What to Do When Someone Dies in Jackson County, Mississippi
Probate in Jackson County runs through the Chancery Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Jackson County, settling their estate runs through the Chancery Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Chancery Court
Jackson County
Address
2915 Canty Street, Suite RPascagoula, MS 39567Mailing: P.O. Box 998
Phone
Fax
228-769-3397
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneys
Chancery Clerk: Josh Eldridge. Physical ZIP+4: 39567-4239. Mailing P.O. Box 998 uses ZIP 39568-0998. Chancery Court Department at 3104 Magnolia Street, phone: 228-769-3124. Additional phone: 228-769-1680.
Verified June 2, 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 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 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavitVerified Jun 19, 2026View source to 18 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavitVerified Jun 19, 2026View source to move through this process. The 3 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-151 (90 days after first publication); § 91-7-145 (notice to creditors; publish weekly for 3 consecutive weeks)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
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.
Mississippi charges $140Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Chancery Court (https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Mississippi are negotiated, typically 2%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%Miss. Code § 91-7-299 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%Miss. Code § 91-7-299 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Mississippi requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-7-41, 91-7-45Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Mississippi typically runs 12 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavitVerified Jun 19, 2026View source to 18 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavitVerified Jun 19, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 3 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-151 (90 days after first publication); § 91-7-145 (notice to creditors; publish weekly for 3 consecutive weeks)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
How to File Probate at the Chancery Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Jackson County, Mississippi, you can file at the Chancery Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Jackson County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationCan You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Chancery Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Jackson County Self-Filing Assessment.
What to Bring
To file at the Chancery Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Jackson County
Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the Chancery Clerk.
Recording Office Record
Chancery Clerk
Jackson County
Address
2915 Canty Street, Suite RPascagoula, MS 39567Mailing: P.O. Box 998, Pascagoula, MS 39568-0998
Phone
Fax
228-769-3397
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
E-recording
Not available
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $25 |
| Per additional page | $1 |
Base fee of $25.00 covers the first 5 pages; each additional page beyond 5 is $1.00 (Miss. Code Ann. 25-7-9(1)(b)). Approximately 51+ counties add a $1.00 records management/archive fee per document (Miss. Code Ann. 25-60-5), bringing the effective base to $26.00. Effective September 24, 2025, handwritten documents are no longer accepted per House Bill 600 (amending Miss. Code Ann. 89-5-24).
Miss. Code Ann. 25-7-9(1)(b)
Transfer tax
No state transfer tax. Mississippi does not impose a documentary stamp tax, conveyance tax, or excise tax on real property transfers.. Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (Mississippi has no transfer tax. Additionally, TOD deeds involve no consideration at recording (Miss. Code Ann. 89-12-1 et seq.).). Mississippi is one of the states that does not impose any form of real estate transfer tax.
Verified June 3, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Jackson County
Mississippi uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Jackson County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Mississippi are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of the estate's value, 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.
Gulf Coast & Southern Mississippi Firms
Blackledge Law Firm
FirmJoel L. Blackledge is both a licensed attorney and certified public accountant with over 25 years of experience serving residents in Gulfport, Harrison County, Jackson County, and Hancock County, Mississippi. The firm assists with creating wills or trusts, naming guardians or powers of attorney, and guides clients through probate proceedings.
Location
250 Beauvoir Rd, Suite 5Biloxi, MS 39531
Phone
(228) 678-8365
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
Free consultationVisit site
Boyce Holleman & Associates, P.A.
FirmEstablished Gulf Coast firm providing wills and estates services, personal injury, family law (adoptions, guardianships), and criminal defense. Multiple attorneys hold advanced degrees including an LL.M. from New York University. Firm has served the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1950.
Location
1720 23rd AvenueGulfport, MS 39501
Phone
(228) 863-3142
Established
1950
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsGuardianship
Visit site
Byrd & Wiser, Attorneys at Law
FirmEstablished Gulf Coast law firm handling estate planning and administration, estate litigation, commercial litigation, and real estate matters. Robert A. Byrd holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Super Lawyers and U.S. News Best Law Firms.
Location
145 Main Street, Suite ABiloxi, MS 39530
Phone
(228) 432-8123
Established
1987
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust Administration
Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott, PLLC
FirmMississippi Gulf Coast firm founded in Biloxi in 1971 by Lyle M. Page, Frederick J. Mannino, and Ronald G. Peresich. Represents Gulf Coast clients on estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, business succession planning, charitable trusts, family corporations, and joint asset structures, with additional offices in Gulfport and Jackson.
