Estate Planning for Copiah County, Mississippi Property Owners

For most Copiah County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Copiah County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Chancery Court. The two tools that keep a Copiah County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Chancery Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Copiah County property passes through the Chancery Court — even simple Mississippi probates run 6+ months and start with $143 in filing fees. Mississippi also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Copiah County

A transfer-on-death deed names a beneficiary who receives Copiah County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Chancery Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Mississippi transfer-on-death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentMiss. Code Ann. 91-27-1 to 91-27-37Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathMiss. Code Ann. 91-27-1 to 91-27-37Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Copiah County are recorded with the Chancery Clerk, led by Chancery Clerk Deborah Sandifer, at 122 S Lowe Street, Hazlehurst, MS 39083. Phone: 601-894-3021. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 507, Hazlehurst, MS 39083.

The Chancery Clerk charges $25 for the first 5 pages plus $1 for each page beyond 5. Recording a 2-page transfer-on-death deed in Copiah County comes to $25. A transfer-on-death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

Chancery Clerk

Copiah County · Chancery Clerk · Deborah Sandifer

Address

122 S Lowe StreetHazlehurst, MS 39083Mailing: P.O. Box 507, Hazlehurst, MS 39083

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first 5 pages)$25
Each page beyond 5$1
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Miss. Code Ann. 25-7-9(1)(b)

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Copiah County

FirmBrookhaven, MS

John Burns Estate & Elder Care Law, PLLC

Since 1990 · Serves 4 counties

Brookhaven practice serving Lincoln, Lawrence, Pike, and Copiah counties in southwest Mississippi since 1990. Builds revocable living trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, and handles Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and life care planning for families facing long-term care. John Burns is a Certified Elder Law Attorney and an Accredited Estate Planner.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 2 more

Office
109 W. Cherokee StreetBrookhaven, MS 39601

FirmOxford, MS

Holcomb Law Group

Since 1885 · Serves 2 counties

Oxford firm at The Park at Oxford Commons, with a Jackson office, serving Lafayette and Hinds county clients. Its estate planning practice covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives; the rest of the firm is weighted toward litigation, real estate, and insurance defense. Founded in Clarksdale in 1885, making it one of the state's oldest firms.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
400 Enterprise DriveOxford, MS 38655

FirmGreenville, MS

Lake Tindall, LLP

Since 1919 · Serves 2 counties

Greenville firm on Central Street serving Washington County and the Delta since 1919, with a second office in Madison. Handles estate planning, probate administration, and trust management alongside its litigation and business practice. Multiple attorneys hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, and firm attorneys have led the Mississippi Bar.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationTax Law

Office
504 Central StreetGreenville, MS 38701

FirmTupelo, MS

Lancaster Law Firm

Serves the whole state

Tupelo firm on North Green Street serving clients throughout Mississippi and Tennessee. Handles probate and estate administration, estate planning, elder law and Medicaid planning, asset protection, and charitable planning. Founder Cory R. Lancaster is a tax attorney, which shapes the practice toward estates with tax exposure or business interests to unwind.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
363 N. Green StreetTupelo, MS 38804

FirmColumbus, MS

Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P.A.

Since 1904 · Serves the whole state

Founded in 1904, one of Mississippi's largest firms, serving the Golden Triangle and north Mississippi from offices in Columbus, Tupelo, and Oxford. Ten attorneys carry the estate planning, probate, and elder law practice: wills and testamentary trusts, life insurance and special needs trusts, durable powers of attorney, guardianships, Medicaid planning, and estate tax returns.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 4 more

Office
215 North 5th StreetColumbus, MS 39701

FirmClinton, MS

Morton Law Firm, PLLC

Since 1997 · Serves the whole state

Clinton firm serving the Jackson metro and, from a second Hattiesburg office, the Pine Belt. Focused on elder law and estate planning: protecting assets from nursing home costs, taxes, creditors, and Medicaid recovery, and qualifying wartime veterans for special pension benefits. Runs a fixed-fee estate planning process completed within two weeks.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningAsset Protectionand 3 more

Office
402 E. Main StreetClinton, MS 39056
See all 7 firms serving Copiah County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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