Articles Posted in Visitation

If you have a family member who has gone through a divorce or a custody dispute, you know that these types of cases can affect more than just the two individuals in the relationship. When children are involved in a divorce or custody matter in Mississippi, a realm of issues may arise. As a parent of one of the parties involved in this type of case, you may be wondering what rights you have to maintain your relationship with your grandchildren. The goal of the courts in addressing issues related to children is to provide for the best interest of each child. In Mississippi, grandparent visitation can be awarded by any court that has the authority to decide child custody matters. Most commonly, child custody matters are decided in Chancery courts.

Have you recently been denied access to visit with your grandchildren? If so, there may be a solution. There are several situations in Mississippi where grandparents may seek visitation. For example, if your child did not receive custody of his/her children or if your child’s parental rights have been terminated, you may seek visitation with your grandchildren in the court that issued the divorce or custody decree. On the other hand, if your child has died, leaving your grandchildren in the custody of the other parent or another relative, you may seek visitation in the county where your grandchild lives.
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In Mississippi, “visitation” is the time a child spends with a noncustodial parent and is a very important subject for many parents involved in divorce or custody cases. For example, a parent who is not awarded sole or joint physical custody of his or her child still wants to be an important part of the child’s life and spend as much time with that child as possible. Visitation should allow continued significant contact with the child under circumstances that foster a close relationship and bond.

In Mississippi, a noncustodial parent will normally be allowed visitation with his or her child. Absent danger or other potential detriment to the child, the chancery court will normally award “standard” or “liberal” unrestricted overnight visitation to a noncustodial parent. In Mississippi, this is two (2) weekends a month until Sunday afternoon, at least five weeks of summer visitation, and alternating holiday visitation. More or less may be awarded depending on the specific facts of the case. For example, the existence of unusual work schedules, extreme geographical distance between households or disruption to a child’s routine may justify deviation from standard visitation.

It is important to remember that an Order or Agreement providing for visitation should be highly structured, clearly specifying all dates of visitation, the exact times of transfer and other arrangements including which party is to bear the cost of transportation for visitation. Ambiguous visitation provisions should be carefully avoided as they routinely result in continuing post-divorce litigation.
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