Dissolution of marriage is generally another term for divorce—but in some states it specifically refers to an uncontested divorce—a no fault divorce with a written separation agreement. And in California, for example, there is a summary dissolution that provides an expedited process under limited circumstances (California Family Code §2400).
The laws regarding various methods for dissolving a marriage are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the Family Code or Domestic Relations Code.
In Mississippi, dissolution of marriage is synonymous with divorce. Mississippi law allows for both fault-based and no-fault divorces. For a no-fault divorce, the spouses must agree to irreconcilable differences, which is similar to an uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all terms of the separation, including property division, child custody, and support. However, unlike California, Mississippi does not offer a summary dissolution process. The state's divorce laws are found in Title 93 of the Mississippi Code, specifically in Chapter 5, which covers divorce and alimony. The process for divorce in Mississippi involves filing a complaint for divorce in Chancery Court, and the proceedings are governed by state statutes and case law. It is important to note that Mississippi does not have a legal separation status that is recognized in some other states, so even if spouses are living apart, they are considered legally married until a court grants a divorce.