Category Archives: Opinion

Don’t Want Things to Get Worse? Don’t do Something to Make Things Worse

08/01/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Want things to get worse? Do something worse!

http://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/a-marriage-made-in-hell

In family law it is often desired by a party to do something to get back at the other spouse. The awful soon-to-be-ex did something first that was mean, so they want retribution and to do something meaner. Usually this is a very bad idea. Two wrongs don’t make a right and it may well get you into trouble.

John and Jenifer were married. John had an affair with Jane. Jane was married to Jim. So, guess what Jenifer did? She had an affair with Jim! It did not make things better…

There’s a reported case where the soon-to-be-ex-husband threw all of the wife’s clothes in the driveway, squirted them with lighter fluid and lit them afire. This conduct did not make things better.

Unless you want to end up in the War of Roses, stop doing things to make things worse.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and advises all of his clients to abstain from doing things to make things worse.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Opinion

Lying Eyes & Other Signs of Lies and the People That Tell Them.

07/30/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

If you’ve ever been involved in a family law case then you’ve dealt with someone lying.

Clients, witnesses and even lawyers sometimes lie. It could be a little white lie or a huge whopper. A former CIA officer said to watch out for these cues that you might be being lied to;

The Eyes Tell the Tale. When asked a question the witness looks up, closes their eyes or looks down, especially on a question they should know.
Shielding the Face. When speaking the person have their hand in front of their eyes or mouth.
Verbal Answer/Body Language Disagree. The best example of this was when the deponent was asked if she was having an affair. She said, “No,” but shook her head Yes. When confronted with this she spilled the beans.
The Delayed Response. Some things you should not have to think about.
Fidgeting. Messing with your hair, your cup, or your pen when answering.
Nose Grows. Think Pinocchio. Very rare*

Want to know more about lies and the people that tell them? Try these;

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and advises you to NEVER lie while under oath.

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Irreconcilable differences, Modifications, Opinion

The First Phone Call to the Attorney; What to Know?

07/29/2014 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

The first step is always the hardest!

When you call a Family Law Attorney for the first time there are some basics that are pretty universal. Be ready with this information.

Your full name and that of your spouse/defendant
Whether anything is on file in any Court
Critical deadlines, trial dates, hearing dates, etc…
Who the attorneys are, if any
Who the Judge is
What Court you are in, if so
What County is home for you
Date/Place of Marriage
Date/Place of Separation
Ages of children
Job description and approx. income
Whether it will be contested or Agreed

These are the basics that any family law practitioner is going to need to do a conflicts check and to do a proper evaluation of your case.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and encourages potential clients to educate themselves and know their stuff!

Marriage, Opinion

The 3 Best Kept Surprise Secrets for a Happy Marriage…(you will not believe #3!)

07/28/2014 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

Happy Marriages are not only in fairy tales. They take work, but do exist in the real world.

So, what are 3 of the best kept secrets for a happy marriage?

Work out. Exercise is good for your physical and mental health. Exercise results in your body releasing enodrphins which make you feel good. Also, one partner working out and being healthy may well help encourage the other party the inspiration they need to do the same. You do not have to go crazy, just go.
Cook a Meal for the Other. Cook they’re favorite meal. Even if you cannot cook, try. It’s the “trying” that gets you the credit. Alternatively cook together.
Hire a Lawn Service. But, you just said to work out, but mowing the yard and weed-eating are awful. More fights over when, who and whether the lawn gets cut Friday, Saturday and Sunday are had every week than fights about oil changes. Obviously expense may be a factor and a few poor souls may find their satisfaction from yard work, but if you are like most folks it is a thankless, hot, annoying chore that always needs to be done, seemingly.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and while these may or may not be the secrets that make your marriage magic, striving for things in common and focusing on the important parts of life are never a bad thing.

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

“Should I take my nose ring out?” a.k.a. Attire for Court

07/24/2014 BowTieLawyer 3 Comments

Recently I was asked about appropriate attire for Court. Specifically, I was asked about the propriety of wearing a piercing in Court.

While dress codes in Court are not what they used to be, you still should dress appropriately for Court.

