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Washington County, MS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Washington County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Washington County Chancery Court (Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159). |
| Probate filings go to | Washington County Chancery Clerk, phone 662.332.1595. |
| Courthouse address | 900 Washington Avenue, Greenville, MS 38701. |
| Mailing address | Washington County Chancery Clerk, P.O. Box 309, Greenville, MS 38702. |
| [email protected]. | |
| Hours | Call 662.332.1595 before visiting. Hours are not listed on the Washington County Chancery Clerk page. |
| Filing fee | Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9, under the text effective until December 31, 2027, sets a $140.00 statutory floor for opening an estate: $85.00 for an estate of deceased, plus $10.00 to the Comprehensive Electronic Court Systems Fund, $40.00 to the Judicial System Operation Fund and $5.00 to the Civil Legal Assistance Fund. Call the chancery clerk for the current Washington County total before filing. |
| Local forms | Use the statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet and confirm any local cover requirements with the clerk. Washington County does not list its own estate petition form or small estate affidavit form on the chancery clerk page; the small estate affidavit is governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322. |
| E-filing | Attorneys file through Mississippi Electronic Courts. A person without an attorney may have read-only PAMEC access and may not file electronically. Every estate case opens with a paper filing at the chancery clerk counter. Start at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. |
| Case search | Use MEC and PAMEC at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. Remote access requires a registered PAMEC account, and free viewing of filed civil documents is available at the chancery clerk office during regular business hours. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the Washington County Chancery Clerk whether the chancellor permits phone or video attendance in your matter. District term information is set through the annual term order posted under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(2). |
| Attorney required | Yes for a full estate. Uniform Chancery Court Rule 6.02 requires a fiduciary who is not licensed to practice law in Mississippi to retain an attorney. The $75,000 small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 needs no court filing and no attorney. |
| Website | https://washingtoncounty.usnx.com/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Washington County, make a working list of assets, debts, beneficiary designations, vehicle titles, bank accounts and real estate. That list determines whether the family can use the $75,000 small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322, a muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35, or a full chancery estate.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help families search across more than 2,300 institutions, organize assets and debts, and prepare a cleaner packet for the Mississippi attorney required by UCCR 6.02 when a full estate is needed.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Washington County is filed with the Washington County Chancery Clerk in Greenville. Washington County shares Mississippi's 9th Chancery Court District with Humphreys, Issaquena, Sharkey, Sunflower and Warren counties, but that district assigns chancellors. It does not move a Washington County filing out of the Washington County Courthouse.
For a will, Mississippi venue is the chancery court of the county where the testator had a fixed place of residence, with a different land-based rule if there was no fixed place of residence (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1). For an intestate estate, letters of administration follow the separate venue ladder in Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63. Chancery court is held in every Mississippi county (Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(1)), and Washington County filings are handled in Greenville. Mississippi circuit courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are granted in the chancery court.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, asset information, debt information and the names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries.
- Choose the local filing path. If at least 30 days have passed and the entire probate estate is $75,000 or less in personal property, excluding liens and encumbrances, the successor may use the small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 by presenting it to the bank, employer or other holder, with no court filing and no attorney. If the decedent left a will and Mississippi real property, all known debts are paid and the non-real, non-exempt probate estate fits the Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 amount, the attorney may consider muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. Otherwise, use full administration.
- For a full Washington County estate, retain an attorney unless the fiduciary is licensed to practice law in Mississippi. UCCR 6.02 requires the fiduciary to retain an attorney during the 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 pleadings, accounts, inventories and reports filed by a fiduciary are personally signed and sworn under UCCR 6.14.
- File the petition on paper with the Washington County Chancery Clerk at the Washington County Courthouse in Greenville, or mail filings to P.O. Box 309, Greenville, MS 38702 if the clerk confirms that mailing is proper. Include the Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet and the court cost deposit required by UCCR 9.01 and Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9. 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 to probate 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). If a bond is required, the oath and bond step follows Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-41.
