Case Name: Sherry MORRIS, Appellant, v. Jimmy W. MORRIS, Appellee
Court: Mississippi Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1999-06-08
Citations: 758 So. 2d 1020
Docket Number: No. 97-CA-01502-COA
Parties: Sherry MORRIS, Appellant, v. Jimmy W. MORRIS, Appellee.
Judges: BEFORE McMILLIN, C.J, KING, P.J.,AND DIAZ, J.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 758
Pages: 1020–1022

Head Matter:
Sherry MORRIS, Appellant, v. Jimmy W. MORRIS, Appellee.
No. 97-CA-01502-COA.
Court of Appeals of Mississippi.
June 8, 1999.
Julie W. Brown, Starkville, Attorney for Appellant.
Carrie A. Jourdan, Columbus, Attorney for Appellee.
BEFORE McMILLIN, C.J, KING, P.J.,AND DIAZ, J.

Opinion:
KING, P.J.,
for the Court:
¶ 1. Sherry and Jimmy Morris agreed to a divorce upon the grounds of irreconcilable differences. The parties were unable to agree to child custody and support and therefore submitted this and other issues to the chancellor.
¶ 2. On September 9, 1997, the chancellor awarded the parties joint custody of the minor children. This issue was reconsidered and affirmed on October 17, 1997.
113. Mrs. Morris has appealed raising six alleged errors. Finding her first assigned error to be dispositive, we reverse and remand. That issue is quoted verbatim:
¶ 4. Whether the chancellor's award of joint custody was an abuse of discretion where neither parent applied for or prayed for joint custody, as set forth in Miss.Code § 93-6-24 (Rev.1994).
FACTS
¶ 5. Sherry and Jimmy Morris were married on March 21, 1992, in Clay County, Mississippi. Two children, Jordan and Alexandria, were born during this marriage.
¶ 6. On December 9, 1996, Mr. Morris filed for divorce. On January 21, 1997, Mrs. Morris filed her answer and cross-complaint for divorce.
¶ 7. On August 22, 1997, the parties, by written stipulation, agreed (1) to an irreconcilable differences divorce, and (2) to allow the chancellor to determine the issues of child custody and support, distribution of the real property, alimony and visitation.
¶ 8. Each party had requested sole custody of the minor children.
¶ 9. After hearing evidence, the chancellor directed that the parties share joint custody of the minor children. Upon motion of Mrs. Morris, the chancellor reconsidered and affirmed the award of joint custody on October 21, 1997. Mrs. Morris has now appealed from that order.
DISCUSSION
¶ 10. This matter is governed by statute. Miss.Code Ann. § 93-5-24(2) (Rev.1994) provides, "Joint custody may be awarded where irreconcilable difference is the grounds for divorce, in the discretion of the court, upon the application of both parents."
STANDARD OF REVIEW
¶ 11. This court gives great deference to the decisions of a chancellor and will only reverse if he is manifestly wrong, clearly erroneous or applied an incorrect legal standard. Gulf Coast Research Laboratory v. Amaraneni 722 So.2d 530, 532(¶ 8)(Miss.1998).
¶ 12. In the present case the chancellor failed to follow the specific directive of Miss.Code Ann. § 93-5-24(2). Under § 93-5-24(2) where a divorce is based upon the grounds of irreconcilable differences, both parents must agree to joint custody. Because we find that neither party agreed to nor requested joint custody, we are compelled to reverse this case and remand for further proceedings.
¶ 13. Because this issue is dispositive, this court declines to address the other issues.
¶ 14. THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHANCERY COURT OF CLAY COUNTY IS REVERSED AND REMANDED FOR PROCEEDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THIS OPINION. ALL COSTS OF THIS APPEAL ARE ASSESSED TO THE APPELLEE.
McMILLIN, C.J., SOUTHWICK, P.J., COLEMAN, DIAZ, IRVING, PAYNE, AND THOMAS, JJ" CONCUR.
LEE, J., DISSENTS WITH SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION.
BRIDGES, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.