“Easy Come, Easy Go” does NOT apply to Family Law.

It’s easy to get Married. Quick, too.  Just show:

1. Both parties must apply together
2. Both parties must present a valid I.D. (Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, Military I.D., DD214, Baptismal Certificate, Life Insurance Record, School Record, or any other official document evidencing age. The Clerk shall retain a copy on file.
3. $23.00 CASH fee (or similar fee depending on County)
4. If either party has been divorced within the last six (6) months, a copy of the divorce decree is required

Additional Information

1. If either applicant is under TWENTY-ONE (21) years of age, parental consent is required
2. The female applicant must be at least fifteen (15) years of age to apply
3. The male applicant must be at least seventeen (17) years of age to apply
4. The license may be used only in the State of Mississippi

Harrison County Circuit Clerk.

It can be very difficult to get a Divorce.

You and your spouse must;

• Agree to a Divorce
• Agree to all of the Terms of the Divorce Agreement (including custody, support, visitation, property division and financial terms)

The basic process is;

• File a Joint Complaint for Divorce (this begins a 60 day waiting period)
• Prepare and exchange financial Statements
• Prepare and sign the Child Custody and Property Settlement Agreement
• Prepare and sign the Final Judgment of Divorce
• Present the paperwork to the Court for approval (after 60 days of the initial filing)
• Possibly attend Parenting Class

This ONLY works if you and your spouse can AGREE To EVERYTHING.  If you cannot then you must pursue a Fault based divorce.

Fault requires:

• File a fault-based Complaint for Divorce (determine if you need Temporary Relief)
• Have a Summons issued (Rule 4, 81 or both)
• Have your spouse served with the documents
• Prepare and attend a Temp. Hearing
• Propound Discovery
• Issue subpoenas
• Respond to Discovery
• Take Depositions
• Have a Contempt hearing
• Prepare and exchange financial Statements
• Possibly attend Parenting Class
• Set Trial
• Prepare for trial (6-12 months from now)
• Trial gets continued for some reason
• Attend Trial
• Await Ruling
• Be aggrieved
• Both parties file Appeals
• 1 1/2 years later get ruling on appeal
• Matter is Remanded
• Repeat the above

“… it is the greatest of all mistakes to begin life with the expectation that it is going to be easy, or with the wish to have it so.”
― Lucy Larcom

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You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.