Senate Bill 2029, ( Sen. Brice Wiggins) proposes some common-sense change to Mississippi Family Law…for the umpteenth time in the last 20 years.

This Legislation proposes to add a 13th ground.

“Thirteenth. Upon application of either party, the court may grant a divorce when the court finds there has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage and that further attempts at reconciliation are impractical or futile and not in the best interests of the parties or family.“

This change would bring Mississippi in-line with 48 other states and Puerto Rico, all having true No-Fault divorce laws.

The other piece of this legislation eliminates the willful and obstinate aspects for abandonment and only requires “Continued * * * desertion for the space of one (1) year.”

 But I am entitled to a divorce if I want one, right? NO, Financial/divorce blackmail is legal in Mississippi under its current law.

Mississippi does NOT have a no-fault divorce option. Either you have fault grounds or an agreement to all issues  and if you have neither of those, you cannot get a divorce in Mississippi.

These are common-sense changes in MS family law and would actually prevent protracted litigation and messy, expensive contests.

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and reminds you this Bill is contrary to the divorce attorney’s best interests and I am in support of these changes!