Real property conveyance; authorize 18 year olds to contract for.

HB 477 clarifies that Mississippi residents aged 18 or older can independently enter binding contracts for real property, personal property, mortgages, and investments like stocks or mutual funds, without court intervention. It specifically allows 18-year-olds to lease residential property they occupy and secure essential utilities (electricity, water, internet) for their home. The bill also ensures such individuals can sue or be sued in their own name as adults in contract disputes. This updates existing law to remove ambiguity about 18-year-olds' contractual capacity, while also revising court procedures for minors (Section 93-19-1) regarding real estate transactions. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.