Mississippi Wills and Probate Law Firm Helps You Express Your Last Wishes for Your Estate

Helping clients enjoy today by planning for tomorrow

If you are concerned about how your assets will be distributed upon your death, or if you have a spouse or minor children who rely upon you or property that will be passed along to your heirs, then it is vital that you draft a will to express your specific wishes. At Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick in Pascagoula, our attorneys work with you to devise a solid estate plan that includes a will that directs how your assets are to be divided among your heirs. Having a solid plan in place can ease your mind and allow you to enjoy your life right now.

Who needs to have a will?

Many people operate under the misconception that a will is only for an elderly person or someone who has significant wealth. But this is not true. Tomorrow is promised to no one, and the 30- year-old who dies unexpectedly without a will can inadvertently cause hardship to heirs who are forced to wait for the chancery court to release assets. Similarly, a person of modest means may care very deeply about who gets items of sentimental value. Without a will, there’s no guarantee those items will go to the right person, because the chancery court must distribute the proceeds of an estate according to Mississippi’s inheritance laws.

If you would rather not let the court decide where your assets go, you must draft a will that includes all your assets and property. You can also designate whom you want to become the guardian of your minor children.

For a will to be valid in Mississippi, it must be written, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two individuals. A will need not be notarized. Drafting a valid will under the guidance of our estate planning attorneys minimizes family conflict and makes administering your estate much easier for your relatives.

What is involved in the probate process in Mississippi?

Property is passed along to the heirs after a person dies. Probate is the legal process for passing ownership of the decedent’s assets and property. The first step is to determine whether a valid will exists. If there is a will, the probate process involves identifying the executor or appointing one, locating and making a thorough inventory of the decedent’s property, appraising the value of the property, paying taxes and creditors from estate assets, and collecting any debts owed the estate. If there is no will, the court administers the estate. After taxes and debts have been paid, the court distributes the remaining assets according to Mississippi’s laws of intestate succession.

Avoiding Mississippi probate through prudent estate planning

The probate process can take a few months to a year to complete, but there are ways to avoid this sometimes long, costly process. When you work with our estate planning attorneys in Pascagoula, we can advise you about strategies for avoiding probate, such as establishing a living trust so your property passes directly to your heirs without chancery court oversight.

Contact an estate planning attorney in Pascagoula to create a solid plan for your future

At Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick, our attorneys work with you to develop an estate plan that is unique to your situation and circumstances. Contact us online or call us at 866-461-1591 to schedule a confidential consultation today.