Category Archives: divorce

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

The Worst Fault Grounds Ever = A Divorce.

1 Comment

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.

IMG_5803

divorce, General Legal, Opinion

What is a “Biblical Divorce?”

4 Comments

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.

IMG_5803

Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Opinion, Visitation

Do You Pass “The SleepOver Challenge?”

Leave a comment

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

IMG_9830

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.

IMG_3045.JPG

divorce

Celebrating Your Divorce Vegas-Style!

1 Comment

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.

IMG_3045.JPG

 

divorce

Welcome to Divorce Hotel

1 Comment

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.

divorce

Divorce Rate vs. Getting Burned

Leave a comment

Divorce rate in Mississippi
correlates with
Number of people killed by hot tap-water


Upload this image to imgur

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Divorce rate in Mississippi
Divorces per 1000 people (US Census)		 5 5 5 4.9 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.8 4.5 4.3 4.1 4.3
Number of people killed by hot tap-water
Deaths (US) (CDC)		 51 55 57 40 26 30 43 32 34 31 23 30
Correlation: 0.785526

Comparing Divorces in Mississippi to Deaths by Hot Tap Water may lead to some uncomfortable results.

I recommend divorce over the alternative, by the way.

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, Opinion

Less is More…Knowing the Dirt May Do More Harm Than Good.

1 Comment

Confession is good for the Soul.

img_7948

However, what’s good for the Soul may not be so good for your marriage.  Sometimes knowing the details, deeds and dirt makes it impossible to “forgive.”  Knowing the location of the “scene of the crime” results in PTSD every time you pass by.  Knowing the name of the paramour gives you the HeeBeeGeeBees when you have a waiter/waitress with the same name.  Also, even when you know all the dirt, you still wonder if you really do.

If the goal is to attempt to reconcile and work through life’s difficulties, you may well be better served by the mantra- Less is More.

Read about “The Dirt” here, “The Book of Sins” here and more on “Reconciliation” here.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and believes that sometimes ignorance is bliss. Consult your attorney, counselor or mental health professional for more info!

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.

IMG_3045.JPG

Child Custody, divorce, General Legal

Family Law Bill of the Day – Mississippi Style

1 Comment

The legislature is in session.  Saturday Night Live once referred to  the Mississippi Legislature as the “hissing possums.”

th

But, today’s blog is about proposed legislation.  Senate Bill 2342-(sb2342in).

This Bill’s intent is to add a 13th “fault ground” to Mississippi Law. This ground would provide for a divorce being granted upon 5 years of separation in fact.  This means if you and your spouse are married, but not living together for five years or longer and at least one of you wants a divorce, you can get a divorce.  It further provides that if there are minor children that the Chancellor may deny the divorce if a divorce is found to  not be in the children’s best interests.

This is a much needed change in Mississippi law and a step in the right direction.  Some may say 5 years is too long, but it is better than nothing and better than the law as it currently is.

Who says that? I do.

Read about the current 12 fault grounds.

Read Why You Should Care About This Legislation here and here.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law and Child Custody Attorney in Mississippi, Adjunct Professor at MC Law in Domestic Relations and believes this provides a much needed remedy in the current law.

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