MVLP will only accept divorce matters which are based on the following grounds: irreconcilable differences; sentenced to penitentiary; and desertion.

Parties with irreconcilable differences divorces will be required to execute a document which confirms their consent to the divorce and provisions related to property, child support and custody. Both parties must want to be divorced and agree to all terms of the divorce. The waiting period before the divorce can be final is sixty (60) days.

Parties with divorces based on desertion will be required to provide the last known address of the spouse and, where the spouse is unknown, execute an affidavit which confirms that they have conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry into the whereabouts of the spouse for the purposes of service to the spouse by publication. To obtain a desertion divorce, a spouse must have left the marital home, been gone for one continuous year and not tried to return to the marriage. A witness is required to support claims of desertion.

To obtain a sentenced to penitentiary divorce, a spouse must be or have been incarcerated in a state or federal prison. MVLP will only assist parties with divorces based on a spouse being sentenced to the penitentiary if the spouse is currently incarcerated and his/her release is not expected for at least one year after the party becomes a client of MVLP.

A guardian other than the parents may be appointed over a minor child where either of the child's parents is deceased and/ or the minor's parents or a surviving parent is unable to fulfill the obligations of a parent. MVLP will accept uncontested guardianship matters only. In all instances, the parties will be required to provide MVLP with executed consent to guardianship documents from both of the child's biological parents. In the case of unknown fathers, the person seeking MVLP's assistance must execute an affidavit which confirms that s/he has conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry into the whereabouts of the father for the purposes of service to the unknown father by publication.

A person may be adopted regardless of age. If the natural parents of the person to be adopted are still living, then the parents must either consent to the adoption or their parental rights must be terminated. MVLP will accept uncontested adoption matters only. In all instances the parties will be required to provide MVLP with executed consent to adoption and parental termination documents from both of the child's biological parents. In the case of unknown fathers, the person seeking MVLP's assistance must execute an affidavit which confirms that s/he has conducted a diligent search and reasonable inquiry into the whereabouts of the father for the purposes of service to the unknown father by publication.

For the procurement of benefits, identification documents or other needs, Mississippi allows changes/alterations to birth certificates at the discretion of courts and the state's vital records agency. MVLP will accept birth certificate correction matters for the purpose of obtaining employment, public benefits, retirement and identification. In the case of birth certificate corrections due to changes in paternity, MVLP will handle changes to the minor's last name only.

Conservatorships are granted when a person, by reason of advanced age, physical incapacity or mental weakness, is no longer able to properly care for his or herself. MVLP will accept conservatorship matters with the consent of the ward and other interested parties (spouses, siblings, etc.) and with the written and executed support of two of the ward's treating physicians.

The age of majority in Mississippi is twenty-one (21). To become emancipated before twenty-one (21), a minor must file a petition in writing and join a "next friend" - typically a biological parent or next of kin. MVLP will only accept matters with the consent of the party's biological parents and if the party requesting assistance is seeking independent housing or employment and is currently employed and/or enrolled in a GED program or post-secondary education. In some instances, parties requesting assistance with emancipation matters may be required to provide proof of employment.

MVLP will accept name change matters for the purpose of obtaining employment, public benefits retirement and identification. Due to MVLP's limited resources, MVLP will not provide services to individuals who are requesting assistance with a name change matter for vanity purposes only.