Covington County divorces are filed and decided at the Covington County Chancery Court in Collins, the county seat. A chancellor, not a jury, hears all family law cases, deciding issues like property division, custody, and support. We guide you through every step from filing with the Chancery Clerk to final decree, including land and timber division matters common in rural Covington County.
- All Covington County divorces are heard before a chancellor in chancery court at Collins
- File your complaint with the Chancery Clerk at the Covington County Courthouse in Collins
- Uncontested divorces take 60-90 days under Mississippi § 93-5-2; contested cases may take 6+ months
- We handle property and timber division, custody, and support all in one case
- Our firm is based 30 minutes north on Highway 49 and regularly travels to Collins
- We serve Collins, Seminary, Mount Olive, and rural Covington County
Experienced Covington County Family Law Representation
Divorce is one of life's most challenging decisions, and navigating the Covington County Chancery Court system requires an attorney who understands both the legal complexities and the human dimensions of family law. Since 1980, Lowrey, Fortner, & Miri P.A. has represented families throughout rural south Mississippi, including Collins, Seminary, Mount Olive, and surrounding areas of Covington County.
The Covington County Chancery Court in Collins is where all family law matters, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and adoption, are resolved. Our office is located 30 minutes north on Highway 49 in Hattiesburg, and we regularly travel to Collins to handle filings, temporary hearings, trials, and settlements. We know Covington County chancery procedures and understand the unique challenges of rural property and timber division. We are here to protect your rights and your family's future.
How Divorce Works in Covington County
Understanding the Covington County chancery court process helps you prepare for what lies ahead. Here is the typical timeline for a divorce at the Covington County Courthouse in Collins.
Your attorney prepares and files your Complaint for Divorce with the Chancery Clerk at the Covington County Courthouse in Collins. You pay court filing fees and receive a docket number and return date.
Your spouse must be properly served with the complaint and summons. Service is usually by sheriff or process server, or by first-class mail if the other party signs and returns an acknowledgment form; certified mail is allowed only when the other party is outside Mississippi, and in an agreed case the other party can instead sign a written waiver of process after the case is filed. Once served, your spouse has time to respond to the court.
Early in the case, the chancellor holds a temporary hearing at the Collins courthouse to decide immediate issues: custody, visitation, use of the family home or farm, and temporary support. These temporary orders remain in effect until the final decree.
Both sides exchange financial documents, property records, timber assessments, and other information. Many cases settle during negotiation. Our attorneys work to resolve disputes efficiently while protecting your interests and your children's welfare.
If settlement is reached, your attorney submits the agreed judgment to the chancellor for approval. If the case goes to trial, the chancellor hears evidence and decides all remaining issues including property and timber division.
The chancellor issues a Final Decree of Divorce that divides property (including land and timber rights), awards custody, determines support obligations, and finalizes the divorce. This decree becomes part of the public record at the Covington County Chancery Court.
The Courts That Serve Covington County
Covington County Courthouse, Collins, MS. Handles all family law: divorce, custody, child support, alimony, adoption, estates, and guardianships. A chancellor presides over all cases. This is where all filings and hearings occur.
Covington County Courthouse, Collins, MS. Handles state felony trials and civil suits. Family law matters do not go to circuit court; they remain in chancery court. Both chancery and circuit court use the same courthouse building.
Family cases in Covington County are heard by the chancellors of the Thirteenth Chancery Court District, which Covington shares with Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties (§ 9-5-41). Criminal cases go to the Thirteenth Circuit; divorce and custody never do.
Your Covington County Divorce Team
Related Family Law Services
Comprehensive family law services including divorce, custody, support, and more.
Experienced representation for criminal matters in Covington County.
Family law representation in nearby Marion County at Columbia courthouse.
Serving Jones County families in Laurel and Ellisville.
A simpler divorce when both spouses agree on all major issues.
Guidance on dividing property, timber, and rural assets.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Covington County Divorce
Where is the Covington County Chancery Court located?
The Covington County Chancery Court is located at the Covington County Courthouse in Collins, Mississippi, the county seat. This is where all divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and adoption cases in Covington County are filed and decided. Collins is approximately 30 minutes south of Hattiesburg via Highway 49.
