Category Archives: Opinion

Child Custody, Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

When NOT to Call the Police…in your family law matter.

5 Comments

When to call the Police regarding a Family Law matter has been blogged here, When to Call the Police! This post is When NOT to call the police and is just as important as the former. So, when do you NOT call the police?

  • When he Just Won’t do What you Want.  He does not have to do what you want.  He has to do what he is Ordered to do.  Just because he won’t do as you ask, if he is complying with an Order, does not mean you should call the police.  If he is not breaching the peace the police are not going to do anything.
  • When There is no Court Order in Place and the Kids are Otherwise Safe.  Just because they are not with you does not mean the other parent will be arrested.  When there is no Court Order in place each of you have equal rights to the children.
  • When she Leaves Them With her Family and NOT you.  This is not a crime, if no Order is in place, it’s not even contempt.  Again, if the kids are safe…
  • When you are the Instigator to a Fight.  You will get arrested. You calling the police does not lessen the chances of this.  The police’s job is to figure out what happened.
  • When There is NOT a Legitimate Reason to Call 911.  Crying wolf does NOT help your case.  You will likely be exposed for doing so and it will backfire. Don’t do it.  Also, when you cry wolf and allege abuse that did not happen it makes it more difficult for the next person who really did suffer abuse. If it’s not an Emergency don’t call.
  • He’s 15 Minutes Late for the Pick-up or Drop-off.  It’s not kidnapping if he’s stuck in traffic.  The police are not going to do anything.  You probably shouldn’t even call your attorney.  Just wait 15 more minutes or call him.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and if you find yourself in an Emergency call 911, and if you find yourself not getting what you want call your attorney or your mamma.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case at (601) 850-8000  or Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

When Winning at all Costs is No Win!

Leave a comment

Did you Win?

gallery-thumbnails
David Castillo Dominici /freedigital photos.net

I am regularly asked how many cases have I won? Potential clients, non-lawyers, friends and relatives use this terminology. But, winning a case isn’t really about winning. It’s about mitigating damages and liability. It’s about preserving finances and relationships, if possible. A win is really knowing the best and worst case scenario and achieving what you aimed for or better.

When is a win not a win? When you leave a wake of havoc, of hate and a trail of tears.

Unfortunately, some lawyers take this tactic in Family Law. They believe scorched earth is the best and only approach. What they do not tell their clients, though, is that it is really only what is best for themselves, the lawyer. It is best for the lawyer financially, or perhaps they even have a personal animus against the other party or the the other lawyer.

Lawyers, in my experience, do not like to give the tough advice. That the fight is not worth it emotionally or financially. That if you win the other side ends up hating you and will spend the rest of their days waiting for you to mess up so they can pounce upon you.

The win at all costs approach results in frivolous filings, extreme delay, and angry judges. The overwhelming “win” results in an appeal, bar complaints and ultimately you may well lose in the end.

A Win is really not being unpleasantly surprised in the end result. A win equates with maintaining your relationships with your children and immediate family and having the means to provide a satisfactory life.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce attorney and advises his clients when a win is a win and when it is not.

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

Ask for Help.

Leave a comment

All too often we ask for help too late or not at all.

gallery-thumbnails
Stuart Miles /freedigital photos.net

The sentiment in family law that you can work it out and that even though the papers say one thing, but we are really going to do another is foolhardy. The papers say what they mean and mean what they say. The idea that you cannot afford an attorney so why bother asking is dangerous. In many instances you cannot afford to be without an attorney. the details matter.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness or that something is wrong with you.  I use a professional CPA. I hire persons who are professionals in their field when I need those services.  You should do the same when it comes to dealing with Family Law.

Also, in our personal lives it’s okay to ask for help. Counselors, preachers and others with particular skills, training and life experiences can serve you well. However, it does not help if you do NOT ask for help.

Matthew Thompson is a family law  attorney  and knows you know when to ask for help and encourages you to please do so.

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 orMatthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

When There is a Disturbance in the Force…

Leave a comment

disturbance-in-the-force.jpg

Yoda is not the only one that has a sixth sense…

Sometimes we just know that something is not right or trouble is afoot. It was that feeling you got in grade school when you got in trouble at school and just knew you would get in even more trouble when you got home. Or, similar to that feeling when you studied for the big test and what you studied was not featured on the test. Ugh.

