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Franklin County, MS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Franklin County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Franklin County Chancery Court (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159). |
| Probate filings go to | Franklin County Chancery Clerk, Franklin County Courthouse, Meadville. The clerk lists mailing and phone information for the office, but the public counter street number should be confirmed before travel. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 297, Meadville, MS 39653. |
| Phone | 601-384-2330. |
| Fax | 601-384-5864. The clerk does not state that estate papers may be filed by fax. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The office says it is open during lunch hours unless short staffed. |
| Filing fee | Ask the chancery clerk for the current Franklin County total. Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9, text effective until December 31, 2027, sets the opening estate fee at $85.00 plus $10.00, $40.00 and $5.00 in statutory assessments, for a $140.00 statutory floor. |
| Local forms | Franklin County lists no local probate form or estate instruction packet. Use the statewide chancery clerk cover sheet and the petition prepared for the estate. |
| E-filing | Attorneys file through MEC after the case is opened. A nonattorney does not file electronically, and every estate begins with a paper filing at the chancery clerk's counter. MEC information is at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. |
| Case search | MEC and PAMEC are the statewide case systems. Remote PAMEC access requires an account, while free public viewing is available at the chancery clerk's office during business hours. Start at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Franklin County Chancery Clerk how the chancellor handles phone or video requests. The 4th Chancery Court District's annual term order is posted in the chancery clerk's office under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(2). |
| Attorney required | Yes for a full estate. Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02 requires an executor or administrator to retain an attorney unless the fiduciary is licensed to practice law in Mississippi. The $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, is a no court filing route for qualifying personal property under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322. |
| County website | https://www.franklincountyms.gov/chancery-clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing in Franklin County, make a practical list of what the person owned, what passed by beneficiary designation or joint ownership, what debts are known, and whether the original will is available. That first inventory decides whether estate settlement can stay outside the courthouse through a qualifying personal-property affidavit, can use muniment of title for a will and Mississippi real property, or needs a full chancery estate.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families find bank, investment, insurance and other accounts before the attorney drafts the probate packet. In Franklin County, that preparation also helps you call the chancery clerk with focused questions about the Meadville filing counter, current charges and any travel timing.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Franklin County is filed with the Franklin County Chancery Clerk at the Franklin County Courthouse in Meadville. Franklin County sits in Mississippi's 4th Chancery Court District, with Amite, Pike and Walthall counties, but the district is how chancellors are assigned. The case is filed at Franklin County's own courthouse, not in another county.
For a will, Mississippi venue is the chancery court of the county where the testator had a fixed place of residence, or, if there was no fixed place of residence and land is devised, where the land or part of it is located (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1). For an intestate estate, the venue ladder differs and looks first to the county of the intestate person's fixed place of residence, then to the county where the person owned land, and then to the county where the person died (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63). Chancery court is held in every county (Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(1)), and matters testamentary and of administration belong in chancery court (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159).
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, account information, deed information and known debts before choosing a path.
- Choose the estate settlement route. A qualifying $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, may be presented to the holder of personal property after 30 days and is not a court filing (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322). Muniment of title may fit when there is a will, Mississippi real property, all known debts are paid, and the statute's requirements are met (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35). Otherwise, use full administration.
- For a full Franklin County estate, retain an attorney unless the executor or administrator is licensed to practice law in Mississippi. Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02 requires every fiduciary to have counsel for the term of the appointment.
- The attorney prepares the petition. A petition to probate a will must attach a copy of the will as an exhibit, and fiduciary filings are personally signed and sworn as required by UCCR 6.15 and UCCR 6.14.
- File the paper opening petition at the Franklin County Chancery Clerk's counter in Meadville with the chancery clerk cover sheet and the court cost deposit required by UCCR 9.01 and Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9, text effective until December 31, 2027. The original will stays with the clerk under UCCR 9.03.
- The chancery court, or the chancery clerk in vacation subject to the court's approval, admits the will in common form and grants letters testamentary or letters of administration when the requirements are met (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 91-7-1, 91-7-63, 9-5-141 and 9-5-147). The clerk's act is not final until approved by the court.
