Category Archives: General Legal

Crime, divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

SOULMATES do NOT do the Following; The TOP 5 Signs that you have NOT found your “soulmate”

03/06/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

A noted Practitioner, Professor and Author once said, “Soulmates and Unicorns live in the same zip code.” – Matthew Thompson

That is to say, that perhaps, Soulmates in the truest sense may well NOT exist, a la Unicorns. However, regardless of your belief, for purposes of this post, assume Soulmates do exist. *

The TOP 5 Things Your Soulmate Will NOT Do:

5. Physically/Verbally assault you.

4. Harm your family members.

3. Fake a pregnancy to induce you into marriage or remain in one.

2. Isolate you from all other persons/friends/family.

1. Encourage you to establish a shell LLC so that you may then purchase their dream home at your expense, placing ownership interests into their sole name and doing all of this in a fashion as to hide it from all others. All the while, said Soulmate pays no heed as to your current financial condition and whether it is what is best for you.

*Science has yet to conclusively prove that Soulmates exist.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and can help you part ways when you realize your Soulmate is NOT your Soulmate.

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.

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

The Worst Fault Grounds Ever = A Divorce.

02/26/2015 BowTieLawyer 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.

divorce, General Legal, Opinion

What is a “Biblical Divorce?”

02/23/2015 BowTieLawyer 4 Comments

I hear this term a lot, “Biblical divorce.”

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.

General Legal, Opinion

2 Magic Words, “Thank You”

02/20/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

It’s amazing what showing gratitude will get you!

But, that’s not the main reason to express it. Thanking those that deserve it serves them. We do not say Thank You enough to our loved ones and friends. Sometimes were nicer to strangers or persons we just met than to our own family.

So say Thank You. Thank your spouse or partner. Thank your family and loved ones. Thank your boss and co-workers. Thank the people who have helped you get to where you are.

Matthew Thompson is an Attorney practicing Family Law in Mississippi and is grateful to those who have helped him along the way. Thank You! (You know who you are 😉)

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.

Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Opinion, Visitation

Do You Pass “The SleepOver Challenge?”

02/18/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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

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.

General Legal

The Rules Apply to You.

02/05/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

This is a lesson for Youths, Adults and Children of All Ages…

THE RULES APPLY TO YOU!

Stuart Miles /freedigitalphotos.net

“But, but…” Whether you are a Lawyer, Mother, Father, just a Child, or the Judge The Rules Apply to You.

A Court Order that requires you to do certain things in order to have privileges is valid, even if you disagree with it. Just because you think it unfair, unnecessary, sexist, biased, dumb or a waste of money does not change the fact that it is a Rule you have to abide by.

Following the Rules is not always fun nor easy, but not following the Rules leads to trouble and expense and may put your freedom in jeopardy.

Follow the Rules.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and advises his clients to follow the Rules.

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

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

02/04/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Confession is good for the Soul.

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.

Child Custody, Child Support, General Legal, Opinion

Family Law Bill of the Day; What Are They Thinking

01/30/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Yesterday was about a proposed change in Fault Grounds in Mississippi law. Today is about a far different change…

House Bill 714, hb0714in, seeks to declare a presumption that a child’s best interests is NOT served by being placed in the custody of a homosexual person, even if it’s the biological Parent.

Regardless of one’s political and/or religious views this would create significant problems in the law. The law currently recognizes a concept called the Natural Parent Presumption. This means that a Natural Parent is the best parent to raise their own child as they deem best. This is well founded, accepted law. Additionally, you have a Constitutional Right, as a parent, to raise your child as you best see fit, assuming you are neither neglecting nor abusing your child.

The problem that HB 714 creates is that it will in fact require a Court to conclude that a parent is presumptively fit and unfit if that parent was the natural parent and homosexual. It ignores the fact that a homosexual can be a biological parent triggering the Natural Parent Presumption, it creates a presumption of unfitness based solely on sexual orientation with NO criteria of whether that parent “acts” on said orientation and it provides no litmus test for homosexuality. This also ignores the fact that a Court may already consider the morals of parents and take that into considerations when determining Custody. It assumes bad parenting when there is no reasonable basis to do so (Click for Real Bad Parenting).

This appears, at best, to be election year pandering and, at worst, an unconstitutional restraint on a Parent’s Right to Parent. This would not withstand a Constitutional challenge, in my opinion. And, is another reason that MS will catch ridicule as being so Heavenly Focused that we’re no Earthly good.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Lawyer in Mississippi and believes that the Albright Custody Factors allow for the Court to consider ALL issues that the Court deems necessary to determine custody of a child- and that’s a fact!

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.