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Mississippi Child Custody Questions & Answers
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 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.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Mississippi on
Q: This guy is paying child support and the mother of his child want let him see his daughter what can he do ???
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Mar 10, 2023

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: I agreed to give my in laws duralegal custody of my daughter a few years ago . how would I go about regaining custody
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Oct 14, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Domestic Violence and Immigration Law for Mississippi on
Q: Does my husband have rights if he’s illegalHere during a divorce

I’ve been in a relationship with my husband for 13 years and have been married to him. I caught him being unfaithful more than 7 times with different women. He isn’t legally here in the USA. His green card expired and he has no passport stamp. I want to get a divorce because of his infidelity... View More

Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
Melissa L Gardner-Ardoin
answered on Oct 1, 2022

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Military Law for Mississippi on
Q: I’m a military spouse. I have full sole custody of my 10-year-old son. I currently live in Italy until 2024.

I have custody papers I would like to know if they are still good even though i moved to another country. His dad has visitation and also signed for him to have a visa to live in Italy. He gets him during summer time June-August. He shares visitation with my parents who live in the same state as... View More

Sabra M. Janko
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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... View More

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