judicial campaigning.

Joseph A. Scalia Candidate for Family Court Judge – Department B

A candidate for Nevada Family Court Judge, attorney Joseph Scalia, has announced a dramatically different approach to running his campaign for Judge.  Instead of the usual fund-raising and spending, Scalia has pledged to match, dollar for dollar, all monies spent by  his opponent on campaigning with matching donations to local, non-profit charities in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

Citing  an example of unnecessary spending, Scalia noted that his opponent spent $100,000.00 in the primary and garnered 19,000 votes.  Scalia spent a reported $0.00, that’s zero!, and garnered over 16,000 votes.  No candidate received a majority so there will be a run-off.

So, political advisers, campaign strategist and consultants take heed,  Joe Scalia is throwing judicial and political campaigning on its ear.

Read about Mississippi Judicial Races and Matters here; Chancery Race 11th District, Picking Your Judge.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and thinks Joe Scalia is on to something…

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, General Legal

Don’t Call Your Attorney Over Lunch…if you can help it.

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Sometimes it cannot be helped.  But, more often than not, calling during lunch is not necessary and will not get you the answer you need anyway.

Attorneys are people too.  They need some down time.

Issues, especially in Family Law, do not always occur between 9-5, M-F. I get that. However, you do not need to call your attorney at lunch time to tell him that your ex commented on another person’s FaceBook post and while it looked innocuous to the common observer it was really a dig at you because he added a 😉 emoticon.  The audacity!

Use good judgement in contacting your attorney outside of normal hours and you will get the help you need when you need it.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Family Law Attorney and reminds you to NOT be the boy that cried wolf …

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, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

LET it GO! Disney on Divorce.

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You’ve heard of Disney on Ice, well, this is Disney on Divorce…

Let it go, let it go!
Can’t hold it back any more.
Let it go, let it go!
Turn away and slam the door.
I don’t care what they’re going to say…


Idina Menzel – (Disney’s Frozen) Let It Go

Let it Go is quite possibly the best advice Walt Disney has on Divorce.

Divorce is hard. It’s emotional. It’s never-ending with respect to still having to co-exist, co-parent and cooperate with your ex, at least with regards to children.  There are hard feelings, feelings of regret, anger and resentment. Let it Go.

He’s a jerk.  Let it Go.

She’s mean. Let it Go.

You were wronged in ways you can never forget. Let it Go.

Don’t let that anger, resentment, sabotage, and ill-will consume you. Let it Go.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Family Law Attorney in the Hospitality State (MS) and encourages you to Let it Go.

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, Food Related, Opinion

Being Divorced Means…

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Being Divorced, for the Stereotypical Male, Means…

  • You have to do your own laundry; sheets, towels, clothes, underwear. Washing, drying, folding, putting away…
  • You have to pay your bills, like actually writing checks, stamping envelopes, mailing mail…
  • You have to cook, including; shopping for foodstuffs, ingredients, etc…
  • You have to do dishes; washing dirty dishes, pots and pans…

Think about that, before you think about divorce!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi, and while he enjoys cooking all that other stuff is work!

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

NOT the Most Romantic Sentiment…Oh, and Happy 4th!

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#bowtielawyerms #4thofJuly

Child Custody, Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

The BEST 2 Rules for Handling your Divorce Case; Don’t Threaten and Don’t Bluff.

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2 Rules in Family Law and Negotiations to live by involve messing with the bull.

Frank Evans, Matador

#1 Don’t Threaten.  Do NOT threaten to take anyone’s kids away, ever. Do NOT threaten to take them to the cleaners. Do NOT threaten to put them under the jail, in the poorhouse or any other unsavory place.  Threats, usually, do NOT work and they incite anger, rage, irrational conduct, fear, resentment and a whole lot of legal fees.

#2 Don’t Bluff.  Bluffing and getting called on it shows weakness, lack of nerve and gumption.  Bluffing in the form of impossible threats, false deadlines and unattainable goals bolsters the other side and invites counter attacks.

So if we cannot threaten and cannot bluff what do we do?

#1  Explain the two courses of action available. 1) The easy way; Settlement, Mediation, working in common accord or, alternatively, door #2) Litigation.  Do not threaten action.  Take action.

#2  Do it.  Do NOT bluff, follow through with taking the actions necessary to accomplish your goals.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi, Adjunct Law Professor at MC Law, and part-time soccer coach… and reminds you that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns…

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, General Legal

We’ll See What the Judge has to say About That…

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“We’ll just let the Judge decide…”

The Judge.  The (near) Final Ruler on all legal disputes that cannot be resolved otherwise.  There is likely not a more misunderstood and much maligned position. Judges are expected to know-it-all and get it right every time, all the while without acting like a know-it-all. Judges have multiple roles in hearings and trials. Judges have these tasks, among others;

  • Determines whether the correct legal procedures were followed.
  • Determines to some extent the procedures for conducting the Court Room.
  • Determines the witness’ credibility- whether they are truthful or not.
  • Determines the admissibility of evidence and the weight it should be given.
  • Whether an attorney’s stated objection to something being introduced or considered is legally proper.
  • Whether there is a reason to overrule said objection.
  • How a witness is treated by the opposing attorney.
  • How the attorneys treat one another.
  • Maintaining Order among the chaos that the stress, anxiety and emotion that Court brings out of people.

Judges have a large responsibility and the buck stops with them (…mostly, though Appellate relief may be possible).  Judges are also human (mostly, I think) and have to adjudge your case based on snap shots presented.  Your attorney and your side put a smiley face on your case and a frowny face on the other and the other side does the opposite.  The Judge, after a relatively short amount of time, will then make a decision that could very well impact you for the next 20 years or the rest of your life.

Judges try to get it right and are bound to base their rulings on the law as it currently reads applied to the admitted facts and evidence presented.  Their decision cannot be based on things not “of record,” meaning facts or evidence not introduced, nor can the Judge do what they or you think the law should be, but rather must apply the law as it is.

Matthew Thompson is a Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and like the old saying goes,”A Good Lawyer knows the law, a Great Lawyer knows the Judge!”

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