What to Do When Someone Dies in Tippah County, Mississippi

Probate in Tippah 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 Tippah 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

Tippah County

Address

115 E Spring StreetRipley, MS 38663

Fax

662-837-7148

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneys

Chancery Clerk: Shana Lowry.

Verified July 5, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Tippah 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 Tippah County, probate runs through the Chancery Court at 115 E Spring Street, Ripley.

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. 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 Sep 8, 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 Tippah County

What probate costs in Tippah 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 115 E Spring Street, Ripley.

Mississippi charges $143Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9; § 37-26-3; § 37-26-9(4)Verified Sep 8, 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 1.6%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.5%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. 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, 91-7-45, 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

If you're handling probate yourself in Tippah 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 Tippah 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 Information

Can 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 Tippah County Self-Filing Assessment.

Tippah County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Handwritten documents no longer accepted

Effective September 24, 2025, pursuant to House Bill 600 (amending Miss. Code 89-5-24), handwritten documents are no longer accepted for recording in any Mississippi Chancery Clerk office. All documents must be typed or printed.

Source

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 Tippah 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 Tippah County are recorded with the Chancery Clerk, led by Chancery Clerk Shana Lowry, at 115 E Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663. Phone: 662-837-7374. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

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

Recording Office Record

Chancery Clerk

Tippah County · Chancery Clerk · Shana Lowry

Address

115 E Spring StreetRipley, MS 38663

Fax

662-837-7148

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)

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Tippah County

Mississippi allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Tippah 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 — typically 1.6%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.5%Miss. Code § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable; reasonable); see also § 91-7-299Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Tippah 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.

FirmAshland, MS

Farese, Farese & Farese, P.A.

Since 1939 · Serves 5 counties

North Mississippi firm serving Benton, Marshall, Tippah, and Union counties from Ashland, with a branch office in Oxford. Estates and trusts and probate litigation sit alongside the criminal defense, personal injury, and family law work the firm has been known for since 1939. Free and confidential initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
122 Church AvenueAshland, MS 38603
Free consultation

Solo PracticeCorinth, MS

The Weeden Law Firm

Serves 4 counties

Corinth practice serving Alcorn County and north Mississippi with will preparation, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and probate and estate-dispute work in Chancery Court. Founder Kenneth Weeden has over 30 years of experience and offers a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
607 Childs StreetCorinth, MS 38834
Free consultation

FirmOxford, MS

Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A.

Since 1946 · Serves 9 counties

Multi-office Mississippi law firm tracing its origins to 1946; the Oxford office opened in 1995 and serves clients across north Mississippi. Wills and estate planning practice covers will drafting, estate administration, healthcare directives, powers of attorney, charitable giving, and will contests, alongside the firm's broader civil litigation work.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationGuardianshipProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
265 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite ROxford, MS 38655

FirmOxford, MS

Garrett, Friday & McRight, P.L.L.C.

Since 1998 · Serves 5 counties

Oxford general-practice firm covering wills, living wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, trusts, and probate. The firm also handles family law, criminal defense, personal injury, real property, and small business matters across north Mississippi.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1205 Office Park Drive, Suite BOxford, MS 38655

FirmTupelo, MS

Lancaster Law Firm

Serves the whole state

Tupelo firm on North Green Street serving clients throughout Mississippi and Tennessee. Handles probate and estate administration, estate planning, elder law and Medicaid planning, asset protection, and charitable planning. Founder Cory R. Lancaster is a tax attorney, which shapes the practice toward estates with tax exposure or business interests to unwind.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
363 N. Green StreetTupelo, MS 38804

FirmColumbus, MS

Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P.A.

Since 1904 · Serves the whole state

Founded in 1904, one of Mississippi's largest firms, serving the Golden Triangle and north Mississippi from offices in Columbus, Tupelo, and Oxford. Ten attorneys carry the estate planning, probate, and elder law practice: wills and testamentary trusts, life insurance and special needs trusts, durable powers of attorney, guardianships, Medicaid planning, and estate tax returns.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 4 more

Office
215 North 5th StreetColumbus, MS 39701
See all 8 firms serving Tippah 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

Data sourced from Mississippi statutes and official state code. How we research.