Do you travel to Collins for Covington County divorce cases?
Yes. Our firm is based in Hattiesburg and regularly serves Covington County clients at the chancery court in Collins. The courthouse is approximately 30 minutes south via Highway 49. We handle all aspects of your case from filing with the Chancery Clerk to final decree, making the trip for you.
Where do I file for divorce in Covington County?
To file for divorce in Covington County, you must file your Complaint for Divorce with the Chancery Clerk's office at the Covington County Courthouse in Collins. The Chancery Clerk assigns your case a docket number; your spouse then has 30 days after service to answer a divorce complaint.
How long does a Covington County divorce take?
An uncontested divorce in Covington County typically takes 60 to 90 days due to Mississippi's mandatory 60-day waiting period under § 93-5-2. A contested divorce may take 6 months to over a year, depending on the complexity of discovery, the number of temporary hearings, and the chancellor's trial schedule at the Collins courthouse.
What is an uncontested divorce under § 93-5-2 in Covington County?
An uncontested divorce under Mississippi Code § 93-5-2 occurs when both spouses agree on all issues including property division, custody, support, and alimony. After filing at the Covington County Chancery Court in Collins and waiting 60 days, the chancellor approves the agreement and enters a final decree. Uncontested divorces are faster and take less legal work.
Can I handle custody and child support in the same Covington County divorce case?
Yes. The Covington County Chancery Court addresses custody, child support, visitation, and alimony all within a single divorce case. The chancellor uses the best interests of the child standard and Mississippi's income-based child support guidelines to determine custody arrangements and support obligations.
How does the chancery court process work in Collins?
The chancery process in Collins begins when you file a Complaint for Divorce with the Chancery Clerk. Your spouse is served, and an initial return date is set. If the case is contested, a temporary hearing occurs to address immediate needs. After discovery and negotiation, the case settles or goes to trial before the chancellor, who issues a final decree.
How does Covington County handle property division in divorce, including timber and land?
The Covington County Chancery Court divides marital property equitably between spouses, including rural land, timber stands, and timber rights. The chancellor considers the nature and extent of timber resources, acreage, timber value, and improvements when determining each party's share. Proper valuation and identification of timber interests are critical in rural Covington County divorces.
Which chancery district hears a Covington County divorce?
The Chancery Court of Covington County, at the courthouse in Collins, hears every divorce, custody, support and modification case filed in the county. Covington County sits in the Thirteenth Chancery Court District with Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties (Miss. Code § 9-5-41). The Thirteenth Circuit Court District, which Covington also belongs to, hears felonies and civil suits, not family cases.
What areas near Collins do you serve for Covington County divorces?
We serve Collins, Seminary, Mount Olive, and all of rural Covington County. Our office is located at 525 Corinne Street in Hattiesburg, about 30 minutes north of Collins via Highway 49. We regularly travel to the Covington County Courthouse for filings, hearings, and trials.
Do I need a lawyer for my Covington County divorce?
While not required, hiring an experienced Covington County divorce attorney is strongly recommended. The chancery court process is complex, and a knowledgeable attorney can protect your rights, ensure proper filing with the Chancery Clerk in Collins, advocate effectively during temporary hearings, and negotiate favorable settlements or represent you at trial.
How much does a Covington County divorce cost?
The cost of a Covington County divorce varies based on complexity. Court filing fees are a separate cost paid to the chancery clerk. Attorney fees depend on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. Call (601) 582-5015 to discuss your situation and what your divorce would cost.
Who hears divorce cases in Covington County?
Divorce cases in Covington County are heard by a chancellor, not a jury. The chancellor is a judicial officer who decides all family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, alimony, property division, and adoption. Chancellors are elected judges.
What is a temporary order in a Covington County divorce?
A temporary order is issued early in a Covington County divorce case to address immediate needs such as child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, and use of the family home or farm during the pendency of the divorce. The chancellor holds a temporary hearing at the Collins courthouse to determine these provisions while the case is ongoing.