Category Archives: divorce

Married to a Zombie? When “Death” Doesn’t Do Us Part…

01/28/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

‘Til Death Do Us Part!

Karen sued Joseph for Divorce in Connecticut. Joseph took the position that she could not get a divorce because they were no longer married. The reason? He died.

Connecticut law provides that a marriage may be terminated by divorce or death.

Joseph alleged that during the marriage he was technically dead for a period of time, albeit temporarily, until the use of CPR brought him back to life. Ergo, Karen was not entitled to a divorce. Joseph took this position in a Court-filed pleading! The Court did not take his argument as serious as a heart-attack.

Joseph failed to provide any evidence supporting his claim, such as medical records and more importantly the definition of “death” is the permanent cessation of all vital functions, an irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, or an irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem.

Joseph, after all, was not dead. Just his legal argument was…and NOW his marriage!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and may can help resuscitate your case.

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

I see “dead” people.

01/26/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Haley Joel Osment said it first…

http://dailycaller.com/2013/10/25/thedc-investigates-what-ever-happened-to-haley-joel-osment/

I don’t actually see dead people as much as I see “dying” relationships. Yes, I am a divorce attorney.

Everyday I see these dying relationships in various places. Of course, at the office. Those persons scheduled an appointment, but I also see “dead” people at church, the grocery store and on the sidelines at ball games.

Family struggles do not discriminate based on race, religion, or financial status. Also, putting on the happy faces and public displays does nothing to address the underlying issues. Those take real work.

Interestingly, a divorce attorney may can help. While sounding counter-intuitive, an experienced Family Law attorney can not only advise you of your rights and answer your questions, but can also advise you on ways to salvage a relationship, even from the brink of “death.” Options of individual counseling, couples therapy or in some instances a good dose of reality can work to jolt attitudes and one’s willingness to try.

Being one of the “walking dead” does not doom you or your marriage so long as you recognize and work to resuscitate that relationship.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce attorney in Mississippi and if your relationship is in need of 911 he may be the right Juris Doctor for your ailments.

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

divorce, General Legal

Being NOT Divorced Does Not a Marriage Make.

01/23/2015 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

In Mississippi it can be ridiculously hard to get a divorce. Untying the knot can be quite the task…

Mississippi is NOT a true “No Fault” divorce state. Instead, MS requires the parties agree to the divorce and all the terms for an Irreconcilable Differences Divorce and absent that agreement you must have Fault Grounds, that can be proven.

If no agreement and no Fault Grounds, guess what? You cannot get divorced, but that does not mean you have a marriage!

Sure, legally you are married, but there is no requirement that you reside with your spouse and even if you commit an act which would entitle your spouse to a divorce it does not mean you can get the divorce- – only if they choose to seek fault grounds against you.

Time and again legislation has been proposed to eliminate this “divorce blackmail” chasm that is MS law. Time and again any compromise on divorce law has died on the vine under the auspices of “protecting families.”

Families are not being protected by laws which create legal blackmail situations. This change, by the way, if it ever happens is contrary to divorce lawyer’s self interests! If there is a more reasonable process to get a divorce, divorce lawyers make less money.

Marriages are wonderful blessings, unless they are not. It’s time for Mississippi laws to reflect that.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce attorney in Mississippi and can help you untie the knot that became a “noose.”

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer

divorce, General Legal

Advice of the Day: Know When to Shut Your Mouth

01/21/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Everyday presents a lesson that we can take away and learn from.

Today’s “Advice of the Day” is: Know When to Shut Your Mouth.

When the Judge Orders you to Stop Talking? Stop Talking.
When the Other Side Agrees to What you Want? Stop Talking.
When Your Lawyer asks you to Stop Speaking? Stop Talking.
When you are Winning Greatly? Stop Talking.
When you are Losing Badly? Stop Talking.

Matthew Thompson is a family Law attorney in the Hospitality State and encourages you to ‘be still and listen.’

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

divorce

Getting Down & Dirty? Take Your Ring Off…

01/19/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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

Child Custody, Crime, divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Pets

It’s NOT the Lawyer’s Fault that You Don’t See Your Kids

01/12/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

But, for that d@#^lawyer!

I hear this a lot. “My life was great until my lying ex and her d@#^ Attorney messed it all up!”

Right.

It was all peachy until you;

Had an Affair; or
Physically Assaulted Your Spouse; or
Habitually Abused Illegal Drugs; or
Threatened Physical Violence; or
Took Your Children and Refused to Return Them or Disclose Their Location; or
Refused to Support Your Family; or
All of the Above, and then some…

Is life fair? Certainly NOT. Do your actions directly impact the quality of that life? You better believe it. So maybe your lying ex and her d@#^ attorney are NOT totally to blame.

Do What has Been Ordered of You
Be the Best Parent you Can be
Don’t Threaten, Harass, or Make False Allegations

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and believes that you reap what you sow.

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, Marriage, Opinion

Don’t Make Up Stuff About Your Ex.

01/09/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

It can be fun to “run them down the road” or “throw ’em under the bus,” figuratively speaking, of course.

They were, after-all, mostly responsible for the worst thing that happened to you as an adult. (Or the best, if you consider you no longer live with that cretin?)

But, why make stuff up about how bad they were? It serves no purpose. Recently, I heard the other side of the story from a friend of the ex. It was chock full of outrageous conduct, statements and actions- some criminal, that were just not true.

I thought, “Wow, if he was that bad I would have divorced him too!”

However, the conduct, statements and actions were not true. I know because I deposed the ex during the case. I asked, under oath, about all the dirty deeds. They were not mentioned.

People seem to have one of two predispositions. 1) We remember things better than they were, ie: childhood years, college days, or 2) We remember things much worse than they were, ie: “he never loved me.”

Making things up about your ex may be fun, but it serves no purpose and delays the “healing process.” It also may backfire down the road when you finally forgive and resume some semblance of a relationship.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Lawyer in Mississippi and believes the truth can set you free.

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, Opinion

How Cold is Your Ex’s “Cold, Dark Soul?”

01/08/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

On the drive in to the office this morning I heard our local Meteorologist, Brad Maushart, say…

“It is colder than your Ex’s cold, dark soul…”

The official low was 13 degrees!

So, How Cold is Your Ex’s “Cold, Dark Soul?”

Approximately 14-15 degrees!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi and can help bring the heat if your relationship is too cold to survive.

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