Will Contest Deadline in Mississippi
In Mississippi, when a will has been probated without notice, an interested person can contest its validity within 2 years.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Mississippi at a glance
- Deadline to contest
- 2 years
- Minors and persons of unsound mind get 2 years after the disability ends; concealed fraud runs from discovery.
- Clock starts
- Probate of the will without notice
The rules in Mississippi
How long do you have to contest a will in Mississippi?
Deadline to contest in Mississippi: 2 years. Minors and persons of unsound mind get 2 years after the disability ends; concealed fraud runs from discovery.
When does the deadline to contest a will start in Mississippi?
Clock starts in Mississippi: Probate of the will without notice.
Where do the Mississippi will contest deadlines come from?
The rules above come from Miss. Code Ann. 91-7-23. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.
What this means in practice
Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.
Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.
A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
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