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Tippah County, MS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Tippah County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Tippah County Chancery Court, the chancery court with probate authority under Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159(c) |
| Probate filings go to | Tippah County Chancery Clerk, 115 E Spring Street, Ripley, MS 38663 |
| Mailing | Call 662-837-7374 before mailing an original will or other original estate papers, because the county page does not list a separate probate mailing address. |
| Phone | 662-837-7374 |
| Fax | 662-837-7148 |
| Hours | Call 662-837-7374 before visiting. The Tippah County chancery clerk page does not list public counter hours, lunch closures, or a filing cutoff. |
| Website | Tippah County Chancery Clerk |
| Filing fee | Tippah County does not post an itemized estate filing schedule on its county site. In the text of Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 effective until December 31, 2027, opening an estate includes an $85.00 chancery clerk fee, plus $10.00, $40.00 and $5.00 statutory assessments, for a $140.00 statutory floor. Confirm the current total with the chancery clerk. |
| Local forms | Tippah County's forms page does not post a local estate packet or local small estate affidavit. Use the statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet and the petition your Mississippi attorney prepares. |
| E-filing | Attorneys file later documents through MEC. A person without counsel may have read-only PAMEC access and may not file electronically. Every estate starts with a paper filing at the chancery clerk's counter. See courts.ms.gov/mec. |
| Case search | MEC and PAMEC provide remote read-only access for registered PAMEC users, and free electronic viewing is available at the chancery clerk's office during regular business hours. See courts.ms.gov/mec. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the chancery clerk and the 18th Chancery Court District's term order about phone or video attendance. Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(2) requires the annual term order to be posted in the chancery clerk's office. |
| Attorney required | Yes for a full estate. Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02 requires a fiduciary serving as executor or administrator to retain an attorney unless the fiduciary is a Mississippi-licensed lawyer. The $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, needs no court filing and no attorney. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing anything in Tippah County, make a list of the decedent's assets, debts, beneficiaries, and any accounts that already pass by beneficiary designation or survivorship. That first inventory determines whether the estate settlement needs a full chancery case, a muniment of title petition, or the $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322.
Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, and other assets before the Mississippi attorney prepares the court papers. Starting with a complete asset picture helps avoid filing the wrong estate settlement path in the Tippah County Chancery Court.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Tippah County is filed with the Tippah County Chancery Clerk at 115 E Spring Street in Ripley. Tippah County is in Mississippi's 18th Chancery Court District with Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette and Marshall counties, but the district assigns chancellors and court terms; it does not move a Tippah County estate filing to another county. Chancery court is held in each county under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(1), and chancery court has probate authority under Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159(c).
For a will, venue is the chancery court of the county where the testator had a fixed place of residence, with a separate land-based rule if there was no fixed place of residence and the will devises land (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1). For an intestate estate, the venue ladder differs and begins with the county where the intestate had a fixed place of residence (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63). Tippah County's circuit courthouse at 102-A North Main Street is a different building and a different court; Mississippi circuit courts do not hear probate, and a will is proved and letters are granted in chancery court.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, a first list of assets and debts, and the names and addresses of heirs or devisees. The original will is delivered to the chancery clerk and kept by the clerk under UCCR 9.03.
- Choose the Mississippi path. If the entire probate estate is $75,000 or less, effective July 1, 2020, excluding liens and encumbrances, and 30 days have passed, the successor may use the small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 by presenting it to the property holder, not by filing it with the court. If the decedent left a will that devises Mississippi real property, all known debts are paid, and the non-real, non-exempt probate estate is within the Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 sum, ask the attorney about muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. Otherwise, use full administration.
- For a full estate, retain a Mississippi attorney. Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02 requires every fiduciary, unless licensed to practice law in Mississippi, to retain an attorney during the entire appointment.
- The attorney prepares the petition. A petition to probate a will attaches a copy of the will as an exhibit under UCCR 6.15, and fiduciary pleadings, accounts, inventories, and reports must be personally signed and sworn under UCCR 6.14.
- File the paper opening petition at the Tippah County Chancery Clerk's counter at 115 E Spring Street in Ripley, with the statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet and the court cost deposit required by UCCR 9.01 and Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9. Confirm the current amount with the chancery clerk before filing.
