Child Custody, Child Support, Crime, Opinion, Visitation

How NOT to Hire an Attorney.

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Desperate times call for desperate measures, but don’t take things too far..

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A recent Craigslist add was seeking to raise funds via a non-traditional manner. Organ sales.  However, this is not your grandmother’s musical instrument.  The ad stated, in part;

I am a healthy active 37yr old, 6′ tall white man of strong european bloodline. I am drug a disease free and have two healthy kidneys and all I have left to sell is one of them. I have been going through custody battles for the last 4 years and am flat tapped out of money and property left to sell. My son is my one true love and his mother wont be happy or stop lying until Im out of the picture and she is being helped by a devious liar of an attorney. I wont give up on my son and am willing to do what it takes to stand up for him. I have to give my attorney some money and this is all I can come up with. I am employed and have a job I love, but I need to lay down thousands of dollars at this point, attornies are not cheap. Please help. Call ****** ***-***-**** ALL EMAILS WILL BE DELETED. Thanks.

I do NOT know if the above is legit or not and I assume it is not.  Sacrificing your health and potentially your life is not the way to “win” custody. Also, organ sales are illegal in the U.S.  The National Organ Transplant Act (1984 Pub.L. 98–507), approved October 19, 1984 and amended in 1988 and 1990, outlawed the sale of human organs and provided for the establishment of the Task Force on Organ Transplantation; authorized the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants for the planning, establishment, and initial operation of qualified Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs); and established the formation of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.

Don’t sell your organs to hire or pay for your attorney.  There are other solutions if you are completely tapped-out, but this ain’t it.  Read about options if you cannot afford an attorney here.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney and cautions those in legal situations, not to make their circumstances worse.

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

How to Leave a Bad Situation.

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It’s all to common that I encounter someone in an abusive relationship.  The getting out is the hard part.

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It’s usually best to prepare to leave. If possible;

  • Make sure the Children are safe.
  • See a Lawyer.
  • Have some cash.
  • Get valuables, papers and irreplaceables.
  • Get out.

Sometimes it’s not possible to prepare.

  • Get Children
  • Get Out
  • Call the Police
  • IN this Order.

Domestic Violence is real, knows no class boundaries and happens.

Don’t accept it.

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Court Attorney in Mississippi and advises victims of Domestic Violence to seek protection and press charges.

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.

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Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Here Comes the Judge; Election Results

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Mississippians elected some new Judges and re-hired some familiar ones.  Of the contested elections here’s what we have so far.

Winners in Bold.

Chancery Court, District 11, Place 1 (Madison, Yazoo and Holmes)

This is a new Judge as Judge Goree is retiring.

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 2 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 3 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 1 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

This race was interesting as the incumbent, Shoemake, ran and won against Buffington in the last election – who was the Judge prior to Shoemake. Buffington sought to be re-hired, Shoemake held the seat.

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 2 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

Heading for a run-off between Martin and Burnham. This seat was vacated by Joe Dale Walker for Judicial misconduct.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 1 (The Coast)

Too close to call and are still counting affidavit ballots.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 3 (The Coast)

Fondren will be a new Chancery Judge and this race was interesting as the outgoing Judge, Chuck Bordis, withdrew from the race. There was gossip of soap opera issues between Bordis and Fondren.  Interestingly, its exactly the type of matters Chancery Judge’s hear. Nothing better than real-life experience for preparation for the job.

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 1 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 2 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Court Attorney in Mississippi and will continue to update the Family Law Judicial elections that effect you.

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.

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Divorce

Contested Elections; Judicial Races for November 4, 2014

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Chancery Court Judges a.k.a. “Divorce Judges” are elected in Mississippi. Today is the day for the election of those in contested judicial races.

These are the Contested Races;

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 2 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 3 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 11, Place 1 (Madison, Yazoo and Holmes)

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 1 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 2 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 1 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 3 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 1 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 2 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

http://judgepedia.org/Mississippi_judicial_elections,_2014

These are the Unopposed Candidates;

8th Chancery District Carter Bise
7th Chancery District Catherine Farris-Carter
11th Chancery District Cynthia L. Brewer
6th Chancery District D. Joseph Kilgore
20th Chancery District Dan Fairly
10th Chancery District Dawn H. Beam
4th Chancery Court Debbra K. Halford
10th Chancery District Deborah J. Gambrell
5th Chancery District Denise Owens
14th Chancery District Dorothy W. Colom
17th Chancery District E. Vincent Davis
15th Chancery District Edward E. Patten, Jr.
6th Chancery District Edward Fenwick
19th Chancery District Franklin C. McKenzie, Jr.
17th Chancery District George Ward
2nd Chancery District H. David Clark, II
5th Chancery District J. Dewayne Thomas
1st Chancery District Jacqueline Mask
9th Chancery District Jane R. Weathersby
16th Chancery District Jaye A. Bradley
12th Chancery District Jerry G. Mason
14th Chancery District Jim Davidson
8th Chancery District Jim Persons
1st Chancery District John A. Hatcher
20th Chancery District John Grant
10th Chancery District Johnny Lee Williams
7th Chancery District Jon M. Barnwell
14th Chancery District Kenneth M. Burns
12th Chancery District Lawrence Primeaux
9th Chancery District Marie Wilson
1st Chancery District Michael Malski
3rd Chancery District Mitchell M. Lundy, Jr.
5th Chancery District Patricia D. Wise
3rd Chancery District Percy L. Lynchard, Jr.
10th Chancery District Ronald Doleac
3rd Chancery District Vicki B. Cobb
9th Chancery District Vicki Barnes
7th Chancery District W.M. Sanders
5th Chancery District William H. Singletary

http://judgepedia.org/Mississippi_judicial_elections,_2014

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and encourages you to Vote!

