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Mississippi Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Constitutional Law and Elder Law for Mississippi on
Q: Is there an atty in MS who will take on cps & help grandparents-without fear of retribution from youth court system?

Grandparents being given misinformation after showing interest in fostering twin grandchildren who were addicted to cocaine at birth. CPS created repeated delays in court sessions on transferring infant children to grandparents custody. CPS requested that grandparents not get foster license because... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties and frustrations your family has been going through trying to gain custody of your grandchildren. The delays and misinformation from CPS sound extremely stressful and concerning.

To answer your question directly - yes, there are absolutely...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: What happens after protective ordrs are over.. Do you have full parental rights back
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

After a protective order expires, whether you regain full parental rights depends on the specific circumstances and conditions of the order. In some cases, the expiration of a protective order may automatically restore your parental rights to their previous status. However, if there were underlying... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: If alcohol monitoring is ordered in temporary hearing and all tests are passed can it be removed in final decree ?

My ex has a more experienced lawyer than I can afford and she brought into the hearing a public intoxication charge. We are granted joint custody with a breathalyzer during my weeks . I’m fine with it and doing great but I’m terrified in mediation or trial he will attempt to keep this order... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 1, 2024

In Mississippi, the conditions set forth in a temporary hearing, such as alcohol monitoring, can be subject to modification in the final decree. If all alcohol tests during the temporary period are consistently passed and there are no further concerns about alcohol abuse, it's possible to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: Can I be charged with kidnapping or any other crime in Pennsylvania for bringing my son home if his home state is MS

If I go get my son back from Pennsylvania where my wife has taken him can I be charged with kidnapping or any other crime from the Pennsylvania side the childs home state is Mississippi also assume there was no physical confrontation between me and my wife I go to Pennsylvania I get my son and I... View More

William R. Wright
William R. Wright
answered on Nov 26, 2023

I am not aware of all of the facts, and since I am not your attorney, I hesitate to give you advice on that question. I will say, hypothetically, that if there is no court order, I don't see how you could be charged with kidnapping. Again, I don't know all of the facts, and I am not your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce, Criminal Law and Family Law for Mississippi on
Q: My wife took our 1 yr old son to PA from MS because I wanted a divorce what would happen if I went and took him back

Mississippi residents I know there's no issue with a parent taking the child out of state without permission if there is no custody order so does that mean I can also bring him home from Pennsylvania since my wife and son are still Mississippi residents and we're still married she refuses... View More

William R. Wright
William R. Wright
answered on Nov 24, 2023

You are correct. Since there is no order in place, either parent may take the child wherever he or she wants. However, it is a bad idea for you to go to Pennsylvania and take the child back to Mississippi against your wife's will. There very well could be a physical confrontation that could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Juvenile Law and Family Law for Mississippi on
Q: Can CPS terminate a parent's rights for no reason
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 14, 2023

No, CPS (Child Protective Services) cannot terminate a parent's rights for no reason. CPS can only terminate a parent's rights if there is evidence that the parent has abused or neglected the child. Abuse includes physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Neglect includes failing to provide... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Family Law and Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: I have printed the complaint form for professional misconduct but should I submit this without representation now?

I need to file against the attorney and her firm. She was fired, no one informed me. She appeared to court hearings without informing me but instead told me that I did not have to appear since I am in another state and the other party was not doing what the judge wanted. Her law firm took over... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 19, 2023

To file a complaint against a lawyer for professional misconduct in Mississippi, see this website:... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Mississippi on
Q: Does child support still stand in Mississippi if parental rights were terminated in court and no visitation was granted

Maternal Grandmother has custody.

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Apr 17, 2023

Visitation and child support are separate issues. The lack of visitation does not mean no child support is owed. Conversely, withholding of visitation does not relieve the parent of the obligation to pay support. If the parental rights of the parent are terminated by court order, the obligation to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Mississippi on
Q: My brother signed over rights to his child and was supposed to be adopted by the moms new husband. His last

Name was changed and all. DHS keeps taking money out of my brothers paycheck. If he was adopted after my brother signed over his rights, would DHS get a copy sent over once he was adopted to stop taking money out of his checks? And if not, how could they change the child’s last name without being... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Dec 22, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law and Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: Would the custodial parent or non-custodial parent of a juvenile would be responsible for paying fines for probation?

Our child committed a possession of controlled substance; a marijuana vape on school campus and was arrested in the state of Mississippi. He was fined $250 to pay for drug screening and the custodial parent is stating that I'm responsible as well for the fine. This happened while in the... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Dec 8, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: If you are legally prescribed suboxone by a doctor can a judge refuse custody an visitation due to taking it

I took a drug test and that was the only thing in my system and I go to a doctor who legally prescribes the suboxone to me

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Dec 5, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: My mom was granted emergency temporary custody of my child. Can I get her back?

She was granted temporary custody due to my daughter being born with methamphetamine in her system. I am now sober and can pass a drug test. Will I be able to get her back?

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Nov 12, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: Can a grandmother get full custody of a child when the mom dies and biological father is alive and wants full custody?

Mother killed while child was 6wks old BEFORE paternity established BUT father petitioned paternity after mother’s death IMMEDIATELY in NOV (2021). Grandmother ran off with baby & was not in communication with alleged father UNTIL paternity established 2months ago (2022). Paternity has now... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Nov 9, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: My granddaughter 4 has been in DHS care, next month will be a year,. This last April, DHS stopped the supervised visits,

They said my son was hustle towards her. He was not, something happened for DHS to take her away from the grandfather on a Saturday, when we seen her a week later, something was wrong with her, she walked in the room and stood in a corner and wouldn't take. That scraped my son and I and we... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Nov 7, 2022

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Mississippi on
Q: What if a child has been in cps custody for 6 months and the mother passed drug tests except for one, what happens?

Will cps stop the reunification plan and child will be adopted? Will they give mother another chance to prove that she can stay clean?

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Oct 28, 2022

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Family Law and Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: We are wanting to get guardianship of a 15 year old girl. Her parents will sign the paper. How do we go about this?
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Oct 26, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Mississippi on
Q: In Mississippi, am I legally allowed to take my son out of the state either temporarily or permanently?

For a bit of background my son is now six years old, and the father has had no contact since he was approximately three months old. We were also never married, and there is no custody order in place given he chose to have no involvement. Does he need to be notified and/or give permission if I... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Jan 5, 2024

Yes, you can take your child anywhere you want and for however long you want so long as you don’t have a court order preventing from doing that.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: What visitation does the step mom have for my ex being deployed. He has no custody of our 10&13 year old?

My ex husb just left for deployed and has sense accused me of parent alienation because I havent sent the kids to his very recently married wife. They married 3 days prior to him mobbing. I know in MS step parents don't have rights and I'm ok with them going over if the want too. My... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Jun 24, 2023

The stepmother has no visitation rights. To send or not send the children to the stepmother for a visit is solely within your discretion. Your ex’s claim of parental alienation is without merit and meaningless.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: I need to know about how to go about getting custody of my son

So my ex wife who me and my boyfriend were living with for about two months around this time last year along with my son she was pretty cruel to us she kicked us out so she could have my son and ever since then I have been begging her she slanders me I am also the birth mother I didn't abandon... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Jun 10, 2023

Your case is far too complicate to adequately answer your question in this forum. Additionally, I don't believe you have provided all information necessary. For example: if there is no court order giving your ex custody, and you are the birth mother, you could possibly gain assistance from... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Identity Theft for Mississippi on
Q: If I voluntarily sign my parental right away can I go back and fight for them later on
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on May 18, 2023

No. A termination of parental rights is final and forever.

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