In Mississippi, there are two ways to obtain a divorce: an agreed divorce termed irreconcilable differences or a contested divorce. An agreed divorce is the fastest and least stressful. You and your spouse will file a joint complaint for divorce in a Mississippi Court. This complaint must remain on file for sixty (60) days before the Court will grant a divorce which determines adequate provisions for the support of any children and for the settlement of assets/property rights between you and your spouse.

In a contested divorce, one party must file a complaint for divorce alleging a fault ground. Mississippi has twelve grounds for contested divorces: natural impotency, being sent to a penitentiary, adultery, desertion, habitual drunkenness, habitual and excessive use of drugs, habitual cruelty, insanity, marriage to someone else at the time of the pretended marriage, pregnancy of wife by another person at time of marriage, relationship with prohibited decrees of kindred, and incurable insanity.

At the hearing of the contested divorce, the chancellor will consider and issue an order that determines the following: custody and visitation with any children, child support, health care, medical expenses, education and child care, division of the accumulated assets during the marriage, insurance, and other matters before the court.