If you own Mississippi real estate or an LLC interest, your estate plan can break down when key documents point in different directions. A will might leave “everything” to your children, but a deed might title property another way, and an operating agreement might block a transfer your family expects.

This article explains where the conflicts usually start, what Mississippi law allows for real estate and LLC interests, and how coordinated planning reduces probate delays and family tension.

Deeds and Real Estate Title Planning

Mississippi allows a transfer-on-death deed (TOD deed) that can pass real property to a named beneficiary at death, but the deed must meet statutory requirements and the chancery clerk must record it before the owner dies. During the owner’s lifetime, a TOD deed does not take away the owner’s right to sell or mortgage the property.

That flexibility helps, but you still need alignment. A deed-based plan must match the rest of the estate plan, especially when multiple heirs share property. Otherwise, families can end up with “heirs’ property” issues, shared ownership without a clean agreement on management or sale.

Operating Agreements and LLC Transfer Rules

An LLC interest does not work like a bank account. Mississippi law treats a member’s transferable financial interest as assignable, but the assignee typically gets no management rights unless the operating agreement allows it and the other members approve or follow the agreement’s procedure.

Death adds another layer. Mississippi law allows a personal representative to exercise the deceased member’s rights for estate settlement purposes, including governance rights held at death and any operating-agreement power that lets an assignee become a member. If your operating agreement stays silent, your family can face delays, voting disputes, or a “paper ownership” interest that produces frustration instead of control.

Buy-Sell Terms and Family Dispute Prevention

Buy-sell provisions can prevent a fight, or start one. A well-drafted buy-sell clause can spell out who can buy the interest, how you set the price, and how you fund the purchase. A vague clause can invite pressure tactics and valuation arguments at the worst possible time. Put the business terms in writing while you can still choose them calmly.

Schedule A Planning Review

The O’Brien Law Firm helps Mississippi clients coordinate deeds, LLC documents, and estate planning tools so the plan works in real life, not just on paper. If you own rental property, land, or a closely held company, call 662-672-7619 or reach us online to set up a planning conversation.

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