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My 16-year-old child was recently in a car accident and is receiving a settlement of around $25,000. We are considering using the settlement money to purchase a new car since the previous one was totaled. Would the insurance place the settlement in a trust fund because he is a minor, or can we... View More

answered on Jun 24, 2025
This answer is strictly up to the ruling judge. Typically the amount of settlement must be approved by the judge as being fair to the minor. What determines if the funds have to be placed in an account, is what is the net amount after fees, expenses and medical payments.
Depending on... View More

answered on Jun 17, 2024
The answer is depends. First, how much are you getting in the settlement and how much do you owe in support. Based on the basic law in Mississippi, the DHS will want to recover as much as possible. If the child support lien can be fully satisfied while you still make any recovery, they will... View More

answered on May 13, 2024
If the child reaches 18 years old and either does not finish high school or does not go beyond high and does not get a job, then the Court can declare the child emancipated for the purposes of child support, which would then stop the child support payments.
and do i have legal control of my own money to buy whatever i want off of online even if the money was given to me as a gift do they have a right to take that if im 18?

answered on Apr 21, 2024
Once you turn 18, you are considered an adult in most countries, including the United States. This means that you have the legal right to make your own decisions, including purchasing items online without the consent of your parents. However, there are a few important points to consider:
1.... View More
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

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... View More

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
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

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

answered on Jan 29, 2024
If you are considering divorce due to incompatibility in your marriage, the process generally begins by filing a petition for divorce with your local court. This petition should state the grounds for divorce, which in many states can simply be "irreconcilable differences" or a similar... View More
I'm still paying child support.shouldnt it have stopped by now?

answered on Jan 12, 2024
In most cases, child support obligations continue until the child reaches the age of majority, which is typically 18 years old. However, there can be circumstances where support continues beyond this age, such as if the child is still in high school or has certain disabilities. If your daughter... View More
I'm still paying child support.shouldnt it have stopped by now?

answered on Jan 12, 2024
In Mississippi, child support obligations typically continue until the child reaches the age of majority, which is 21 years old in this state. However, if the child is emancipated or has moved out of the custodial parent's home and is financially independent before reaching the age of... View More
The title of the house and property is exchanged several times between him and his sister and eventually his ex-wife(25 yrs younger) is add. They've been divorced for 8 to 10 years now and she's suing him for community property. His attorney said it was a mortgage on the house that she... View More

answered on Jan 13, 2024
In Louisiana, the "dirty hands doctrine" is not a recognized legal doctrine that would automatically prevent someone from claiming community property in a divorce case. Community property laws in Louisiana can be complex, and the outcome of your dad's case would depend on various... View More
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

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
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

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

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
I've lived in Mississippi for five years, and recently relocated to Connecticut two months ago. Due to my short residency in Connecticut, I am considering filing for divorce in Mississippi. Can I proceed with filing for divorce in Mississippi under these circumstances?

answered on Jul 10, 2025
Yes, you may still be able to file for divorce in Mississippi, even after relocating to Connecticut, depending on how recently you changed your legal residence. Mississippi law requires that at least one spouse has been a resident of the state for at least six months prior to filing. Since you... View More
I would like to know how to request access to my records in a chancery court in Mississippi, which were sealed when my former partner filed for divorce 3 years ago. The divorce was finalized at the end of 2022, and the entire process lasted less than 4 months. To my knowledge, I am not currently... View More

answered on Jul 6, 2025
You have the right to request access to your own divorce records, even if they were sealed by the Mississippi chancery court. Although sealed records are generally restricted to protect privacy, the parties involved in the case—like yourself—can usually petition the court to review or obtain... View More
I am currently living in Jamaica and wish to file for divorce from my husband, who left over 10 years ago and has not communicated since. We were married in Mississippi, and I have our marriage certificate. I don't have any contact information for him, as he stopped using his email. How can I... View More

answered on Jul 5, 2025
You must confirm the proper jurisdiction by determining the county in Mississippi where your marriage was registered and where you or your spouse last resided. You will gather a certified copy of your marriage certificate and proof of your spouse’s last known residence. You will engage a... View More
I am planning to divorce my abusive husband, and we have five children aged 6, 5, 3, 1, and 8 months. I am concerned about how child custody will be determined in this situation. What factors will influence custody decisions, and what steps should I take to ensure the safety and well-being of my... View More

answered on Jul 5, 2025
When abuse is involved in a divorce, the court’s primary concern is always the safety and best interests of the children. Judges examine the nature, frequency, and severity of the abuse, whether it was directed at you, the children, or both. They also consider each parent’s mental and physical... View More
I was divorced almost 20 years ago, and my divorce decree does not mention reverting to my maiden name. I want to change my name back to my maiden name on my bank account, social security, and all other accounts where it's used. I am not aware of any specific court procedures for a name change... View More

answered on Jul 5, 2025
You can still legally revert to your maiden name in Mississippi even if your divorce decree didn’t include that provision. Since it’s been 20 years, and your decree doesn’t address the name change, you’ll need to file a separate petition for a name change in the chancery court in the county... View More
I need to update my power of attorney because the current dates regarding my child's custody are out of date. How can I revise this document to reflect the updated custody arrangement?

answered on Jun 12, 2025
To update your power of attorney for child custody, you will need to create a new document that reflects the updated custody arrangement. Start by reviewing the existing power of attorney to ensure you understand what changes need to be made. If the dates or specific details about custody have... View More
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