Category Archives: Opinion

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

04/17/2014 BowTieLawyer 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.

Now, 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

General Legal, Opinion

The Difference Between a Lawyer and a Catfish…

04/04/2014 BowTieLawyer 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?

03/03/2014 BowTieLawyer 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.

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

Child Custody, Opinion, Visitation

It’s Soccer Saturday!

03/01/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Spring is right around the corner and soccer season is in full swing. We have a double header today and will spend most of our day outside at the soccer field.

I sponsor and coach an Under 6 girls soccer team. There are 2 critical issues when coaching 5 & 6 year old soccer. 1) Jersey Color. Our team got Pink so our season was a victory without playing a game! And, 2) Snacks! The secret to a successful soccer season is having great snacks!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in the Magnolia State and he knows snacks!!

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

Child Custody, divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

Lawyers, Suicide & Family Law

01/24/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

A recent report indicated that the legal profession has the 4th highest rate of suicide among professionals.

Family Law issues lead to a higher rate of depression than average and it is not uncommon for suicide threats and attempts to occur contemporaneously with Family Law matters.

If you find yourself dealing with these issues; family crisis, depression, thoughts of harming yourself or others, seek immediate help. It does not mean you are weak. You are human and emotions run the gamut in these situations. Go to your Dr., seek out a Professional Counselor, your Pastor and/or talk to a lawyer or all of the above. Oftentimes it is NOT as bad as you think and working with the right professional will aid your recovery.

Know this. Family law issues are NOT the end of your World and are NOT a reason to do something that cannot be undone. Perhaps it’s cliché, but suicide is a permanent outcome due to a temporary problem.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law & Divorce Attorney and Counselor at Law and can help when dealing with a family law crisis.

Follow the blog: #BowTieLawyer 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, Crime, divorce, General Legal, Opinion

How to be a TERRIBLE Person. (11 specific ways you can be mean & hateful.)

12/23/2013 BowTieLawyer 5 Comments

In my profession I get to see a lot of what not to do almost, every day; from videos, texts, and emails to actions and sometimes inaction.

So, I have compiled a list of what terrible people do. If you want to be terrible do these things, in no particular order.

Curse and scream at your spouse, as loud as you can, as often as you can.
Curse and scream at your children.
Make false abuse claims.
Lie about the false abuse claims even when it’s clear they are false.
Bad-mouth your child’s other parent to the child. (Hey, it’s the truth, right!)
Interfere with their time with the child. Just do it. Sure it hurts your child too, that’s what makes it even more terrible.
Abuse your spouse or child. (Any form – all are terrible, some more-so than others.)
Refuse to support your family.
File suit when your ex paid 5 days late, even though they told you. It’s the principal, right?
Threaten to make public private images. (and mean it when you say it, at least in the moment.)
Refuse Christmas visitation. Just because.

There you have it, 11 mean, hate-filled things that you can do to be terrible.

“Oh, and if you don’t want to be terrible don’t do these things.” – Matthew Thompson

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and tries not to do terrible things or give terrible advice.

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

Child Custody, Crime, divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

You Are Your Own Worst Enemy!

12/18/2013 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

In Court there are a lot of forces against you. Your spouse or ex-spouse, their attorney, sometimes the Judge, at least seemingly, the GAL, the Court appointed expert all are not looking out for your best interests. But, who is your own worst enemy? Your lawyer? NO!

It’s YOU!

More often than not, when there is a disaster it is due to your own making or at least you are a major contributor. Not following the advice of your lawyer is one of the main factors in you making your case worse. Doing what you want or feel like is another. Deliberately defying a Court Order is never smart either.

So, how do you avoid disaster. Listen. Heed the advice given. Do NOT do things contrary to that advice. If in doubt don’t act, but ask. That alone is worth the price of this blog.

“If in doubt ASK, don’t ACT!” – Matthew Thompson

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and gives lots of advice on a daily basis.

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

divorce, Marriage, Opinion

The Middle Finger Next Door. (Shooting the Bird, The Bird is the Word)

11/22/2013 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

In what seems to be one of the wildest “family law” stories this year, a Michigan man purchased the home next door to his ex-wife, but that is not all…

He erected a giant “middle finger” statue. It’s lighted too. According to the disgruntled divorcee, his ex is living with her boyfriend in the home. The same boyfriend who he accused her of having an affair with during the marriage. He reports the statue is for him, not the ex. The ex-husband was quoted as saying that he is “so over her.” Obviously. The bird is the word.

Matthew Thompson is Family Law Attorney in Mississippi, “The Hospitality State.,” and reminds you that “shooting the bird” is not hospitable!

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