You’re FIRED!

02/05/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

In a follow-up to a blog this past September, a TN Judge has been removed from the bench due to her actions.

As you may recall the TN Judge changed the name of a child from Messiah to Martin over the objections of mom and dad, who were in a disagreement about the child’s last name, not his first name. The Judge determined the child should not be named Messiah.

What the Judge failed to consider however is that parents have a constitutional right to raise their children as they see fit, a constitutional right to privacy and a presumption that they are acting in the child’s best interests; this includes naming the child. TN could determine the last name, which could either be the same as the mother’s or the father’s, but crossed the line when changing the first name.

Now, the Judge has been removed for this among other unreported reasons. The Judge still faces possible Judicial Conduct sanctions for her actions from the bench. Mississippi would have reached the same outcome as well.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody attorney in the Magnolia State, does name changes and encourages you to know your rights as a parent.

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

alienation, Child Custody, Child Support

Don’t be a Rotten Parent

02/04/2014 BowTieLawyer 3 Comments

Rotten (adjective, rot·ten·er, rot·ten·est.)

1. decomposing or decaying; putrid; tainted, foul, or bad-smelling.

2. corrupt or morally offensive.

3. wretchedly bad, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory;

miserable: a rotten piece of work; a rotten day at the office.

4. contemptible; despicable: a rotten little liar; a rotten trick.

Parenting is hard. Co-parenting even more-so especially with the one other person on the planet that you despise the most, but it MUST be done. Rotten parents, unfortunately, exist and some even thrive at their rottenness. Seldom, it seems, are they actually held accountable for their conduct.

What is Rotten parenting?

Bad mouthing the other parent to the child.
Bad mouthing the child.
Being unreasonable in your demands to spend time with the child.
Being unreasonable in the other parent’s requests for additional time.
Unreasonably interfering with the child’s schedule.
Creating an unreasonable schedule for the child to interfere with the other parent’s time.
Making false abuse allegations.
Perpetrating abuse against the child and/other parent.
Using finances to the detriment of the child.

So, what do you do as a “non-rotten” parent? You keep doing the right things. Every time. It’s what is best for your child. And when it’s bad enough, take action and follow it through.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody attorney and warns against rotten parenting.

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, Divorce, Visitation

Raising Arizona…in Mississippi.

01/31/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Believe it or not Arizona is on the forefront of co-parenting and custody arrangements. The plans and resources available to parent’s do a better job of serving the best interest of the child over some other State’s one-size-fits-all approach to custody and visitation!

The Arizona Supreme Court website has a “Planning for Parenting Time – Arizona’s Guide for Parents Living Apart” which has numerous schedules, options and ideas for parents with children who are no longer living together.

There are schedules that are age-dependent, meaning the custody times are specifically catered to the age and needs of the child, from infant to the teen years. There are schedules for when mom and dad are “high conflict,” suggesting the exchanges be at school or daycare so mom and dad don’t actually see each other. There are schedules for when the parents live great distances from one another and for when they are in the same community. There are more 1) traditional schedules, 2) week-on, week-off, 3) 5-2-2-5, 4) 3-4-4-3, and 5) provisions for a unique and completely custom schedule based on what you need.

If your goal is truly the best interest of the child, take a page from the Arizona parenting guide and consider what is best for your child when determining custody Every other weekend is slowly going by the wayside.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody attorney and encourages solutions specific to you and not what your neighbor’s friend’s cousin got.

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

Divorce, General Legal

How’s the State of Your Union?

01/29/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Recently President Obama delivered his 5th State of the Union Address to the American People, summarizing the status of the U.S. Similarly assessing the State of Your Union is a good idea.

A healthy relationship may be judged by how you and your significant other deal with the major areas in any relationship.

Communication

Are you listening? Yelling, silent treatment, saying what you mean, being understood.

Financial

Are you on the same page with major purchases, savings, etc. Are job issues straining your relationship?

Intimacy

Issues of frequency, satisfaction and healthy self-images.

Conflict Resolution

How do you resolve conflicts? Arguing the loudest does not determine a winner.

Children

To have or have not?

How’s the State of Your Union? This list is not exhaustive, but is a good starting place. Sit down with your spouse and talk about it.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and talking with your spouse about issues in your relationship now may prevent you having to sit down and talk about it with me later!

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

General Legal

Don’t Count on Shortcuts to Success

01/28/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Ah, success. Being your own boss, no financial worries, owning three 4-wheel drive vehicles, however you define success the strive for such is a great thing and a motivator in it of itself. But, don’t count on shortcuts to get you there.

Common wisdom says it takes 10,00 hours to be an expert on any topic. That is 5 years worth of 8-hour days (with weekends off). Often, it seems we are seeking to take the shortcut to success and it’s great if it can be had, but it is not an appropriate plan to count on to get there. Similarly, in a Family Law case clients are ready for it to be over before it even starts. Cases must run their course in most circumstances and the process cannot be shortened, absent agreement of all parties and Court approval, which doesn’t happen in highly litigious situations.

Shortcuts, where an opportunity presents itself are to be considered and taken, but counting on shortcuts to get you where you need to be is a bad plan.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and cautions you to not count on shortcuts, but take ’em if you get ’em.

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

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

It’s Your Fault Too.

01/27/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

All too often you are lead to believe that one party is totally to blame and the other party is completely innocent.

Well, rarely is that the case. While one party may be more at fault, the main reason for the ultimate split and even provide actionable fault grounds for the other to use, it does not mean the other spouse is blameless. The common sentiment is that there are 2 sides to every story. In family law there are 3 sides. His version, her version and the truth!

If you fall into the trap of “it’s all his fault” it does a disservice to you for preparing for the outcome. Even when it’s all his fault, you don’t take him to the cleaners. Nobody gets taken to the cleaners anymore. If they do, they appeal. And when the cleaners are involved these days it is because someone wants out so bad they agree to a deal that they would not get otherwise from the Court or it was the only way out.

While this topic may be touchy, and pointing fingers at the “innocent spouse” may be hazardous to my health, it is nonetheless important to know that there is usually more than enough blame to go around.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and will tell you when you messed up and when it’s your fault.

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

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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Divorce

Soulmates, Bigfoot & Elvis. (Vote Now)

01/23/2014 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

Much like Bigfoot, the Chupacabra and Elvis, Soulmates have been sighted but remain elusive.

Being a divorce attorney requires an almost daily struggle with the existence of soul-mates. We all think we’ve found the “ONE” until we learn we, in fact, did not find the “ONE” and then wonder “what on Earth was I thinking?!”

Once it goes South, I hear “I never loved him/her.” Right… After 13 years, 2 children, and many happy years, it then was “never meant to be.” Perhaps it was meant to be for 13 years. Regardless, in addition to seeking your soul-mate, seek the one that complements your station in life, one that is a partner, a help-mate spiritually, emotionally, financially, and in immeasurable, intangible ways. Soul-mates may exist, but what are the chances that of the 6-7 billion people on the planet that the only one other person in the world that completes you just so happened to live 20 minutes away…

VOTE NOW!

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