It’s not attacking the other parent. It’s not making up false allegations. It’s not telling the same lies, time and time again. It’s not making false abuse allegations. It’s not telling anyone who will listen your “woe is me tale.”
Be there. Do what you are supposed to do, every time. Be honest. Be professional. Admit your mistakes and learn from them. Don’t double down on the same bad behaviors that got you into the fight in the first place.
Being a better parent is a lot of work and can be hard, but it’s worth it. Your child deserves it.
Matthew Thompson is a child custody lawyer, a dad, and is encouraging you to be a better parent. Start today. It’s not too late.
This is not a pro divorce post. This is a common sense divorce post.
48 States* have divorce laws that allow for a divorce if one party seeks a divorce. Mississippi does not allow this. Mississippi requires either an agreement to all terms or you must have fault grounds.
A recent Bill attempted to add as a fault ground, actual separation for a period of 3 years:
Hiring a lawyer can be nerve-wracking. It can also be a relief. However, the hard work is not over, even when you hire the right one for you.
I have heard the criticism more than a few times that “I hired that lawyer and I did ALL the work!” Well, yeah, there is a lot for a litigant to do.
You, as the party to a case, have the answers, or at least access to the answers. Within a case, there are a lot of processes to follow. You have to answer written Interrogatories. These are questions the other side gets to ask that you have to answer under oath. These can easily be 30-40 pages, or more!
The other side can request documents requiring you to pour over all of your prior tax records, bank records, credit card statements, pictures that you consider evidence, videos, diaries, notes, memos, texts…all of which takes a mountain of effort and time to gather. And, you have to do it.
The other side can take your deposition, an under oath interview. You have to prepare for that.
All of this legal jujitsu can result in a trial. You have to prepare for that. You have to know the facts of your case. You have to recall incidents and testify truthfully. You have to be specific. You have to know what you want and why.
A good lawyer will know the process and all the steps, but you will still have to do some heavy lifting.
Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Divorce and Custody lawyer and cautions you that you will have a lot of work ahead of YOU to do your case right.
Lawyers are a hated bunch. However, sometimes it is not deserved.
Illustration by Factory43.
Lawyers are hired to represent clients. Sometimes those clients have done or do things the lawyer did not advise. As a lawyer you represent your client zealously.
Sometimes you even represent clients you don’t agree with, but you still represent your clients.
A lawyer taking a position for litigation is not a personal endorsement for that position. To suggest otherwise is improper.
Sometimes we are just a sheep in wolf’s clothing…
Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and encourages clients, lawyers and voters to be informed.
As Pappy O’Daniel used to say, “Vote early and vote often.”
BowTieLawyer.ms has been nominated by The Expert Institute’s 2018 Best Legal Blog Contest!
“[T]housands of nominations [were received] for what has shaped up to be The Expert Institute’s largest and most diverse Best Legal Blog Contest yet! Over 100 new blogs entered the competition this year with topics spanning from legal technology and news to law school and niche blogs.”
“Now, we’ve narrowed the field of contestants to the most exciting, entertaining, and informative legal blogs online today. Every one of these blogs has earned its spot as a leader in its category, but now it’s time for our readers to select the best of the best.”
“Readers can submit one vote per blog, but can vote for as many blogs as they like across every category. In order to cast your vote, you must log into the social media platform of your choosing to verify your voter identity. This authentication is intended to prevent duplicate votes. We do not collect or share your information with third parties under any circumstances.” The Expert Institute.
The polls will be open from November 5th to December 17th. We encourage all of our nominees to spread the word about the contest to their readers!
Mississippians voted in the midterms in record numbers, something we should all be proud of. However, spoiler alert, a Mississippian embarrassed the entire state.
A voter in Olive Branch, Mississippi, Clayton John Hickey, wore this shirt to vote on Tuesday. He has since lost his job and is a pariah on social media.
Surprisingly, or perhaps ashamedly not, persons are defending him for wearing this. There really is no defense. Does he have Constitutional protections to wear this shirt? Yes. Are their consequences for our actions? Yes.
The “confederate” flag has become a symbol of hate and division. Perhaps it had proud beginnings, but that has been overpowered by hate groups. The above shirt, in addition to the flag, has a noose and “Mississippi Justice” emblazoned on it. Inexcusable.
Our state leaders would do well to take a stand not only against Hickey, but against this symbol.
Literally a campaign sign for Chris McDaniel.
There is absolutely no connection between Hickey and McDaniel…other than the “rebel” canton. However, you are mistaken if you believe explaining your policy differences will somehow distinguish your position on the State flag and the voters referendum in 2001, arguing it gives you the moral high-ground to continue to support an indisputable symbol of hate and intolerance.
There is a push afoot to adopt this Flag, the Stennis flag, as the State’s new symbol. It began grass-roots, but has taken hold and can be seen throughout the state. The flag was designed by Senator John C. Stennis’s granddaughter, Laurin Stennis, a Mississippi artist.
The significance of the flag is explained;
Nineteen stars form a circle around a larger center star, which represents Mississippi as the 20th state to join the Union in 1817.
The centering of the blue star on the field of white is an inverted “Bonnie Blue,” a reference to the state’s secession (1861 – 1865).
The circular shape symbolizes wholeness and continuity and is also drawn from artifacts of indigenous peoples to our region, particularly, the Choctaw Nation.
The red bars stand in opposition, recognizing the passionate differences we sometimes harbor, as well as in honor of those who have given their lives in pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and is tired of the hate, rhetoric and, in the immortal (paraphrased) words of Fannie Lou Hamer, is sick and tired of being sick and tired for our State.
There is a push afoot to adopt this Flag, the Stennis flag, as the State’s new symbol. It began grass-roots, but has taken hold and can be seen throughout the state. The flag was designed by Senator John C. Stennis’s granddaughter, 
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