Estate Planning Laws in Mississippi.

A will must be in writing, signed by the testator or by another person at the testator's direction in their presence, and attested by two or more credible witnesses.

A will is valid if wholly in the handwriting of the testator, subscribed by the testator. Holographic wills do not require witnesses.

If the decedent dies without a will, property passes to the surviving spouse and children in equal shares (spouse takes a child's share, but no less than the spouse plus descendants per capita).

A surviving spouse may renounce the will within 90 days after probate and take their intestate share (up to one-half of decedent's estate, reduced by property otherwise received from the estate).

Personal property of a decedent with aggregate value of $75,000 or less may be transferred by affidavit 30 days after death, without formal probate administration.

Mississippi permits durable powers of attorney for financial matters and has adopted the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act for advance directives. Forms are available through the Mississippi State Department of Health.