Tag Archives: text

Don’t Send a “Novel” in a Text Message

04/11/2017 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

The first text message was sent in 1992 from Neil Papworth, a former developer at Sema Group Telecoms. Mobile phones didn’t have keyboards at the time, so Papworth had to type the message on a PC. Papworth’s text — “Merry Christmas” — was successfully sent to Richard Jarvis at Vodafone. http://mashable.com/2012/09/21/text-messaging-history/#7WcM8gVdbZqj

A two-word message was the first text message and is a good general guide for how long your messages should be. Texting a novel is NOT a good idea. It is hard to read. Punctuation is an afterthought. Grammar rules are ignored. There is no tone in text messages.

A text message novel is a mere paragraph in an email. In an email form it is not daunting or harassing. In text form it is over the top. Send short texts. Save the longer messages for an email or even a letter.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you to avoid sending a novel length text message.

Child Custody, Divorce, Marriage

Tip of the Day:”Hott Sexxy Gurl”

02/10/2016 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

If your email or text signature ends with Emojis and
“Hott Sexxy Gurl,” it’s time for a change.

gallery-thumbnails — jennythip /free digitalphotos.net

In a Family Law situation you will be judged. You will be judged by the Judge, as that is his/her job. You will be judged by the other party’s attorney, the Guardian Ad Litem, and, frankly, every other person you come into contact with.

If every email ends in “😉 Hott Sexxy Gurl,” you will be judged. Rightly or wrongly, you will be judged.

Change your email and text signatures. It could just be your first name. Also, get a new email address if it’s “CuteBunnyLove@aol.com” or “JuneLovesJohnny@gmail.com.” One, you do not want to be reminded that June no longer loves Johnny and, two, it’s no longer cute.

Will it really make a difference? One would hope not, but why leave it to chance. It’s an easy quick change and it cannot hurt your case.

Sincerely,

Matthew

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody Attorney in Mississippi and reminds you that you are being judged.

Follow the blog: #BowTieLawyer . You may also contact Matthew with your family law case or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Opinion

Pet Peeve of the Day: Text Message Novels

06/09/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

We’ve all received them, ridiculously long texts messages…

Texting is meant to be convenient or perhaps a stealthy means of communication. Long messages are neither convenient or stealthy. Additionally, they are impossible to respond to in a satisfying fashion. If it takes more than one text box; call, write an email or send a letter.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney that is not afraid for his clients to have his cell phone number, it’s even on his business cards, but you will not get an adequate response to a “text message novel.”

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

Divorce, General Legal

Don’t Drink & Text

03/24/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

We know not to Drink and Drive and that Drinking on the job is a terminable offense, but it’s also important not to Drink & Text.

There is an old saying that “a drunk man says what a sober man thinks.” While this may not be always true, there is some truth to it. Alcohol lessens our inhibitions.

Recently, I interviewed a person who was being advised of their rights in a family law matter. It turns out that they sent multiple, repeated texts messages over a several hour period while under the influence. Some were funny, some incoherent, some to the intended recipients and a few that were not. It was the ones that were not to the intended recipients that caused the problem.

A text message sent is a message that cannot be recalled.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Litigation Attorney in Mississippi and warns you to NOT Drink & Text.

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

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Visitation

Stay “Connected” to Your Kids.

01/22/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Hello? How are you? I miss you! I love you!

That’s it. If you do nothing else your kids will know that you are thinking about them, that you love them, miss them and desire a relationship. Too often, in divorce/custody settings, it is easy to fall into the trap of “it’s not my time.” This trap allows days and sometimes weeks go by with little to no communication. Sometimes the other parent contributes to this or directly interferes, but you should attempt to do it anyway.

Call, email, text, FaceTime, Skype, send letters, cards, gift cards, and small gifts or trinkets. It does not have to be expensive, an occasion or ” your time.”

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law & Divorce Attorney in the Hospitality State. Be sure and show your child your hospitality!

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, Opinion

Don’t Hate.(At least not in public or a documentable fashion)

06/10/2013 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

In family law it is easy to lose your cool. It is easy to react, to lash out and to tell that good-for-nothing so-and-so just what you think. But, don’t!

No good comes from telling him off. There is no use in demonstrating how crazy she is. She won’t change and if it’s coming from you it’s probably a dirty trick. At least she thinks so.

The urge to send that hateful text or email is strong, but you cannot take it back once you do. You figure, well he is a “SOB,” or she is “CRAZY!” But emailing, texting or screaming at the other party brings you down to their level. Sometimes in divorce the high road is lonely and not fun, but take it anyway. It serves your needs. And sometimes there is no high road, just lesser degrees of the low road.

This is tough advice to give and harder advice to take. But remember, every email and text is being reviewed, saved and printed. It is much easier to not send the hate than to try to explain to the judge why you sent 35 messages of what terrible a human being the other person is, while trying to argue that you are the reasonable one in the relationship.

Examples of what NOT to send;

“I H8 U!” “F#(% YOU”

“DIE!!!!” “I never LOVED U!!!”

“You can have everything.” “I don’t want nothing!!”

More on what not to do; 5 FaceBook Don’ts and 5 more FaceBook Don’ts.

So, who can you complain to? Your mother, lawyer, counselor or any of the three. No one else, though.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and suggest that you NOT send that hate-filled message. It may come back to haunt 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