Experienced Divorce Attorney in Hattiesburg, MS
Your Hattiesburg Divorce Lawyer for the Decisions Ahead
Ending a marriage changes your daily routine, your finances, and your time with your kids all at once. You need clear answers about what happens next, not more confusion added on top of an already hard situation.
A Hattiesburg divorce lawyer at Johnson, Ratliff & Waide, PLLC can help you work through those decisions one at a time. Attorney Michael V. Ratliff has been licensed to practice law in Mississippi since 1981 and focuses his practice on family law and personal injury matters. He was named a Mississippi Super Lawyer in both 2024 and 2025.
With that background, our Hattiesburg divorce lawyers can walk you through your options for custody, support, and property so you can start picturing what life looks like once this is behind you. Reach out when you’re ready to talk through where things stand.
Divorce and Family Law Issues We Help Hattiesburg Clients Resolve
Every divorce looks different depending on how long you were married, whether you have kids, and how much you and your spouse already agree on. Our firm handles:
- Uncontested and contested divorce filings
- Child custody and parenting time arrangements
- Child support calculations and later modifications
- Spousal support and alimony disputes
- Division of marital property and debt
- Post-divorce changes to custody or support orders
Some of these cases settle through negotiation in a matter of months. Others require a chancellor, the judge who hears these cases in Mississippi chancery courts, to decide contested issues after both sides present evidence.
Either way, the goal is a result that lets you move forward without unresolved questions hanging over your finances or your relationship with your kids.
Grounds for Divorce in Mississippi
Mississippi law requires a reason, called a ground, before a court will grant a divorce. Most couples who agree on ending their marriage use irreconcilable differences, the state’s no-fault ground for divorce under Miss. Code § 93-5-2. This ground requires your spouse to consent to the divorce or to be served and not contest it. In irreconcilable differences cases, the complaint must be on file for sixty days before a judge can hear the case.
If your spouse contests the divorce, you must prove one of the 12 fault grounds under Miss. Code § 93-5-1. Fault grounds include adultery, habitual cruelty, and desertion.
How Custody is Decided in a Hattiesburg Divorce
Mississippi House Bill 1662 became law in April 2026, and it took effect July 1, 2026. The law creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody with equally shared parenting time serves a child’s best interest under Miss. Code Ann. §93-5-24. It is now a presumption that shapes how an initial custody case opens. A judge can move away from that starting point with enough evidence. For example, documented family violence triggers a presumption against joint custody.
Our Hattiesburg Divorce Attorneys Guide You to the Right Court
If you live in Hattiesburg, your case likely runs through the Forrest County Chancery Court at 641 North Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Because Hattiesburg sits primarily in Forrest County but extends west into Lamar County, residents on that side of town sometimes need to file in the Lamar County Chancery Court in Purvis instead.
A Hattiesburg divorce lawyer at our firm can confirm the right court for your situation before you file anything.
The attorneys at Johnson, Ratliff & Waide, PLLC together bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience, so you work with people who understand how Mississippi chancery courts approach custody, support, and property decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at my first meeting with a divorce lawyer in Hattiesburg?
We review your marriage, your children if you have any, and both spouses’ income and property. We explain whether your case is likely to qualify for a no-fault divorce or whether you will need a fault-based ground instead. Then, we outline a realistic timeline and the documents you will need before filing.
Can I get divorced in Mississippi if my spouse won’t agree?
Yes, but the process looks different. The no-fault ground requires your spouse to consent, or to be served and not contest it. If your spouse refuses to cooperate at all, you can still pursue a fault-based divorce, though you will need to prove your case in court.
How long do I have to live in Mississippi before I can file?
At least one spouse generally needs to have lived in Mississippi for six consecutive months before the state’s courts will accept the case. We can confirm whether you meet that requirement based on your specific circumstances.
How much does a divorce cost in Hattiesburg?
Cost depends on whether your case is contested or settled early, and filing fees vary by county. Simple, uncontested cases cost far less than disputes over custody or property that require hearings in front of a chancellor.
Will I have to pay alimony, or can I receive it?
Mississippi courts can award alimony based on factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, earning capacity, age and health. Not every divorce includes alimony, and proven fault can affect whether a spouse qualifies for support.
Does it matter who files for divorce first in Mississippi?
Filing first doesn’t give either spouse a built-in advantage. What matters more is which ground applies to your case and whether you and your spouse already agree on custody, support, and property before the case reaches a judge.
If you have a question we haven’t covered here, reach out and we can go over the details that apply to your situation.
Get Clear Answers From a Hattiesburg Divorce Lawyer Before You File
Divorce decisions affect your kids, your property, and your financial future well beyond the day your case closes. A Hattiesburg divorce lawyer at Johnson, Ratliff & Waide, PLLC can walk through your situation, explain which grounds and custody rules apply, and help you build a realistic plan before you file anything in Forrest or Lamar County.
Contact us today to schedule a time to talk through your options and get real answers before you decide anything.
Call us at (601) 202-8570 to schedule your consultation and learn how we can assist you in this challenging time.