Location
759 Howard AvenueBiloxi, MS 39530
Phone
(228) 374-2100
Established
1971
Service Area
5 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsTrust AdministrationBusiness SuccessionTax Planning
Visit site
Patrick Kirby Law
FirmPatrick Kirby is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, widely recognized and respected throughout Mississippi in estate planning and elder law. The firm provides expert guidance and personalized solutions for individuals, families, and business owners navigating the complexities of wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration.
Location
1285 Spring Street, Suite BGulfport, MS 39507
Phone
(228) 467-2332
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder Law
Visit site
Rushing & Guice, PLLC
FirmRushing & Guice has been a successful and active law firm for over 100 years, serving Mississippi since 1908. The estate planning attorneys help individuals and families across the Mississippi Gulf Coast plan for the future with experience in developing estate plans and wealth preservation strategies designed to meet personal, financial, and tax goals.
Location
1000 Government Street, Suite EOcean Springs, MS 39564
Phone
(228) 374-2313
Established
1908
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationAsset Protection
Visit site
Schwartz, Orgler, Jordan & Williams, PLLC
FirmProudly serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1996. The attorneys provide compassionate and thorough estate planning services, helping individuals and families preserve wealth and ensure final wishes are honored. Services include drafting wills and advanced health care directives, establishing trusts, powers of attorney, probate administration, and estate dispute resolution.
Location
12206 Highway 49Gulfport, MS 39503
Phone
(228) 832-8550
Established
1996
Service Area
3 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsTrust Administration
Visit site
Statewide Practices
Lancaster Law Firm
FirmFounded by Cory R. Lancaster, a tax attorney with an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida. Assists clients throughout Mississippi and Tennessee with estate planning, business law, asset protection, probate or estate administration, elder law and Medicaid planning, charitable planning, and tax consulting.
Location
363 N. Green StreetTupelo, MS 38804
Phone
(662) 823-2679
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationAsset ProtectionElder LawMedicaid PlanningTax Law
Visit site
Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P.A.
FirmOne of Mississippi's largest law firms, founded in 1904. Comprehensive estate planning practice covering wills, testamentary trusts, inter vivos trusts (life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, generation-skipping trusts), family limited partnerships, LLCs, charitable foundations, durable powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, guardianships, Medicaid planning, and estate tax returns. Over 25 attorneys licensed in MS, TN, AL, and AR.
Location
215 North 5th StreetColumbus, MS 39701
Phone
(662) 328-2316
Established
1904
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationElder LawTrust AdministrationTax PlanningMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planning
Visit site
Morton Law Firm, PLLC
FirmSpecializes in elder law and estate planning matters, helping families protect assets from government programs, taxes, lawsuits, creditors, and nursing home costs. Offers a fixed-fee estate planning process completed within two weeks. Maintains expertise in qualifying wartime veterans for special pension benefits.
Location
402 E. Main StreetClinton, MS 39056
Phone
(601) 925-9797
Established
1997
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationElder LawMedicaid PlanningSpecial Needs PlanningVeterans BenefitsAsset Protection
Free consultationVisit site
The Stubbs Law Firm, PLLC
FirmOffers comprehensive estate planning solutions including drafting and reviewing wills and trusts, power of attorney documents, healthcare directives, probate and estate administration, and estate tax planning strategies to minimize taxes and protect accumulated wealth. Emphasizes personalized plans that meet specific client needs.
Location
1675 U.S. 80Flowood, MS 39232
Phone
(601) 203-1653
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills TrustsTax Planning
Free consultationVisit site
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.
Legal Sources
- Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299
- Miss. Code § 91-7-299 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9
- Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-151 (90 days after first publication); § 91-7-145 (notice to creditors; publish weekly for 3 consecutive weeks)
- Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavit
- Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-7-41, 91-7-45
Data sourced from Mississippi statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the Chancery Court in Jackson County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($140). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Jackson County, that means filing fees ($140 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
Yes. The Chancery Court in Jackson County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Mississippi self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
A simple Mississippi probate typically closes in 6–12 months; average estates run 12–18 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Jackson County probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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