Burgess v. Williamson (Mississippi 2018)

A parent cannot challenge the court’s jurisdiction over an initial order in subsequent proceedings. The father, the custodial parent, filed a motion to hold mother in contempt for failure to pay support. The mother filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. The Chancery Court denied the motion and entered an order finding mother in contempt, ruling that it retained jurisdiction, and setting a judgement for arrears and attorney fees. The mother appealed. The Court of Appeals affirmed the order. It found that mother failed to develop a clear argument regarding jurisdiction. If she meant to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to enter the original order, she was barred by res judicata.