Estate Planning for Rankin County, Mississippi Property Owners

For most Rankin 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 Rankin 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 Rankin 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 Rankin County

A transfer-on-death deed names a beneficiary who receives Rankin 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 →Rankin Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Rankin County are recorded with the Chancery Clerk, led by Chancery Clerk Mark S. Scarborough, at 211 E Government St, Suite D, Brandon, MS 39042. Phone: 601-825-1469. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 700, Brandon, MS 39043.

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 Rankin County. A transfer-on-death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Rankin County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, ePN.

Recording Office Record

Chancery Clerk

Rankin County · Chancery Clerk · Mark S. Scarborough

Address

211 E Government St, Suite DBrandon, MS 39042Mailing: P.O. Box 700, Brandon, MS 39043

Fax

601-824-7116

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSC, ePNE-recording info →
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 September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Rankin County

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

FirmJackson, MS

Gibson & Mullennix, PLLC

Serves 3 counties

Jackson firm serving Hinds, Rankin, and Madison counties in the central Mississippi metro. Drafts wills and trusts and guides executors and families through probate and estate administration in Chancery Court, alongside criminal defense and bankruptcy work. Founded by Cody Gibson; offers a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningCriminal DefenseProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1640 Lelia Drive, Suite 200Jackson, MS 39216
Free consultation

FirmJackson, MS

Glover Russell, P.A.

Since 2003 · Serves 3 counties

Jackson firm on North Congress Street serving Hinds, Madison, and Rankin county families. Handles probate, estate and trust administration, and estate litigation, with tax planning for estates large enough to owe federal estate tax. Founded in 2003 by Glover "Russ" Russell Jr., a tax attorney.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationTax Law

Office
120 N. Congress Street, Suite 600Jackson, MS 39201

FirmRidgeland, MS

Hancock Law Firm, PLLC

Since 2001 · Serves 6 counties

Ridgeland firm on South Pear Orchard Road serving Madison, Hinds, Rankin, and the surrounding central Mississippi counties. Drafts wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives, and sets up bypass, charitable remainder, special needs, and life insurance trusts. Pamela L. Hancock has practiced for over 30 years.

PracticesEstate PlanningSpecial Needs PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
855 S. Pear Orchard Road, Building 100Ridgeland, MS 39157

FirmBrandon, MS

Palmer & Slay, PLLC

Serves 3 counties

Brandon firm serving Rankin County and the greater Jackson metro on wills, trusts, and probate before the chancery courts. Handles probate and estate administration, revocable and special needs trusts, powers of attorney, elder law, and Medicaid long-term-care planning. Partners Chris Palmer and Craig Slay concentrate the practice on estate planning and elder law.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningAsset Protectionand 2 more

Office
106 Highpointe Ct, Suite CBrandon, MS 39042

FirmRidgeland, MS

Williford, McAllister, Jacobus & White, LLP

Since 1991 · Serves 3 counties

Ridgeland firm with more than 30 years of statewide practice representing individuals, businesses, and financial institutions. Estate planning and administration is a core practice alongside civil litigation, banking, business, family, and insurance defense work. Recognized for Trusts & Estates by U.S. News & World Report.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
303 Highland Park Cove, Suite ARidgeland, MS 39157
See all 12 firms serving Rankin 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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