Child Support in Mississippi

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a financial obligation that a parent has to pay to support her or his child. This continues as they age and mature. Are you the parent who has custody of your son or daughter currently? If so, then the court will assume that the child receives full financial support while residing in your residence.

However, if your child does not live in your house and she or he is not currently under your custody, the court may require you to pay child support to the custodial parent. Custody and child support cases in Mississippi are under the jurisdiction of the Chancery Courts. There are 20 Chancery Court districts statewide.

In Mississippi, this means that you have to make payments to the custodial parent until your child reaches adulthood. There are other situations where you may only have to make payments until the courts have legally declared your child as emancipated or your daughter or son goes into military active duty. Keep in mind that if your child has special needs, there may be a requirement that you have to make child support payments past the legal age of adulthood.

Terminating Rights

Do you wonder if you can terminate your parental rights and not pay child support? Most states will not allow a parent to do this and cease support unless certain requirements are met. There may be some situations where a court terminates financial responsibilities if both parents agree that one party no longer has to provide financial support to their shared son or daughter. One situation where a parent may be able to terminate her or his responsibility to child support is if someone else, like a stepparent, adopts the child.

To terminate parental rights, you must file a request in the Chancery Court of the county where the child lives. According to the Mississippi Bar, grounds for termination include repeated abusive acts by the parent, or a parent’s long-standing substance abuse or mental illness. The courts may terminate parental rights if a child under 3 has been abandoned for six months. Or, if a child over 3 has been abandoned for one year. The crimes of rape, sexual battery, or exploitation of a child can also lead to termination of parental rights.

Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced Mississippi lawyer on standby in your area who can help you fight for your child’s right to financial stability.

Get in contact with us today to get in touch with an experienced legal advocate in your area.

How a Mississippi Child Support Attorney Can Help You

If you constantly struggle to get the other parent to pay, hiring a lawyer can help you learn about your available options and guide you on the best decision for your son or daughter.

Many people struggle with parents who refuse to pay. Hiring an experienced and dedicated lawyer will bring you professional help while navigating the legal system. Additionally, you may also have an easier time getting the money your child needs and deserves to better ensure a stable childhood.

In Mississippi, child support can be obtained through a court order, typically as part of a child custody action. In addition, you can establish paternity and child support through Mississippi’s Department of Human Services (DHS) with the Application for Child Support Services. DHS can address payment delinquency through a number of methods including income withholding, tax refund offset, credit bureau reporting, and license suspension. Additionally, the delinquent non-custody parent may be taken to court for contempt, which could result in incarceration.

Whether you look to receive child support payments as a part of an agreed-upon divorce settlement or you are not married and look to receive financial support, hiring a legal professional in Mississippi with a background in child support can help to streamline the entire process. Without the help of a legal advocate, the cost of living can quickly drain your bank account and involve traumatic experiences for your unsupported children.

Working with an attorney can help you to:

  • Establish paternity
  • Answer a child support petition
  • File a petition for support
  • Request a child support order
  • Explain the tax consequences that come with a child support order
  • Work with the other parent to reach an agreement
  • Represent you in court
  • Locate the other parent
  • Subpoena the other parent’s financial information
  • Prove income
  • Determine any factors that a court will look at to calculate how much you might owe
  • Educate you on the available child support enforcement options
  • Give you an estimate of how much financial support you may receive from the other parent

Do you believe that you deserve to receive payment from the other parent or that you are not receiving a sufficient amount? If you have to answer, yes, then make every effort to avoid missing what your kid deserves. Work with a dedicated Mississippi lawyer who fights for your rights as well as your child’s rights.

Information to Share With Your Lawyer

As you work with your lawyer, make sure you share proper documentation to better ensure that you can properly proceed with your case in Mississippi. The information that you need to share with your attorney includes:

Mississippi is one of the few states that does not take the custodial parent’s income into account when determining child support. Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income Model which sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent’s income. Typically, the non-custodial parent must pay 14% of their monthly income in child support for 1 child. The percentage rises accordingly with the number of children, going from 20% for 2 children, and up to 26% for 5 or more children. Child support can be paid online through the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Mississippi

Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to an attorney equipped to help you in this delicate situation. Call now or fill out the simple form below to take steps to protect your children’s interests. Learn more about your child support law options below.

One of our expert Mississippi attorneys will help to navigate you through the legal system to get you the money you and your kid should have. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Mississippi state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

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