- Address any oath and bond requirements set by the court or clerk under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-41.
- The executor or administrator makes reasonably diligent efforts to identify creditors, mails required notices, files the diligent-search affidavit, and only then publishes notice to creditors for three consecutive weeks (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-145).
- Creditors probate and register claims with the clerk. Claims not registered within 90 days after the first publication are barred under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-151.
- Administer the estate, pay allowed debts and taxes, handle any required accounting, request the final decree of distribution, and obtain discharge from the chancery court.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Franklin County
Franklin County does not list a local probate form, estate instruction packet or county small-estate affidavit on its county forms list. The county forms list includes other county business forms, but not estate papers.
Mississippi practice still uses a statewide chancery clerk cover sheet, and the Uniform Chancery Court Rules set filing content requirements. For a full estate, the attorney required by UCCR 6.02 drafts the petition and related papers for filing with the Franklin County Chancery Clerk.
Local nuance
Franklin County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lunch-hour caveat | The Franklin County Chancery Clerk lists hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and says the office stays open during lunch unless short staffed. Call 601-384-2330 before making a midday trip. |
| Fax number | The clerk lists fax 601-384-5864. That does not mean probate filings may be sent by fax, so use it only after the clerk or your attorney tells you to. |
| Courthouse street address | The clerk lists the mailing address as P.O. Box 297, Meadville, MS 39653. Because the public counter street number is not listed with that office block, confirm the counter location before traveling. |
Recent updates
| Change | What it means in Franklin County |
|---|---|
| MEC completion | MEC completed statewide on June 30, 2025, and all chancery courts have been on MEC since June 19, 2023. Attorneys use MEC after the paper opening filing. Public MEC and PAMEC information is at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. |
| Small estate and muniment changes | The small estate affidavit amount became $75,000 effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, and muniment of title was rewritten effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. |
| Chancery rules revision | The Uniform Chancery Court Rules were revised and amended effective April 18, 2024, including Rule 6.02 on attorney representation for fiduciaries. |
| Legal services intake | NMRLS and Mississippi Center for Legal Services use separate intake numbers as of January 1, 2026. North Mississippi Rural Legal Services uses 1-800-898-8731, and Mississippi Center for Legal Services uses 1-800-519-2915. Franklin County is listed with the McComb office at mslegalservices.org. |
Scenarios
| Persona | Likely Franklin County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by checking how the home is titled and whether accounts have beneficiaries. If the home passes outside the estate and the remaining probate personal property qualifies, the $75,000 small estate affidavit may settle the rest after 30 days under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322. If a will devises Mississippi real property and all known debts are paid, ask the attorney about muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. | Sunset identifies accounts, organizes the deed and account picture, and helps decide whether estate settlement needs the Meadville chancery filing counter. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 30 days have passed and the whole probate estate is $75,000 or less excluding liens and encumbrances, the affidavit route under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 is presented to the bank or other holder and is not filed at the courthouse. If letters are needed, the child must retain Mississippi counsel under UCCR 6.02 and should ask the Franklin County Chancery Clerk about scheduling and any phone or video request. | Sunset helps find institutions, assemble the asset list, and connect the family with a Franklin County probate attorney when letters are needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 does not transfer the house. If there is a will and the debts are paid, muniment of title may be considered under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. Otherwise, a full Franklin County administration is usually the path, with counsel required by UCCR 6.02. The chancellor fixes fiduciary and attorney compensation, and fees may not be based on the value of real property (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-299 and UCCR 6.12(B)). | Sunset builds the probate packet, helps locate assets and debts, and connects the parent with a local attorney for the required chancery filing. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Chancery Clerk | Filing counter for Franklin County chancery estates, local hours, mailing information and current fee questions. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | 601-384-2330, fax 601-384-5864, https://www.franklincountyms.gov/chancery-clerk |
