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George County, MS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | George County information |
|---|---|
| Court | George County Chancery Court (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159) |
| Probate filings go to | George County Chancery Clerk. Call 601-947-4801 and say the filing is for an estate, because the chancery clerk also handles land records. |
| Courthouse address | 355 Cox Street, Suite A, Lucedale, MS 39452 |
| Mailing | The county page lists the Cox Street office address and no separate mailing address. Call the chancery clerk before mailing an original will or a filing packet. |
| Phone | 601-947-4801 |
| Fax | 601-947-1300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Chancery court district | Mississippi's 16th Chancery Court District: George County, Greene County and Jackson County. File the George County case in Lucedale. |
| Filing fee | For the version of Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 effective until December 31, 2027, the statutory floor for opening an estate is $140.00: $85.00 clerk fee, $10.00 Comprehensive Electronic Court Systems Fund, $40.00 Judicial System Operation Fund and $5.00 Civil Legal Assistance Fund. Confirm the payable total with the George County Chancery Clerk before filing. |
| Attorney required | Yes for a full estate. Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02 requires a fiduciary, unless licensed to practice law in Mississippi, to retain an attorney. The $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, is a separate personal property route under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 and is not a court filing. |
| Local forms | George County's chancery clerk page does not list a local estate packet or local small estate affidavit. Use the statewide chancery clerk cover sheet and the petition prepared for the case. |
| E-filing | Attorneys file through MEC. A person who is not an attorney may use a read-only PAMEC account but may not file electronically, and an estate begins with a paper filing at the chancery clerk's counter. Start at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. |
| Case lookup | MEC and PAMEC provide remote account access through https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. Free viewing is available at the chancery clerk's office during regular business hours. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the George County Chancery Clerk whether the chancellor assigned to the case will allow phone or video participation. Local practice is controlled by the chancellor and the 16th Chancery Court District's term order. |
| Website | https://georgecountyms.com/chancery_clerk.html |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in George County, list the decedent's assets, debts, deeded real estate, jointly owned property and beneficiary designations. That first inventory determines whether estate settlement can stay outside court under the small estate affidavit, use muniment of title for Mississippi real property, or require a full chancery court administration.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families locate accounts before they choose a filing path. In George County, that can keep the Lucedale filing packet focused on the assets that actually need chancery authority.
Which court handles jurisdiction
George County probate is filed with the George County Chancery Clerk at 355 Cox Street, Suite A, Lucedale. Mississippi circuit courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are granted in the chancery court (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159; Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1; Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63).
For a will, Mississippi looks to the county where the testator had a fixed place of residence, and if there was no fixed place of residence and the will devises land, to the county where the land, or part of it, is located (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1). For an intestate estate, the venue ladder is different: fixed place of residence, then land, then the county where the decedent died (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63). George County is in Mississippi's 16th Chancery Court District with Greene County and Jackson County, but the district assigns chancellors, not filing counters. A George County case is filed in this county's own courthouse, because chancery court is held in every county (Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(1)).
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, deed information, account statements and a list of known debts. The original will is physically delivered to the chancery clerk and kept by the clerk under UCCR 9.03.
- Choose the route before preparing a petition. If the entire probate estate is $75,000 or less in personal property, excluding liens and encumbrances, and 30 days have passed since death, the successor may present a small estate affidavit to the bank, employer or other holder rather than filing it with the court (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, effective July 1, 2020). If there is a will that devises Mississippi real property, all known debts are paid and the non-real, non-exempt probate estate fits within the Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 sum, ask counsel about muniment of title (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35). Otherwise, use full administration.
- For a full estate, retain an attorney. Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02 requires every fiduciary, unless licensed to practice law in Mississippi, to retain an attorney for the entire appointment.
- The attorney prepares the petition. A petition to probate a will must attach a copy of the will as an exhibit, and pleadings, accounts, inventories and reports filed by the fiduciary must be personally signed and sworn (UCCR 6.15; UCCR 6.14; UCCR 6.02).
- File the paper opening packet at the George County Chancery Clerk's counter in Lucedale with the chancery clerk cover sheet and the court cost deposit. For the version of Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 effective until December 31, 2027, the statutory floor is $140.00, made up of $85.00, $10.00, $40.00 and $5.00 statutory charges.
