Mississippi divorce at a glance
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Divorce in Mississippi: the chancery system
Mississippi is one of the last states where divorce is handled by a Chancery Court — a court of equity that once oversaw wills, trusts, and family disputes. The practical effect is that judges have wide discretion to craft fair outcomes rather than follow rigid rules. You file the Complaint for Divorce in the Chancery Court of the county where you live, after six months of residency.
The state is not purely no-fault: Mississippi offers both a no-fault ground — irreconcilable differences — and traditional fault grounds like adultery and cruelty. The no-fault route requires a signed written agreement resolving all issues, while a fault ground can affect how property and alimony are decided. After filing, a 60-day waiting period runs before the decree.
Property is divided equitably, and child support follows the Mississippi Child Support Guidelines under Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-101, which use a percentage of income. Custody is decided under the best interests standard in Miss. Code Ann. § 93-5-24. Filing runs about $148 to $160.