Category Archives: General Legal

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion, Property Division, Visitation

Judge’s Race Just Got Interesting- 11th District Chancery Election is Now Contested

04/17/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Previously we blogged about “We the People” getting to pick our Judges. This year is an election year for most Judgeships in Mississippi and only a few were contested.

Now, the Sub District One Seat for Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo counties is contested. (See the full candidate list here, current as of April 16, 2014.) This Court hears matters involving wills and estates, support and custody of minor children, divorces and alimony, and lunacy or commitment hearings. The Judges also handle other matters, such as petitions to incorporate or enlarge a city, the establishment and management of drainage districts, children’s welfare funds, and other projects.

Attorneys Robert Clark, III, of Lexington, and Barbara Ann Bluntson, of Ridgeland, have both qualified to run for the seat currently held by the retiring Judge Janace Harvey-Goree. The prevailing candidate will serve as Chancellor over all matters filed in Chancery Court in Holmes and Yazoo Counties and approximately 1/4 of the matters filed in Madison County, if past practice holds true.

Attorney Clark has served as a Youth Court Judge and Municipal Court Judge in Lexington/Holmes County and private practitioner.

Attorney Bluntson has served as the City Prosecutor for Jackson, handling criminal matters, violation of city ordinances and matters pertaining to Domestic Violence.

The qualifying deadline is May 9, so stay tuned to see if any other hats are thrown in the ring. The election will be November 4, 2014.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi, practices frequently in the district at issue above, and is very interested in watching this election and learning more about each candidate. Stay tuned!

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, Opinion

The Difference Between a Lawyer and a Catfish…

04/04/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

John Q. Lawyer v. J. Whiskers Catfish, 123 So.2d 456 (Miss. 2014)

Also, catfish taste delicious…

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, Grandparent Visitation, Visitation

Go to Your Kid’s Programs.

04/01/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

When can I go to my Child’s school?

Being divorced impacts all aspects of life. A lot of times you can keep certain aspects quiet or private, but when children are involved issues spill over into school.

Under normal circumstances, regardless of the custody arrangement, you can go to your child’s school programs. It doesn’t have to be “your” time.

About the only times this is not true is if the Court has imposed specific restrictions preventing this or if the event is not open to all parents or you’re otherwise not welcome at the school.

So, if you can go, Go!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and does his best to put Family First.

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

Don’t Drink & Text

03/24/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

We know not to Drink and Drive and that Drinking on the job is a terminable offense, but it’s also important not to Drink & Text.

There is an old saying that “a drunk man says what a sober man thinks.” While this may not be always true, there is some truth to it. Alcohol lessens our inhibitions.

Recently, I interviewed a person who was being advised of their rights in a family law matter. It turns out that they sent multiple, repeated texts messages over a several hour period while under the influence. Some were funny, some incoherent, some to the intended recipients and a few that were not. It was the ones that were not to the intended recipients that caused the problem.

A text message sent is a message that cannot be recalled.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and warns you to NOT Drink & Text.

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

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Visitation

Little People, Big Divorce?

03/12/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Amy Roloff Matt Roloff — http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/169562/little_people_big_world_stars

The stars of Little People, Big World, which regales America with the Roloff’s somewhat hectic life, dealing with dwarfism, and running a farm in Oregon have announced a trial separation. The two apparently intend to continue to work together, on the farm and on the TLC program which made them familiar to millions.

In Mississippi, a trial separation just amounts to not living with each other and does not require any Court process, as there is No Legal Separation. In Oregon, Legal Separation is recognized, and while allowing for the marriage to remain intact it provides for the parties to live apart, can divide property, divide debt, determine support, if any and provide for parenting plans.

Despite their many on-air disputes, here’s hoping they can resolve this amicably for the little and not-so little people in their lives, their 3 children.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and can handle your matter whether it’s big or little.

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

General Legal

Courtroom Etiquette; It’s NOT what you see on TV.

03/10/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Ben Matlock and Perry Mason were always able to berate the real killer on the witness stand until he confessed or it just so happened that the real killer attended the Trial, sitting in the audience, just to watch, only to see himself implicated and arrested before he could leave.

However, real Court is not like TV Court. Lawyers for the most part do not have surprise witnesses that no one knows of and the real killer does not attend and watch from the gallery. Though Court is usually open to the public, rarely does anyone other than a family member attend.

Lawyers are usually held to a reasonable standard of Courtroom Etiquette and witnesses and parties are even more-so.

Courtroom Etiquette includes;

Dressing appropriately. (conservative or church attire is acceptable, shorts, sleeveless tops, & hats are not)
Acting appropriately. (No guffawing, exclaiming, gum chewing, loud talking in the audience)
Waiting for the Question to be asked before Answering. (All is being typed by the Court reporter)
Answering “Yes” or “No,” and then explaining if necessary.
Not Shouting or Yelling.
Not Cursing.
Not Lying.
Not Faking Emotion.

Court is emotional. You can have and show emotion, but the Court is going to judge the level of emotion shown based on the issues before it and will take into account stage fright. The Judge also knows, more often than not, when you are faking it.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Litigation Attorney in Mississippi; know when to hold, when to fold them, know when to walk away and when to run…

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

Divorce, General Legal

Courtroom Jitters

03/07/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Testifying in Court is the most nerve-racking experience for the parties in a case.

The number one phobia among human beings is public speaking, not death, heights, or spiders. Evidence of this can be seen daily. Add to it the pressure of being involved in serious litigation and Courtroom Jitters are to be expected.

I have seen witnesses forget the answer to the most basic of questions due to stage fright. I had a witness forget her address, the one where she had lived for years. I’ve seen a deposition transcript where the husband going through a divorce lost his cool when asked his name. To him the question was insulting because they had been married for years. The anxiety of being in that situation got the better of him.

A colleague told me she had a witness freeze while being questioned about adultery and then lie about the affair even though he knew the other side had “it” on video! After the lie the attorney requested a short recess. The client said he panicked and just said,”NO!” ( while Nancy Reagan would have been proud, it was perjury). After the recess the opposing attorney asked to play the video to impeach the witness. The witness admitted the affair, but it was too late. The court ordered the video be played.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Attorney in Mississippi. Stage fright happens and is real. The best advice is avoid Court. The second best advice is prepare, prepare, prepare.

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

Crime, Divorce, General Legal

When a Whisper is Not a Whisper; The Lost Art of Whispering

03/06/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

At the movies, the library and the classroom you get in trouble for talking. Whispering is requisite.

In Court, whispering, too, is a critical skill. On numerous occasions I have heard many a too loud whisper.

Yesterday I blogged about getting caught taking a bow tie selfie and learning of me getting busted via a too loud whisper.

On another occasion I was taking a deposition and the issue of whether my client had a gun in her car was brought up. She denied having a gun. The soon-to-be ex “whispered” to his attorney that he knew where it was in her car because he put it there!

Learn the ART of Whispering.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Attorney in Mississippi and Whispers quietly.

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