Perry County divorces are filed and decided at the Perry County Chancery Court in New Augusta. A chancellor, not a jury, hears all family law cases, deciding issues like property division, custody, and support. Our firm is the closest full family-law team for Perry County residents who work in Hattiesburg. We guide you through every step from filing to final decree.
- Perry County divorces are heard before a chancellor in chancery court in New Augusta
- File your complaint with the Chancery Clerk at the Perry County courthouse
- Uncontested divorces take 60-90 days under Mississippi § 93-5-2
- Timber and land property division requires careful appraisal and negotiation
- Albright custody factors guide all child custody decisions in Perry County
- We serve New Augusta, Richton, Beaumont, and all of rural Perry County
Experienced Perry County Family Law Representation
Divorce is one of life's most challenging decisions, and navigating the Perry 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 the region, including the growing number of Perry County residents who commute to work in Hattiesburg.
The Perry County Chancery Court in New Augusta is where all family law matters, divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and adoption, are resolved. Our office in Hattiesburg is just 30 minutes away, making us the closest full family-law team for Perry County families. We are here to protect your rights and your family's future.
How Divorce Works in Perry County
Understanding the Perry County chancery court process helps you prepare for what lies ahead. Here is the typical timeline for a divorce at the Perry County courthouse in New Augusta.
Your attorney prepares and files your Complaint for Divorce with the Chancery Clerk at the Perry County courthouse in New Augusta. 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 Perry County chancery court to decide immediate issues: custody, visitation, use of the family home, and temporary support. These temporary orders remain in effect until the final decree.
Both sides exchange financial documents and information. In Perry County cases with timber or land holdings, detailed appraisals are essential. Many cases settle during negotiation. Our attorneys work to resolve disputes efficiently while protecting your interests.
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.
The chancellor issues a Final Decree of Divorce that divides property, awards custody, determines support obligations, and finalizes the divorce. This decree becomes part of the public record at the Perry County chancery court.
The Courts That Serve Perry County
Perry County Courthouse, New Augusta, Mississippi. Handles all family law: divorce, custody, child support, alimony, adoption, estates, and guardianships. A chancellor presides over all cases. Perry County is in the Tenth Chancery Court District (§ 9-5-35).
Perry County Courthouse, New Augusta. Handles state felony trials and civil suits. Family law matters do not go to circuit court; they remain in chancery court.
New Augusta. Handles misdemeanors and small civil claims. Not used for divorce or custody matters. Perry County residents with felony charges are served by the 12th Circuit, which also serves Forrest County.
Your Perry County Divorce Team
Related Family Law Services
Comprehensive family law services including divorce, custody, support, and more.
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Advocacy when spouses cannot agree on major divorce issues.
Establishing and modifying child support under Mississippi guidelines.
Skilled criminal representation for Perry County residents facing charges.
What Families Say About Our Team
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Reviews are from actual clients on Google and Avvo. Every case turns on its own facts and law, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Perry County Divorce
Where is the Perry County Chancery Court located?
The Perry County Chancery Court is located at the Perry County courthouse in New Augusta, Mississippi. This is where all divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and adoption cases in Perry County are filed and decided. Perry County is in the Tenth Chancery Court District with Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Pearl River counties (§ 9-5-35).
What cities are in Perry County?
Perry County's county seat is New Augusta, where the chancery court is located. The other main towns are Richton and Beaumont. Many Perry County residents work in nearby Hattiesburg, making our office in Hattiesburg the closest full family-law team for Perry County divorces and custody matters.
How long does a Perry County divorce take?
An uncontested divorce in Perry County 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 Perry County Chancery Court.
Who hears divorce cases in Perry County?
Divorce cases in Perry County are heard by a chancellor, not a jury. The chancellor is a judicial officer appointed to decide all family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and property division at the Perry County courthouse in New Augusta.
How do I file for divorce in Perry County?
To file for divorce in Perry County, you must file your Complaint for Divorce with the Chancery Clerk's office at the Perry County courthouse in New Augusta. The Chancery Clerk will assign your case a docket number and set a return date for your initial hearing before the chancellor.
How does property division work in Perry County timber and land cases?
Perry County has significant timber and land holdings. Property division in divorce requires careful appraisal of timber rights, land values, and mineral interests. The chancellor applies equitable distribution principles under Mississippi law. Our firm has extensive experience handling timber and agricultural property division in Perry County divorces.
What is the Albright custody standard in Perry County?
Perry County chancellors use the Albright factors to determine the best interests of the child in custody cases. These factors include the child's preference (if the child is 12 or older), the stability of each home, each parent's relationship with the child, and the child's need for stability and continuity. The Albright test guides all custody decisions at the Perry County Chancery Court.
Can I get a temporary order in my Perry County divorce?
Yes. Early in a Perry County divorce, the chancellor holds a temporary hearing to decide immediate issues such as child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, and use of the family home. These temporary orders remain in effect until the final decree is issued by the Perry County Chancery Court in New Augusta.
What is the difference between a contested and uncontested Perry County divorce?
In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on all issues including property division, custody, support, and alimony. A contested divorce occurs when the spouses cannot agree, requiring the chancellor to hear evidence and decide the disputed issues. Uncontested divorces move faster through the Perry County Chancery Court.
What happens during discovery in a Perry County divorce?
Discovery is the process where both sides exchange financial documents, property information, and other evidence relevant to the divorce. In Perry County, discovery is conducted under Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and is overseen by the Chancery Clerk and the chancellor to ensure both parties have complete information for settlement or trial.
What service areas do you serve for Perry County divorces?
We serve New Augusta, Richton, Beaumont, and all of rural Perry County. Our office is located at 525 Corinne Street in Hattiesburg, just 30 minutes from the Perry County Chancery Court in New Augusta. We are the closest full family-law team for Perry County residents.
Do I need a lawyer for my Perry County divorce?
While not required, hiring an experienced Perry County divorce attorney is strongly recommended. The chancery court process is complex, and our attorneys can protect your rights, ensure proper filing with the Chancery Clerk, advocate effectively during temporary hearings, and negotiate favorable settlements for your family.
How much does a Perry County divorce cost?
The cost of a Perry County divorce varies based on complexity and the nature of property involved. Court filing fees are a separate cost paid to the chancery clerk. Attorney fees depend on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, and whether complex property such as timber or land must be appraised and divided. Call (601) 582-5015 to discuss your situation and what your divorce would cost.
What if my spouse lives outside of Perry County?
If your spouse lives in another Mississippi county, an irreconcilable differences complaint can be filed in Perry County, but a fault complaint generally must be filed where your spouse lives, or in Perry County only if you both lived here when you separated and you still do (§ 93-5-11). If your spouse is outside Mississippi, the Perry County chancery court may still have jurisdiction over custody under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and over your spouse under Mississippi's long-arm statute.