Jackson Divorce Lawyer
The divorce lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC are here to help you navigate the many legal and personal decisions that must be made to file for divorce and to finalize your divorce. For many couples, divorce is one of the most difficult personal decisions they will make in their lives. Yet, many couples don’t realize that divorce is not just a personal decision, but a legal decision as well, one that can affect everything from their property rights to their child custody.
Most people who file for divorce want to finalize their divorce as quickly as possible. While this is understandable, many of the decisions made during divorce can have an impact on assets, debts, property, and children for years to come. Because of the impact these decisions can have on your life, it is wise to seek the assistance of a divorce lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi if you are thinking of filing for divorce.
Andrew Sorrentino is a divorce lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi who has helped clients navigate the many challenges that can arise when you decide to file for divorce. What are some questions that we help clients navigate?
- Can I keep the family home after my divorce?
- Who will have custody of the children after divorce?
- Am I entitled to receive alimony?
- How will my former partner and I divide our debts?
- Should I file for a “fault” or “no-fault” divorce, and will this affect the outcome of my case?
The divorce lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC see these questions in many divorce cases, and the answer to these questions will depend upon your personal circumstances and situation. Because the questions that arise during divorce affect our most deeply held relationships and values, few things can raise emotions like divorce. The compassionate and caring attorneys in Jackson, Mississippi at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino know how difficult this process can be, even in the most amicable of circumstances. And if things get difficult, you need a tough lawyer on your side to help you navigate the process. Contact the divorce lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi today at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC to learn more about how we can help you. We help clients negotiate divorce settlements and find solutions that work for their families.
What is the Difference Between “Fault” and “No-Fault” Divorce in Jackson, Mississippi?
In Mississippi, there are two paths to divorce, “no-fault” divorce and “fault-based” divorce.
You and your former partner can decide to file for a “no-fault” divorce, where neither of you accuses the other of being responsible for the breakdown of the marriage. “No fault” divorce has the benefit of protecting your privacy because you won’t be required to submit proof to the court involving fault. “No fault” divorce tends to work best in situations where both parties are generally amicable and want to negotiate a divorce settlement that is fair for all. If you want to file for “no fault” divorce, you can choose to file for divorce due to “irreconcilable differences.”
You can also file suit against a former partner based on the grounds for divorce permitted under Mississippi law. Under Mississippi law (93.5.1), there are 12 grounds for divorce. They are:
- Impotency
- Adultery
- Incarceration
- Desertion (for at least one year)
- Habitual Drunkenness
- Habitual Use of Morphine, Opium, or Other Drugs
- Domestic Violence (Cruel or Inhumane Treatment)
- Mental Illness or Intellectual Disability (Unknown to Partner at time of Marriage)
- Marriage to Another Party
- Pregnancy of the Wife by Another Person
- Family Relation
Filing for divorce based on these grounds for divorce may require that you prove to the court that these grounds for divorce are true. In some cases, individuals may file for divorce on these grounds because they could potentially impact other aspects of the case, like child custody or property division. For example, if your partner ended up incarcerated for stealing and left you on the hook for his debts, this could potentially factor into your divorce settlement, and whether you can keep property or bank accounts. Grounds involving drug use may involve the partner spending the couple’s assets in a way that might have been damaging to one spouse, and this could also have a factor in the division of property. Finally, domestic violence often involves coercive control. If domestic violence is found as grounds for divorce, the partner who was victimized might be entitled to sole custody of the children, because children can often be used to control a former spouse in these dynamics.
How you want to proceed with your divorce is one of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make when you file for divorce. The Jackson, Mississippi divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC can review your case and help you understand the best course of action forward. Reach out to our Jackson, Mississippi divorce attorneys today.
How a Jackson, Mississippi Divorce Lawyer Can Help You with Child Support and Child Custody
One of the most heart-wrenching decisions you’ll need to make when you file for divorce with children is deciding how you’ll co-parent with your former spouse. Will you divide parenting time evenly, or will the children reside primarily with one parent while granting the other parent visitation? To finalize your divorce, you’ll need to have a parenting plan in place that outlines where the children will live, how visitation will be arranged, and how major decisions will be made. A Jackson, Mississippi divorce attorney at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC can help you draft a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your children and that works for your family.
Child support is determined using child support formulas. Issues can arise if there are concerns with one or both parents’ financial disclosures. The divorce attorneys in Jackson, Mississippi at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC may be able to help you receive the child support your child deserves. Every parent has a legal responsibility to support their child under the law.
Let a Divorce Lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi Help You File for Divorce
Because divorce can impact every aspect of your financial and personal life, it is generally not a good idea to file for divorce without the help of a Jackson, Mississippi divorce lawyer. The Jackson, Mississippi divorce attorneys at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC are here to help. We can guide you every step of the way and help you find a settlement that is best for you, your family, and your children.