What to Do When Someone Dies in Jackson County, Mississippi

How probate works in Jackson County: the Chancery Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Jackson County Chancery Court

Jackson County · Chancery Court District 16

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

3104 Magnolia Street, Jackson County Courts Building, Pascagoula, MS 39567

Files probate

Chancery Court Department

Self-represented filing

Attorney of record required

E-filing

Required for attorneysAttorneys file estate papers through Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC). A party without a lawyer files on paper at the chancery clerk's office, and the clerk uploads the filing to the case. On paper: Self-represented parties file on paper, and the clerk scans the filing into MEC.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Jackson County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Jackson County, probate runs through the Chancery Court at 2915 Canty Street, Suite R, Pascagoula. The court sits in the Chancery Court District 16. Jackson County shares the Chancery Court District 16 with George and Greene.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Mississippi intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Mississippi estates take 12 months to 18 months to move through this process. Creditors have 3 monthsMiss. Code §§ 91-7-145, 91-7-149, 91-7-151, 91-7-165, 91-7-261Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Jackson County

What probate costs in Jackson County, Mississippi comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Chancery Court at 2915 Canty Street, Suite R, Pascagoula. The court is part of the Chancery Court District 16.

Mississippi charges $143Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9(1)(j), (2), (3); § 37-26-3(1); § 37-26-9(4)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Mississippi are negotiated, typically 1.6%Modeled estimate under Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299: the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.5%Modeled estimate under Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299: the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Mississippi allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payMiss. Code § 91-7-299 (such sum as the court deems proper; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Mississippi requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-7-41, 91-7-45, 91-7-67Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Mississippi typically runs 12 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Chancery Court

Probate cases in Jackson County, Mississippi are filed at the Chancery Court Department of the Chancery Court. The court sits in the Chancery Court District 16.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Mississippi requires an attorney of record to open formal probate, and informal probate is availableMiss. Code Ann. § 9-5-141 (chancery clerk may, in termtime or vacation, take proof of wills, admit wills to probate in common form, and grant letters testamentary and of administration)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; a qualifying small estate can still be collected without one.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Jackson County Self-Filing Assessment.

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Chancery Court: Original will and any codicils, with a copy of the will attached as an exhibit to the petition (UCCR 6.15); Petition to admit the will to probate / for letters (attorney-drafted, personally signed and sworn to by the fiduciary — UCCR 6.14) under Miss. Code § 91-7-1 et seq; Death certificate — NOT required by any Mississippi statute, court rule, or official form as a condition of opening an estate or obtaining Letters; commonly supplied at intake. (A CERTIFIED copy is required by statute only downstream, to obtain a deceased user's digital assets from a custodian — § 91-23-13.)Miss. Code §§ 91-7-1 to 91-7-67 (proof of wills, grant of letters testamentary & of administration); § 9-5-141 (chancery clerk powers); Uniform Chancery Court Rules 6.01-6.02 (fiduciary must retain a Mississippi attorney)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Coroner in Jackson County

In Jackson County certified copies of the death certificate come from Mississippi State Department of Health - Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

Mississippi State Department of Health - Vital Records

Jackson County · State vital records office

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM (except state holidays)

Office

222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157

Certified copies

From Mississippi State Department of Health - Vital Records

Mail

Mississippi Vital Records P.O. Box 1700 Jackson, MS 39215-1700

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Coroner

Jackson County · Jackson County Coroner

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

4600 Lt Eugene J. Majure Drive, Pascagoula, MS 39581-5303

Mail and offices

Mail

P.O. Box 998 Pascagoula, MS 39567-0998

Fax

1-228-769-3489

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Jackson County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Chancery Clerk.

Deeds and other real property documents for Jackson County are recorded with the Chancery Clerk at 2915 Canty Street, Suite R, Pascagoula, MS 39567. Phone: 1-228-769-3131. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 998, Pascagoula, MS 39568-0998.

The Chancery Clerk charges $25 for the first 5 pages plus $1 for each page beyond 5.

