Child Custody

Mississippi Chancery Courts: What You Need to Know

Published on: January 23, 2024 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

When it comes to the legal system in Mississippi, there’s a special type of court that might not be on your radar: the Chancery Courts. These courts play a unique role in handling cases that don’t quite fit the mold of regular law courts. Let’s dive into what makes these courts tick and why they matter.

What Are Chancery Courts?

Think of Chancery Courts as the “fairness courts.” They deal with situations where following strict laws might not lead to a fair outcome. These courts have been around for a long time, with roots tracing back to England. When Mississippi became a state in 1817, it decided to have Chancery Courts alongside regular law courts to make sure justice was served even in tricky cases.

Tips for Coparenting During the Holidays

Published on: November 30, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

The holiday season can be an especially stressful time for nontraditional families and blended families. When partners split up and share custody or visitation of their children, this can mean double the holiday celebrations and splitting time between many different homes. Children who grew up with divorced parents are all too familiar with this situation – two Christmases, two Thanksgivings, double the presents, hours and hours of driving back and forth, and living out of a suitcase for weeks at a time. From a parent’s perspective, the holidays can come with many additional sources of stress – more communication with their ex and coparent, bearing the financial burden of buying gifts without assistance, planning drop off and pick up times, and the additional sadness of coping with the fact that you might not have your own child at home on Christmas morning. Here are our tips for reducing the stress of coparenting during the holidays.

Plan Ahead, but Be Flexible

It can be helpful for co-parents to sit down and put together a plan for how they want things to go. This will obviously be easier if you have a good relationship with your ex, but it can still be attempted even if you do not have a good relationship. If you have a custody order that dictates how holidays should be split up, use that as your starting point for making a plan. Planning ahead will help avoid any last-minute disputes over who gets to see the child. But no matter how much you plan ahead, you’ll still have to be flexible. No plan is perfect, and unexpected things can always happen last minute, but clear communication with your ex can reduce stress and manage expectations.

What is a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)?

Published on: October 31, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Family law cases can be emotional and complex, especially when children are involved. In such cases, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem to represent the interests of the child. A Guardian ad Litem, or GAL for short, is a person who is appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of a child in a legal proceeding. In this blog, we will explore what a Guardian ad Litem is, their role in family law cases, and how they can impact the outcome of such cases.

What is a Guardian Ad Litem?

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a legal proceeding. The GAL is typically an attorney, social worker, or other professional who is trained in child development and the legal system. The primary duty of a GAL is to investigate and report back to the court regarding the child’s welfare and make recommendations regarding custody, visitation, and other matters that impact the child’s best interests.

“I Want My Kid Back!” – How to Change Your Child Custody Arrangement

Published on: October 25, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

When a child custody arrangement is established, it is meant to provide stability and consistency for the child. However, as time passes, circumstances can change, and what once worked for the family may no longer be working. In those types of cases, it might be a good idea to ask the court to modify the custody arrangement.

In Mississippi, there are specific rules and procedures for child custody modifications. In this blog post, we will discuss the rules for custody modifications, how the process works, and the importance of hiring an experienced family law attorney to handle your custody modification case.

Rules for Custody Modifications in Mississippi

Putative Father Registries

Published on: June 16, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

In Mississippi, the Putative Father Registry (PFR) is a tool available for men who believe they may have fathered a child out of wedlock. The registry is a legal document that allows a man to claim parental rights and be notified of any legal proceedings related to the child. In this blog, we’ll explore the PFR in Mississippi and the reasons why a man might or might not want to register.

What is the Putative Father Registry?

The Putative Father Registry is a legal tool available in Mississippi to allow unmarried men to claim parental rights for a child they believe they may have fathered. The registry is maintained by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS) and is open to any man who believes he may have fathered a child out of wedlock. To register, the man must provide identifying information, such as his name, date of birth, and address, as well as information about the child’s mother and any potential child support obligations. Once registered, the man will be notified of any legal proceedings related to the child, such as adoption or custody cases.

“I Want My Kid Back!” – How to Change Your Child Custody Arrangement

Published on: June 9, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

When a child custody arrangement is established, it is meant to provide stability and consistency for the child. However, as time passes, circumstances can change, and what once worked for the family may no longer be working. In those types of cases, it might be a good idea to ask the court to modify the custody arrangement.

In Mississippi, there are specific rules and procedures for child custody modifications. In this blog post, we will discuss the rules for custody modifications, how the process works, and the importance of hiring an experienced family law attorney to handle your custody modification case.

Rules for Custody Modifications in Mississippi

Co-parenting In The Summer Doesn’t Have To Be A Heated Discussion

Published on: May 31, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Tips for Co-parenting During the Summer

Co-parenting can be a challenging task, especially during the summer when children are out of school and schedules may be less structured. However, with a little bit of planning and communication, co-parenting during the summer can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved. Here are some tips to help you successfully co-parent during the summer months.

Plan ahead: Summer is a busy time for everyone, so it’s important to plan ahead as much as possible. Sit down with your co-parent and create a summer schedule that includes vacation time, camp schedules, and any other activities or events that you want to do with your child. Having a clear plan in place will help to minimize confusion and conflict.

Practical Tips for Sharing Child Custody

Published on: March 23, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Sharing child custody can be a challenging process for parents who have separated or divorced. It is important to prioritize the well-being and best interests of the child while navigating this process. In this blog, we will discuss practical tips for sharing child custody that can help make the process smoother and less stressful for both parents and children.

Keep Essential Items at Both Homes – One way to make the transition between homes easier for your child is to keep essential items at both homes. This can include things like a toothbrush, pajamas, and school supplies. It can also be helpful to have a set of clothes and toys that stay at each home, so your child doesn’t have to pack a bag every time they switch homes.
Inform Your Child’s School – It’s important to inform your child’s school about the separation or divorce, so they know who is allowed to pick up your child from school. You should also provide the school with copies of any legal documents regarding custody and visitation rights. It might be helpful to tell your child’s teacher that you are in the process of getting a divorce or have recently gotten a divorce so that they can better deal with any behavioral problems that might come up.