The cost of a divorce in Mississippi can vary depending on several factors, including attorney fees, court filing fees, and the complexity of the case. On average, an uncontested divorce in Mississippi can cost between $1,500 and $5,000, while a contested divorce price can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. These figures are approximate and can vary based on individual circumstances.
Divorce Prices in Mississippi: How Much Will It Cost You?
The minimum divorce cost in Mississippi can start at about $200 if the case is uncontested and spouses pay only mandatory court fees. On the other hand, it can reach $15,000–$20,000 or more if the divorce is highly contested and requires many court hearings and the involvement of numerous specialists. How much you will spend on your marriage dissolution mostly depends on whether there are disputes between you and the other party regarding custody of minor children, spousal or child support, division of assets and debts, etc.
Contested Divorce
The cost of fault-based divorce that is contested can be, on average, from at least $5,000-$7,000 to $20,000 and more. If you file on no-fault grounds but still have unresolved issues with your spouse, your total expenses may be lower than in a contested fault-based divorce. This is because a lawyer will potentially spend less time on the case, without searching for evidence of one spouse’s fault and proving it in court.
Such a high price for contested cases is caused by the need to hire lawyers, evaluators, and child custody experts to participate in lengthy court battles between parties who cannot agree on their disputes.
Uncontested Divorce
The cost of an amicable divorce when spouses have agreed on all the terms of marriage termination and concluded a marital settlement agreement can start from around $150-$200, mandatory court fees for filing papers.
The total cost of a no-fault divorce that is uncontested and where parties are not represented by attorneys usually reaches no more than $1,500 in court fees, notary services, family counseling, if necessary, etc.
However, hiring a lawyer to help you prepare the documents or represent you in court will increase your expenses by at least $2,000-$5,000.
How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Mississippi?
Divorce attorney cost in Mississippi is, on average, from $1,000 to $5,000 for an uncontested case and between $5,000 and $15,000 and more for a contested one.
Lawyer’s hourly rates in the state can vary from $250 to $500, depending on their location, experience, complexity of the case, scope of representation, etc. Spouses who hire lawyers for full-scope assistance will surely pay more than those who only need help with preparing divorce papers.
How Much Are Divorce Filing Fees in MS?
When filing for divorce, a petitioner must pay mandatory court fees, which are currently about $150 in Mississippi.
Divorce court costs in MS depend on whether the case is contested. If so, fees for submitting papers to the court will be around $160. The cost to file for divorce which is uncontested will be slightly lower – $148.
If your expenses exceed income and you cannot afford to pay the filing fees, you must prepare a Motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis and Pauper’s Affidavit and file them with the court to obtain a fee waiver.
What Affects the Cost of Divorce?
The cost of divorce is determined by the court fees, the method of serving a respondent, expenses on specialists involved, etc. The most expensive divorce is a contested one when spouses must pay higher court fees, hire lawyers, and possibly turn to several other experts to help resolve disputes on divorce-related matters.
Unlike contested divorces, agreed-upon cases are usually much cheaper. What makes divorce expensive depends on the case-specific circumstances. Here is a list of common factors that most often affect the divorce cost:
- Disputes between spouses regarding child custody, visitation, support, and property division. If parties cannot agree on the divorce terms, they will most likely need a lawyer.
- The amount of joint assets, liabilities, and debts. If couples divide the joint real estate, cars, or businesses, they will need to evaluate their assets first and, therefore, may require the help of appraisers.
- The number of specialists participating in the case, including lawyers, mediators, child custody experts, etc., and the cost of their services. The involvement of each additional specialist can considerably increase the total divorce expenses.
The best option to reduce the divorce price is to file for an uncontested marriage dissolution. In this case, you can avoid hiring a lawyer and prepare for divorce on your own.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly tool to complete the forms necessary to file for a divorce online yourself, this is what our document preparation service can help you with. We offer 24/7 customer support and provide court-approved forms for a fixed price. You will receive a set of paperwork required for your case in just a few days, significantly saving you time on searching and preparing documents on your own.
Phyllis Tenney is an author with a deep knowledge of family law. Holding a Juris Doctor degree from a prestigious law school, she brings her legal expertise to her writing. Phyllis has a passion for exploring complex familial dynamics, and her novels often delve into the tangled web of relationships, love, and legal intricacies within families. In addition to her literary work, she contributes articles on family law topics to reputable publications and is a sought-after speaker at legal conferences.