Mississippi Divorce — LSC-Grade Legal Packet
Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.
1. Eligibility Checker — Who This Packet Helps
- [ ] You or your spouse have lived in Mississippi for at least 6 months before filing
- [ ] You have grounds for divorce under Mississippi law
- [ ] You file in the county where you or your spouse lives
File at: Mississippi court finder: https://www.mscourts.gov/directory/
2. Required Forms — Mississippi Divorce
Forms You Will Need
| Form Name | Purpose | Where to Get |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint for Divorce | Starts the divorce case | Chancery Court clerk or draft yourself |
| Summons | Notifies spouse of the lawsuit | Chancery Court clerk issues |
| Marital Settlement Agreement | Outlines terms both spouses agree to | Draft yourself |
| Financial Statement | Discloses income, assets, debts | Required by local court rules |
| Parenting Plan (if children) | Custody and visitation schedule | Draft yourself |
| Child Support Calculation Worksheet | Calculates support under MS guidelines | msdh.us calculator |
| Final Judgment of Divorce | Judge signs to grant divorce | Draft yourself; judge signs |
| Vital Statistics Form | State record-keeping | Chancery Court clerk |
Where to Get Forms
- Chancery Court Clerk's Office in your county
- Mississippi Judiciary Self-Help: courts.ms.gov
- Some counties provide packet forms; others require drafting your own
3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions
Step 1: Meet Residency Requirements
Step 2: Determine Your Grounds
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
Step 4: Draft and File Your Complaint
- Draft the Complaint for Divorce including:
- File the Complaint at the Chancery Court Clerk's Office
- The clerk will issue a Summons
Step 5: Serve Your Spouse
- Give the Summons and Complaint to the Sheriff in the county where your spouse lives
- Pay the service fee (typically $25-50)
- The Sheriff will serve your spouse and return proof to the court
Step 6: Wait Period and Negotiation
Step 7: Complete Settlement Agreement (If Agreed)
Step 8: Attend the Hearing
Step 9: Get Your Final Judgment
5. Filing Checklist — Before Going to Court
- [ ] Marriage certificate (certified copy)
- [ ] Children's birth certificates (if applicable)
- [ ] Proof of income for both spouses (last 3-6 pay stubs)
- [ ] Last 2-3 years of tax returns
- [ ] Bank statements (all accounts, last 6 months)
- [ ] Retirement account statements
- [ ] Deeds to real property
- [ ] Vehicle titles
- [ ] List of all debts with balances
- [ ] Proof of residency (driver's license, utility bill)
- [ ] Complaint for Divorce
LEGAL AID
- Mississippi Center for Legal Services: mslegalservices.org · 1-800-498-1804
- North MS Rural Legal Services: nmrls.com · 1-800-498-1804
- MS Volunteer Lawyers Project: msvlp.org · (601) 960-9572
- MS Access to Justice Commission: msajc.org · (601) 359-9250
*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.
Verify current law before filing. For legal advice contact a licensed Mississippi attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*