Category Archives: Marriage

General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Take Care of What You Have!

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What should be your life’s mission? This is often asked and has lead to much angst. But life’s real mission is to take care of what you have. 

  
So what does that mean? Take care of yourself; your body, mind and spirit. Take care of your family; your spouse, children and relatives. Take care of your property; your house, cars and stuff. Take care of your financial well being; your job, your assets and debts. 

A great example is when someone has a great house and doesn’t take care of it. This is most people’s single biggest asset, but when you ignore needed maintenance, delay routine upkeep and attempt to hide issues rather than have them repaired properly, you are ultimately only hurting yourself. Paying a little along the way prevents you from paying a lot later. 

Great advice for relationships too. Investing along the way. Taking your time, getting to know one another and doing routine maintenance will help avoid paying a lot later; like a visit to my office. 

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and hopes you don’t have to call him, but if you do, please 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

 

Divorce, Marriage

Your Ex-Soulmate is Gonna Hate!

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While the scientific data is still out as to the existence of soulmates, one thing is for sure.  If you break up with your Soulmate for a much younger soul, she will hate you!

Upon Brinkley’s ex, the Piano Man himself, Billy Joel, getting married to his soulmate, Brinkley tweeted, “Congratulation[s] to the glowing bride and groom. And to my daughter Alexa, who has a wonderful friend in Alexis! Wishing the growing family every happiness!”

Sounds sweet, right?

However, Alexa is the daughter of Brinkley and Joel. She is just four years younger than her new stepmother, hence their “friend”ship. Brinkley also noted the “growing family” hinting that perhaps the new Mrs. Joel is with child.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and is developing a new theory on Soulmates. He advises his clients, their exes and their new flames to all just get along…

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

Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Know When to Walk Away

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Kenny Rogers sang the tune,”You’ve got to know when to hold ’em,
Know when to fold ’em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run.”

http://www.concertvault.com/features/7051-uncut-kenny-rogers.html

He was talking about Gambling, but it’s good advice for life in general and specifically for Family Law.

You would do well to know what are deal breakers in your relationship. Some issues can and should be dealt with, some issues (read arguments) aren’t worth having. Sometimes it’s best to “walk it off” and let cooler heads prevail and sometimes you just need to run. Run away. It’s too complicated, hard, and not good, ultimately for either party, or the kids, or the extended family.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and encourages you to be like Kenny Rogers. No, don’t sing country music and have “some work” done in your later years. But, know what’s worth fighting for and when to walk away…

Follow the blog: #BowTieLawyer 

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Child Custody, Child Support, Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion, Uncategorized, Visitation

Charlie Sheen- Law, Love and Winning

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After a week of Flag and Marriage controversy, how about a topic even more controversial? Charlie Sheen.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/22/charlie-sheen-/

There could be a law school class; Charlie Sheen and the Law.

Charlie on Restraining Orders:

“Great. I was already planning on staying 100 parsecs away from her.” (A parsec is a unit of length equaling 3.26 light-years.)

Charlie on being “Bi-Polar:”

“I’m bi-winning. I win here and I win there. Now what? If I’m bipolar, aren’t there moments where a guy like crashes in the corner like, ‘Oh my God, it’s all my mom’s fault!’ Shut up! Shut up! Stop! Move forward.

Charlie on suing CBS:

“They’re trying to destroy my family, so I take great umbrage with that. And defeat is not an option. They picked a fight with a warlock.”

Charlie on why he is a “Winner:”

“I’m sorry, man, but I’ve got magic. I’ve got poetry in my fingertips. Most of the time — and this includes naps — I’m an F-18, bro. And I will destroy you in the air. I will deploy my ordinance to the ground.“

Charlie on Drugs:

“I am on a drug. It’s called Charlie Sheen. It’s not available because if you try it once you will die. Your face will melt off and your children will weep over your exploded body. It’s too much.”

 

Quotes courtesy of Mr. Sheen and US Magazine.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and has not met Charlie Sheen.

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, Marriage

“New” Judge in Rankin; McLaurin appointed to fill vacancy. 

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Rankin County Chancery has a new Judge, but a familiar face.  

John McLaurin has been tapped by Gov. Bryant to fill the vacancy by Judge Dan Fairly’s recent passing. Judge McLaurin has served as Family Master for Rankin County since 2007, hearing the exact type of cases he will now hear as a full-time Chancellor.

There will be no learning curve here. Attorneys, litigants and those involved in Chancery matters can expect business as usual.

This was a sound and timely appointment.

* As a point of interest, McLaurin is the great-great nephew of former Governor of Mississippi and U.S. Senator Anselm McLaurin, related to the late Robin Williams and practiced law in Rankin County with his brother, Anse McLaurin.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and reminds those interested that this just fills one spot in Rankin Chancery. There is still a new position to fill in the general election. Stay tuned. 

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, Divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Opinion, Property Division, Visitation

New Judges are Coming… 11th, 20th, & 4th Districts; The Scoop on the Candidates.

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Family Law is not necessarily full of exciting news. Sure, we have juicy stories of debauchery, but that has occurred since man became upright…

Illustration by Barbara Kelley 

But, getting 3 new Judge positions is exciting!

Governor Bryant signed into law a bill that creates 3 new judges to hear divorce, custody, child support, paternity, will, estate and land matters, among other limited areas of the law.

These 3 new judges will be over districts that have been in much demand for another Judge.

District 11 is getting a 3rd Judge. District 11 covers Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo counties. The Current Judges are Cynthia Brewer and Robert Clark, III.

The candidate for this seat is James Walker (click for website). Walker is the current Family Master for the District, hearing Emergencies,Temporary Hearings and the types of matters the current Chancellors hear. Walker is the former staff attorney for Judge Cynthia Brewer and former staff attorney for DHS.  Walker is the definite front-runner (FB).

District 20 covers Rankin County and will likewise be getting a 3rd Judge.  The current Judge is John Grant.  There is a vacancy for the 2nd Chancellor due to the untimely passing of Judge Dan Fairly– which will be filled, most likely, by appointment and special election.

Craig Slay is the only candidate that has qualified for the new position, but the rumor mill has at least 4 other candidates in the mix. Slay is the Board Attorney for the  Rankin County Board of Supervisors and has practiced law for nearly 20 years. At the time of this post Slay’s social media presence was not readily apparent.

Prentiss Grant is one of those candidates. He has announced publicly to be in the running for Rankin Chancery Judge, though not listed yet on the Secretary of State’s website.  P. Grant has practiced for over 25 years and handled many Chancery Court cases, among criminal and personal injury areas of practice as well.

This will be an exciting race to watch!

District 4 covers Amite, Franklin, Pike and Walthall counties and will be getting a much needed second Chancellor.

Conrad Mord is the only candidate to toss his hat in the ring so far. Mord has practiced in the district for 40 years and currently serves as the Youth Court Referee, a.k.a. Youth Court Judge. The current lone Chancellor is Debbra Halford.

Stay tuned for all of your Family Law Judge news.  This election coverage will be updated as more candidates qualify, though not so much coverage as to be soul-crushing to the casual reader!

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and is interested in the election process and the candidates that will decide critical issues for Families in Mississippi.

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.

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Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Have a Plan.

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It cannot be stressed enough. Have a plan. 



Too often lawyers and litigants do things just to be doing something. I like having a plan and carrying out that plan.  I discuss options, steps and expenses for each option and what I recommend and why. 

While this approach takes more effort and time on the front end it can lead to amazing results of achieving seemingly very difficult goals very quickly or without causing a huge scene. 

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney and loves it when a plan comes together!

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.

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Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

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

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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.

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