How Much Does Probate Cost in Lamar County, Mississippi?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Lamar County can expect.
What probate costs in Lamar 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 403 Main Street, Purvis.
Mississippi charges $140Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9Verified May 14, 2026 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 May 14, 2026 to 4%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified May 14, 2026 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 May 14, 2026 to 4%Miss. Code § 91-7-299 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified May 14, 2026 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 May 14, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Mississippi typically runs 12 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavitVerified May 14, 2026 to 18 monthsMiss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavitVerified May 14, 2026, 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 May 14, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
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
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Lamar 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.
The petition to open probate costs $140 in Lamar County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Mississippi uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Mississippi allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Mississippi estates under $75,000 can use a Small Estate Affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Mississippi self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
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 Lamar County probate.
Chancery Court
Lamar County
403 Main Street
Purvis, MS 39475
Phone:
601-794-8504Fax:
601-794-3903
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
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