title: "Mississippi Child Custody - Complete LSC Packet with Forms"

state: "MS"

category: "Child Custody"

date: "2026-03-20"

price: "$67"

lsc_grade: true

version: "COMPLETE_WITH_FORMS"

Mississippi Child Custody Packet

Templates for informational purposes only. Not legal advice.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

• [ ] You are a parent, legal guardian, or person standing in place of a parent
• [ ] The child lives in Mississippi or has lived in Mississippi within the last 6 months
• [ ] You want to establish, modify, or enforce a custody order
• [ ] You are NOT involved in a youth court abuse/neglect case
• [ ] Mississippi is the child's "home state" — child lived here with a parent for at least 6 consecutive months before filing
• [ ] No other state currently has jurisdiction, OR Mississippi has the most significant connections
• [ ] You are NOT seeking to terminate parental rights
• [ ] The child has NOT been removed by the Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS)
• [ ] There is NO active abuse/neglect case in Youth Court
• [ ] Another state has NOT already entered a custody order (unless MS now has jurisdiction)

FORM 1: BILL OF COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Type or print neatly in black ink. Replace bracketed text [LIKE THIS] with your information.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF [COUNTY NAME] COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

________________________________________________________________________________

[YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME],

Complainant,

v.

[OTHER PARENT'S FULL NAME],

Defendant.

Cause No. _______________

________________________________________________________________________________

BILL OF COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY

________________________________________________________________________________

COMES NOW the Complainant, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], by and through

undersigned counsel (or appearing pro se), and files this Bill of

Complaint for Custody, and in support thereof states as follows:

I. PARTIES

1. Complainant, [YOUR FULL NAME], is an adult resident of [COUNTY]

County, Mississippi, residing at [YOUR STREET ADDRESS], [CITY],

MS [ZIP CODE].

1. Defendant, [OTHER PARENT'S NAME], is an adult residing at [OTHER

PARENT'S ADDRESS], [CITY], [STATE] [ZIP CODE].

II. CHILDREN

1. Complainant and Defendant are the parents of the following minor

child(ren):

1. The child(ren) has/have resided in Mississippi for the past 6 months

and no other custody proceeding is pending in any other court.

III. JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter and parties

pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 93-5-24 and the Uniform Child Custody

Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 93-27-101 et seq.).

1. Venue is proper in this Court because [Complainant resides here /

the child resides here / Defendant resides here].

IV. MARITAL STATUS

1. Complainant and Defendant [ARE / ARE NOT] married.

[If married:] The parties were married on [MARRIAGE DATE] in

[LOCATION]. [Divorce is / is not] pending.

[If not married:] The parties were never married to each other.

Paternity [HAS / HAS NOT] been established. [If established:]

Paternity was established by [VOLUNTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT / COURT

ORDER / GENETIC TESTING] on [DATE].

V. CURRENT CUSTODY SITUATION

1. There is [no existing custody order / an existing custody order from

this Court dated DATE / an existing custody order from another

jurisdiction].

1. The child(ren) currently reside(s) with [NAME] at [ADDRESS].

1. [Describe any prior custody arrangements]

VI. REQUEST FOR CUSTODY

1. Complainant requests that this Court enter an Order establishing

custody as follows:

A. PHYSICAL CUSTODY:

[ ] Sole physical custody to Complainant

[ ] Sole physical custody to Defendant

[ ] Joint physical custody between the parties

B. LEGAL CUSTODY:

[ ] Sole legal custody to Complainant

[ ] Sole legal custody to Defendant

[ ] Joint legal custody to both parties

C. VISITATION:

[ ] Reasonable visitation to the non-custodial parent

[ ] Specific schedule as follows:

[ ] Every other weekend (Friday [TIME] to Sunday [TIME])

[ ] One weeknight per week: [DAY] from [TIME] to [TIME]

[ ] Holidays: [DESCRIBE SCHEDULE]

[ ] Summer vacation: [DESCRIBE]

[ ] Other: [DESCRIBE]

VII. ALBRIGHT FACTORS

1. The custody arrangement requested is in the best interests of the

child(ren) under the Albright factors:

A. Age, health, and gender of child(ren): [DESCRIBE]

B. Continuity of care: [Who has been primary caregiver]

C. Parenting skills: [DESCRIBE]

D. Employment responsibilities: [DESCRIBE WORK SCHEDULE]

E. Physical and mental health of each parent: [DESCRIBE]

F. Emotional ties: [DESCRIBE BOND WITH CHILD]

G. Moral fitness: [DESCRIBE IF RELEVANT]

H. Child's preference: [IF APPLICABLE — typically 12+]

I. Stability of home environment: [DESCRIBE]

J. Geographic proximity: [DESCRIBE]

K. Willingness to foster relationship with other parent: [DESCRIBE]

VIII. PRIOR PROCEEDINGS

1. [Describe any prior court proceedings involving the children]

IX. REQUEST FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Complainant respectfully requests that this Court:

A. Award custody of the minor child(ren) as set forth herein;

B. Establish a visitation schedule;

C. Award child support as appropriate;

D. Grant such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.

________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

[YOUR STREET ADDRESS]

[CITY], MS [ZIP CODE]

[YOUR PHONE NUMBER]

[YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]

________________________________________________________________________________

VERIFICATION

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI )

) ss.

