The Final Exam for my Domestic Relations class is being given today at 9:00 am.
Good Luck!
Professor Thompson
Mississippi College School of Law.
Category Archives: Divorce
“Nice people do…
“Nice people don’t necessarily fall in love with nice people.”
― Jonathan Franzen, Freedom
Memorize the above. Believe it. #bowtielawyerms
Mississippi Same-Sex Divorce DENIED.
Mississippi is again in the national news. I blogged recently about a same-sex divorce case pending in Desoto County, Mississippi. The Court has now rendered a verdict.
An apparent reluctant Judge, bound to follow the law as written, denied a divorce to a same-sex couple. The couple, married in California, separated in Mississippi after residing here for several years. Upon separation one party moved to Florida with the other remaining here. The Mississippian initially sought a contested divorce, but it appeared that the parties had come to a settlement for a no-fault (irreconcilable differences) divorce. However, their agreement to divorce was not enough.
Mississippi law, as it currently stands, prohibits the recognition of same-sex marriages in the State. Therefor, if you do not have a marriage, you cannot get a divorce. That is the basic logic that was applied in this instance.
Interestingly, State Attorney General Jim Hood intervened on behalf of the State. The AG’s office argued that the Mississippi Constitution defines marriage as between one man and one woman and that MS has a specific statute that disallows recognizing another state’s same-sex marriage. These arguments carried the day, at least for now.
The Mississippian, denied a divorce, plans to appeal the decision of the Chancellor and will challenge the constitutionality of Mississippi’s laws. The ultimate conclusion will be a balancing of the State’s compelling interest in “protecting” marriage and limitations on who may and may not marry versus an individual’s right to privacy, liberty, and the right to marry.
Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and domestic relations adj. professor at MC Law; Keeping you abreast of the ever-changing world of family law in which we live in.
Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law FirmYou may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms
Happy Thanksgiving!
If the only prayer you said was, ‘Thank You,’ that would be enough. – Meister Eckhart.
One piece of “advice” that I routinely give is for the clients to be sure to thank those persons that helped them navigate the troubled waters of divorce. This is not me fishing for a compliment. The intent is for the thanks be given to family members, close friends, and/or anyone who helped them materially through the process. Thanksgiving is an appropriate time to remember this tip.
Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in the Hospitality State and knows that a little gratitude can go a long way.
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
Protecting Valuables vs. Values; Which is Worth More?
One aspect of my practice that is important to me is the protection of client valuables (assets), but also just as important, if not more so, and often overlooked is protecting client’s values.
Values you say? What kind of divorce attorney cares about values? Well, they do seem to be fewer and far between, but they do exist. An attorney that values a client’s values is a good attorney to have. There are lots of tricks and subterfuge possible in family law. Financial disclosure are by and large based on the oath of the party completing it. Sure there are account statements, but it would be easy to fudge on. One recent case where values succumbed to valuables, the husband “forgot” to disclose he won the lottery 2 months before the divorce was final. Oops. Another, the husband did not disclose multiple houses and a subdivision that were acquired during the marriage. He figured nobody would find out.
So, why are values important? Valuables come and go. You can’t take them with you and all the other materialism clichés apply here. The bottom line is that Values, how you handle yourself in the divorce, how your children see you treating your ex, and how you parent in a divorce situation, matter more than stuff.
Matthew Thompson is an Asset Protection and Family Law Attorney in the Hospitality State and knows that values can be worth far more than valuables.
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
The Middle Finger Next Door. (Shooting the Bird, The Bird is the Word)
In what seems to be one of the wildest “family law” stories this year, a Michigan man purchased the home next door to his ex-wife, but that is not all…
He erected a giant “middle finger” statue. It’s lighted too. According to the disgruntled divorcee, his ex is living with her boyfriend in the home. The same boyfriend who he accused her of having an affair with during the marriage. He reports the statue is for him, not the ex. The ex-husband was quoted as saying that he is “so over her.” Obviously. The bird is the word.
Matthew Thompson is Family Law Attorney in Mississippi, “The Hospitality State.,” and reminds you that “shooting the bird” is not hospitable!
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
Predicting the Future: I see divorce proceedings against this person “?”
Drumroll…
In what can be the only story to top anything that Charlie Sheen or Alec Baldwin do is the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford’s hi-jinks.
As most of you now know, Rob Ford is the embattled Mayor of Toronto who has admitted to smoking crack, while being the Mayor of Toronto. He has publicly proclaimed a “zero tolerance” drug policy, however he has dismissed his own conduct with a very plausible explanation. He was so drunk he did not realize he was smoking crack, nor really remember it. Just as astounding has been his candor and refusal NOT to comment publicly (meaning he talks too much). I assume his attorney is cringing every time he knows that Rob Ford is awake! He has had some extremely colorful quotes – one of which is not fit to reprint, but upon accusations of sexually harassing a female co-worker, Ford denied as much and stated that he had “…more than enough to eat at home.” Wow!
Matthew Thompson is Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and has no desire to be Mayor of Anything.
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
Congratulations! You’re Divorced.
“Congratulations!” It’s an odd thing to think and to say at then end of a marriage.
Sometimes “congratulations” are not appropriate. Neither party is happy and it’s not what either party wanted. However, a divorce is not just the end of something. It is also the beginning of a new life. A life where even if you weren’t the spouse you should have been, you are not destined to repeat that. Perhaps you have not been the best parent, there’s time to repair those relationships. While you will still face difficulties and you will more than likely still have to deal with your ex, the control that was once there is limited and you can change bad habits.
There’s a book out called the Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. This was recommended to me by a Business Coach named Glenn Finch with Atticus. Atticus is unique company which advises lawyers & law firms on how to standout in their field. (insert corny joke here). The Power of Habit basically notes that bad habits, while they cannot be eliminated, can be replaced. You can train your brain to react to a stimuli in a different manner than “normal” by replacing the habit.
It’s often thought that the “second-time-around-spouse” gets the “better” you. You’ve learned from your mistakes and experience is the best teacher. And sometimes, just sometimes, you got rid of someone whose mission, it seemed, was just to bring you down.
Congratulations, you are divorced.
Matthew Thompson is Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and knows that “congratulations” is not always appropriate, but silver linings and all…
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
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