MS HB1385

Creates a new form of marriage called "covenant marriage" requiring both parties to complete premarital counseling and sign notarized declarations of intent understanding the marriage can only be dissolved by adultery or desertion.

Restricts dissolution of covenant marriages to only adultery or desertion grounds, prohibiting divorce on other traditional grounds available for regular marriages.

Denies alimony to an adulterous spouse in covenant marriages, though allows the non-adulterous spouse to claim alimony and suit money if the guilty spouse's adultery caused reduction in the other's standard of living.

Amends Section 93-1-5 to authorize circuit court clerks to issue covenant marriage licenses upon presentation of proof of premarital counseling and signed notarized declarations.

Amends Sections 93-5-1 and 93-5-23 to make covenant marriage divorce provisions supersede general Mississippi divorce law, with effective date of July 1, 2012.