Child Custody, Divorce, Modifications, Opinion

Encourage a Good Relationship! (Co-parenting)

12/13/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

A parent has a moral and legal duty to promote a healthy, affectionate relationship between the child and the other parent!

What? You justify your conduct by saying, “I am not bad-mouthing him.” But, just not bad-mouthing him is not enough. You have an affirmative duty to promote a good relationship. (With rare exceptions for the health and safety of the child.)

Encourage, promote and truly desire a good relationship between your child and the other parent. Your child will benefit!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law & Divorce Attorney and reminds you that a child with two parents that get along and are involved is better than the alternative.

(601)850-8000 Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Child Custody, Divorce, Grandparent Visitation, Visitation

“Sir, Yes, Sir.” The Military is Respected in Custody Courts.

12/09/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Our Military service personnel deal with serious family law issues which can be made more difficult due to their military service. Being subject to activation, deployment, required training, frequent moves and dangerous activities add to making circumstances more difficult.

However, Mississippi has specific protections for military parents.

MCA 93-5-34, provides an efficient process to resolve custody matters when dealing with a military parent. Upon such circumstances of a custodial parent serving, the statute provides that the other parent will have custody, but that custody ends within 10 days of the former custodial parent returning from service.

Additionally, it provides that the serving parent shall have reasonable access for phone and video visits. The deployed member may also delegate visitation to their own family members. These types of military custody cases receive priority by the Courts to be heard and the serving parent may “attend” via affidavit or electronic means where possible.

Lastly, a parent’s service cannot be used against that parent upon their return for a custody modification by the other parent.

Matthew Thompson is a Military Divorce Attorney in Mississippi.

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

alienation, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Grandparent Visitation, Modifications, Opinion, Visitation

Are YOU a Terrible Parent?

12/02/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Food, shelter and clothing are necessities and while providing them is the minimum, doing so alone does not make you a great parent.

Do you encourage a relationship between the child and the other parent?
- Just NOT badmouthing them does not make you a great parent. You should encourage and promote a good relationship. Oh, and it’s required when parties have joint legal custody.
Do you withhold financial support from your child?
- Money isn’t everything, but there is no excuse for not supporting your child.
Do you degrade the other parent to your child?
- “I don’t lie to my child!” 1) Yes, you do. Everyday, to protect them. 2) Telling them how big a scoundrel the other parent is hurts the child. Half of their identity is from that scoundrel!
Do you prevent your child from seeing the other parent or interfere with the visitation?
- Out of sight is NOT out of mind. Absence can make the heart grow fonder…

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you to not be a terrible parent.

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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, Visitation

Attorney Kelly Williams certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist .

12/01/2016 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

Kelly G. Williams is the first attorney in the state of Mississippi to be certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist by the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC).

7726k williams-2.jpg This certification requires an applicant to pass a rigorous examination. The NACC Certification Program is the only program approved and accredited by the American Bar Association to certify attorneys as Child Welfare Law Specialists. Millions of children are the subjects of judicial proceedings each year as victims of abuse and neglect; juvenile offenders; subjects of custody, visitation and adoption proceedings; and as participants in civil damages litigation. NACC recognizes that the adversarial system works best when all interested parties are competently represented and one the goals of the NACC is to improve the lives of children and families through competent representation to ensure that judicial proceedings produce justice. (naccchildlaw.org)

Kelly may be reached at 601-982-1111 or kelly@coughlinwilliamslaw.com http://www.coughlinwilliamslaw.com.

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 case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

VOTE TOMORROW: Court of Appeals- Jack Wilson vs. Ed Hannan

11/28/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

There is a run-off election tomorrow between the current Court of Appeals Judge Jack Wilson and the current Madison County Court Judge Ed Hannan for the Court of Appeals.

Judge Jack Wilson

You may read about each candidate at the site linked to their pics above. Judge Wilson was in the lead after last Tuesday’s vote, but did not have a majority, hence the runoff.

Judge Wilson was appointed to the Mississippi Court of Appeals by Gov. Phil Bryant effective July 1, 2015. Since joining the Court of Appeals, Judge Wilson has participated in over 500 cases and has authored 78 published majority opinions for the Court — more than any other member of the Court — and another 15 separate opinions. Despite his youthful appearance, Judge Wilson has appellate court chops.

Judge Hannan was first elected Madison County Court Judge in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010 and 2014. As County Court Judge he presides over Youth Court and the Special Court of Eminent Domain. In 2011, he was appointed Special Circuit Judge by the Mississippi Supreme Court to preside over the then newly created Twentieth Circuit District Drug Court for Madison and Rankin Counties. He serves as a Special Circuit Judge and Acting Circuit Judge in criminal and civil cases in Madison County.

This bloggers prediction? Low voter turnout for a run-off, but Jack Wilson takes it. He’s the incumbent and is backed by the majority in power. He’s also a great candidate…

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and would ONLY have a dog in this fight if a Chancery case was appealed.

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

Divorce, General Legal

Do I Need a Lawyer?

11/14/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

“Do I NEED a Lawyer?” If you are asking whether you need a lawyer, usually the answer is “Yes,” you need a lawyer!

So, how do you know you NEED a lawyer?

When you have been sued. If you have been served papers or if there is an active lawsuit you need to see a lawyer.
When you have been seriously injured and it was not your fault. This applies to car wrecks, but it also applies to any injury.
When you have been arrested. Law Enforcement involvement is usually a significant sign that you need an attorney.
When there are significant risks involved. Lawyers are trained to identify and attempt to minimize risk.

Thinking that talking to a lawyer it may make the issue more serious is a fallacy. While it may make the issue some . Their goal is to advise you, help you, and/or defend you from whatever harm is at issue. Knowing your rights, being prepared, and being fully informed are never negatives to self-preservation.

…I need a lawyer. How do I find one? (click)

If you think you need a lawyer, You Do. If you are asking yourself, or others, if you need a lawyer, You Do.

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 case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000

Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

McLaurin Retains Bench

11/10/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Sitting Chancery Judge John McLaurin cruised to victory in Tuesday’s election, garnering over 75% of the vote. No small feat since about half of the time one litigant in his Courtroom could easily end up very dissatisfied. The citizens of Rankin County did well to retain Judge McLaurin.

Chancery Court Judge Chancellor 1

John C. McLaurin, Jr.

Votes 40,998 75.97%

Jim Nix

Votes 12,747 23.62 %

WRITE‐IN Votes (presumptively for Matthew Thompson)

Votes 222 .41%

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

black-bow

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion, Visitation

#1 Rule for Witnesses

11/10/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Show up.

If you have Court and your testimony matters, show up. If the issues before the Court impact you in a “bigly” manner, show up. Rarely is a good outcome achieved in your absence, and no amount of explanation will be sufficient if you weren’t there to witness it for yourself.

When you do show up, tell the truth.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you that 99% of the time that good results are earned, it is, in part, due to the fact that you showed up.

(601) 850-8000 www.BowTielawyer.MS Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms