Legal Question in Family Law in Mississippi

Re: CHILD visitation

If the father was not acknowledged on the birth certificate, he has no legal rights until he is adjudicated the father in a paternity action. If the father is on the birth certificate, he has rights to the child superior to third persons, but neither parent's rights are legally superior to the other. The parents should obtain a court judgment specifying whatever is reasonable visitation and child support. If cost is an issue, the mother can sue for costs of child birth, child and her attorney fees. lternatively, the Department of Human Services Child Support Enforcement Division can take on the child support part of the case for minimal cost, but they have a considerable backlog. The issue of visitation is outside their mandate. In the mean time, you might consider making an informal written arrangement with the father for visitation and bond to cover your costs in case you have to sue if he breaks the arrangement.