Category Archives: Opinion

Opinion

Irritation of the Day: Know How to Work Your Phone!

Leave a comment

So people are rude about phone use. I get that.  I text at lunch and may look at it while having a “conversation.”  I justify my conduct.  I’m busy.  It could be my family. It may be a client with a family emergency. I make myself available.  BUT, there is something that  there is no excuse for…

KNOW HOW TO WORK YOUR PHONE!

It rings and rings and rings and you just sit there.  It’s like when a phone rings in Church.  You sit there in the hope that they think it’s your neighbor and to not call attention to yourself  Guess what? I know it was you and your phone.  Learn how to silence it at the push of a button without having to look.

Also, your ringtone is ridiculous.

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

Madison Chancery Clerk Race Heating Up

2 Comments

On June 3 Madison Countians will elect a new Chancery Clerk.

Vote June 3

 

 

 

 

The Chancery Clerk acts as the county auditor, treasurer and assists the Board of Supervisors. The Chancery Clerk’s duties also include Clerk of the Chancery Court and Custodian of Public Land Records.  The Clerk is ultimately responsible for the filing of Court pleadings and land records and it is a big job.  It also includes testifying in Court on occasion and being financially accountable to the County, litigants and the Court.

The scuttlebutt is that someone in the clerk’s office ran a number of background checks on Ronny Lott.  This is newsworthy because candidate Irby Ford is currently employed by Madison County and works in the assessors office.  Ford denied being responsible or knowing about the searches, which was apparently true.  No searches were conducted regarding Ford or Overby.

Three candidates are vying for the position.

David Overby

  • Currently serves as a committee member on the Metropolitan Planning Organization
  • Member of the Government Finance Officers Association
  • Served 12 years as the City Clerk in Ridgeland
  • Served as County Administrator in Madison
  • Recently appointed Finance Manager at the City of Canton
  • Worked in public accounting for 20 years auditing business and governments and providing financial and business management consulting

Ronny Lott

  • Led the fight that reduced property taxes.
  • Driving force behind settlement of wasteful $6 million dollar MDOT lawsuit.
  • Opposed all proposals to increase property taxes.
  • 100% voting record in support of education and law enforcement.
  • Helped create business-friendly environment for creation of new jobs.
  • Opposed unnecessary third landfill.
  • Perfect attendance at meetings of the Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled.

Irby Ford

  • 28 years as a Deputy Tax Assessor and Department Head over the Mapping Division with the Madison County Tax Assessors Office.
  • State Certified Appraiser (Mississippi State University).
  • Missisippi Assessment Evaluator, MAE (State Bureau of revenue).
  • Associate of Applied Science Degree (Holmes Community College).
  • Certificate of Educational Recognition. (International Association of Assessing Officers).
  • Cadastral Mapping Specialist (IAAO) Note: One of only two in the state of Missisippi to receive this international professional designation.

Click on the candidates names for their websites and bios.  Be informed, educate yourself and vote.  This vote matters.

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, Divorce, Opinion

Happy Mother’s Day!

Leave a comment

Mother’s Day is Sunday.

The 4 Thompson Mothers

Make sure that the mother of your children is recognized.  Mothers are the most influential force on a child.  Dads are important, no doubt, but a hug from mom makes everything better.

Too often, in separated families, the dad takes the position that “well, she’s not MY mother” and  leaves it to the kids to take care of.  Don’t.  Help your child get an appropriate Mother’s Day gift, every time.

Send flowers, give a card – handmade by junior is a winner every time, a gift certificate for a massage, a dinner, the movies, or bowling, whatever it is, Do it.

Thompson Law Firm wishes all of the Mother’s out there a Happy Mother’s Day!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in the Magnolia State.  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, Opinion

A “Sterling” Reputation is No Longer a Good Thing

Leave a comment

You would have had to have been under a rock, or dealing with a Tornado, to have missed the news about Donald Sterling.

deadspin.com

The Clippers, an NBA team in Los Angeles who are not the Lakers, have been in the news because of the owners racially offensive remarks.  Owner, Donald Sterling, was recorded saying racially charged, offensive and ignorant comments about his girlfriend associating “with black people.”

