Third Chancery District
DeSoto County is included in the Third Chancery District, which includes six counties along the I-55 corridor from DeSoto to Montgomery County. The chancellors, also referred to as Chancery Court judges, hear special court cases involving wills and estates, support and custody of minor children, divorces and alimony, and lunacy or commitment hearings.
The judge also is known as an equity judge whose area of duty involves more than narrow and rigid interpretations of laws and focuses on protection of individual rights. The Chancery Court also handles other matters, such as petitions to incorporate or enlarge a city, the establishment and management of drainage districts, and children's welfare funds.
Staff
The duty of the Chancery Court administrator is to assist the chancellor to insure the smooth operation of the Chancery Court. In order to accomplish this duty, the administrators set the Chancery Court dockets, ensure that proper papers are filed pertaining to services provided within this court, and that correct court records are kept.
DeSoto County's Chancery Court Judges and their administrators are:
- Chancellor Percy Lynchard, Jr.
- Administrator: Linda Stinson
- Phone: 662-469-8374
- Chancellor Mitchell M. Lundy, Jr.
- Administrator: Melanie Wells
- Phone: 662-226-1343
- Chancellor Vicki Daniels
- Administrator: Chrystal Winters
- Phone: 662-563-8715
Chancery Clerk
The staff of the Chancery Clerk's Office prepares appeal records for cases that go to the State Supreme Court. Passport applications, minutes from Chancery Court, and the bonds on county officials are filed and recorded. The Chancery Court also keeps indexes for wills, estates, and divorces.
All records, except adoptions, are prepared, filed, indexed, and maintained for access by the public.
Access to Justice
With the support of the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Mississippi Bar Association, the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission provides free legal answers and legal forms to the public. Visit the Access to Justice website for more information.
