Child Support in Mississippi
Legal cases involving money, divorce, or child custody are some of the most painful and emotional in our courts of law. Child support cases involve all three issues.
How is child support determined?
In Mississippi, parents have a legal duty to provide support to their kids. A non-custodial parent may need to pay child support.
At Mississippi Family Lawyer, I handle the full spectrum of child support cases.
What happens to a parent who doesn’t pay child support?
A parent’s unwillingness to pay child support can result in wage withholding or up to two years in jail. However, if the parent is destitute and unable to pay, the court may not sanction them.
What if the custodial parent remarries?
A parent’s responsibility for paying child support is to the child, not to the ex-spouse. So, a change in marital status by one of the parents or the birth of more children in a second marriage does not affect the original obligation. In turn, a custodial parent cannot usually deny visitation for any reason, including late support payments.
When does child support end?
Child support responsibilities usually end when the child turns 21, enters the military, gets married, becomes self-supporting, or is adopted. A parent can seek a reduction in child support payments if their salary decreases. The court may also increase child support if the supportive parent’s salary increases substantially.
