A divorce decree is a legal document signed by the judge that officially terminates the marriage. The divorce decree typically includes the judge’s ruling on all matters related to the marriage and any minor children—including division of marital or community property, payment of marital or community debts, spousal support, child custody, child visitation, child support, any obligation to provide health insurance for minor children, and the payment of extracurricular expenses for minor children.

These determinations or rulings set forth in the divorce decree become legally enforceable obligations when the judge signs the divorce decree—and may be enforced by further legal action in the court if one or both of the former spouses fail to comply with the terms of the divorce decree.

In Mississippi, a divorce decree is the final court order that legally ends a marriage. It is signed by a judge and outlines the terms of the divorce, including the division of marital property and debts, alimony (spousal support), and if applicable, child custody, visitation rights, child support, health insurance provisions for minor children, and payment for extracurricular activities. The terms specified in the divorce decree are legally binding and enforceable. If either party fails to comply with the terms, the other party can take legal action to enforce the decree. The decree is issued after the resolution of a contested divorce or the approval of an uncontested divorce settlement by the court. Mississippi law governs the specifics of how property is divided, how child custody is determined, and how support obligations are calculated, taking into account factors such as the length of the marriage, the contribution of each spouse to the marital estate, and the best interests of the children.