Category Archives: Opinion

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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Opinion, Uncategorized

Rant of the Day: Youth Coaches

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Spring is in the air. (At least it is today.) And that means youth sports are right around the corner.

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Today’s Rant is about Youth Coaches. Disclaimer: 1) I am a Youth Coach. I coach soccer, indoor and outdoor. I coach softball. I have previously coached t-ball and assist with Scouts. I have been an umpire for youth baseball. I am qualified to opine on this topic, plus I have a blog. 2) This does not apply to all Youth Coaches.

I have determined that there are a combination of 5 personalities for Youth Sport Coaches. Some good, some bad and some awful.

1) The Encourager-Mr. Coach Rogers.

This Coach is almost always positive. A smile on their face. They know all the team members by name and nickname. “Great effort!” “Way to Hustle!” The emphasis is on encouragement, not wins or losses and maybe not even fundamentals.

2) The Professional – Coach Heisman.

This Coach played the sport in College and perhaps semi-professionally.  They were intense.  They insist on learning the fundamentals, drill-instructor like, but with the goal of teaching the basics.  They also like to try to get the players to play beyond their level, after all teaching them too much is a good thing. Right?

3) The Absent Coach – Coach Empty Chair.

You practice once because you have to. It’s “Hey, kid in the yellow shirt. Get in there!” Or, “Number 5, play defense.” Never mind that all of the players are in yellow shirts and they may or may not know their number or what “play defense” means. They’re late to the game. Practice is cancelled.

4) The SnackMaster – Coach DoNut.

Youth sports are about snacks after the game. He who has the best snacks has the best season. Remember that time the Blue team had orange slices and water, but we had Donuts and Hi-C! I sure do. Donuts win in youth sports. Right or wrong.

5) Ol’ Yeller – Coach McScreams-A-Lot

“GET BACK, KICK IT, DON’T DO THAT!”  “HURRY UP, QUIT LOLLYGAGGING” “I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT BONEHEADED PLAY” “PUT SOME ICE ON IT” “RUB DIRT ON IT“

Youth Sports is about learning the basics, being safe and having fun, in that order.

Matthew Thompson is a Youth Sports Coach and hybrid between the Encourager and SnackMaster.

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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Marriage, Opinion

The Goode Olde Daze!

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Let’s wax nostalgic…

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We always hear about “the Good Ol’ Days.” Times past when the world moved at a slower pace and was safer place.  The air fresher, the sun shinier, and the water more pure.  People got along better, rainbows were more colorful and every town was like Mayberry.

Hogwash!

The good old days were not amazingly different than today.  There was less technology and less mass media, but otherwise the same struggles, pressures, vices, temptations and conflict existed.

Those clamoring for the good old days are really clamoring for reliving their childhood.  Being young, carefree, and blissfully ignorant made for the times we reminisce about. Sure there were specific and momentous events in the past that were exciting and by virtue of being new were exciting, but new discoveries and excitement happen every day.

People tend to remember things more fondly than they really were.  That school teacher that you could not wait to be rid of was the best one ever. That camping trip that you cursed taking because of the torrential rain and the 13-mile hike, which was 17 because you got lost, were amazingly fun- 5 years later.

The good old days..or rather daze, is the fog of memory. These days, right now, are the Good Days.  Make the most of it before the get old.

Matthew Thompson is an Attorney practicing Family Law in Mississippi and reminds you that these are the Good Days!

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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divorce, General Legal, Opinion

What is a “Biblical Divorce?”

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

Arvind Balaraman

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.

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General Legal, Opinion

2 Magic Words, “Thank You”

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It’s amazing what showing gratitude will get you!

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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.

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Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Opinion, Visitation

Do You Pass “The SleepOver Challenge?”

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

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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.

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divorce, General Legal, Opinion

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

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Confession is good for the Soul.

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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.

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Child Custody, Child Support, General Legal, Opinion

Family Law Bill of the Day; What Are They Thinking

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

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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.

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