- The chancery court, or the chancery clerk between court terms, may admit the will to probate in common form and grant letters testamentary or letters of administration, subject to approval or disapproval by the court. The clerk's act is not final until approved by the court (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1; Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63; Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-141; Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-147).
- Post bond if the court or clerk requires it. Mississippi law requires the executor's oath and a bond approved by the court or clerk unless the case is handled another way under the court's order (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-41).
- After letters are granted, the executor or administrator makes reasonably diligent efforts to identify creditors, mails notice to known creditors, files the diligent-search affidavit, and 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 (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-151).
- Administer the estate, pay allowed debts and taxes, address accounting requirements, distribute property under the will or court order, and seek the final decree and discharge through the chancery court.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in George County
The Mississippi Judiciary provides a statewide chancery clerk cover sheet and the Uniform Chancery Court Rules set content requirements for estate filings, but the petition itself is prepared for the specific estate. George County's chancery clerk page does not list a local probate packet, estate checklist or local small estate affidavit.
For a full George County estate, counsel prepares the petition required by the facts of the case, including any will exhibit required by UCCR 6.15 and sworn fiduciary filings required by UCCR 6.14 and UCCR 6.02. For the small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, the affidavit is presented to the holder of personal property and is not filed at the Lucedale courthouse.
Local nuance
George County-specific considerations
George County belongs to the 16th Chancery Court District with Greene County and Jackson County. On this page, Jackson County means the coastal county with its seat in Pascagoula, not the city of Jackson in Hinds County. That distinction matters only for understanding the district grouping. A George County estate is filed at the George County Chancery Clerk's office in Lucedale.
The George County chancery clerk page also points users to an online land-records portal. That portal is for recorded land documents, not MEC or PAMEC estate case access. For estate case information, use MEC and PAMEC through https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php or view records at the chancery clerk's office during regular business hours.
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| June 19, 2023 and June 30, 2025 | All Mississippi chancery courts were implemented in MEC as of June 19, 2023, and the statewide electronic filing and case management project was completed for Mississippi courts on June 30, 2025. MEC and PAMEC information starts at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. |
| July 1, 2020 | The small estate affidavit amount became $75,000 under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, effective July 1, 2020, and muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35 was revised to cross-reference that Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 amount. |
| April 18, 2024 | The Uniform Chancery Court Rules were revised and amended, including the fiduciary attorney requirement in UCCR 6.02. |
| January 1, 2026 | North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, 1-800-898-8731, and Mississippi Center for Legal Services, 1-800-519-2915, moved to separate intake hotlines. George County is mapped to Mississippi Center for Legal Services through mslegalservices.org. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely George County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with the deed. If the home passes outside the estate and the remaining probate property is $75,000 or less in personal property, excluding liens and encumbrances, after 30 days, the small estate affidavit is presented to the holder under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 rather than filed in Lucedale. If a will devises the home and all known debts are paid, ask counsel about muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. | Sunset helps identify accounts, deed issues and beneficiary designations so the spouse can see whether estate settlement needs a George County filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the whole probate estate is $75,000 or less in personal property, excluding liens and encumbrances, and 30 days have passed, the child may use the Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 affidavit with the bank or other holder without a courthouse filing. If letters are needed, the child must retain a Mississippi attorney under UCCR 6.02 and file through the George County Chancery Clerk. | Sunset organizes institution contacts, asset information and a document checklist so the child can decide whether Lucedale filing is needed before traveling. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 affidavit does not transfer the house. If there is a will and debts are paid, muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35 may fit. Otherwise, full administration is filed with the George County Chancery Clerk and counsel is required under UCCR 6.02. The chancellor fixes fiduciary compensation and attorney fees, and fees may not be based on real property value (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159; Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-299; UCCR 6.12(B)). | Sunset helps build the asset picture, generate the probate packet and connect the parent with a Mississippi probate attorney for the George County filing. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps in George County |
|---|---|
| George County Chancery Clerk | Call 601-947-4801 for filing logistics, payable amounts, hours, mailing questions and whether the chancellor will allow phone or video participation. The office page is https://georgecountyms.com/chancery_clerk.html. |