- The chancery court, or the chancery clerk in vacation, meaning between court terms, subject to court approval, admits the will to probate and grants letters testamentary or letters of administration. The clerk's authority is in Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-141, and the clerk's acts are not final until approved by the court under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-147. Chancery court authority comes from Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159(c).
- Complete the oath and any bond the court or clerk requires under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-41, then use the letters testamentary or letters of administration to collect estate assets.
- The executor or administrator makes reasonably diligent efforts to identify creditors, mails notice to known creditors, files the diligent-search affidavit, and only then publishes notice to creditors for three consecutive weeks under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-145.
- Creditors probate and register claims with the chancery 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 expenses, handle any tax filings, prepare any required accounting, distribute under the will or Mississippi law, and seek the final decree and discharge from the chancery court.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Tippah County
Probate forms in Tippah County start with the statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet and the petition prepared for the Tippah County Chancery Court. Mississippi uses rule-based petition requirements rather than a ready-made estate packet: UCCR 6.15 requires a copy of the will to be attached to a petition to probate a will, and UCCR 6.14 requires fiduciary pleadings, accounts, inventories, and reports to be personally signed and sworn.
Tippah County's forms page lists general county forms, but it does not post a local estate packet, local muniment of title form, or local small estate affidavit. Before filing, call the Tippah County Chancery Clerk at 662-837-7374 to confirm the cover sheet, number of copies, payment method, and handling of originals.
Local nuance
Tippah County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Use the chancery courthouse | Probate filings go to the Tippah County Chancery Clerk at 115 E Spring Street in Ripley. The county lists the circuit courthouse at 102-A North Main Street separately. Do not take estate papers to the Main Street circuit courthouse. |
| Confirm mailing before sending originals | The county chancery clerk page lists the Spring Street counter address and phone, but it does not list a separate probate mailing address. Call 662-837-7374 before mailing an original will. |
| Spring Street address checks | The current Tippah County pages list the chancery clerk at 115 E Spring Street. If a document or notice gives a different Spring Street street number for the clerk, call the chancery clerk before visiting or mailing papers. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| MEC completion | Mississippi announced statewide electronic filing completion on June 30, 2025. All chancery courts had been implemented in MEC as of June 19, 2023. Attorney filing and PAMEC access run through courts.ms.gov/mec. |
| Small estate and muniment of title changes | The small estate affidavit amount became $75,000, effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, and the muniment of title procedure was rewritten effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. |
| Uniform Chancery Court Rules | The Uniform Chancery Court Rules were revised and amended effective April 18, 2024, including the fiduciary attorney rule in UCCR 6.02. |
| Legal aid intake numbers | North Mississippi Rural Legal Services uses 1-800-898-8731, and Mississippi Center for Legal Services uses 1-800-519-2915, with separate intake numbers beginning January 1, 2026. Use mslegalservices.org to check service area. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Tippah County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | First confirm whether the home passes outside the estate. If the remaining probate estate is personal property of $75,000 or less, effective July 1, 2020, excluding liens and encumbrances, the small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 may settle that property with no court filing. If a will devises the home and all known debts are paid, the attorney may consider muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35, and the house itself does not count against the cross-referenced ceiling. | Sunset helps find accounts, identify beneficiary transfers, and organize the asset list before the spouse talks with a Mississippi attorney. |
| out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If 30 days have passed and the whole probate estate is $75,000 or less, effective July 1, 2020, excluding liens and encumbrances, the successor may present the Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 affidavit to the bank or other holder. If letters are needed, a Mississippi attorney is required for the fiduciary under UCCR 6.02, and the child should ask the Tippah County Chancery Clerk about any hearing or remote attendance practice. | Sunset helps determine whether letters are actually needed, prepares information for counsel, and helps avoid an unnecessary trip to Ripley when the affidavit route is enough. |
| 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, all known debts are paid, and the non-real, non-exempt probate estate fits the cross-referenced amount, muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35 may be available. Otherwise, the parent should expect full administration in the Tippah County Chancery Court with counsel required by UCCR 6.02. The chancellor fixes fiduciary compensation and attorney fees under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-299, and UCCR 6.12(B) says fees may not be based on the value of real property. | Sunset assembles the asset picture, generates the probate packet for attorney review, and connects the family with a local probate attorney. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps in Tippah County |
