Category Archives: Opinion

Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

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

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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…

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

Chancery Judge Campaign in Full Swing.

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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?

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.

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.

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

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Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Opinion

LET it GO! Disney on Divorce.

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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.

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

 

divorce, Food Related, Opinion

Being Divorced Means…

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Being Divorced, for the Stereotypical Male, Means…

  • You have to do your own laundry; sheets, towels, clothes, underwear. Washing, drying, folding, putting away…
  • You have to pay your bills, like actually writing checks, stamping envelopes, mailing mail…
  • You have to cook, including; shopping for foodstuffs, ingredients, etc…
  • You have to do dishes; washing dirty dishes, pots and pans…

Think about that, before you think about divorce!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi, and while he enjoys cooking all that other stuff is work!

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 Custody, Crime, divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

The BEST 2 Rules for Handling your Divorce Case; Don’t Threaten and Don’t Bluff.

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2 Rules in Family Law and Negotiations to live by involve messing with the bull.

Frank Evans, Matador

#1 Don’t Threaten.  Do NOT threaten to take anyone’s kids away, ever. Do NOT threaten to take them to the cleaners. Do NOT threaten to put them under the jail, in the poorhouse or any other unsavory place.  Threats, usually, do NOT work and they incite anger, rage, irrational conduct, fear, resentment and a whole lot of legal fees.

#2 Don’t Bluff.  Bluffing and getting called on it shows weakness, lack of nerve and gumption.  Bluffing in the form of impossible threats, false deadlines and unattainable goals bolsters the other side and invites counter attacks.

So if we cannot threaten and cannot bluff what do we do?

#1  Explain the two courses of action available. 1) The easy way; Settlement, Mediation, working in common accord or, alternatively, door #2) Litigation.  Do not threaten action.  Take action.

#2  Do it.  Do NOT bluff, follow through with taking the actions necessary to accomplish your goals.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi, Adjunct Law Professor at MC Law, and part-time soccer coach… and reminds you that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns…

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

 

Opinion

Bathing in Perfume Stinks.

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It’s like a noxious punch to your nose.  Too much perfume.

http://rekedar.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/you-stink-2/

This past Sunday I swooned while in church.  It was not the holy spirit, at least I don’t think so.  It was the elderly lady’s perfume in front of me.  For half of a second it was a mildly pleasant aroma, but then it overwhelmed me, burned my nostrils and stung my eyes.  I felt dizzy.  I could not believe it.

I fanned the fumes with the bulletin.  It was plenty cool so my fanning perplexed those nearby, but not downwind.  I fanned in a vain attempt to return the fumes back towards the source.  However, I am unaware that the culprit ever knew why the mad fanning or even noticed anything askew.  I am quite confident that the offender has lost all sense of smell…and quite some time ago.

As I sat there in waves of agony I wondered what to do.  Say something? But what would I say and what would that accomplish?  Move? I could not. I was trapped.  Why do people wear perfume? You cannot smell it on yourself after a minute and if she was wearing it for me, then no thank you! Pray about it? I did. Sadly this prayer was not answered.

Ultimately I stuck it out. I causally fanned my face so that I could have fresh air. I stuck my nose in the bulletin and breathed in the fumes of the ink, which mildly abated the other. I put my nose in the hymnal and enjoyed the scent of “old book” and I put my nose in the “Good Book.”

Perhaps there was a reason for the assault by aroma…

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney in Mississippi and prefers his air fresh.

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

divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Leave Your Guns at Home…

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No.  This is not anti-open carry, which Mississippi allows by the way.  This is about what not to take to Court.

Courthouses are upping safety measures.  As you can imagine, high emotion, high drama and looming consequences are involved in cases daily.  Because of this, safeguards have been and are being implemented throughout Courthouses.  Metal detectors, handhelds, bag searches are routine.  Litigants routinely have to hike back to the car to put up their purses and phones.

Here’s What You Don’t Take to Court:

  • Any weapon. No guns, knives, clubs, mace, etc… if it’s “evidence” let the lawyer deal with it.
  • Cell phone.  The bane of the Judge’s existence these days, most are prohibited by the Court and a few Courts even disallow the lawyers from having cell phones. Very frustrating.
  • Purse. Yes, they are apparently just a large assault bags, full of narcotics and recording devices.
  • Recording Devices.  There’s a Court reporter, unless you have specific permission having a recording device may well get you in trouble.
  • Drinks.  This is elementary.
  • Gum.  This is kindergarten.
  • Your girlfriend.  She will just anger the wife and the judge. No good comes from this.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney and as Johnny Cash sang, “Don’t take your guns to town.”

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

Vote Early (and vote often…)

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There is a run-off on June 24, 2014.   Up for election are Senators Cochran (U.S.) and McDaniel (State), both vying for the Republican nod for this fall’s U.S. Senate seat and locally, Ronny Lott vs. David Overby for the Madison County Chancery Clerk position.

This election takes place during the Mississippi Bar Convention, which is an annual Lawyer’s meeting.  Mississippi lawyers bone up on recent changes in the law and earn their Continuing Legal Education (CLE) hours and ethics requirements to keep a valid, current law license.

So, if you are going to the bar convention be sure to vote absentee ballot between now and Saturday at noon.  You can vote at your local circuit clerk’s office, M-F 8-5 and Saturday 8-12 noon.  After that you’re out of luck.

Vote early, and as the saying goes…vote often.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney and is voting in the forthcoming election.

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