Mississippi Code 1972 (2023)
Title 93 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (§§ 93-1-1 — 93-31-7)
Chapter 13 - GUARDIANS AND CONSERVATORS (§§ 93-13-1 — 93-13-281)
WARDS, GENERALLY (§§ 93-13-1 — 93-13-79)
Section 93-13-1 - Parental guardianship of minor children

The father and mother are the joint natural guardians of their minor children and are equally charged with their care, nurture, welfare and education, and the care and management of their estates. The father and mother shall have equal powers and rights, and neither parent has any right paramount to the right of the other concerning the custody of the minor or the control of the services or the earnings of such minor, or any other matter affecting the minor. If either father or mother die or be incapable of acting, the guardianship devolves upon the surviving parent. Neither parent shall forcibly take a child from the guardianship of the parent legally entitled to its custody. But if any father or mother be unsuitable to discharge the duties of guardianship, then the court, or chancellor in vacation, may appoint some suitable person, or having appointed the father or mother, may remove him or her if it appear that such person is unsuitable, and appoint a suitable person.

Codes, 1930, § 1863; 1942, § 399; Laws, 1922, ch. 266.