DIY FAMILY LAW
Understanding the process before emotions and deadlines take over.
Family law matters often arrive during periods of stress, conflict, or transition. It’s common for people to want to move quickly—or cheaply—without fully understanding how the process works or what the long-term consequences may be.
Some family law matters can be handled responsibly on a do-it-yourself basis. Others become far more expensive and painful when handled incorrectly at the outset.
This page explains how I think about family law strategy, when DIY may be appropriate, and provides links to public Mississippi resources so you can educate yourself or handle very limited matters carefully.
A NOTE ON FAMILY LAW STRATEGY
Family law is not just about filling out forms. It is about:
Creating enforceable orders
Anticipating future conflict
Understanding how judges apply discretion
Knowing what cannot easily be undone
Many family law problems escalate because:
Agreements were informal or unclear
Orders were entered without understanding consequences
Temporary arrangements became permanent by default
People assumed “we’re agreeing now” meant “we’ll agree later”
My approach—whether legal or advisory—is to focus on clarity and durability, especially where children or long-term obligations are involved.
DIY: WHEN IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE
DIY family law may be reasonable when:
Both parties are in full agreement
There are no complex assets
There is no history of abuse, coercion, or imbalance
The matter is truly uncontested
You understand the order will be enforceable
DIY becomes high risk when:
Children are involved
One party has more leverage or information
Support or custody may change over time
Emotions are running high
You expect future disagreement
You do not understand Mississippi law or court procedure
The resources below are provided for general educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
MISSISSIPPI FAMILY LAW COURTS & PUBLIC RESOURCES
Chancery Courts
Family law matters in Mississippi—including divorce, custody, child support, and modifications—are handled in the Mississippi Chancery Courts.
Each county’s Chancery Clerk maintains records and filings related to:
Divorce proceedings
Custody and visitation orders
Child support orders
Modifications and enforcement
County clerk information can be found here:
https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/county-election-information
(Search by county to locate the appropriate Chancery Clerk.)
Mississippi Statutes (Public Law)
Mississippi family law is governed by state statutes and case law, including:
Divorce and grounds for divorce
Child custody and visitation standards
Child support guidelines
Modifications and enforcement
Mississippi statutes are publicly available at:
https://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/
Statutes provide the framework—but they do not explain how judges weigh facts or exercise discretion.
COMMON DIY FAMILY LAW TASKS (LOWER RISK)
In limited situations, individuals may responsibly handle:
Filing uncontested divorce paperwork
Submitting agreed orders
Updating addresses or basic court filings
Reviewing child support guidelines
Even in these situations, mistakes can result in:
Delays
Rejected filings
Unintended legal obligations
CHILD SUPPORT & CUSTODY: WHERE DIY OFTEN FAILS
Child-related matters are where DIY most often breaks down.
Common problems include:
Parenting plans that are vague or unenforceable
Support amounts that do not follow guidelines
Failure to plan for future changes
Orders that unintentionally limit parental rights
Once entered, court orders can be difficult—and expensive—to modify.
TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS CAN BECOME PERMANENT
Many people assume temporary agreements are informal or flexible. In practice:
Temporary custody arrangements can influence final outcomes
Temporary support orders may set expectations
Silence or delay can be interpreted as agreement
Strategic mistakes at the beginning often shape the entire case.
HOW THIS CONNECTS TO MY PRACTICE
I provide DIY resources because informed people make better decisions.
Some clients use this information to:
Understand the court process
Decide whether a matter is truly uncontested
Prepare for limited-scope assistance
Others realize that:
The risks are higher than expected
Children or finances need clearer protection
A clean, flat-fee solution would reduce stress
That’s where my work comes in.
I offer flat-fee, limited-scope family law services for uncontested and agreed matters, with clearly defined scope and expectations.
WHEN TO CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL HELP
You should strongly consider legal guidance if:
Children are involved
Support or custody may change
You want an enforceable, durable agreement
There is any imbalance of power or information
You want to avoid future litigation
In family law, clarity now often prevents conflict later.
NEXT STEPS
If you want help applying this information to your situation, the next step is to complete a short intake form and briefly describe what you’re dealing with. I review every submission personally and will follow up with appropriate next steps.