Mississippi Child Custody and Parenting Time Resources

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Custody in Mississippi is decided in the Chancery Court. Most states split the question in two: who makes the big decisions for the child, and what the day to day schedule looks like. Both usually end up written into one order or parenting plan the judge approves.

The wording differs from state to state, so read the official Mississippi documents below rather than assuming a term you heard elsewhere means the same thing here. Courts decide these cases on the best interests of the child, and the official forms are written to collect the facts a judge needs.

Official Mississippi custody resources

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Mississippi family law forms (official index) (Mississippi judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Mississippi family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://courts.ms.gov/forms

Mississippi court self-help resources (Mississippi courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Mississippi family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mslegalservices.org

Mississippi mediation and dispute resolution (Mississippi judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Mississippi family case without a trial. https://courts.ms.gov/adr

Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC) (Mississippi Courts): MEC covers chancery, circuit, and county courts statewide, but only registered attorneys can file in it. If you do not have a lawyer you file your family court papers on paper with your chancery clerk. https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php

Mississippi rules of procedure (Mississippi judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Mississippi. https://courts.ms.gov/rules

Verified official Mississippi custody documents

These official documents cover asking for custody, setting a schedule, and putting a parenting plan in front of the judge.

Child Custody Options in Mississippi - Informational (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://courts.ms.gov/archive/courtinterpreter/Translated%20Forms/MSATJC%20Child%20Custody%20Options%20in%20MS.pdf

Child Custody: Considering the Best Interest of the Child - Informational (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://courts.ms.gov/archive/courtinterpreter/Translated%20Forms/Best%20interest%20of%20child%20-%20MBA%20-%20MATJC.pdf

Rule 805 Financial Statement for Divorce and Child Custody Matters (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://courts.ms.gov/archive/courtinterpreter/Translated%20Forms/Rule%20805%20Financial%20Statement%20(Fillable).pdf

Official link data for Mississippi was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Which court hears family cases in Mississippi?

Family cases in Mississippi are heard in the Chancery Court. In Mississippi, divorce, custody, and support are heard in Chancery Court - not Circuit Court. Mississippi's counties are grouped into chancery districts.

Does Mississippi favor one parent over the other?

Custody decisions are made on the best interests of the child, not on which parent asks first. Judges look at things like stability, each parent's involvement, the child's needs, and whether a parent supports the child's relationship with the other parent. Read the official Mississippi forms and self-help material for the factors this state asks about.

Do we have to go to mediation first?

Many courts send custody disputes to mediation before a hearing, and some require it. The official Mississippi mediation page linked above explains what this state offers and when it applies.