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.

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Divorce, General Legal

Getting STUNG in Court!

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Seldom in Court does everything go in one party’s favor, but there are times where the party-in-the-wrong get’s STUNG by the Court.

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How do you know if you got Stung in Court?  Oh, you know.

  • You may have been dressed down by the Judge.
  • He may have stated that your conduct was petty or silly.
  • A finding that your lawsuit was frivolous.
  • Perhaps your claim was dismissed in its entirety.
  • When the other side is preparing the Order and it was not an “Agreed” judgment, that too can be a sign of a win or loss.
  • If you were held in contempt.

But there is also another sign of getting Stung. Are you paying your opponent’s attorneys fees?

If you’re paying the other party’s Attorneys Fees, you got Stung!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and warns clients to not get Stung!

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.

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Child Custody, Divorce, Opinion, Visitation

Forgettable Halloween!

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Halloween is not a “real” holiday.  School is not out, banks are not closed, the Post Office still does their thing.

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Halloween is also overlooked in Child Custody Visitation Agreements.  It is not in the Court’s “standard” visitation schedule.  Also, Halloween is a moving target.  It’s not always a weekend.  Due to this it can result in one parent “having” the holiday more than the other and the other parent’s “rights” dependent solely on the whim of the calendar.  Sometimes this is not a problem when mom and dad get along, but sometimes this is used against the other parent.  Put Halloween in your papers if you have young children.  It’s a fun day and a special time!

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody/Visitation lawyer in Mississippi and warns that if you don;t want to be scared on whether or not you have rights to Halloween visitation, it is best to put it in your papers.

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.

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Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Easy to Get Married; Hard to Get Divorced.

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“Easy Come, Easy Go” does NOT apply to Family Law.

http://www.triggerandfreewheel.com/comic/easy-come-easy-go

It’s easy to get Married. Quick, too.  Just show:

  1. Both parties must apply together
  2. Both parties must present a valid I.D. (Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, Military I.D., DD214, Baptismal Certificate, Life Insurance Record, School Record, or any other official document evidencing age. The Clerk shall retain a copy on file.
  3. $23.00 CASH fee (or similar fee depending on County)
  4. If either party has been divorced within the last six (6) months, a copy of the divorce decree is required

Additional Information

  1. If either applicant is under TWENTY-ONE (21) years of age, parental consent is required
  2. The female applicant must be at least fifteen (15) years of age to apply
  3. The male applicant must be at least seventeen (17) years of age to apply
  4. The license may be used only in the State of Mississippi

Harrison County Circuit Clerk.

It can be very difficult to get a Divorce.

You and your spouse must;

  • Agree to a Divorce
  • Agree to all of the Terms of the Divorce Agreement (including custody, support, visitation, property division and financial terms)

The basic process is;

  • File a Joint Complaint for Divorce (this begins a 60 day waiting period)
  • Prepare and exchange financial Statements
  • Prepare and sign the Child Custody and Property Settlement Agreement
  • Prepare and sign the Final Judgment of Divorce
  • Present the paperwork to the Court for approval (after 60 days of the initial filing)
  • Possibly attend Parenting Class

This ONLY works if you and your spouse can AGREE To EVERYTHING.  If you cannot then you must pursue a Fault based divorce.

Fault requires:

  • File a fault-based Complaint for Divorce (determine if you need Temporary Relief)
  • Have a Summons issued (Rule 4, 81 or both)
  • Have your spouse served with the documents
  • Prepare and attend a Temp. Hearing
  • Propound Discovery
  • Issue subpoenas
  • Respond to Discovery
  • Take Depositions
  • Have a Contempt hearing
  • Prepare and exchange financial Statements
  • Possibly attend Parenting Class
  • Set Trial
  • Prepare for trial (6-12 months from now)
  • Trial gets continued for some reason
  • Attend Trial
  • Await Ruling
  • Be aggrieved
  • Both parties file Appeals
  • 1 1/2 years later get ruling on appeal
  • Matter is Remanded
  • Repeat the above

“… it is the greatest of all mistakes to begin life with the expectation that it is going to be easy, or with the wish to have it so.”
― Lucy Larcom

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.

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Divorce

Hallmark’s New Lineup!

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When a card just won’t do, call your attorney!

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.

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Divorce, Child Custody & Support, Alimony, Contempt, Modification, Adoption, Appeals, Corporate Counsel, Professional Licensure Issues, and Civil Litigation.