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Questions Answered by Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Mississippi on
Q: Can a sperm donor who helped a same-sex couple have a baby pursue rights to the child if he signed papers with a notory?

The biological mother and her partner are both on the birth certificate and in the agreement signed by the sperm donor and the mother states that he would not pursue any rights and that the biological mother has the right to appoint whoever she wanted as the other parent of the child.

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Apr 5, 2021

The first consideration for Chancery Court is the best interest of the child. The contract between the donor and the birth mother is only one piece of evidence to be considered. The donor may be able to contest the arrangement and seek visitation with the child. However, it will not be an easy... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Mississippi on
Q: What does it mean if you get a letter from DHS saying This is an arrears only case. There is no obligation to review

I was paying back child support and I just got a letter from DHS saying: This is an arrears only case. There is no obligation to review. What does this mean

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Apr 5, 2021

The letter means that DHS is attempting to collect a debt of past due child support only, not current support. Also, the agency is not reviewing the file in an effort to increase the monthly support amount.

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Criminal Law for Mississippi on
Q: My brother just got sentenced, how do I go about filing an appeal? Or what do we need to do?

Would we be able to hire a lawyer to do an appeal on his case?

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Apr 5, 2021

Your brother will have 30 days to file a Notice of Appeal. Although your brother has the right to file an appeal on his own, it is advisable to hire an attorney to assist him with this so that he does not miss deadlines and/ or other rules that are in place for appeals.

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