|---|---|
| Tippah County Chancery Clerk | Use the clerk page for the local address, phone, fax, and county contact point for probate filings in the chancery court under Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159(c). |
| Tippah County forms page | The county forms page does not post a local estate packet. Use it only to check whether the county adds forms later. |
| Mississippi Judiciary chancery courts page | Provides Mississippi chancery court information and links to the statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet. |
| Uniform Chancery Court Rules | Use the rules for fiduciary requirements, including UCCR 6.02 for the attorney requirement, UCCR 6.14 for sworn fiduciary filings, and UCCR 6.15 for attaching a copy of the will to the petition. |
| MEC and PAMEC | Remote PAMEC access is read-only for registered users, and free viewing is available at the chancery clerk's office during business hours. Attorney filing runs through MEC. |
| mslegalservices.org service area lookup | Tippah County is not assigned on the provider office lists named in the Mississippi legal aid directory. Check the service area lookup and both intake numbers before assuming coverage. |
| North Mississippi Rural Legal Services | Call 1-800-898-8731 to ask about eligibility and whether the issue is within its services. Do not assume it will take an estate administration matter. |
| Mississippi Center for Legal Services | Call 1-800-519-2915 to ask about eligibility and whether the issue is within its services. Do not assume it will take an estate administration matter. |
When to hire an attorney
For a full Tippah 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 appointment, and the chancellor fixes the attorney's fee. The practical exception is not a court case: the $75,000 small estate affidavit, effective July 1, 2020, under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, is presented to the holder of personal property and needs no attorney. Families who cannot afford counsel should check eligibility through mslegalservices.org and both provider hotlines, but should not assume legal aid will take an estate matter. Sunset connects the reader to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps organize bank accounts, insurance, retirement accounts, real property, debts, and beneficiary information so the family can choose the right Mississippi estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized probate packet for the Mississippi attorney, including the details needed for the Tippah County Chancery Court petition, the cover sheet, and the next-step checklist.
Find a local probate attorney. Mississippi requires a fiduciary in a full estate to retain counsel under UCCR 6.02, unless the fiduciary is a Mississippi-licensed lawyer. Sunset helps connect families with a vetted local probate attorney for the Tippah County filing.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset is paid by partners, not grieving families. Families can use Sunset to understand estate settlement, find assets, prepare information, and connect with local help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Tippah County?
File with the Tippah County Chancery Clerk at 115 E Spring Street in Ripley. The case belongs in the Tippah County Chancery Court, which has probate authority under Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159(c).
Do I file at the Main Street courthouse in Ripley?
No for probate filings. Tippah County lists the circuit courthouse at 102-A North Main Street separately from the chancery clerk at 115 E Spring Street. Mississippi circuit courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are granted in chancery court under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1 and Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-141, subject to court approval under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-147.
Can I e-file a Tippah County estate?
The opening petition is filed on paper at the chancery clerk's counter. Attorneys file later documents through MEC, while a person without counsel may have read-only PAMEC access and may not file electronically. See courts.ms.gov/mec.
Does Tippah County have local probate forms?
Tippah County's forms page does not post a local estate packet or local small estate affidavit. The statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet is used with the attorney-prepared petition, and UCCR 6.15 requires a copy of the will to be attached when a will is offered.
What is the filing fee for a Tippah County estate?
Tippah County does not post an itemized estate filing schedule on its county site. In the text of Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 effective until December 31, 2027, the statutory floor is $140.00, made up of an $85.00 chancery clerk fee plus $10.00, $40.00 and $5.00 statutory assessments. Call 662-837-7374 to confirm the current amount before filing.
Can I attend a Tippah County probate hearing by phone or video?
Do not assume phone or video attendance. Ask the Tippah County Chancery Clerk and the 18th Chancery Court District's term order, which is posted in the chancery clerk's office under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(2).
How do I look up a Tippah County estate case?
Use MEC and PAMEC through courts.ms.gov/mec for remote read-only access if you have a registered PAMEC account. Free electronic viewing is available at the chancery clerk's office during regular business hours.
Do I need to travel to Mississippi for a small estate?
If 30 days have passed and the probate estate is $75,000 or less, effective July 1, 2020, excluding liens and encumbrances, the successor may present the small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 to the bank or other holder of personal property. That affidavit is not a court filing. If letters testamentary or letters of administration are needed, the fiduciary must retain an attorney under UCCR 6.02, and the attorney can help address any appearance questions.
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.