The father should hire an attorney and file an action for visitation rights. If he already has court ordered visitation rights he should file a contempt action and ask the court to incarcerate the mother, reimburse attorney’s fees and costs, and enforce the previous order. Short of that, he is at... Read more »

DHS would not automatically receive a copy of the adoption Order. If your brother has a copy, he should take them a copy or contact the caseworker and them that one was entered. However, if your brother was behind on his child support at the time of entry of the Order, he is still responsible for... Read more »

You don’t say which court found him guilty or give his age. If he was found guilty in Municipal, Justice, County, or Circuit, that tells me that he is not a juvenile. The Court will look to your son to pay the fine, not either of the parents, custodial or not. He committed the crime, so he pays... Read more »

If the Judge finds that you are not taking the medication as prescribed, he/she can deny custody or restrict visitation. If you are monitored by a physician, take the medication as prescribed, have had no relapses in your original addiction, and have not had any adverse incidents, you will probably... Read more »

You don’t say how long your mother has had temporary custody, if you have had visitation, if you were ordered to do certain things, or which Court granted temporary custody to your mother. If you are in Youth Court, you will have to follow the instructions and directives of the social workers... Read more »

You don’t say how old the child is; however, the grandmother will have to overcome the natural parent presumption which says that the biological parents are the natural guardians of their children. The presumption may be overcome if the father has 1. consented to a third party having custody... Read more »

It is hard to tell from the facts given what exactly is going on. If the SW and/or DHS are talking about adoption, the best advice I can give is that you immediately hire an attorney who has been experience working in Youth Court and Chancery Court matters.

Normally, it takes more than one failed drug screen. However, the mother must follow and complete her service plan, remain sober, and meet all of the requirements.

A lawyer will draft a petition for the guardianship, which will need to be signed by you and your husband. Additionally, the child’s parents will either sign the Petition or a waiver. An Agreed Judgnent allowing the guardianship will be signed and then presented to the Judge for his/her... Read more »

If your in-laws are in agreement, you and they will sign a joint petition and an agreed judgment. If not, you will have to serve them with a petition seeking custody. You will have to show a material change in circumstances adversely affecting your child that has occurred in their home…not that... Read more »

His immigration status should not affect the distribution in the divorce, although you can try to make such a claim. I don’t believe it will get you very far though. Any questions specific to his status should be directed to an immigration attorney.

Sabra M. Janko
answered on Oct 1, 2022

They are still valid, though they may not address your current situation. If your payments are going trough Child Support Enforcement, they can gather the information needed to reevaluate support. DHS is not involved in child support. Child support ism modifiable in all states based on changes of... Read more »

Yes, you still have to pay any arrearage that has accrued. Child support cannot be forgiven once it has vested; however, you may be able to receive credits against the arrearage, depending on the circumstances. Whether you are entitled to credits is entirely up to the Court.

Your friend should consult with an attorney as soon as possible about taking steps to have the child returned to her. Once the agreement is given full faith and credit in Mississippi, it can be enforced and modified here.

You need to hire an attorney and file a paternity action, asking for your rights as a father, including visitation rights. Do not go through DHS because they cannot handle the visitation issue.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Fill out the petition and send it to the Circuit County Court in the county where you live.

2. Obtain the mother's permission. If the parent is emotionally or financially unfit, or if the parent has abandoned the child, Florida law may allow... Read more »

Without a court order, she would be able to take the child if law enforcement will help her take the child from you. That is a big if because most will not get involved in these matters. You should immediately file an action in the chancery court of the county where you live, alleging that she... Read more »

The issue of grandparents’ rights is much more complicated than can be fully discussed here.

1. The step-grandparent can be a named party. Second, you have quoted only a portion of the statute.

2. Visitation rights can also be awarded if the grandparent can show that a... Read more »

I do not practice law in Mississippi and this is not legal advise. However, another word for "giving up your rights" is to relinquish your parental rights, to terminate your rights. I hope that whatever situation you are facing that you are well.

Julia