Category Archives: General Legal

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

When There is a Disturbance in the Force…

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Yoda is not the only one that has a sixth sense…

Sometimes we just know that something is not right or trouble is afoot. It was that feeling you got in grade school when you got in trouble at school and just knew you would get in even more trouble when you got home. Or, similar to that feeling when you studied for the big test and what you studied was not featured on the test. Ugh.

When you feel a disturbance in the force be proactive. Don’t wait for disaster, though don’t hasten your own demise either. Identify the source of the disturbance and then take 3 action steps to remedy or mitigate the trouble. Do it now.

Matthew Thompson is a  Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and tries to be proactive when it comes to dealing with disturbances in the force.

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

Make an Appointment; How to Make Things Happen…Maybe

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I hear complaints about how hard it is to get so-and-so to call you back. Or, they did not respond to this email or that fax.  Well, you never know what is going on in their office at that moment, in their life and there may well be a good reason. So, what do you do?

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Stuart Miles /freedigital photos.net

Make an appointment. Even if it’s for a phone call. A set time increases the likelihood of it actually happening dramatically. It also allows all of those involved to be prepared for the meeting or the phone call. Not everything is an emergency. Make an appointment and keep it!

Matthew Thompson is a  Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and routinely sets appointments to meet or speak with Guardian Ad Litems, Counselors and other persons involved in the case

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

Crime, General Legal

Attorney-Client Privilege: Some Secrets are Made to be Broken

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Attorney–client privilege is a legal concept that protects communications between a client and attorney and prevents either from being compelled to testify to those communications in court, unless waived.

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The attorney–client privilege is one of the oldest privileges for communications. The United States Supreme Court stated that by assuring confidentiality, the privilege allows clients to make “full and frank” disclosures to attorneys, who are then better able to provide candid advice and   effective representation.

But, not everything is protected. Communications to third parties are not and neither are credible threats of serious bodily harm or death! “When a lawyer believes that it is reasonably certain that a death or substantial bodily harm will occur if the lawyer doesn’t reveal that information, then he may reveal that information.” 

A Pennsylvania lawyer recently reported his client’s admitted actions when it was disclosed that the client planned to  “take back” the home of his ex-girlfriend using an AR-15 rifle and body armor. Upon being arrested, the client, Howard Timothy Cofflin Jr., told police that he planned to kill his ex-girlfriend and anyone who tried to stop him.  He had also allegedly searched on his cell phone for “how to kill a state trooper” and “killing with an AR-15.”

Cofflin, already charged with harassment and making terroristic threats,  now he faces new charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated assault and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction.  http://www.abajournal.com/

Matthew Thompson is a  Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and advises clients as to what privilege means, what is protected and what rightfully is not.

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 Support, Divorce, General Legal, Modifications, Opinion

Why You NEED a Lawyer.

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On the heels of “Just One Simple Question” comes the second most asked question, “Do I need a Lawyer?”

If you are asking the question you probably need a lawyer. Lawyers aren’t all evil and repugnant beings, perhaps many, but not all.

Lawyers that are experienced in the area you need help in usually are very valuable.  This can be seen often in family law.  Many times I have seen bad deals that the client entered into because they did not know better or they were told it was standard.

Clients have agreed to paying more monies than they would have owed and frankly more than they can really afford. I have seen agreements that limited a parent’s access to a child for no good reason. I saw one agreement where the parties agreed to each maintain a million dollars in whole life insurance.  Neither knew what that meant or the actual expense they were actually agreeing to be responsible for. I have seen many agreements that call for the sale of property, such as the home, but do not address the terms of the sale, who pays what until it’s sold, who claims the mortgage interest deduction, and what happens if the parties cannot agree on negotiations.

Lawyers can help. Really.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law  Attorney in Mississippi and if you find yourself asking if you need an attorney, you r probably do.

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

General Legal, Marriage

Is My Marriage Valid? Who May Perform Ceremonies.

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Paul McCartney, Bryan Cranston and Lady Gaga all have at least one thing in common…they can perform your marriage ceremony.

§ 93-1-17. By whom marriages may be solemnized

Any minister of the gospel ordained according to the rules of his church or society, in good standing; any Rabbi or other spiritual leader of any other religious body authorized under the rules of such religious body to solemnize rites of matrimony and being in good standing; any judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court, chancery court or county court may solemnize the rites of matrimony between any persons anywhere within this state who shall produce a license granted as herein directed. Justice court judges and members of the boards of supervisors may likewise solemnize the rites of matrimony within their respective counties. Any marriages performed by a mayor of a municipality prior to March 14, 1994 are valid provided such marriages satisfy the requirements of Section 93-1-18.

Musicians, movie stars, the Clergy and even regular folk may perform a marriage ceremony if ordained as a minister per his or her church or society.

Matthew Thompson is a  Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you to not enter into a marriage lightly, but do so for love, commitment and all the right reasons.

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

Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

SpeakerPhone Faux Pas; Advise if it’s “OK” to Speak Freely!

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Our hands free devices, speaker phones and Bluetooth devices make connecting super convenient.  They also make it super easy to speak out of turn!

That inappropriate joke, the slew of curse words that you harangue your old college buddy with may not be appropriate over the Bluetooth speakers in the minivan.

Likewise, conversations between you and your attorney may not be appropriate to have in a public place or in front of others, even if they are not curse-filled diatribes. The fact that another person is present means the information they heard is not protected by attorney-client privilege.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you to respect the duck and ask if it’s ok to speak freely.

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

Crime, Divorce, General Legal

Megan Copley, Esq. – Thompson Law Firm, pllc

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THOMPSON LAW FIRM, PLLC,  IS PLEASED TO  ANNOUNCE THAT MEGAN COPLEY HAS JOINED THE FIRM.

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MEGAN COPLEY received her Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from Mississippi College School of Law in 2015. She received both her Bachelors and Masters of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.  

During law school, Megan interned as Law Clerk for United States District Court Chief Judge Sharion Aycock in Aberdeen, Mississippi. She also served as Secretary of the Mississippi Association for Justice, Mississippi College School of Law Chapter.

Megan practices criminal law, divorce, child custody, child support, modification of alimony or support, and landlord tenant law.

Megan is married to Ryan Copley and they have two children, Adison Claire and Joeleigh Ryan, and they live in Pelahatchie, Mississippi.

Megan Copley is a Criminal Law and Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi  and can advise when, why and when NOT to invoke your 5th Amendment right!

Phone: (601) 850-8000       Blog:  bowtielawyer.ms

Fax:      (601) 499-5219    Email: TLF@BowTieLawyer.ms

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Modifications

Chad King, Esq.- Thompson Law Firm,pllc

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THOMPSON LAW FIRM, PLLC,  IS PLEASED TO WELCOME CHAD KING AS ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY.

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Chad brings with him over a decade of family law experience, having served as law clerk, paralegal and office administrator over his many years of working in the legal community, and now as Associate Attorney.

Chad will be handling family law cases such as divorce, alimony, child custody and support and will also be handling adoptions.

Chad earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Mississippi College School of Law in 2015, where he served as President of the Family Law Society and as a Student Attorney in the Adoption Clinic. He also served as an Adjunct Professor in Paralegal Studies at Hinds Community College.

Chad King is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Mississippi  and prefers “No Tie” over a Bow Tie.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Thompson Law Firm with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Chad@bowtielawyer.ms