Biloxi Divorce Lawyer
Serving Clients In South Mississippi: Gulfport Contested Divorce Attorney
Are you considering filing for divorce, or has your wife or husband decided to divorce you? Are you having marital problems and struggling with major, life-changing decisions involving your children, your finances and your future?
Deciding to pursue divorce is one of the most difficult and emotional decisions you will ever make, particularly if you have children. Divorce also involves financial matters that must be resolved and legal issues that must be addressed. A family law attorney at our firm can help you understand the basic issues involved in divorce and take a rational approach to the divorce process.
The worry and pressures associated with family law problems are serious. They can take over your life and make it extremely difficult to focus on children, work and your health. The best decision you can make is to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable divorce attorney in Biloxi who will hear you out, explain Mississippi family law in plain English and help you find the best way to get through this major life challenge.
Putting Your Interests First And Finding The Best Path To Resolution
While every family and every divorce is unique, one certainty is that it will change the lives of everyone involved. Your priorities may involve kids, money, your house, your business, assets you brought into the marriage, or all of these. We are balanced, practical lawyers able to relate to all the concerns you may have about:
- Establishing child custody and visitation orders that serve the best interests of your children and do justice to your role as a loving father or mother
- Obtaining a fair and just settlement of all issues associated with division of property and debts
- Resolving complex issues that arise in a military divorce or a case involving extremely valuable assets such as investment and retirement accounts, real estate holdings or interests in a family business
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce In Mississippi
Do you have questions about your divorce? Here are the answers to some that our attorneys hear most often:
What are the grounds for divorce in Mississippi?
Mississippi allows both no-fault and fault-based divorces. A no-fault divorce means that spouses only have to jointly agree that there were irreconcilable differences in their marriage. Alternatively, a spouse may file for a fault-based divorce on one of a dozen specific grounds, including:
- Desertion for at least one year
- Natural impotency
- Incurable insanity
- A wife’s pregnancy by someone other than her spouse
- Adultery
- Habitual drunkenness or drug use
- Cruel and inhuman treatment
- Bigamy
A fault-based divorce can become much more complex and expensive than a no-fault divorce. Our attorneys can help you explore your legal options for a fast and inexpensive divorce.
What is the waiting period for divorce in Mississippi?
Couples must wait a mandatory 60-day waiting period for an uncontested divorce before court proceedings can begin. If a divorce is contested, it can take much longer to finalize the divorce, even though there is no specific waiting period.
Who gets the house in a divorce in Mississippi?
Mississippi is an equitable division state, which means assets are divided based on what is fair instead of 50/50. If a divorce is uncontested, the couple will negotiate the disposition of the house between themselves. If the divorce is contested, a judge will decide what will happen.
Common solutions involve one party buying out the other’s share of the home’s equity or selling the house to divide the proceeds. A premarital agreement, or “prenup,” could also determine who gets the house in a divorce, especially in situations where the home belonged to one party before the marriage began.
What is the divorce process in Mississippi?
To file for divorce, you must have resided within the state for at least six months, after which a complaint for divorce may be filed in Chancery Court. Your spouse must then be properly notified, or “served,” via a summons and complaint, and given a chance to respond. In practical terms, the process is usually more involved, with a series of negotiations that take place between the parties to resolve issues of property division, support and custody. If negotiations fail, then a trial will be scheduled before a judge.
Uncontested Divorce? Complex Dispute? Call 228-207-2990 For Counsel
At Hornsby Watts, PLLC, we know how to handle your uncontested divorce with maximum efficiency and affordability if you and your divorcing spouse can truly agree on a settlement. However, most divorces require some level of negotiation or litigation — and we are resourceful and relentless on behalf of each client we represent.
You do not have to give in on issues that are important to you. Standing up for your rights does not mean you must endure costly, draining litigation if you choose attorneys who know how to build the best case possible for achieving your goals. For a free initial consultation, contact our Biloxi family law firm anytime.