Estate Planning for Jones County, Mississippi Property Owners

For most Jones 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.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Jones 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 Jones 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.

Skipping this planning step means the Chancery Court decides who receives the property: a simple Mississippi probate takes 6+ months and opens with $143 in court 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 Jones County

A transfer-on-death deed names a beneficiary who receives Jones 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.

Create a MississippiTOD deed →Jones Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Jones County are recorded with the Chancery Clerk at 415 North 5th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440. Phone: 601-428-0527. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 1468, Laurel, MS 39441.

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

Recording Office Record

Chancery Clerk

Jones County

Address

415 North 5th AvenueLaurel, MS 39440Mailing: P.O. Box 1468, Laurel, MS 39441

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)

Open in Google Maps

Verified July 13, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Jones County

FirmHattiesburg, MS

Davis-Morris Law Firm, P.A.

Serves 3 counties

Hattiesburg practice serving Forrest, Lamar, and the surrounding south-central Mississippi counties from West Pine Street. Angela Davis-Morris builds estate plans covering wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, and handles Medicaid qualification for long-term care, including crisis planning after a parent has already entered care.

PracticesEstate PlanningAsset ProtectionMedicaid PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
804 W Pine StreetHattiesburg, MS 39401

Solo PracticeHattiesburg, MS

Flowers Law Firm

Since 1992 · Serves 3 counties

Pine Belt practice handling wills and estate planning, family law, and bankruptcy from a single Hattiesburg office. Founder Richard Allen Flowers has practiced Mississippi law since 1989 and has served Forrest, Lamar, and surrounding counties since 1992.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
341 N. 25th AvenueHattiesburg, MS 39401

FirmLaurel, MS

Gilchrist Yoder Yoder Leggett & Thames, PLLC

Since 1902 · Serves 4 counties

One of the oldest firms in Jones County with roots to 1893 (Stone Deavours), relocated to Laurel in 1902. Provides wills and estates services alongside corporate law, litigation, real estate closings, employment law, and contract negotiations. Notable regional clients include Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms, Mississippi Power Company, and Laurel School District.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
525 Central AvenueLaurel, MS 39441

FirmHattiesburg, MS

Shiyou Law Firm

Since 1987 · Serves 3 counties

Hattiesburg firm on West Pine Street serving Forrest, Lamar, and Jones counties since 1987. Handles estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, and trust administration. Al Shiyou previously managed the trust department at Trustmark National Bank — direct experience with how a bank actually administers a trust and releases estate assets.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
301 W Pine Street, Suite 100Hattiesburg, MS 39401

FirmMeridian, MS

Jacob & Kieronski, LLP

Since 1959 · Serves 13 counties

A general practice law firm in Meridian with a focus on domestic law. The firm assists clients with all aspects of estate planning, including will and trust creation, probate matters, and will contests. Serves clients throughout East Central Mississippi.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1010 19th Avenue, Suite 10Meridian, MS 39302
Free consultation

FirmFlowood, MS

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

Since 1996 · Serves 4 counties

Flowood firm serving the Jackson metro and the Gulf Coast from a second Biloxi office. Estate and trust planning, probate and trust administration, and estate and trust litigation are the core practice, built around wills, trusts, family limited partnerships, and business succession plans for owners transferring closely held assets.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration

Office
5 River Bend Place, Suite AFlowood, MS 39232
See all 10 firms serving Jones 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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