Category Archives: General Legal

Child Support, divorce, General Legal, Opinion

The #1 Way to Make Things Better? STOP making the same bad decisions…

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Albert Einstein is credited with saying that Insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Whether he said it or not, the premise holds true in family law. If you keep making the same bad decisions you will continue to get the same bad results.

Illegal substance use or alcohol abuse, not paying your Court-Ordered obligations, and ignoring legal proceedings all lead to more trouble, more expenses and bad results.

So what can you do? STOP.

Stop using illegal drugs. Stop drinking alcohol. Get help. It’s out there and worth it. Start paying your Court-Ordered support. At least pay something. Stop ignoring your lawyer. Stop ignoring the legal process. Judges love a comeback story.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Divorce Attorney and advises you to stop making bad decisions.

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 Custody, divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

SECRETS REVEALED! What REALLY Goes on in the Judge’s Chambers…

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In every courtroom there is a mystery door, usually in the back corner.  Within this door are the secrets of Court…

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Litigants see the Judge and Lawyers disappear into this door. What seems like an eternity later, they emerge. Is one smiling? Does one have a scowl? What does it all mean?

These “chamber conferences” matter.  This is where the Judge hears what the case is about.  Each attorney is allowed a few minutes to tell their client’s side of the story, factually.  The Court hears legal arguments as to this issue and that issue.  In this conference the Judge may indicate what they are inclined to do.  This is actually a good thing, usually.

You find out whether or not you are fighting a losing battle, or whether there will even be a fight.

I had a case where the parties were fighting over “Legal Custody.” Legal custody is the decision making right regarding the child, such as education, medical and general welfare areas.  It’s extremely common for the parties to have Joint Legal Custody.  However, this particular lawyer and client would not agree to Joint Legal Custody.  It was about 2 minutes of discussion and the Judge said, “I almost always do Joint Legal Custody, unless there is a really good reason not to.”  There was not a good reason. That resolved the last remaining issue.

Sometimes the conferences go against you.  That causes questions of doubt between the lawyer and client. “Did my lawyer fight for my side?” You have to trust your lawyer and believe them. Also, they should advise you that the Judge indicated they were inclined to rule this way, but we can still have a hearing and we may be able to convince them otherwise. Probably not, but we may be able to. Ultimately, it is the client’s decision.

Usually, conferences help. It’s not underhanded nor improper if lawyers for both parties are participating.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and usually welcomes Chamber Conferences.

divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Be the CAPTAIN of the Ship! (Or at least know how to be…)

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“O’ Captain! My Captain!”

marcolm/freedigital photos.net

Divorce, separation and break-ups are hard. They create situations where you have to do things that you normally did not have to do.

A recent fight over the boat brought this lesson home.  The parties had a nice boat.  Both wanted it. Stereotypes would have you to believe that the Husband was really the Captain and the Wife was posturing.  However, you would be wrong.  The wife could Captain that boat with the best of them.  Somewhat intrigued, I asked why would you Captain the boat.  The response was, “What if I did not have someone else to do it? I needed to know how...”

This is why you teach your kids how to change a flat, even in days of AAA and cell phones.

The best advice for today, “Be Your Own Captain!“

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and can Captain the ship.

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, Opinion

Friends Don’t Let Friends Post on the Internet

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We’ve blogged on not posting ignorant or incriminating things on FaceBook. (5 FaceBook Don’ts)&(5 More Don’ts).

The prior posts really dealt with you avoiding bad behavior, or at least bragging about it publicly. But, your obligation to be smart should not stop there.

You should not let your friends post hate or trash either. Using a surrogate does not insulate you from the potential carnage.  That well-meaning friend being critical of your ex, or their new squeeze, is a direct reflection of your inner thoughts, even if it’s not!

Ask that your well-meaning friend refrain.  That they not post about how evil, vile and repulsive your ex is, about how ugly, inside and out, his/her new soul mate is.  They can think it, you will probably even talk about it over Mexican and margaritas, but don’t post it on the Internet.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and uses FaceBook and other social media sites a lot more than you probably realize.

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 Support, divorce, General Legal

Tip of the Day: Speak with Efficiency

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ef·fi·cient
(especially of a system) achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
(of a person) working in a well-organized and competent way.
Sira Anamwong/ freedigitalphotos.net

Too often in Court, depositions, and generally responding to questions, witnesses provide too much information.  In an attempt to tell the “whole truth” the facts get muddled and the point gets lost.

I routinely ask client questions that can be answered simply, but rarely get the simple, straight forward response.

“How much child support are you Ordered to pay?”

“”$750.00 per month.”

“Have you paid it?”

“Well, you see, I was going to, but my car broke down and then I was writing the check ,but she said I could’t get them…”

There may be a great explanation, but first things first. Did you pay? Are you in compliance with the Order? Yes or No? Then explain if needed. Don’t try to guess. Just answer what is asked.

A great tip for doing this is to practice with your attorney so that you know why the question is being asked. Said another way, begin with the end in mind.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and wants you to tell your story, but answer the question first.

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

General Legal, Opinion

Happy “Love Your Lawyer Day!”

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Yes, it’s a “real” day.

https://bol.bna.com/what-are-you-doing-to-love-your-lawyer/

Love Your Lawyer Day is the one day a year that Lawyers can legally and safely be shown gratitude. The day, which has existed for years, but just this year was recognized by the ABA, is a day to celebrate the good things lawyers do.

To help celebrate the day, persons are to abstain from lawyer jokes and if any are uttered a $20.00 donation should be made to a reputable charity of the offender’s choice.

I was going to blog about the MS Supreme Court, months later, acknowledging the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell. I’ll do that next week.

So, thank you, Lawyers. I truly believe most are good and are trying to help. To those Lawyers who are not and do not, it’s not too late to turn.

#LoveYourLawyerDay #BowTieLawyerMS

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and it is hard for others to show the love in Family Law.

divorce, General Legal, Opinion

How to Contact Your Attorney.

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With technology today we expect instant access. However, it is not always practical.

Emails, texts, Instant Messenger, FaceBook Messenger, office phone, cell phone, letter, fax, carrier pigeon or smoke signals are the myriad of ways you have to contact an attorney, but all are not equal and all are not best.

  1. Office phone, during business hours is the best way. It is usually staffed, usually answered and usually responded to if a message is left. If a reasonable period of time has elapsed call again. 
  2. Office email.  Likely will get a canned response to call the office number and the heads up to the receptionist/call screener to be expecting the call. 
  3. Cell phone. You’ve called the office, you’ve emailed and need to get a warm body.  If you have a cell call it. Leave a message and a return number and a good time to call back.  Most attorneys guard their cell number like Fort Knox. Mine is on my business card. 
  4. Other Methods. The last option is the other ways to contact. These means are not secure. FB messenger does not ensure confidentiality. 

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and is awaiting your call. (601) 850-8000

  

divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

What NOT to bring to the Attorney’s Office…

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The initial appointment with the lawyer is always nerve-wracking.

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You should be prepared and be on time. Bring financial records, receipts, tax returns, screen shots of texts, phone records, and recordings.  Bring yourself, perhaps a trusted friend or family member, a form of payment and even an internet-provided checklist of what to ask the attorney.

However, unless requested otherwise, do not bring….

  • Do not bring your Child. It’s not appropriate.
  • Do not bring your Spouse.
  • Do not bring 5 banker’s boxes of information. It’s too much.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and recommends you not bring these things to you first appointment.

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