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Legal Information: Mississippi

Custody

Laws current as of July 3, 2024

What custody options are there?

After considering the best interest of the child, the judge can order any of the following custody arrangements or a combination thereof:

  1. joint physical custody, where each parent has regular and continuing contact with the child and a significant period of time when the child is in his/her care;1
  2. joint legal custody, where both parents share decision-making rights and responsibilities regarding the health, education, and welfare of the child; Note: A joint legal custody order also requires that you and the other parent consult before making decisions regarding the health, education, and welfare of the child;2
  3. joint physical and legal custody, where parents share both the care of the child as well as decision-making rights;3
  4. sole physical custody, where the child lives the majority of the time with one parent but can have visitation with the other; and
  5. sole legal custody, where only one parent has decision-making rights and responsibilities regarding the health, education, and welfare of the child.4

1 Miss. Code § 93-5-24(5)(c), (1)(b)
2 Miss. Code § 93-5-24(5)(e), (1)(c)
3 Miss. Code § 93-5-24(1)(a)
4 Miss. Code § 93-5-24(1)(d)