When you feel a disturbance in the force be proactive. Don’t wait for disaster, though don’t hasten your own demise either. Identify the source of the disturbance and then take 3 action steps to remedy or mitigate the trouble. Do it now.

Matthew Thompson is a  Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and tries to be proactive when it comes to dealing with disturbances in the force.

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 Support, Divorce, General Legal, Modifications, Opinion

Why You NEED a Lawyer.

Leave a comment

On the heels of “Just One Simple Question” comes the second most asked question, “Do I need a Lawyer?”

If you are asking the question you probably need a lawyer. Lawyers aren’t all evil and repugnant beings, perhaps many, but not all.

Lawyers that are experienced in the area you need help in usually are very valuable.  This can be seen often in family law.  Many times I have seen bad deals that the client entered into because they did not know better or they were told it was standard.

Clients have agreed to paying more monies than they would have owed and frankly more than they can really afford. I have seen agreements that limited a parent’s access to a child for no good reason. I saw one agreement where the parties agreed to each maintain a million dollars in whole life insurance.  Neither knew what that meant or the actual expense they were actually agreeing to be responsible for. I have seen many agreements that call for the sale of property, such as the home, but do not address the terms of the sale, who pays what until it’s sold, who claims the mortgage interest deduction, and what happens if the parties cannot agree on negotiations.

Lawyers can help. Really.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law  Attorney in Mississippi and if you find yourself asking if you need an attorney, you r probably 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

Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

SpeakerPhone Faux Pas; Advise if it’s “OK” to Speak Freely!

Leave a comment

Our hands free devices, speaker phones and Bluetooth devices make connecting super convenient.  They also make it super easy to speak out of turn!

That inappropriate joke, the slew of curse words that you harangue your old college buddy with may not be appropriate over the Bluetooth speakers in the minivan.

Likewise, conversations between you and your attorney may not be appropriate to have in a public place or in front of others, even if they are not curse-filled diatribes. The fact that another person is present means the information they heard is not protected by attorney-client privilege.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you to respect the duck and ask if it’s ok to speak freely.

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

Fake It Until You Make; Why Pretending Like You Care Now Helps You in the Future.

Leave a comment

Law school class attendance is mandatory per the ABA, at least a certain percentage of class meetings. Yet a number of students treat it as if it is optional. However, attending now will pay dividends later.

I have been an adjunct professor since 2013. I graduated from MC Law in 2005, and my attitude was likely much like yours. The classes I enjoyed, I went to most of the time and the ones I did not I may have missed a time or two.

Having practiced law for over a decade, taught over 135 students and having founded and managed my own law firm, a few things have stood out. 

You should to go to class. You should be prepared. You should participate and you should care. And, if you cannot do these things, fake it. While you cannot fake attendance, you can fake the rest. You can act like you care and participate in class discussions.

Recently, I was contacted by a former classmate, who is the managing partner of a regional firm. They were looking to make an immediate hire and had a number of resumes. Of the ones that attended MC, the lawyer asked me if I knew “so-and-so.” I knew all of the MC candidates. They wanted the scoop. I gave it.

Candidate X. Great student, participated in class, cared, good attitude. They would be a good fit.

Candidate Y. Good student, tried hard, attended class, participated. You would be fine hiring this one.

Candidate Z. Vaguely remember the name. Took my class, at least I’m pretty sure they did. I don’t remember anything distinguishable about that person.

If you need any more motivation to care or pretend like you do, then I hope your uncle is the managing partner of the regional firm so you will at least get an interview.

Matthew Thompson is the Founder of Thompson Law Firm, pllc, an Adjunct Professor of Law, an MC Law Alum and wears bow ties to court. You can learn more about the firm at http://www.BowTieLawyer.MS

Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Sometimes you Just Can’t Stay Friends…

Leave a comment

“Lets just be friends.” 

We’re all adults here, right? Sure, we think we can remain friends even if our partnership didn’t work out, but sometimes you cannot stay friends. It’s too hard. It brings up the same issues that made the partnership not work.

It does not mean you have to be enemies. It does not mean you have a nemesis and have to hate each other, but staying friends can be hard.

Having and keeping a relationship is hard work. Both have to be committed to make it go. If one is not, it will not work.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you that there are approximately 7 billion people on the planet. There are plenty of other persons that can be your friend.

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