- After letters are granted, the executor or administrator makes reasonably diligent efforts to identify creditors, mails required notices, files the diligent-search affidavit and then publishes the notice to creditors for three consecutive weeks under 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.
- The personal representative gathers assets, pays allowed claims, addresses taxes and prepares required reports and accountings with counsel.
- The estate closes through the chancery court by accounting, distribution and discharge after the chancellor approves the final steps.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Washington County
Mississippi uses a statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet and the Uniform Chancery Court Rules, but it does not provide a court packet that replaces an attorney-drafted estate petition. In a full Washington County estate, the petition is prepared by the attorney required under UCCR 6.02.
Washington County's chancery clerk page does not list a local estate petition form, local probate instruction sheet or local small estate affidavit form. Confirm cover sheet handling, the current filing total under Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 and mailing instructions with the Washington County Chancery Clerk before filing.
Local nuance
Washington County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mailing address | Use P.O. Box 309, Greenville, MS 38702 for mail to the Washington County Chancery Clerk. The courthouse is at 900 Washington Avenue in Greenville. |
| Filing phone | Use the Chancery Clerk line, 662.332.1595, for probate filing questions. The county lists a separate Chancery Court Administrator number, but that is not the filing counter. |
| Fee total | Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9 sets the statutory floor, but counties may publish totals above that floor. Call the clerk before filing to confirm the current Washington County amount. |
| Office visit | Call 662.332.1595 before visiting because hours are not listed on the Washington County Chancery Clerk page. |
Recent updates
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| June 19, 2023 | Every Mississippi chancery court, including Washington County's, was implemented in MEC. The statewide trial court rollout finished 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, and muniment of title was revised under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35. |
| April 18, 2024 | The Uniform Chancery Court Rules were revised and amended, including rules that affect fiduciary filings and attorney retention under UCCR 6.02. |
| January 1, 2026 | Mississippi's two legal aid providers began using separate intake hotlines. Washington County's provider is North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, 1-800-898-8731, with information available through mslegalservices.org. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Washington County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the deed. If the home passes outside the estate and the remaining probate personal property is $75,000 or less after 30 days, the spouse may be able to present a small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 to the holder. If a will devises the home and debts are paid, counsel may consider muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35 through the Washington County Chancery Clerk. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize title questions and prepare an estate settlement summary for the attorney or the holder of personal property. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the entire probate estate is $75,000 or less in personal property and 30 days have passed, the child may use the Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 affidavit with the bank or employer instead of starting a Washington County court case. If letters are needed, UCCR 6.02 requires a Mississippi attorney and the petition is filed in Greenville. | Sunset helps find accounts, create a task list and connect the family with Washington County probate counsel when a full filing is needed. |
| Parent settling 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 all known debts are paid, muniment of title under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-5-35 may be considered. Otherwise, full administration is filed with the Washington County Chancery Clerk, and counsel is required. The chancellor fixes compensation under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-299, and UCCR 6.12(B) says fiduciary and attorney fees are not based on the value of real property. | Sunset helps assemble asset information, flag real estate issues and make the attorney handoff faster for the estate settlement. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Washington County Chancery Clerk | Filing logistics for Washington County estates. Courthouse: 900 Washington Avenue, Greenville. Mail: P.O. Box 309, Greenville, MS 38702. Phone: 662.332.1595. The clerk can answer filing logistics, not legal strategy. |
| Mississippi Judiciary chancery court page | Lists chancery court district information and links the statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet. Mississippi chancery court jurisdiction comes from Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159. |
| Uniform Chancery Court Rules | Rules for fiduciary matters, including UCCR 6.02 attorney retention and UCCR 9.03 treatment of original wills. |
| MEC and PAMEC | https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. Attorneys use MEC for filings after the conventional opening step. PAMEC provides read-only public access, and free viewing is available at the clerk office during regular business hours. |
