Category Archives: Opinion

The Goode Olde Daze!

03/02/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Let’s wax nostalgic…

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!

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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.

divorce, General Legal, Opinion

What is a “Biblical Divorce?”

02/23/2015 BowTieLawyer 4 Comments

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

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.

General Legal, Opinion

2 Magic Words, “Thank You”

02/20/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

It’s amazing what showing gratitude will get you!

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.

Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Opinion, Visitation

Do You Pass “The SleepOver Challenge?”

02/18/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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

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.

divorce, General Legal, Opinion

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

02/04/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Confession is good for the Soul.

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!

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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, General Legal, Opinion

Family Law Bill of the Day; What Are They Thinking

01/30/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

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

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!

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

Bow Tie, Opinion

Motivation for the Day; Life is Like Riding a Bicycle…

01/13/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. – Albert Einstein

Baby Einstein (2) — Edited from Pinterest.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and encourages you to keep moving.

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

Child Custody, divorce, Marriage, Opinion

Don’t Make Up Stuff About Your Ex.

01/09/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

It can be fun to “run them down the road” or “throw ’em under the bus,” figuratively speaking, of course.

They were, after-all, mostly responsible for the worst thing that happened to you as an adult. (Or the best, if you consider you no longer live with that cretin?)

But, why make stuff up about how bad they were? It serves no purpose. Recently, I heard the other side of the story from a friend of the ex. It was chock full of outrageous conduct, statements and actions- some criminal, that were just not true.

I thought, “Wow, if he was that bad I would have divorced him too!”

However, the conduct, statements and actions were not true. I know because I deposed the ex during the case. I asked, under oath, about all the dirty deeds. They were not mentioned.

People seem to have one of two predispositions. 1) We remember things better than they were, ie: childhood years, college days, or 2) We remember things much worse than they were, ie: “he never loved me.”

Making things up about your ex may be fun, but it serves no purpose and delays the “healing process.” It also may backfire down the road when you finally forgive and resume some semblance of a relationship.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Lawyer in Mississippi and believes the truth can set you free.

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