| Mississippi Center for Legal Services | George County is mapped to the Gulfport service area. Intake is 1-800-519-2915. Check eligibility first, and do not assume estate administration representation is available. |
| mslegalservices.org | The legal aid directory by service area and public legal information are available at https://www.mslegalservices.org/find-legal-help/directory/area. |
| Mississippi Judiciary chancery court page | Use the chancery court page for statewide chancery court information and the chancery clerk cover sheet. Mississippi probate is in chancery court under Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159. |
| Uniform Chancery Court Rules | The rules explain fiduciary filings, sworn pleadings, will exhibits, accountings and the attorney requirement in UCCR 6.02. |
| MEC and PAMEC | Use https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php for Mississippi Electronic Courts and Public Access to Mississippi Electronic Courts. Attorneys file through MEC; public remote access is read-only through PAMEC, and free viewing is available at the chancery clerk's office during business hours. |
When to hire an attorney
For a full George County estate, this is a rule rather than optional advice: Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02(A) requires every fiduciary, unless licensed to practice law in Mississippi, to retain an attorney for the entire term of the appointment. The chancellor fixes compensation for the attorney and fiduciary (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159; Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-299). The counterweight is the $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322: it is presented to the holder of personal property, not filed as a court case, and it does not create a fiduciary appointment under UCCR 6.02. A George County family that cannot afford counsel should check eligibility with Mississippi Center for Legal Services at 1-800-519-2915 through mslegalservices.org, and Sunset connects families to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions, helps identify beneficiary designations and organizes the asset picture before a George County estate settlement path is chosen.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's information into a clear packet for the attorney and the George County Chancery Clerk, including the details needed for a paper opening filing when full administration is required.
Find a local probate attorney. Mississippi requires a fiduciary to retain counsel for a full estate under UCCR 6.02, so Sunset helps families connect with a vetted Mississippi probate attorney who can file in George County.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset, and attorney options are presented separately so the family can choose the help it wants.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in George County?
File a George County estate with the George County Chancery Clerk at 355 Cox Street, Suite A, Lucedale, MS 39452. Mississippi circuit courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are granted in chancery court (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159; Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1; Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63).
Does George County have e-filing for estate cases?
Attorneys file through MEC after the case is opened, but an estate begins with a paper filing at the chancery clerk's counter. A person who is not an attorney may have read-only PAMEC access but may not file electronically. Start with https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php.
Can I use a small estate affidavit in George County?
Yes, if the requirements fit. The $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, applies to personal property when the entire probate estate is within the Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 amount, excluding liens and encumbrances, and 30 days have passed. It is presented to the bank, employer or other holder, not filed with the George County Chancery Clerk.
Does George County publish local probate forms?
George County's chancery clerk page does not list a local estate packet, local small estate affidavit or local estate checklist. For a full estate, the attorney prepares the petition, uses the chancery clerk cover sheet and follows UCCR 6.14, UCCR 6.15 and UCCR 6.02.
What is the filing fee for a George County estate?
For the version of Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 effective until December 31, 2027, the statutory floor is $140.00, made up of $85.00, $10.00, $40.00 and $5.00 statutory charges. George County does not list a separate estate total on its chancery clerk page, so confirm the payable total with the clerk before filing.
Can I attend a George County chancery hearing by phone or video?
Ask the George County Chancery Clerk at 601-947-4801. Whether phone or video participation is allowed is controlled by the chancellor and the 16th Chancery Court District's practice, and the district's term order is posted through the chancery clerk process required by Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(2).
How do I look up a George County estate case?
Use MEC and PAMEC through https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php for remote read-only access if you have the required account. Free viewing is available at the George County Chancery Clerk's office during regular business hours.
Do I have to travel to Lucedale for estate settlement?
It depends on the route. A Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 small estate affidavit is presented to the holder of personal property and may not require a courthouse trip. If letters testamentary or letters of administration are needed, the estate is opened on paper through the George County Chancery Clerk, and the Mississippi attorney retained under UCCR 6.02 can advise what appearances are required (Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-141; Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-147).
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.