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 has its own Clerk of Courts where you file divorce paperwork. Find your county's e-filing portal and case search below.

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

Official sources