Mississippi Divorce Self-Help Tools

Free Tools

The basics

Mississippi divorce at a glance

How property is divided Equitable distribution — fair, but not always 50/50 (Ferguson v. Ferguson, 639 So.2d 921 (Miss. 1994))
Filing fee ~$148-$158 in most counties · varies by county
Residency requirement 6 months in Mississippi before filing (Miss. Code § 93-5-5 (2024))
Waiting period 60 days after filing for irreconcilable differences; None required for fault-based
Fault required? No — irreconcilable differences is sufficient (Miss. Code § 93-5-2 (2022)); fault-based grounds also exist (Miss. Code § 93-5-1 (2024))
Mediation Not required by statute, but encouraged by courts and can be agreed upon by parties
Typical uncontested cost ~$500-$3,500 (attorney fees for flat fee arrangements, plus filing fees)

Common questions

What people ask us

How long does a divorce take in Mississippi?

An uncontested divorce based on irreconcilable differences in Mississippi typically takes at least 60 days after the complaint is filed. Fault-based divorces do not have a mandatory waiting period but can often take longer due to litigation.

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Mississippi?

While it is not legally required to have a lawyer for a divorce in Mississippi, it is highly recommended, especially in cases involving complex property division, child custody, or support issues. An attorney can ensure your rights are protected and all legal requirements are met.

Is Mississippi a no-fault divorce state?

Yes, Mississippi is a no-fault divorce state, allowing divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences (Miss. Code § 93-5-2 (2022)). However, fault-based grounds such as adultery, desertion, or habitual cruel and inhuman treatment also exist (Miss. Code § 93-5-1 (2024)).

How is property divided in Mississippi divorce?

Mississippi follows the principle of equitable distribution (Ferguson v. Ferguson, 639 So.2d 921 (Miss. 1994)). This means marital property is divided fairly between spouses, though not necessarily equally, based on various factors considered by the court.

Is legal separation recognized in Mississippi?

No, Mississippi does not recognize legal separation. Spouses are considered married until a final divorce decree is issued by the court.

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All 82 counties

Find your county court

Each county can have its own filing office or local court resources. Find your area's e-filing portal and case search below.

Adams County Sixth Circuit Court District / Sixteenth Chancery Court District
Alcorn County First Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Amite County Sixth Circuit Court District / Twenty-Second Chancery Court District
Attala County Fifth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Benton County Second Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Bolivar County Fourth Circuit Court District / Thirteenth Chancery Court District
Calhoun County Third Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Carroll County Fifth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Chickasaw County Third Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Choctaw County Fifth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Claiborne County Twenty-Second Circuit Court District / Nineteenth Chancery Court District
Clarke County Tenth Circuit Court District / Twentieth Chancery Court District
Clay County Sixteenth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Coahoma County Eleventh Circuit Court District / Thirteenth Chancery Court District
Copiah County Twenty-Second Circuit Court District / Nineteenth Chancery Court District
Covington County Thirteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Desoto County Twenty-Third Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Forrest County Twelfth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Franklin County Sixth Circuit Court District / Sixteenth Chancery Court District
George County Nineteenth Circuit Court District / Nineteenth Chancery Court District
Greene County Nineteenth Circuit Court District / Nineteenth Chancery Court District
Grenada County Seventeenth Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Hancock County Second Circuit Court District / Eighth Chancery Court District
Harrison County Second Circuit Court District / Eighth Chancery Court District
Hinds County Seventh Circuit Court District / Fifth Chancery Court District
Holmes County Twenty-First Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Humphreys County Twenty-First Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Issaquena County Ninth Circuit Court District / Ninth Chancery Court District
Itawamba County First Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Jackson County Nineteenth Circuit Court District / Nineteenth Chancery Court District
Jasper County Tenth Circuit Court District / Twentieth Chancery Court District
Jefferson County Twenty-Second Circuit Court District / Sixteenth Chancery Court District
Jefferson Davis County Fifteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Jones County Seventeenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Kemper County Tenth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Lafayette County Third Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Lamar County Fifteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Lauderdale County Tenth Circuit Court District / Twentieth Chancery Court District
Lawrence County Fifteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Leake County Eighth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Lee County First Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Leflore County Fourth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Lincoln County Fourteenth Circuit Court District / Sixteenth Chancery Court District
Lowndes County Sixteenth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Madison County Twenty-Second Circuit Court District / Twentieth Chancery Court District
Marion County Fifteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Marshall County Third Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Monroe County First Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Montgomery County Fifth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Neshoba County Eighth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Newton County Eighth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Noxubee County Sixteenth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Oktibbeha County Sixteenth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Panola County Seventeenth Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Pearl River County Fifteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Perry County Nineteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Pike County Fourteenth Circuit Court District / Sixteenth Chancery Court District
Pontotoc County First Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Prentiss County First Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Quitman County Eleventh Circuit Court District / Thirteenth Chancery Court District
Rankin County Twentieth Circuit Court District / Twentieth Chancery Court District
Scott County Eighth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Sharkey County Ninth Circuit Court District / Ninth Chancery Court District
Simpson County Thirteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Smith County Thirteenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Stone County Nineteenth Circuit Court District / Eighth Chancery Court District
Sunflower County Fourth Circuit Court District / Thirteenth Chancery Court District
Tallahatchie County Seventeenth Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Tate County Seventeenth Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Tippah County Second Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Tishomingo County First Circuit Court District / First Chancery Court District
Tunica County Eleventh Circuit Court District / Thirteenth Chancery Court District
Union County Third Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Walthall County Fourteenth Circuit Court District / Sixteenth Chancery Court District
Warren County Ninth Circuit Court District / Ninth Chancery Court District
Washington County Fourth Circuit Court District / Thirteenth Chancery Court District
Wayne County Tenth Circuit Court District / Tenth Chancery Court District
Webster County Fifth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Wilkinson County Sixth Circuit Court District / Sixteenth Chancery Court District
Winston County Eighth Circuit Court District / Fourteenth Chancery Court District
Yalobusha County Seventeenth Circuit Court District / Third Chancery Court District
Yazoo County Twenty-First Circuit Court District / Ninth Chancery Court District

Official sources