Hire a Divorce Lawyer in Ridgeland, MS

Decades of Experience Helping Our Clients in Times of Need

Divorce may be an emotionally draining process, which is often complicated by contentious legal proceedings. As stressful and overwhelming as the divorce process is, you are not alone. A trusted legal advocate will protect your rights and help you find the best path forward. At Hancock Law Firm, our Ridgeland, MS divorce lawyers are skilled, experienced advocates for our clients. 

Our law firm seeks to resolve every issue in the most efficient and dignified way possible. We understand that each person’s situation is different, and we adapt our approach to the needs of each individual client. If you have questions about divorce, we are here as your legal resource. Call us today to set up a strictly confidential consultation with a top-rated divorce attorney. 

Divorce is About a Lot More than Filing Paperwork: Protect Yourself and Your Family

Even if both spouses are ready to end a marriage, getting divorced is about a lot more than filing paperwork with the court. You and your former partner need to disentangle your legal and financial affairs. There is a wide range of different family law issues that must be considered and resolved before a marital separation can be finalized in Mississippi. At Hancock Law Firm, we provide comprehensive support to our clients. Our Ridgeland divorce lawyers attorneys can guide residents of the Tri-County Area through the full range of family law matters related to separation, including: 

• Alimony; 
• Child custody; 
• Child support; and 
• Property division.

As every divorce case involves its own unique set of facts, it is crucial that you work with a family law attorney who will put in the time, legal resources, and attention to detail to handle your case the right way. Your financial interests and family law rights should be fully protected through every stage of the process. 

What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Mississippi?

Mississippi law recognizes fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. (A “ground” for divorce simply means a reason to dissolve the marriage.) A fault divorce is typically based on some sort of misconduct by one spouse. The state recognizes several fault grounds, such as:

• Adultery; 
• Imprisonment; 
• Incurable insanity; 
• Alcohol or drug abuse; 
• Desertion or Abandonment.

What Are the Grounds for a Fault-Based Divorce?

Should you decide to file for a fault-based divorce, you will need to prove one of the following issues are present with “clear and convincing evidence”: Drug or alcohol addiction, adultery, bigamy, cruel or inhumane treatment, desertion, impotency, familial relation of the spouses of a degree not permitted for a married couple, incurable insanity, pregnancy of the wife by another during the marriage where the husband was not aware the child wasn’t his, and incarceration without pardon.

No-Fault Divorce in Mississippi

A no-fault divorce, on the other hand, does not attribute fault to either spouse and requires no proof of wrongdoing. It denotes that the marriage is ending on the basis of “irreconcilable differences.” This just means that the spouses no longer get along and are not likely to resolve their divergence. This type of divorce may only be granted when both parties agree to a divorce.

If the spouses agree that they want a divorce but cannot agree on all of the related matters, the court will decide them. This is commonly known as a no-fault divorce with contested issues. In order to file for any type of divorce in Mississippi, at least one spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months prior to filing. The proceedings may begin in the county in which either spouse lives.

We Handle the Full Range of Divorce Cases in Mississippi

No matter the circumstances of your marriage, we are prepared to help. We know that the vast majority of people want to find low-conflict, efficient ways to navigate the divorce process. Our team always puts an emphasis on limiting stress and finding cost-effective solutions—but we are also trial-proven and are always prepared to take aggressive action to protect your best interests. In addition to no-fault divorce and contested divorce cases, Hancock Law Group also has experience with:

• Arbitration; 
• Mediation; 
• Abandonment divorce; 
• Property settlement agreements; and
• Collaborative divorce
• And more

Do We Have to Be Separated Before We File for Divorce?

Unlike other states, there is no requirement that you and your spouse are separated before filing for divorce in Mississippi.

How Long Will it Take to Get a Divorce?

The length of time it takes to get a divorce depends both on whether you file for a fault-based divorce (also known as a contested divorce), or a no-fault divorce (also known as filing for divorce based on irreconcilable differences). Should you file for a fault-based divorce, you will likely have to go through a trial, where you prove the basis for the fault-based divorce in court. Should the judge decide that the case for a fault-based divorce was proven at trial, the divorce will be final as soon as the judgment is entered.

However, trials can take a very long time. Should you file for a no-fault divorce, the divorce could be final in as few as 60 days after the complaint for divorce is filed. However, there are other motions and requests that can be filed in a divorce action, such as requests for temporary relief (i.e., alimony payments), that could slow down the process.

Where Do I File for Divorce in Ridgeland?

If you are filing for a no-fault divorce and you and your spouse live in separate counties, you can file in either the county where you live or where your spouse lives. If you’re filing for a fault-based divorce, things can get a little more complicated. If your spouse lives in Mississippi, you must either file in the county where your spouse lives or in the county where you lived with your spouse prior to separating. If your spouse lives out of state, the spouse filing for a fault-based divorce should file in the county where he or she lives. There is a residency requirement to file for divorce in Mississippi – one of the spouses must have lived in the state, as well as the county where you’re filing, for at least six months prior to filing.

What Are the Costs and Fees I Can Expect to Pay When I Get a Divorce?

The basic costs of filing for divorce can vary between counties. Filing divorce forms will cost around $100. If you are filing for a fault-based divorce, you will also need to serve your spouse with the divorce complaint, which can cost around $50. If you cannot locate your spouse, you will need to publish a notice of the divorce complaint in a newspaper for three consecutive weeks, which can cost around $125. After 30 days, the spouse will be considered to have received notice, and the divorce can proceed. These are only court costs, and hiring an attorney to represent your interests and ensure that you reach a fair result will involve additional fees.

You Can Rely on the Mississippi Divorce Attorneys at Hancock Law Firm

Going through a divorce is never easy. There are so many emotional, legal, and logistical complexities. You do not have to do this alone. At Hancock Law Firm, PLLC, we are here to protect your rights and help you find the best path forward. When you reach out to our Ridgeland law office, you will have an opportunity to consult directly with a Mississippi divorce attorney who will: 

• Listen to your story and answer your questions about the process;
• Gather and prepare all the information you need to move forward; and
• Take all necessary steps to help you secure your future and get the best outcome. 

With more than five decades of combined legal experience, our Mississippi family & divorce lawyers provide reliable, fully personalized attention to each and every client. We will take the time to understand your circumstances and your objectives—and our Ridgeland divorce attorneys have a tremendous record of success.

Consult a Divorce Lawyer in Ridgeland

If you are thinking of filing for divorce or are going through a divorce, it is important to seek the advice of a skilled attorney who can help you explore your grounds for divorce. At the Hancock Law Firm, we have assisted many people in Ridgeland and the surrounding area. We understand that this is a difficult time for your family and you, and we will treat you with the sensitivity that you deserve while advocating vigorously on your behalf. 

Our legal team is ready to get started right away. Call us today or send us a message directly online to schedule your fully confidential, no-commitment initial consultation. We represent people in divorce and family law matters in Madison, Ridgeland, Clinton, Flowood, Brandon, Flora, Yazoo City, Carthage, and Vicksburg, among other communities.