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Mississippi is one of many states in the United States that recognizes the concept of co-parenting as a viable child-rearing alternative fallen within its jurisdiction. Co-parenting is both a legal and personal approach to parenting that involves two or more people working together to parent a single child in accordance with the state's laws. In Mississippi, both parents have rights and responsibilities regarding their child, and Mississippi law provides some guidelines to help parents establish and follow a responsible parenting plan.
Under Mississippi law, custody of a child belongs to both parents, who each have rights regarding the care, control, and decision-making of their child. The Mississippi Code Annotated § 93-17-3(3) specifies that neither parent can be deprived of custody of their child until it is deemed necessary due to their well-being and welfare of their child. Mississippi law also states that in situations involving the custody of children, the courts should take into consideration the child’s health, safety, and best interests in their decisions.
In Mississippi, both parents are responsible for providing financial support for their child’s needs, including but not limited to basic support such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation as well as medical, dental, and other related expenses necessary for the child’s health and well-being. Mississippi Code Annotated § 93-17-3(3) states that if a parent refuses or fails to provide the necessary support, the other parent may file an action with the court to set or modify the amount of support owed. The court will then determine the amount of support owed based on the paternity of the parents, the income of the parents and other relevant factors.
Co-parenting expenses are the costs related to raising a child on a daily basis. These may include costs such as food and clothing, transportation, education, and other related costs, including medical expenses. Under Mississippi law, each parent is legally responsible for their share of the co-parenting expenses for their child and must pay their share according to the terms set forth in their child-support order.
Under Mississippi law, both parents retain decision-making authority in matters that relate to the care and welfare of their child. Parents may enter into a binding legal agreement known as a parenting plan that outlines each parent’s decision-making rights for their child and how those rights will be exercised. Each parent must sign the parenting plan and the court will prioritize what the plan says in making decisions regarding the care and welfare of the child.
Mississippi law provides parents with the right to visitation with their child unless a court determines that it is not in the best interest of the child. Visitation can be arranged on a voluntary basis or can be ordered by the court in the form of a parenting plan. In either case, it is important to consider the best interests of the child when setting up visitation arrangements.
When discussing matters related to co-parenting, the court may require parents to attend mediation to resolve any conflicts or disputes between the two parties directly. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process that involves a neutral third-party mediator who will work with both parents to reach an agreement on the issues in dispute. In some cases, the court may require parents to attend mediation before a custody or child support hearing. The mediator will attempt to help the two parents reach a mutual agreement, which may be filed with the court as a parenting plan or other legally binding agreement.
In Mississippi, co-parenting is a viable alternative to traditional parenting. The state recognizes the rights of both parents to provide care, control, and decision-making authority for their child. Various methods exist to ensure both parents maintain their rights and responsibilities in their parenting arrangement, such as through the agreement of a parenting plan or through mediation when necessary.
Fact Check and Resources
In crafting this post, we conducted thorough fact-checking and research, consulting the following sources:
Co-parenting in USA
Co-parenting in Canada
Warning: This post is neither financial, health, legal, or personal advice nor a substitute for the advice offered by a professional. These are serious matters, and the help of a professional is recommended as it can impact your future.