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Legal Information: Mississippi

Custody

Laws current as of July 3, 2024

What is custody?

Custody is the legal responsibility for the care and control of your child who is under 18 years of age. The court may give custody of your child to one or both parents. There are two types of custody: legal and physical.

Physical custody refers to the periods of time when one parent is responsible for care of the child.1

Legal custody means decision-making rights and responsibilities related to the child’s health, education, and welfare.2

1 Miss. Code § 93-5-24(5)(b)
2 Miss. Code § 93-5-24(5)(d)