COUNTY OF [COUNTY] )

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], being first duly sworn, depose and say that the

matters set forth in the foregoing Bill of Complaint are true and

correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

___________________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this _____ day of _______________, 20___

___________________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: ____________

________________________________________________________________________________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 2: FINANCIAL STATEMENT — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this form for child support calculations.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

________________________________________________________________________________

[COMPLAINANT NAME]

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME]

Cause No. _______________

________________________________________________________________________________

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

________________________________________________________________________________

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], provide the following financial information:

I. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Employer Name: _______________________________

Address: _______________________________

Position: _______________________________

How long employed: ______ years ______ months

GROSS MONTHLY INCOME:

Base salary/wages: $__________

Overtime: $__________

Bonuses: $__________

Self-employment income: $__________

Other income: $__________

TOTAL GROSS MONTHLY INCOME: $__________

II. MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS

Federal income tax: $__________

State income tax: $__________

FICA: $__________

Health insurance (self): $__________

Retirement: $__________

Other: $__________

TOTAL DEDUCTIONS: $__________

NET MONTHLY INCOME: $__________

III. MONTHLY EXPENSES

Rent/mortgage: $__________

Utilities: $__________

Food: $__________

Transportation: $__________

Health insurance (child[ren]): $__________

Childcare: $__________

Clothing: $__________

Other: $__________

TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES: $__________

I certify this information is true and correct.

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

________________________________________________________________________________

`

--- PAGE BREAK ---

FORM 3: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE — BLANK TEMPLATE

> INSTRUCTIONS: Complete after serving the other parent.

`

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

________________________________________________________________________________

[COMPLAINANT NAME]

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME]

Cause No. _______________

________________________________________________________________________________

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

________________________________________________________________________________

I hereby certify that on this _____ day of _______________, 20___, I

served a copy of the following document(s):

[ ] Bill of Complaint for Custody

[ ] Financial Statement

[ ] Proposed Parenting Plan

[ ] Other: _______________________________

upon:

[DEFENDANT'S FULL NAME]

[DEFENDANT'S ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE ZIP]

by the following method(s):

[ ] First-class mail, postage prepaid

[ ] Hand delivery

[ ] Certified mail, Return Receipt Requested

[ ] Private process server

[ ] Sheriff's service

________________________________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________ _______________________________

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR PRINTED NAME]

________________________________________________________________________________

`

FILING STEPS

1. Complete FORM 1 (Bill of Complaint for Custody) and FORM 2 (Financial Statement).
2. Prepare a Proposed Parenting Plan (strongly recommended).
3. Make 3 copies of all documents (original + 2 copies).
4. Go to the Chancery Court in the county where the child lives.
5. File with the Chancery Clerk's Office and pay the filing fee (~$50–150).
6. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about filing in forma pauperis (as a poor person).
7. Get your filed copies back — note your Cause Number.
8. Arrange for service on the other parent (you cannot serve papers yourself).
9. Service options: Sheriff ($25–50), private process server ($50–100), friend/family 18+ (free), or certified mail (~$10).
10. After service, complete and file FORM 3 (Certificate of Service).
11. Attend your court hearing — arrive 30 minutes early with all filed documents.
12. If the judge grants custody, get a certified copy of the order.
13. Follow the order exactly — to modify later, file a Petition to Modify.
14. To enforce a violated order, file a Motion for Contempt with the Chancery Court.
15. Keep all court documents in a safe place.

COURT INFORMATION

FILING CHECKLIST

Before Going to Court

• [ ] Completed Bill of Complaint for Custody (FORM 1)
• [ ] Completed Financial Statement (FORM 2)
• [ ] Proposed Parenting Plan
• [ ] Filing fee (~$100) OR in forma pauperis application
• [ ] Photo ID
• [ ] 3 copies of all documents

For Service

• [ ] Filed copy of Bill of Complaint
• [ ] Server identified (not you)
• [ ] Certificate of Service forms

For Court Hearing

• [ ] All filed documents
• [ ] Proof of service
• [ ] Proposed Parenting Plan (2 copies)
• [ ] Proof of income
• [ ] School/medical records
• [ ] Notebook for notes

STATUTE REFERENCES

Key Case Law

DISCLAIMER

IMPORTANT: This packet provides general information for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.

• Jurist-Diction is not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice.
• These forms may not be appropriate for your specific situation.
• Laws change frequently. Verify current law before filing.
• Court procedures vary by county. Contact your local Chancery Court for specific requirements.
• For legal advice, contact a licensed Mississippi attorney or legal aid organization.

Need help? Find free legal aid at mslegalservices.org or call 1-800-959-6752.