Tag Archives: children

Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Opinion

What NOT to bring to the Attorney’s Office…

10/26/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

The initial appointment with the lawyer is always nerve-wracking.

You should be prepared and be on time. Bring financial records, receipts, tax returns, screen shots of texts, phone records, and recordings. Bring yourself, perhaps a trusted friend or family member, a form of payment and even an internet-provided checklist of what to ask the attorney.

However, unless requested otherwise, do not bring….

Do not bring your Child. It’s not appropriate.
Do not bring your Spouse.
Do not bring 5 banker’s boxes of information. It’s too much.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and recommends you not bring these things to you first appointment.

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, Visitation

Bacon, It’s What’s for Dinner

05/22/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

I am frequently asked about things a divorced parent can do during their weekend with the children.

It’s easy to run out of things “to do.” And the constant eating out, movies and going to the store can get expensive. Quickly! Here are a few things that you can do;

Eat Backwards, dessert first is always a treat.
Children’s Museum/Science Museum
Park/playground
Church Events
Neighborhood events
Play dates with friend and their parents
Picnics
Kid’s Eat Free Nights at area restaurants
Quiet nights at home
Popcorn parties
Celebrate Holidays you don’t “get.” Literally, Christmas in July.
Camping Out, even if just in the backyard.
Breakfast for Dinner, a time-honored tradition.

You are only limited by your imagination. Having all the money in the world doesn’t make you a great parent. Making the most with the time you have does.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and advises his clients to make having a great relationship with your children priority #1.

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, General Legal, Opinion, Visitation

Do You Pass “The SleepOver Challenge?”

02/18/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Sometimes being a Family Law Attorney leads to having information that you wish you did NOT have.

From swinging key parties to recreational substance abuse, you would be surprised to learn what good, normal people are doing, even your neighbors.

One way to determine if your conduct is “ok” is to ask yourself “Do I pass the SleepOver Challenge?” This simple test is would you allow your child(ren) to go to a sleepover at so-and-so’s house if you knew they were doing whatever it is that you are doing.

If your answer is “yes” then in the eyes of a Judge you’ll probably be fine, (assuming you are in the bounds of societal norms, whatever that means). If your answer is “no” it’s time to re-examine what you are doing.

And, if you have some rally bizarre behind closed doors conduct, just disregard this, keep it to yourself and don’t invite anyone for a sleepover.

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Attorney practicing Family Law in Mississippi.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer

Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or more information on Child Custody and Divorce. (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

Divorce

Who’s #1?

10/14/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

There has been a lot of debate over who is #1…

There are polls, blogs, fan sites, trolls, media and other hype, but #1 in a Family Law situation has to be the children.

If you ever find yourself not knowing what to do, do what is best for the children. Should you let Jr. go on a trip with dad when it’s not his time?

What is best for Jr.?

Is dad safe?

Is the trip meaningful?

Is it best for Jr.? If you can answer these questions then you know what to do.

So, I have to give in every time? No, but you should be reasonable and if it means you don’t get to “act” like the other parent does, maybe that is a very good thing for Jr. to see!

In a Family Law situation make your children your #1 priority!

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody lawyer in Mississippi and if you like what I did here, read more at BowTieLawyer.ms

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, 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

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

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Grandparent Visitation, Visitation

Put Your Children First.

07/30/2013 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Divorcing spouses make it about themselves. How he “threw it all away” or how she “abandoned the marriage.” But, when children are in the equation they need to be First.

I know of too many instances where the children are treated as pawns. One parent uses the other parent’s time or access to the children to get more of what they want or are just difficult for the sake of being difficult. A parent refusing to allow the other parent to see the child for strategic reasons is just wrong.

Okay your husband strayed, does that mean he does not deserve to see the children? Too often the parent that has the child is tempted to play “keep away.” If your wife is a floozy that does not mean the children do not need their mother?

In all instances where there are NOT genuine safety concerns that parent should have access and see the children as much as practical. Period. What’s the best thing you can do for your child?

Put your children first. Make sure the other parent has quality time and access to the children. If dad was not an every other weekend dad before the divorce, who is served by him becoming one after the divorce?

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.