| mslegalservices.org | Statewide public legal information site and directory by service area. Use it to check legal aid eligibility and local provider information. |
| North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Greenville office | Washington County's legal aid provider. Intake hotline: 1-800-898-8731. Call center hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 to 3:30. Services are income-restricted at 125 percent of the federal poverty level, with a separate rule for clients 60 or older. It may not take estate administration matters. |
| North Mississippi Rural Legal Services Heirs' Property Program | https://nmrls.com/heirs-property-program/. Helps with land inherited by multiple family members without clear title. It is not a promise of representation in a Washington County estate case. |
When to hire an attorney
For a full estate in Washington County, UCCR 6.02(A) requires every fiduciary, unless licensed to practice law in Mississippi, to retain an attorney or law firm for the entire appointment, and the chancellor fixes the attorney's fee. The practical exception is not a full estate at all: the $75,000 small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 is presented to the holder of personal property, is not a court filing and needs no attorney. A family that cannot afford counsel should check eligibility with North Mississippi Rural Legal Services at 1-800-898-8731 through mslegalservices.org, understanding that it may not take estate matters. Sunset connects the family to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset helps families search across financial institutions, organize known assets and debts, and build a clearer starting point for Washington County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the family's information into an organized packet for the Mississippi attorney required in a full estate, including asset lists, family details and document checklists.
Find a local probate attorney
Because UCCR 6.02 requires an executor or administrator to retain counsel unless the fiduciary is a Mississippi-licensed lawyer, Sunset helps connect families with a vetted attorney for the Washington County Chancery Court process.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset is free for families and is built to reduce the administrative burden of estate settlement while keeping the legal filing in the hands of the attorney Mississippi rules require.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Washington County, Mississippi?
File Washington County estate petitions with the Washington County Chancery Clerk at the Washington County Courthouse in Greenville. Mississippi circuit courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are granted in the chancery court under Miss. Const. art. 6, § 159, Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-1, Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-63, Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-141 and Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-147.
What is the Washington County Chancery Clerk's address?
The courthouse is at 900 Washington Avenue, Greenville, MS 38701. Mail goes to Washington County Chancery Clerk, P.O. Box 309, Greenville, MS 38702. Call 662.332.1595 before visiting.
Can I e-file a Washington County estate case?
Attorneys file through MEC after the conventional opening step, and every estate case opens with a paper filing at the chancery clerk counter. A person without an attorney may have read-only PAMEC access but may not file electronically. Start at https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php.
How do I look up a Washington County chancery estate case?
Use MEC and PAMEC through https://courts.ms.gov/mec/mec.php. Remote access requires a registered PAMEC account. Free viewing of filed civil documents is available at the Washington County Chancery Clerk office during regular business hours.
Does Washington County publish its own probate forms?
Washington County does not list a local estate petition form or local small estate affidavit form on the chancery clerk page. Mississippi uses a statewide Chancery Clerk Cover Sheet, and full estate petitions are drafted by the attorney required under UCCR 6.02. The small estate affidavit is governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322.
What is the filing fee for probate in Washington County?
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9, under the text effective until December 31, 2027, sets a $140.00 statutory floor for opening an estate: $85.00, plus $10.00, $40.00 and $5.00 statutory amounts. Call the Washington County Chancery Clerk at 662.332.1595 for the current total before filing.
Can I attend a Washington County probate hearing by phone or video?
Ask the Washington County Chancery Clerk whether the chancellor permits phone or video attendance in your matter. Local scheduling depends on the chancellor and the 9th Chancery Court District's practice, with term information handled through the annual order posted under Miss. Code Ann. § 9-5-3(2).
Do I need a lawyer for a Washington County estate?
For a full estate, yes unless the fiduciary is licensed to practice law in Mississippi. UCCR 6.02 requires the fiduciary to retain an attorney. The $75,000 small estate affidavit under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322 is different because it is presented to the holder of personal property, not filed with the court.
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.