Category Archives: divorce

HOW NOT TO TESTIFY IN COURT!

09/16/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Courtroom testimony is nerve-wracking. You’re under oath, in the spotlight and half of the time you are being questioned by someone who is likely out to get you. However, there is one thing to NOT do.

Do NOT interrupt.

Do NOT interrupt the person examining you. Do not interrupt whoever is asking the question and do NOT interrupt the Judge. It never ends well, even if what you have to say is very relevant and important. Wait. Say it when asked or when explaining your answer. Also, do NOT just volunteer information. A Question is asked, an Answer is given. If there is a moment of silence or a pause while the next question is being formulated there is no need to fill in the silence with talking. Be still.

Read more on testimonial war stories here and child testimony here.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and does his best to not interrupt the Judge.

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, General Legal, Opinion

The #1 Reason Why Friends Vanish During Your Divorce.

09/08/2014 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

Sure, you may be losing a spouse, but you still have your friends, right?

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Divorces are hard, messy, time-consuming, energy and money draining. They impact not only your relationship with your spouse and children, but also your relationships with your friends.

Friends, all of a sudden, become witnesses. That time that Jimmy drank too much at the BBQ and screamed and cursed at you. Well, Paul witnessed the whole thing, thought Jimmy was out of line and even said as much. It made him wonder what Jimmy was like behind closed doors. But, given some time and the threat of a witness subpoena and Paul does not really “remember” exactly who said what.

When Maggie finds out she may be deposed about what you told her, she all of a sudden is an expert on hearsay and probably won’t be allowed to testify anyway…

The #1 reason on why friends vanish…THEY DO NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED.

They do not want your problems to become their problems. They do not want to “pick sides.” They may be willing to be there for moral support, but when faced with Court, and cross examination – most would prefer not to.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and reminds you that friends don’t let friends go into Court unprepared.

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

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.