Why Chancery Court Matters
Most voters have never set foot in a chancery courtroom. But the decisions made there affect families more deeply than almost any other court in Mississippi.
What Is Chancery Court?
Mississippi's chancery courts are courts of equity - not criminal courts. There are no juries, no prosecutors, and no criminal defendants. Instead, a single judge called the chancellor hears cases and makes decisions based on fairness and the facts before them.
Chancery court handles the most personal legal matters families face: divorce, child custody, adoption, guardianship of aging parents, estates after a loved one passes, and the protection of people who cannot protect themselves.
Mississippi is one of the few states that still maintains a separate system of chancery courts, a tradition dating back to English common law. The chancellor sits without a jury and has broad discretion to fashion remedies that are just and equitable.
Cases the Chancellor Decides
The chancellor presides over cases that touch every stage of family life - from bringing a child home through adoption to settling an estate after a loss.
Divorce
When a marriage ends, the chancellor divides property, determines alimony, and shapes the financial future of both spouses.
Child Custody
Who a child lives with, how much time they spend with each parent, and how their needs are supported - the chancellor decides all of it.
Adoption
Adoption gives children a permanent, loving home. The chancellor reviews every case to ensure it serves the child's best interests.
Guardianship
When an aging parent can no longer manage their affairs, or a child needs a guardian, the chancellor appoints someone to protect them.
Probate & Estate
After a loved one passes, the chancellor oversees how their estate is handled - ensuring wills are honored and heirs receive what they are owed.
Property Disputes
Boundary disagreements, easement conflicts, and land ownership disputes come before the chancellor for resolution based on equity and fairness.
Alcohol & Drug Commitments
When a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, the chancellor can order involuntary commitment for treatment - a decision that can save a life.
Mental Health Commitments
Families facing a mental health crisis can petition the chancellor for commitment to ensure their loved one receives the care and protection they need.
Domestic Violence
Victims of domestic abuse can seek protective orders through chancery court. The chancellor provides immediate safety measures for families in crisis.
Why Your Chancellor Matters
In chancery court, there is no jury. The chancellor alone hears the evidence, weighs the arguments, and makes the decision. That means the person sitting on the bench has an enormous amount of power - and an equally enormous responsibility.
The chancellor decides where a child will live after a divorce. The chancellor determines whether a grandparent can gain custody of a grandchild in danger. The chancellor appoints a guardian for an elderly parent who can no longer manage their own finances or medical decisions.
Your vote for chancellor is a vote for the person who will make these decisions for Rankin County families. It matters.
What Makes a Good Chancellor
A chancellor must do more than know the law. The best chancellors bring qualities that cannot be learned from a textbook.
Deep Experience
A chancellor needs years of hands-on practice in family law, custody, estates, and guardianship. Keri Carroll has spent 21 years practicing in these exact areas.
Judicial Temperament
Families in chancery court are going through the hardest moments of their lives. A good chancellor listens carefully, treats everyone with respect, and keeps the courtroom fair.
Preparation
Every case is someone's entire life. A good chancellor comes to the bench having read every filing, reviewed every exhibit, and thought carefully about the issues.
Patience
The right decision takes time. A good chancellor gives every party the opportunity to be heard, considers all evidence, and does not rush to judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a partisan election?
No. Judicial elections in Mississippi are nonpartisan. Candidates do not run under a party label. The focus is on qualifications, experience, and judicial temperament - not party affiliation.
When is the election?
The general election is November 3, 2026. Chancery court races appear on the nonpartisan ballot. Check with your county circuit clerk to confirm your voter registration and polling location.
Do I vote for chancellor even if I don't have a pending case?
Yes. The chancellor handles matters that could affect any family at any time - divorce, custody, guardianship of an aging parent, probate after a death. You may not need chancery court today, but when you do, the judge on the bench will make decisions that reshape your family's life.
What district am I in?
If you live in Rankin County, Mississippi, you are in the 20th Chancery Court District. This election is for Place 1 of that district.
Learn More About Keri Carroll
With 21 years of family law experience in the cases chancery court handles every day, Keri brings the preparation, patience, and temperament Rankin County families deserve.