Mississippi Chancery Court Estate Inventory Form Guide

If you've been appointed as an executor or administrator of an estate in Mississippi, one of your first legal responsibilities is filing an inventory of the deceased person's assets with the Chancery Court. This isn't optional it's required by Mississippi law. Filling out the form correctly protects you from personal liability, keeps the probate process moving, and ensures beneficiaries receive what they're owed. Getting it wrong can lead to court delays, disputes among heirs, or even legal action against you. This article walks you through exactly how to complete the Mississippi Chancery Court Inventory of Estate form, what to include, and how to avoid the errors that trip up most first-time executors.

What Is the Mississippi Chancery Court Inventory of Estate Form?

The Inventory of Estate form is a legal document that lists every asset owned by the deceased person at the time of death. It's filed with the Chancery Court in the county where the estate is being probated. The form requires you to identify each asset, describe it, and assign a fair market value as of the date of death.

In Mississippi, Chancery Courts handle probate matters including estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. When someone dies, whether they left a will or died intestate, the court needs a clear picture of what the estate contains before it can approve distributions or close the case.

The inventory isn't just a courtesy to the court. It serves as an official record that protects the executor, the beneficiaries, and any creditors who may have claims against the estate.

When Does the Inventory Need to Be Filed?

Under Mississippi Code § 91-7-63, the executor or administrator must file the inventory within 90 days of receiving letters testamentary or letters of administration. That's roughly three months from the date the court officially authorizes you to act on behalf of the estate.

If you need more time, you can request an extension from the court. But don't assume you'll get one judges expect executors to take this deadline seriously. Filing late without permission can result in the court demanding an explanation or, in serious cases, removing you as executor.

How Do You Fill Out the Form Step by Step?

The form itself is straightforward, but the work behind it takes effort. Here's how to approach each section:

Identify the Decedent and Estate

Start by entering the full legal name of the deceased person, the county where the estate is being probated, and the case number assigned by the Chancery Court. You'll also need your name and your role executor, administrator, or personal representative.

List Real Property

Include every piece of real estate the deceased owned homes, land, rental properties, vacant lots, and any partial ownership interests in real property. For each item, write a brief description of the property, its physical address, and the fair market value at the date of death. If you're unsure of the value, a professional appraisal is the safest route.

List Personal Property

This is usually the longest section. Personal property includes:

Bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs)
Investment accounts (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
Vehicles, boats, and recreational equipment
Furniture, household goods, and electronics
Jewelry, art, and collectibles
Cash on hand
Life insurance policies payable to the estate
Business interests
Retirement accounts (if they pass to the estate)
Money owed to the deceased (receivables)

Each item needs a description and a value. For more detail on what the court expects you to include, see our guide on what property must be included in a Mississippi estate inventory.

List Debts and Liabilities

Some versions of the form also ask you to note known debts mortgages, car loans, credit card balances, medical bills, and tax obligations. Even if the form doesn't require it in this section, you should keep a separate record of all liabilities, as they'll affect distributions later.

Sign and Notarize

The inventory must be signed under oath, usually in front of a notary public. Some Chancery Courts require the filing to be accompanied by a verification or affidavit. Check with your local Chancery Clerk's office to confirm their specific requirements.

Where Do You Get the Form?

Mississippi doesn't have a single statewide standardized form for the estate inventory, though some counties provide their own templates through the Chancery Clerk's office. You can also draft the inventory in a format that meets the statutory requirements, which is common practice among Mississippi attorneys.

If your county provides a fillable form, use it. If not, follow the format prescribed in the Mississippi Uniform Chancery Court Rules and the probate statutes. Either way, your filing needs to clearly identify the decedent, list all assets with values, and be filed with the clerk's office in the proper county.

What Happens After You File the Inventory?

Once filed, the inventory becomes part of the court record. Beneficiaries, creditors, and interested parties can review it. If someone believes the inventory is incomplete or inaccurate, they can petition the court to compel a more thorough filing.

The court may also require supplemental inventories if new assets are discovered after the initial filing. For example, if the executor later finds a forgotten bank account or a safe deposit box, that information needs to be added through an amended filing. You can learn more about this process in our article on how to file an estate inventory as an executor in Mississippi.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes Executors Make?

Executors especially those handling an estate without an attorney tend to run into the same problems:

Leaving out assets. Forgetting items like safe deposit boxes, digital accounts, owed tax refunds, or partial interests in property is common. The inventory must be thorough.
Guessing at values. The court wants fair market value at the date of death not what you think something might sell for, and not the purchase price. For significant assets like real estate or vehicles, use appraisals or comparable sales data.
Mixing up estate property with non-estate property. Not everything the deceased owned passes through probate. Assets with beneficiary designations (like life insurance or retirement accounts with named beneficiaries) may bypass the estate entirely. Understanding which assets belong in the inventory and which don't is critical our guide on executor duties for listing deceased assets in Mississippi covers this distinction.
Filing late. The 90-day deadline is real. If you're overwhelmed, ask the court for an extension before the deadline passes not after.
Not keeping records. You'll need documentation to back up every value you report. Receipts, appraisals, account statements, and tax returns all matter.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Complete the Inventory?

Mississippi law doesn't require you to hire an attorney, but it's strongly recommended for estates with significant or complex assets. A probate attorney can help you identify everything that needs to be listed, determine proper valuations, and make sure the filing meets the court's expectations.

For small, straightforward estates say, a modest bank account and a paid-off home you may be able to handle the inventory yourself. But if there are business interests, multiple properties, out-of-state assets, or disputes among heirs, professional legal help will save you time and reduce your risk.

For a full overview of the documentation the court expects, see our resource on Mississippi probate court estate asset documentation requirements.

Tips for Filing an Accurate Inventory

Start immediately. Don't wait until the 90-day mark is approaching. Begin collecting information as soon as you receive your letters testamentary or letters of administration.
Visit the property. Physically walk through the deceased person's home and any other properties. Take photos and make a detailed list of everything you find.
Contact financial institutions. Banks, brokerages, and insurance companies can provide account statements and confirm balances as of the date of death.
Use the death-date value. Every asset should be valued as of the date the person died not the date you're filling out the form.
Check with the Chancery Clerk. Each county may have slight procedural differences. A quick phone call to the clerk's office can clarify formatting expectations and filing fees.
Keep copies of everything. Retain a copy of the filed inventory and all supporting documents for your own records.

Quick Checklist Before You File

☐ Identified the correct Chancery Court and county
☐ Gathered all account statements, deeds, titles, and appraisals
☐ Listed all real property with addresses and fair market values
☐ Listed all personal property including financial accounts, vehicles, and household items
☐ Verified which assets belong to the estate versus those with beneficiary designations
☐ Noted all known debts and liabilities
☐ Valued every asset as of the date of death
☐ Signed the inventory under oath and had it notarized
☐ Filed with the Chancery Clerk within the 90-day deadline
☐ Kept copies of the filed inventory and all supporting documents

Filing the estate inventory is one of the most important steps you'll take as an executor. Taking the time to do it right protects you legally and sets the stage for a smoother probate process from start to finish.