| Mississippi Center for Legal Services, McComb office | Franklin County is listed in this office's service area. This is legal aid for eligibility screening, and it may not take estate matters. | 1-800-519-2915, https://www.mslegalservices.org/organization/mississippi-center-for-legal-services-mccomb |
| mslegalservices.org | Statewide public legal information and a directory by service area for civil legal help. | https://www.mslegalservices.org/find-legal-help/directory/area |
| Mississippi Judiciary chancery court information | State chancery court information and access to the statewide chancery clerk cover sheet link. | https://courts.ms.gov/trialcourts/chancerycourt/chancerycourt.php |
| Uniform Chancery Court Rules | Rules for Mississippi fiduciary filings, including attorney representation, sworn papers and wills held by the clerk. | https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/uniform_chancery_rules.pdf |
| MEC and PAMEC | Case access information. Remote access requires a PAMEC account, and free viewing is available at the chancery clerk's office during business hours. | https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php |
When to hire an attorney
For a full Franklin County estate, Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02(A) requires every fiduciary, unless licensed to practice law in Mississippi, to retain an attorney or firm of attorneys for the entire term of the appointment, and the chancellor fixes compensation. The $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, is different because it is not a court filing and needs no attorney when it qualifies under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322. Families that cannot afford counsel should check eligibility with Mississippi Center for Legal Services at 1-800-519-2915 through mslegalservices.org, while understanding that legal aid may not take estate matters. Sunset connects you to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across 2,300 financial institutions and helps you organize accounts, insurance, property information and debts before the Franklin County estate settlement path is chosen.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset picture and family information into an organized packet your Mississippi attorney can use to prepare the petition, cover sheet and supporting documents for the Franklin County Chancery Clerk.
Find a local probate attorney. Because UCCR 6.02 requires counsel for a full estate unless the fiduciary is a Mississippi lawyer, Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney familiar with Mississippi chancery practice.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset's estate settlement tools help you understand the assets, the likely path and the next filing step without charging families for access.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Franklin County, Mississippi?
File a full estate with the Franklin County Chancery Clerk at the Franklin County Courthouse in Meadville. Mississippi places matters testamentary and of administration in chancery court (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159), and venue for a will starts with the county where the testator had a fixed place of residence (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1).
What is the Franklin County Chancery Clerk's phone number?
Call 601-384-2330. The clerk also lists fax 601-384-5864, but that does not mean estate papers may be filed by fax.
What are the Franklin County Chancery Clerk's hours?
The office lists hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It also says the office is open during lunch hours unless short staffed, so call before a midday visit.
Does Franklin County publish local probate forms?
Franklin County does not list a local probate form or estate instruction packet. Use the statewide chancery clerk cover sheet, and for a full estate the attorney required by UCCR 6.02 prepares the petition and supporting papers.
What is the filing fee for a Franklin County estate?
Ask the chancery clerk for the current Franklin County total. Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9, text effective until December 31, 2027, sets a $140.00 statutory floor for opening an estate, made up of $85.00 plus $10.00, $40.00 and $5.00 assessments.
Can I e-file a Franklin County estate?
The opening estate filing is made on paper at the chancery clerk's counter. Registered attorneys use MEC after that, and a nonattorney does not file electronically. MEC and PAMEC information is at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php.
How do I look up a Franklin County chancery estate case?
Use MEC and PAMEC through https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php for remote account access. Free public viewing is available at the Franklin County Chancery Clerk's office during regular business hours.
Do I have to travel to Meadville for a Franklin County estate?
It depends on the path. A qualifying $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, is presented to the holder of personal property and is not filed at the courthouse (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322). If a full estate is needed, your Mississippi attorney can advise what must be signed, mailed or handled at the Franklin County filing counter.
Will Franklin County let me attend a hearing by phone or video?
Ask the Franklin County Chancery Clerk and your attorney. Remote requests are handled by the chancellor and district practice, and the 4th Chancery Court District's annual term order is posted in the chancery clerk's office under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(2) and Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.