The NBA has banned Sterling for Life and has fined him $2.5 million.  Sponsors are dropping the Clippers, players are speaking out against the owner, and the news media continues to dig for details on this story and Sterling’s life.

Sterling certainly does not enjoy a Sterling reputation or else that complement is now a fatality to this event.

Vying for a Sterling reputation? I think not. 

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in 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

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Don’t Trash Your Ex Publicly.

Leave a comment

Sure they probably deserve it, but what is the old saying?

Never wrestle with a pig because YOU get dirty and the pig likes it. –

George Bernard Shaw

It is hard, sometimes seemingly impossible to pass up a good opportunity to besmirch the ex, however telling the Homeroom teacher you are unsure about how you are going to pay for Jr.’s field trip because his dad is a deadbeat isn’t right, especially when it’s not true.  The problem is, even when it is true, it is still NOT right.

Saying negative and hurtful things about the other parent always backfires.  In the day and age of twitter, FaceBook, texting and digital recorders- assume all conversations are heard, overheard, recorded and shared.  This means it gets back to the other parent, back to the kids and is as bad as the tattled-upon conduct.

Also, don’t assume your anonymous blog posting is really anonymous.  You have a unique ISP#, your online activity, site visits, time of the visit and duration of the visit are retrievable information.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and cautions you that if you would not say it your Mom, then you should not be saying it to someone else about your Ex.

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, Property Division, Visitation

Judge’s Race Just Got Interesting- 11th District Chancery Election is Now Contested

Leave a comment

Previously we blogged about “We the People” getting to pick our Judges.  This year is an election year for most Judgeships in Mississippi and only a few were contested.

img_6390Now, the Sub District One Seat for Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo counties is contested. (See the full candidate list here, current as of April 16, 2014.)  This Court hears matters involving wills and estates, 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.

Attorneys Robert Clark, III, of Lexington, and Barbara Ann Bluntson, of Ridgeland, have both qualified to run for the seat currently held by the retiring Judge Janace Harvey-Goree.  The prevailing candidate will serve as Chancellor over all matters filed in Chancery Court in Holmes and Yazoo Counties and approximately 1/4 of the matters filed in Madison County, if past practice holds true.

Attorney Clark has served as a Youth Court Judge and Municipal Court Judge in Lexington/Holmes County and private practitioner.

Attorney Bluntson has served as the City Prosecutor for Jackson, handling criminal matters, violation of city ordinances and matters pertaining to Domestic Violence.

The qualifying deadline is May 9, so stay tuned to see if any other hats are thrown in the ring.  The election will be November 4, 2014.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi, practices frequently in the district at issue above, and is very interested in watching this election and learning more about each candidate. Stay tuned!

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

img_6390

General Legal, Opinion

The Difference Between a Lawyer and a Catfish…

Leave a comment

 

John Q. Lawyer v. J. Whiskers Catfish, 123 So.2d 456 (Miss. 2014)

Also, catfish taste delicious…

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, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Through the Eyes of Child; What Does Your Child SEE?

Leave a comment

One of the “rules” of Family Law is when you don’t know what the right legal answer is, do what is RIGHT and you will probably be okay.

Eyes

Doing what is right is not always easy, nor fun.  On several occasions I have had client’s faced with seemingly tough decisions or circumstances.  One client suspected the spouse of abusing illegal drugs.  They did not have direct proof, but knew of drug abuse in the past and had knowledge of very suspicious behavior lately.  Their idea was to create a circumstance where they would have the spouse under surveillance when the spouse was out buying drugs.  The problem was the suspected spouse would also have the child during that time.  I told them that you cannot put your child in that situation…

In other instances, parties have had the other spouse served while they had the children.  The problem with this is that it is scary and stressful for the child. Sometimes, it seems, having them served in this manner just cannot be avoided, but if it can, it should be.  (See my prior blog on service of process.

Think about your child,what they are experiencing and what they “SEE” before you go and do something to your soon-to-be ex-spouse.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Attorney in Mississippi reminding you to SEE things through the eyes of your child.

Follow the blog: #BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm  You may also contact Matthew with your family law case or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

img_6390