Family Law in Mississippi

Family Law

Our Legal Resources page is for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer.  This website does not give legal advice and it is not a substitute for having a lawyer.

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Divorces in Mississippi

The Mississippi Bar has created a resource explaining divorces in Mississippi. You can access it by clicking here: https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/what-are-the-grounds-for-divorce-in-mississippi/ 

Irreconcilable Differences Divorce

If you are interested in a divorce based on Irreconcilable Differences (both parties agree to be divorced, do not have children together and will sign the documents), you can get divorce documents by clicking here.  This link will take you to a different website with an interactive form (the website will ask a series of questions about your particular situation). At the end of the questions, the website will create the divorce documents for you. Click here to access an instruction sheet for completing most Irreconcilable Differences Divorces in Mississippi.



Child Custody

The Domestic Abuse Protection Order form can be accessed  here.  This form will assist you in all of the paperwork to file to request a Protection Order.

Determining Paternity

The Mississippi Bar has information on determining paternity here: https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/determining-paternity/ 

The Mississippi Department of Human Services has several resources for paternity issues as well on its child support resource website: http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/child-support/ 

Determining Custody

Child Custody Options in MS is a resource that will tell you more about the custody options for your case.

The Mississippi Bar explains what “the best interests of a child” means when determining custody: https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/child-custody-considering-the-best-interest-of-the-child/ 

Guardianship

The Mississippi Judicial College provides information and forms about guardianships in Mississippi: https://mjc.olemiss.edu/gap-act/

Termination of Parental Rights

The Mississippi Bar explains terminating parental rights for the public: https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/what-are-the-grounds-for-terminating-parental-rights/ 

Youth Court Issues

The Commission partnered with the Children's Justice to create A Parents' Guide to: Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Cases in Youth Court to help parents know their rights when going to Youth Court. Access the pamphlet here.

 


Child Support/Visitation

Follow this link to access The Mississippi Bar’s information about child support. https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/child-support-what-every-mother-and-father-should-know/ 

The Mississippi Department of Human Services has several resources for child support.  Their resources include the statutory amounts for child support and forms for getting visitation rights of your child.  You can access their website here. http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/child-support/ 

The Mississippi Department of Human Services has a handbook for parents on understanding child support. You can read the handbook on their website: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/MDHS_CSE_Parents-Handbook_V2.pdf
                 Child Support Visitation

A Rule 8.05 

Financial Statement is required in every child support case.  A PDF fillable form is availble here

Emancipation

If you are under the age of 21, want to live independently from your parents, and both of your parents will sign the emancipation papers, you may be able to get emancipated under Mississippi law with our free legal forms.  You can access to the documents here:  This link will take you to a different website with an interactive form (the website will ask a series of questions about your particular situation). At the end of the questions, the website will create the Emancipation documents for you. Click here to access an instruction sheet for completing most Emancipations in Mississippi.

 

Emancipatation Legal Document 

Domestic Abuse

If you are looking to get a Protection Order due to domestic violence, the Domestic Abuse Protection Order form can be accessed here

This list of FAQs will provide valuable information about Domestic Abuse Protection 

The Mississippi Attorney General has created a Victim Services Resource Directory that can be accessed here.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides information and resources for victims of domestic violence. 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or www.thehotline.org.

Follow this link to access The Mississippi Bar’s information on domestic violence.

https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/what-if-my-spousepartner-abuses-me/ 

The Mississippi Attorney General’s office Domestic Violence Division has important information and resources on its website regarding domestic violence. You can access their website here.  http://www.ago.state.ms.us/divisions/bureau-of-victim-assistance/ 

DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTION ORDER FORMS are available on the Mississippi Attorney General’s website here: https://www.ago.state.ms.us/divisions/bureau-of-victim-assistance/. On the site, click "Interpersonal/Domestic Violence" to access the forms.

Child Abuse/Neglect

Please contact the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services to report Child Abuse or Neglect. https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/ 


 

Domestic Abuse

Adult Name Change

If you are over the age of 21 and want to legally change your name, you can access the documents here: This link will take you to a different website with an interactive form (the website will ask a series of questions about your particular situation). At the end of the questions, the website will create the Adult Name Change documents for you. Click here to access an instruction sheet for completing most Adult Name Changes in Mississippi.


 

Adult Name Change

Birth Certificates


The Mississippi State Department of Health—Vital Statistics is the agency in charge of Birth Certificates in Mississippi.  Visit their website to order a copy of a Birth Certificate: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/31,0,109.html 

The Department of Vital Statistics allows minor corrections to be made on birth certificates.  Contact the Department to see whether your change can be made without going to court.  The Birth Certificate Questions and Answers page may be helpful in resolving your birth certificate issue.
https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/31,0,109,76.html
 
If you need a birth certificate from a different state, follow this link to determine how to obtain a copy from that state: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm 

 

Birth Certificates in Mississippi

Social Security Cards

The Social Security Administration issues social security numbers and cards.  For information about whether you need a Social Security card and how to get one, click here: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

If you need to change or correct your name on your social security card, click here: https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-01981


 

Social Security Cards in Mississippi

Family Resources

Many organizations provide resources for families in Mississippi:
  
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Serviceshttps://www.mdcps.ms.gov/find-services-in-my-county/ 

Families First for Mississippi: https://www.familiesfirstforms.org/ 




 

Families First in Mississippi

For assistance with family law matters contact one of our legal service partners!