Harrison County schedules special hearing on contested Raleigh Jackson Neal Jr. estate, orders filings by Feb. 19

The Harrison County Commission on Wednesday set a two-hour special hearing for Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. to address a petition alleging mismanagement in the estate of Raleigh Jackson Neal Jr. and ordered parties to file witness and exhibit lists with the commission by Feb. 19.

The action followed more than an hour of preliminary arguments about procedure and the scope of evidence to be heard. Miss Garvin, identified in the hearing as the petitioner’s attorney, told the commission her petition “is lengthy. There's 41 paragraphs within my petition and I plan on presenting evidence on each and every one of those in regard to the mismanagement of the estate,” and asked for more time than the ten minutes originally allocated.

County attorneys and others on the record recommended a formal status order and a separate day-long or multi-hour hearing if witnesses would be called. An attorney advising the commission suggested the order should “require all the parties 7 days prior to the formal hearing to file a witness list and an exhibit list as well as providing all of the exhibits to each other and to the commission” so the record is clear.

The commission directed staff to prepare a status order that would halt further action in the probate file pending the scheduled hearing and require parties to exchange exhibits and witness lists seven days before the Feb. 26 hearing. The commission also agreed to allow remote participation by video if witnesses are outside the area, subject to the parties’ ability to receive exhibits in advance.

Why it matters: Petitioners said the allegations predate the estate’s publication and that multiple wills and claims are part of the dispute. The commission will use the Feb. 26 proceeding to determine whether to modify appointments, consider allegations about the administrator’s conduct, or take other actions within its statutory authority.

What happens next: The commission’s president announced the Feb. 26 special meeting at 1 p.m., and instructed that all evidence and witness lists be submitted to the commission by Feb. 19 so commissioners have time to review materials before the hearing. The commission also directed staff to coordinate scheduling and notice to parties.

The commission’s decision to set a dedicated hearing reflected repeated requests from counsel on both sides for more time and a clearer evidentiary process than the brief slot the agenda initially allotted.