If you are considering getting a divorce in our state, you wonder how much it will cost you. The answer is not simple, as there are many factors that can affect the cost of a Mississippi divorce, such as whether it is contested or uncontested, whether you have children or property to divide and whether you need a lawyer or not.
Fault-based divorce
One thing that makes Mississippi different from many other states is that it is a fault-based divorce state if both parties do not agree to get a divorce.
This means that one spouse has to prove that the other spouse committed adultery, cruelty, desertion, habitual drunkenness, drug addiction, insanity, impotency or bigamy to get a divorce. If both spouses agree to get a divorce, they can file for an irreconcilable differences divorce, which is similar to a no-fault divorce in other states.
Costs
The cost of a fault-based divorce can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the amount of evidence needed to prove the grounds for divorce. A fault-based divorce can also take longer than an irreconcilable differences divorce because it may require a trial and witnesses.
A fault-based divorce can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 or more, depending on the lawyer’s fees and court costs.
Irreconcilable differences
An irreconcilable differences divorce can be cheaper and faster than a fault-based divorce as it does not require proof of fault or a trial. However, irreconcilable differences divorce still require both spouses to agree on all the terms of the divorce, such as child custody, child support, alimony, property division and debt division.
If there are any disputes or disagreements between the spouses, they may need to hire lawyers or mediators to help them reach a settlement. An irreconcilable differences divorce can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the lawyer’s fees and court costs.
Some factors that can make a difference
If you have children, you will need to decide on child custody, visitation and child support. These issues can be contentious and may require expert witnesses or evaluations. You may also need to pay for parenting classes or counseling.
If you have property, such as a house, a car, a business or retirement accounts, you will need to divide it equitably between you and your spouse. This may require appraisals or valuations of your assets and debts. You may also need to pay taxes or penalties for transferring or selling your property.
The bottom line is that there is no definitive answer to how much a Mississippi divorce will cost you. It depends on your specific situation and how you choose to handle it.