Can You Self-File Probate in Hancock County, Mississippi?
Find out if you can handle probate yourself, see estimated cost savings vs. hiring an attorney, and get a step-by-step filing checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — Mississippi requires an attorney of record to open formal probate, so you cannot apply for letters on your own in Hancock County. If the estate qualifies as a small estate, a small-estate affidavit can still be completed without an attorney. The estate settlement plan tracks each Hancock County filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the Chancery Court, 152 Main Street, Suite A, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520. Phone: 228-467-5406. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Hancock County requires e-filing for probate matters. Mississippi Electronic Courts (MEC). E-filing mandatory for attorneys in all Chancery Courts statewide per House Bill 25 (2020). Pro se litigants must file paper copies; clerk uploads to MEC. Attorney registration: https://www.pamecapps.mec.ms.gov/onlinereg/
No. Mississippi requires an attorney of record to open formal probate, so a self-represented person cannot apply for letters on their own.Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavit, $75K per S.B. 2850 eff. 7/1/2020), § 91-5-35 (muniment of title), § 91-7-145 (notice to creditors; 3-week publication), § 91-7-151 (creditor claims, 90 days), § 81-5-63 (bank deposit affidavit, $12,500), § 91-7-299 (executor compensation; such sum as the court deems proper), § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable), § 91-7-41 (oath and bond of executor), § 91-7-45 (when bond not required), § 91-7-67 (oath and bond of administrator; chancellor may waive or reduce), § 91-7-93 (inventory within 90 days of letters; PR states market value), § 91-7-109 (PR MAY employ an appraiser), § 9-5-141 (chancery clerk may admit wills in common form and grant letters), § 25-7-9(2) (chancery clerk filing fees), §§ 37-26-3(1) and 37-26-9(4) (court education costs charged in all chancery civil cases)Verified Sep 8, 2026 If the estate qualifies as a small estate, a small-estate affidavit can still be completed without an attorney.
Court filing fees in Mississippi vary by county.Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 (small estate affidavit, $75K per S.B. 2850 eff. 7/1/2020), § 91-5-35 (muniment of title), § 91-7-145 (notice to creditors; 3-week publication), § 91-7-151 (creditor claims, 90 days), § 81-5-63 (bank deposit affidavit, $12,500), § 91-7-299 (executor compensation; such sum as the court deems proper), § 91-7-281 (attorney fees allowable), § 91-7-41 (oath and bond of executor), § 91-7-45 (when bond not required), § 91-7-67 (oath and bond of administrator; chancellor may waive or reduce), § 91-7-93 (inventory within 90 days of letters; PR states market value), § 91-7-109 (PR MAY employ an appraiser), § 9-5-141 (chancery clerk may admit wills in common form and grant letters), § 25-7-9(2) (chancery clerk filing fees), §§ 37-26-3(1) and 37-26-9(4) (court education costs charged in all chancery civil cases)Verified Sep 8, 2026 Self-filing costs typically include the court petition fee, publication costs, and bond premiums. The filing fee is a fraction of total probate costs. See a full breakdown with the Mississippi probate calculator.
Sources
Data sourced from Chancery Court primary sources (7 pages reviewed). How we research.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- More Mississippi counties: Grenada County (Grenada) · Harrison County (Gulfport)
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