Tag Archives: divorce

Changing the Locks!

01/05/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Can I Change the Locks?

The old ‘Can I change the locks?’ question is in the top 5 of divorce questions. Today you get an Answer.

Yes. You can change the locks if it’s your house. If you are purchasing the home, or leasing or renting the abode, apartment, condo or camping trailer you can change the locks. But, there’s more…

What if he changes the locks on me? You can let yourself in if it’s your house. If you are purchasing the home, or leasing or renting the abode, apartment, condo or camping trailer you can let yourself in.

What does ‘let yourself in‘ mean? Exactly as it sounds. If you have a copy of the deed or lease agreement a locksmith will let you in for a fee, or you can break the window and let yourself in.

You cannot break into your own house.*

So, I can change the locks, but it may not keep him out? Correct.

How do I keep him out? Get a Court Order(a blog for another day).

(*Unless there is a Court Order awarding one party exclusive use, or if it is NOT your house.)

Matthew Thompson is a divorce attorney in Mississippi and knows a great locksmith.

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, Marriage, Opinion

Memo for Friends of Divorcing Couples; You Can Still be Friends

12/16/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

I think it was a Country music song that said in Divorce you not only lose a spouse, but also half of your friends.

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Memo to Friends: You can still be friends. The tendency is to avoid the divorcing parties. After all you just don’t want to get involved and you could end up being a witness. While this may be true you have to ask “Are you being a Friend?“

Oftentimes the friends choose a side or stay out all together, however divorce does NOT require this. One of the divorcing parties may seem to “require” this, however.

If you are a close friend of a person going through a divorce or separation they need an outlet to vent to or take their minds off of things. If you are a party to a divorce or separation requiring your friends to divorce your spouse is usually not the right answer.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you of the wise words of WAR, the American funk band, – ” Why can’t we be friends…”

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, General Legal, Marriage

Mic Test: “Testing 1, 2, 3…”: Recording in Divorce- Good, Bad & Ugly

12/10/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Recording Fever has swept the divorce world, at least, since the 1980s.

Recordings set the record straight, right? It’s incontrovertible proof that so-and-so said what-they-said on any given date. It’s right there on tape…

Not so fast. First of all is it legal where you are? States have differing laws on recordings. Generally, in this state, recording is legal so long as one person to the conversation is aware that it is being recorded. However, this is not the case in every state and some require all parties know and consent.

Secondly, is the recording a set-up? There have been instances where a spouse (or ex-spouse) intentionally created circumstances where the other spouse would “blow up.” Under these circumstances your recording may get you in more trouble than it’s worth.

Third, is the recording complete and unaltered? Recordings can be edited. They can certainly be manipulated. Recordings must be authenticated, complete and relevant to be considered admissible.

Fourth, is it as valuable as you think? I know a Judge whose opinion is “You need to be focusing on parenting and communicating with the other parent rather than recording every interaction…“

Recordings, either audio or video or both, may well be legal, legitimate, complete and valuable, but it could easily be illegal, under false circumstances, incomplete and of no value. Discuss the laws regarding recordings and admissibility with your attorney.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and warns clients of the possibility of surveillance and recordings, reminding them to say and do things they do NOT mind being played back in Court.

You may contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000

Divorce, Marriage

Still No Gay Marriage in MS; Same-Sex Marriage Stayed Pending Expedited Hearing

12/09/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

You’ve seen same-sex marriage blogged aplenty.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has extended the stay put in place by Judge Carlton Reeves after he struck down Mississippi’s ban on same-sex marriage, finding same as unconstitutional.

The case has been fast tracked and will be heard in January, but not before 2 other cases regarding the same subject matter are set to be heard. One case originated out of Texas and the other, Louisiana. These states along with Mississippi make up the 5th Federal Circuit.

Regardless of the 5th Circuit decision, I expect this one to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

So, what does this mean for the average Mississippian? The law is the same as before the Federal Court ruling, for now.

Terribly interested in this Topic, like I am? Read more below;

MISSISSIPPI & SAME SEX MARRIAGE; THE END OR THE BEGINNING?

MISSISSIPPI SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN STRUCK DOWN

MISSISSIPPI: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND THE RATIONAL BASIS ARGUMENT

MISSISSIPPI IN THE NEWS- A TEST CASE ON SAME-SEX DIVORCE

MISSISSIPPI SAME-SEX DIVORCE DENIED.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and is keeping pace with the changes in the law.

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, Opinion, Visitation

Going to Bat for Your…Ex!? – Things Great Parents Do Whether they Like it or Not.

12/05/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Ex-spouses. The scourge of happy families.

Despising your ex is a “fundamental right” that most divorcees have earned. Usually, about half of the time, the ex deserves it. However, there are some involved who do not. The children.

Promoting and encouraging a good relationship between your ex and the children is usually a very good thing. You should do it. How, you ask?

Go to Bat for the Other Parent.

If the child indicates they don’t want to go to visitation or that they would rather go to Jenny’s birthday, don’t acquiesce. Tell them how important it is to go see the other parent. Tell them how much that time means to the other parent. Tell them how much fun they will have. Even if you don’t believe it.

Think about if the roles were reversed. Jenny’s birthday is not that important to your child. It’s just another school friend’s birthday. Time with the Other Parent is Priceless.

Here are some other tips on NOT being a Terrible Parent:

Signs of Terrible Parenting.

How to be a Terrible Person.

And, here’s the Best Thing You Can do for Your Child!

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi and goes to bat for his clients.

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

When to Have an Affair.

12/02/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Affairs can be exciting, secretive and scandalous…

This excitement is short-lived. The secret too, is soon out. Finally the scandal hurts more than just the perpetrators, but also their families. Affairs, actually, are usually disasters, depressing and not worth the effort. During an affair the participants are focused on themselves. This tunnel vision leads to neglect of those other persons in their life, which actually makes those relationships worse.

There is an ebb and flow that is true in all of our interactions with other human beings. The time you are spending with that other person is less time that you are spending with your family, focusing on your work, and even yourself.

Additionally, the fall out from the affair is “self-inflicted” injury and injures all parties involved.

So, when is the right time to have an affair? Never. There is no right time to have an affair.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Divorce Lawyer and reminds you of what Nancy Reagan has said since the 1980s, “Just Say no.”

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.

11/06/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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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Divorce, General Legal

Getting STUNG in Court!

11/03/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

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.

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?