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In a move that will impact families and individuals across Mississippi, the state legislature has passed new laws that will affect trusts and estates planning beginning in 2026. The changes, which were approved on November 7th, 2025, aim to modernize and streamline the process of managing and distributing assets after someone passes away.One of the key changes in the new legislation is the introduction of a uniform fiduciary access to digital assets act, which allows individuals to designate a person to manage their digital assets after they pass away. This includes everything from online banking accounts to social media profiles, ensuring that loved ones can access and manage these accounts without the need for a lengthy court process.Additionally, the new laws also make it easier for individuals to designate beneficiaries for retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets that pass outside of a will. This will help to avoid confusion and disputes among family members about who is entitled to receive these assets, making the inheritance process much smoother and less stressful for all involved.Another important change in the legislation is the modification of the state's intestacy laws, which govern how assets are distributed when someone dies without a will. Under the new laws, more distant relatives, such as cousins and more remote heirs, will have a clearer path to claiming a share of the deceased person's estate, ensuring that assets do not go unclaimed or escheat to the state.Overall, these changes represent a significant step forward in bringing Mississippi's trusts and estates laws into the 21st century. By modernizing the process of managing and distributing assets after someone passes away, the new legislation aims to make the inheritance process more efficient and less burdensome for families and individuals throughout the state.