Tag Archives: threats

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

Don’t Threaten the “D” Word Unless you Mean It.

03/06/2017 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

D is for Divorce. It is a dreaded and unpleasant word. It is drastic. It is serious.

Divorce should never be taken lightly. It should not be cast around as if it is something less than a nuclear option. A cavalier attitude can lead to monumental consequences.

Threatening divorce could even contribute towards having grounds for divorce in the form of emotional or verbal abuse. So, what do you do if your spouse threatens divorce?

Recognize that they are upset about something and try to identify the problem.
Consider marriage counseling with a licensed counselor or pastor, with experience.
Have an assessment with an experienced family law attorney.
Educate yourself about:
- Divorce 101 in your state
- Financial assets and liabilities of the marriage
- Custody and Child Support 101

With divorce being a part of marriage and life there is no good reason not to be educated about the process.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce attorney in Mississippi and cautions you not to say “divorce” if you don’t mean it.

Crime, General Legal

Attorney-Client Privilege: Some Secrets are Made to be Broken

01/13/2016 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Attorney–client privilege is a legal concept that protects communications between a client and attorney and prevents either from being compelled to testify to those communications in court, unless waived.

The attorney–client privilege is one of the oldest privileges for communications. The United States Supreme Court stated that by assuring confidentiality, the privilege allows clients to make “full and frank” disclosures to attorneys, who are then better able to provide candid advice and effective representation.

But, not everything is protected. Communications to third parties are not and neither are credible threats of serious bodily harm or death! “When a lawyer believes that it is reasonably certain that a death or substantial bodily harm will occur if the lawyer doesn’t reveal that information, then he may reveal that information.”

A Pennsylvania lawyer recently reported his client’s admitted actions when it was disclosed that the client planned to “take back” the home of his ex-girlfriend using an AR-15 rifle and body armor. Upon being arrested, the client, Howard Timothy Cofflin Jr., told police that he planned to kill his ex-girlfriend and anyone who tried to stop him. He had also allegedly searched on his cell phone for “how to kill a state trooper” and “killing with an AR-15.”

Cofflin, already charged with harassment and making terroristic threats, now he faces new charges of attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated assault and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction. http://www.abajournal.com/

Matthew Thompson is a Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and advises clients as to what privilege means, what is protected and what rightfully is not.

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, Opinion

How NOT to Communicate; 10 Methods or Means of Communication that are more Trouble than they are Worth.

05/05/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

A big part of the any relationship is communication.

A big part of the trouble in many relationships is difficulty with or lack of communication. So, I have made a list of ways to NOT communicate.

1. Threats. Don’t make them.

2. Unreasonable Demands. They are unreasonable.

3. Information Dump on a Whim. The time must be appropriate for the discussions necessary.

4. Sensitive Information in a Non-protected Environment. Have private talks in private. Not in front of the children, friends, family and others.

5. Blaming the Other Incessantly. Accepting responsibility is one thing, being the reason that every bad thing that ever happened is not likely.

6. Screaming. Not necessary. He who is the loudest does not win.

7. Cursing. Not necessary.

8. Being Unprepared. If you or the other person are not in a position to discuss intelligently it is likely much will not be accomplished.

9. Win at All Costs. I’m always right. Even when I am wrong, I am right…right?

10. Lying. What good does it do to “win” if it’s a lie?

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and cautions persons to be careful how they communicate with others.

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, Crime, Divorce, General Legal, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

The BEST 2 Rules for Handling your Divorce Case; Don’t Threaten and Don’t Bluff.

07/03/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

2 Rules in Family Law and Negotiations to live by involve messing with the bull.

#1 Don’t Threaten. Do NOT threaten to take anyone’s kids away, ever. Do NOT threaten to take them to the cleaners. Do NOT threaten to put them under the jail, in the poorhouse or any other unsavory place. Threats, usually, do NOT work and they incite anger, rage, irrational conduct, fear, resentment and a whole lot of legal fees.

#2 Don’t Bluff. Bluffing and getting called on it shows weakness, lack of nerve and gumption. Bluffing in the form of impossible threats, false deadlines and unattainable goals bolsters the other side and invites counter attacks.

So if we cannot threaten and cannot bluff what do we do?

#1 Explain the two courses of action available. 1) The easy way; Settlement, Mediation, working in common accord or, alternatively, door #2) Litigation. Do not threaten action. Take action.

#2 Do it. Do NOT bluff, follow through with taking the actions necessary to accomplish your goals.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi, Adjunct Law Professor at MC Law, and part-time soccer coach… and reminds you that when you mess with the bull, you get the horns…

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