What is proper attire?

conservative/church attire
slacks/dress pants
button-down/collared shirts
suit
appropriate dresses

What is not proper?

shorts
t-shirts
sleeveless shirts
short dresses/skirts
gaudy jewelry
hats

Matthew Thompson is a Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and while you may not lose your case because of your attire or appearance, everything you can do to help should be done.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Judge Candidate Pledges to Donate to Charities, Matching Monies Spent by Opponent

07/11/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Here’s a fresh take on Judicial campaigning.

Joseph A. Scalia Candidate for Family Court Judge – Department B

A candidate for Nevada Family Court Judge, attorney Joseph Scalia, has announced a dramatically different approach to running his campaign for Judge. Instead of the usual fund-raising and spending, Scalia has pledged to match, dollar for dollar, all monies spent by his opponent on campaigning with matching donations to local, non-profit charities in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

Citing an example of unnecessary spending, Scalia noted that his opponent spent $100,000.00 in the primary and garnered 19,000 votes. Scalia spent a reported $0.00, that’s zero!, and garnered over 16,000 votes. No candidate received a majority so there will be a run-off.

So, political advisers, campaign strategist and consultants take heed, Joe Scalia is throwing judicial and political campaigning on its ear.

Read about Mississippi Judicial Races and Matters here; Chancery Race 11th District, Picking Your Judge.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and thinks Joe Scalia is on to something…

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

Chancery Judge Campaign in Full Swing.

07/09/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Madison, Yazoo, Leake and Holmes Counties will be getting a new Chancery Judge in the November 4, 2014, election.

A Chancery Judge hears matters involving wills and estates, child support and custody of minor children, divorces and alimony, and lunacy or commitment hearings. The Judges also handle other matters, such as petitions to incorporate or enlarge a city, the establishment and management of drainage districts, children’s welfare funds, and other projects.

Why should you care? Because this will be your judge if you find yourself in Court and it’s not due to a criminal case, a car wreck or an unpaid bill.

Who are the Candidates?

Barbara Ann Bluntson

Bluntson has practiced law in Mississippi for the past 20 years. She began her legal career in 1994 as a staff attorney for Mississippi Child Support. Thereafter, she opened her private law firm where she handled divorces, child support, child custody and wills & estates cases. A few years after the death of her husband, Barbara Ann was hired by the City of Jackson as the Chief City Prosecutor. She maintained that position for 10 years. As city prosecutor, Barbara Ann and her staff prosecuted in excess of 8,000 misdemeanor cases per year. She also assisted domestic violence victims with Petitions for Protective Orders when they were filed in municipal court. Barbara Ann currently serves as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Jackson and City Prosecutor for the City of Durant. She is also a certified Family Law Mediator.

Robert Clark, III

Clark is running for Chancery Judge because he believes the citizens of the 11th Chancery District would benefit from his experience, skills and proven record of serving the public in the district; as an Attorney, Municipal Judge and Youth Court Judge. He has represented the citizens of the district in Chancery Court handling all types of cases. He touts that he is the only candidate that was born, raised and practiced law in District 11, Sub-district 1. If elected Judge he promises to work daily to be fair and impartial judge who demonstrates sound judgement and run an efficient court.

Each name above is clickable, directing you to their election site as well as their FaceBook page. Do your research, pick a candidate and vote!

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Family Law Attorney and handles cases in Chancery Courts throughout Mississippi.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

LET it GO! Disney on Divorce.

07/08/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

You’ve heard of Disney on Ice, well, this is Disney on Divorce…

Let it go, let it go!
Can’t hold it back any more.
Let it go, let it go!
Turn away and slam the door.
I don’t care what they’re going to say…

Idina Menzel – (Disney’s Frozen) Let It Go

Let it Go is quite possibly the best advice Walt Disney has on Divorce.

Divorce is hard. It’s emotional. It’s never-ending with respect to still having to co-exist, co-parent and cooperate with your ex, at least with regards to children. There are hard feelings, feelings of regret, anger and resentment. Let it Go.

He’s a jerk. Let it Go.

She’s mean. Let it Go.

You were wronged in ways you can never forget. Let it Go.

Don’t let that anger, resentment, sabotage, and ill-will consume you. Let it Go.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Family Law Attorney in the Hospitality State (MS) and encourages you to Let it Go.