Disclaimer: This article provides general information on Mississippi intestacy law. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance tailored to your situation.
Detailed Answer
1. Identifying Real Property vs. Personal Assets
Under Mississippi law, your estate splits into two main categories:
- Real Property: Land, buildings, mineral rights, timber, and other fixtures. See Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-5 (definition of “real estate”).
- Personal Assets (Personal Property): Automobiles, bank accounts, jewelry, stocks, household items, and intellectual property. See Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-7 (definition of “personal property”).
2. Inventorying the Estate
Once the court appoints a personal representative, they must file an inventory of all estate assets:
- Deadline: within three months of appointment. See Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-101 (requirements for inventory).
- Contents: A detailed list of each asset, its fair market value at the date of death, and its location or account identifier.
- Real property entries must include legal descriptions and assessed values.
- Personal assets entries should group items by category (cash, securities, vehicles, valuables).
- Filing: Submit the inventory to the chancery clerk’s office in the county where probate occurs.
3. Distribution Under Intestacy
If someone dies without a valid will, Mississippi follows statutory rules to distribute the estate. See Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-15 (distribution order).
- Surviving Spouse and No Descendants: The spouse receives the entire estate.
- Surviving Spouse with Descendants All From the Spouse: The spouse inherits all.
- Surviving Spouse with Descendants From the Decedent and Spouse: The spouse receives the first $100,000 plus one-half of the balance; descendants share the rest.
- No Surviving Spouse: The estate passes to descendants equally per stirpes.
- No Spouse or Descendants: Assets go to parents, then siblings, then more remote relatives per statute order.
- No Heirs Found: The state eventually claims the property (escheat).
Helpful Hints
- Begin gathering deeds, titles, account statements, and receipts early.
- Confirm fair market values with appraisals for real property.
- List digital assets (online accounts, cryptocurrency) and include access instructions.
- Meet probate filing and inventory deadlines to avoid court sanctions.
- Keep clear records of funeral and administration expenses; these pay before distributions.
- Review your family tree to identify all potential heirs under Miss. Code Ann. § 91-1-15.
- Consider mediation if heirs dispute asset values or distribution shares.