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WILLIAM G. WILLARD, JR
CHANCERY COURT JUDGE
SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
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P.O. Box 22
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Ph: (662) 624-3003
Telecopier: (662) 624-3078 |
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The present Chancellor for Subdistrict 1 is Honorable William Willard, Jr, of Clarksdale, and the Chancellor for Subdistrict 11 is Honorable Jon M. Barnwell of Greenwood.
Each Chancellor is elected for a term of four years, with term of office beginning on January 1 following the year in which the election is held.
CHANCERY COURT DISTRICT
•Bolivar and Coahoma Counties are situated in Subdistrict 1 of the 7th Chancery Court District
•Leflore, Tallahatchie, Quitman and Tunica Counties compromise Subdistrict 11 of the 7th Chancery Court District.
•There are two Chancellors who serve the 7th District
* Coahoma and Bolivar County qualified voters elects the Chancellor for Subdistrict 1
* Leflore, Tallahatchie, Quitman and Tunica County qualified voters elects the Chancellor for Subdistrict 11
•Either Chancellor may hear matters in Chancery Court in any of the Counties located in the 7th District
•By agreement, the Chancellor in Subdistrict 1 hears all matters in Bolivar and Coahoma Counties, except for conflict, and the Chancellor in Subdistrict 11 hears all matters in Leflore, Tallahatchie, Quitman and Tunica Counties, except for conflict
JURISDICTIONS
•The Chancery Court has original jurisdiction in all matters of :
* equity
* divorce and alimony
* testamentary and administration
* minor’s business
* cases of idiocy, mental health cases
* cases in which said Court has jurisdiction under the laws in force when the Constitution was put in operation
* suits to try title and cancel deeds and other clouds upon title to real estate
* to also decree, possession, to displace possession, and to decree rents and compensation for improvements and taxes
•The Chancery Court also has jurisdiction concurrent with Circuit Court regarding:
* Suits of bonds of fiduciaries and public officers for failure to account for money or property received or wasted or lost by neglect or failure to collect
* Suits involving inquiry into matters of mutual accounts, but if the plaintiff brings his suit in the Circuit Court, that Court may on application of the defendant, transfer to the Chancery Court, if it appears that the accounts to be investigated are mutual and complicated
TERM OF COURT
•Judge Willard’s term of Court in Coahoma County are held for 12 days each beginning :
* First Monday in April
* Third Monday in June
* Fourth Monday in September
* First Monday in December
•Judge Willard’s term of Court in Bolivar County are held for 6 days each beginning:
(In Rosedale-First District of Bolivar County)
* First Monday in March
* First Monday in July
* Second Monday in November
•Judge Willard’s term of Court in Bolivar County are held for 18 days each beginning:
(In Cleveland-Second District of Bolivar County)
•Second Monday in January
•Third Monday in April
•Second Monday in July
•First Monday in October
PRESENTING CASES
•Judge Willard is available at any time to hear matters in his Court
•Motion and Ex Parte days are each Thursday in Cleveland and each Friday in Clarksdale
•Motion and Ex Parte days begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue until all business has been completed.
CASE LOADS
•For statistical purposes the following cases were filed in year 2004:
* Child Support 346
* Divorces/Estates 385
* Mental 79