Recording Office Record

Chancery Clerk

Jackson County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Office

2915 Canty Street, Suite R, Pascagoula, MS 39567

Mail

P.O. Box 998 Pascagoula, MS 39568-0998

Fax

1-228-769-3397

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Jackson County

Mississippi allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Jackson County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.

Probate attorney fees in Mississippi are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Jackson County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Chancery Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

Solo PracticeBiloxi, MS

Blackledge Law Firm

Serves 3 counties

Biloxi solo practice of Joel L. Blackledge, an attorney and CPA, serving Harrison, Jackson, and Hancock counties. Handles testate and intestate estates from the petition and letters through creditor notice, determination of heirs, and closing, and drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Weekend and after-hours appointments are available.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts

Office
250 Beauvoir Rd, Suite 5Biloxi, MS 39531
Free consultation

FirmGulfport, MS

Boyce Holleman & Associates, P.A.

Since 1950 · Serves 3 counties

Gulfport firm across from the downtown courthouse, handling wills and estates on the Gulf Coast since 1950 for clients from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula. Covers wills, powers of attorney, living wills, probate, will contests, and guardianship hearings for children and incapacitated adults. Spanish translation is available.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationGuardianshipWills Trusts

Office
1720 23rd AvenueGulfport, MS 39501

FirmBiloxi, MS

Byrd & Wiser, Attorneys at Law

Since 1987 · Serves 2 counties

Biloxi firm founded in 1987, handling probate in chancery court for families in Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula, and nearby Gulf Coast communities. Represents executors and administrators through filings, creditor claims, and distribution, and handles will contests and guardianships and conservatorships. Its main practice is commercial litigation and creditor representation.

PracticesProbateProbate LitigationConservatorshipGuardianship

Office
145 Main StreetBiloxi, MS 39530
Free consultation

FirmGulfport, MS

Patrick Kirby Law

Serves 5 counties

Gulfport boutique practicing only estate planning, probate and elder law across the Gulf Coast, from Bay St. Louis and Picayune to Pascagoula and Lucedale. Handles probate administration, trust and estate disputes, conservatorships, special needs planning and Medicare fair hearings. Founder Patrick Kirby is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more

Office
1285 Spring Street, Suite BGulfport, MS 39507

FirmOcean Springs, MS

Rushing & Guice, PLLC

Since 1908 · Serves 2 counties

Ocean Springs firm serving Biloxi, Ocean Springs and the Gulf Coast since 1908. Represents executors and beneficiaries in estate administration and probate, handles will contests and breach-of-trustee-duty claims, and advises on trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships. Planning work covers wills, special needs trusts, business succession and asset protection.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more

Office
1000 Government Street, Suite EOcean Springs, MS 39564

FirmFlowood, MS

Barnes, Bailey, Janoush & Dick, P.A.

Serves 2 counties

Flowood firm with a second office in Biloxi, serving the Jackson metro and the Gulf Coast. Counsels executors and trustees through estate and trust administration and represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in estate and trust disputes. Pairs estate planning with tax planning, charitable gift planning, and tax audit work for high-net-worth families.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
5 River Bend Place, Suite AFlowood, MS 39232
See all 22 firms serving Jackson 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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Legal Sources

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Data sourced from Mississippi statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Mississippi

Free tools for settling an estate in Mississippi: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Mississippi: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysMiss. Code §§ 91-7-93, 91-7-95, 91-7-109Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsMiss. Code §§ 91-7-145, 91-7-149, 91-7-151, 91-7-165, 91-7-261Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.

See the Steps

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Mississippi happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMiss. Code Ann. § 91-8-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysMiss. Code §§ 91-8-813, 91-8-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

Mississippi requires an attorney of record to open formal probate, and informal probate is availableMiss. Code Ann. § 9-5-141 (chancery clerk may, in termtime or vacation, take proof of wills, admit wills to probate in common form, and grant letters testamentary and of administration)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; a qualifying small estate can still be collected without one.

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