Executor Checklist for Missouri: Complete 2026 Probate Guide

Your grandmother passed away last month in Kansas City. She named you executor in her will, and now you're trying to figure out how the Circuit Court Probate Division works, what "independent administration" means in Missouri, and whether the estate is small enough to skip probate altogether. Everything you find online is written for lawyers or so generic it could be about any state. You need Missouri-specific answers.

This is your step-by-step Missouri executor checklist — every form, every deadline, every fee, specific to how Missouri probate works in 2026. If you want a general overview of the executor role before diving into Missouri details, start with our Executor's Complete Guide to Probate and come back here for the state-specific process.

Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws are complex and vary by county within Missouri. Always consult with a licensed attorney authorized to practice law in Missouri before making legal or financial decisions about an estate.

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Quick Reference: Missouri Probate Court Contact

Missouri Circuit Court — Probate Division Website: courts.mo.gov Phone: Contact your county probate division directly Filing Fee: $75 -- $200 Small Estate Threshold: $40,000 Creditor Period: 6 months Community Property State: No UPC State: No State Estate/Inheritance Tax: No

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Your Missouri Executor Checklist

Step 1: Immediate Actions (First 7 Days)

Before you file anything with the court, handle these urgent matters first. They protect the estate and protect you personally.

Order death certificates. Order 10-15 certified copies from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or through the funeral home. Banks, insurance companies, the DMV, title companies, and brokerage firms all want their own certified copy. In Missouri, certified copies cost approximately $14 each. Order more than you think you'll need — running out later creates unnecessary delays.

Secure the property. If the deceased owned a home, make sure it's locked, the mail is being collected, and nothing is at risk of deterioration. Verify that homeowner's insurance is current — policies can lapse quickly after a death, and an uninsured property is a liability. Secure any vehicles and make sure they're covered by insurance.

Locate the original will. You need the original signed will, not a photocopy. Check the deceased's home, their attorney's office, and any safe deposit box. In Missouri, some people file their will with the circuit clerk for safekeeping during their lifetime — check with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the deceased lived.

Notify immediate family. Let beneficiaries and close family know you've been named executor and that you're managing the process. You don't need to share financial details yet — just set expectations. Getting ahead of this reduces the phone calls and repeated questions that wear executors down.

Gather financial records. Start collecting bank statements, investment accounts, mortgage documents, credit card statements, tax returns (federal and Missouri), insurance policies, and retirement account information. The more organized you are now, the smoother every subsequent step will be.

Step 2: Determine If Full Probate Is Required

Not every Missouri estate needs formal probate. Before you file anything, check whether a simpler path is available.

Small estate affidavit ($40,000 threshold). If the total value of the deceased's personal property (not counting real estate) is $40,000 or less, you can transfer assets using a small estate affidavit without going through formal probate. Missouri provides two forms for this: PR 16 (for estates without a will) and PR 17 (for estates with a will). You must wait at least 30 days after death before using this procedure.

Refusal to probate. Missouri offers a unique option called "refusal to probate." If the estate is very small and there are no debts, the potential personal representative can file a written refusal to probate the estate. This effectively means no probate administration occurs at all. It's a narrow option, but when it applies, it's the simplest path available.

Assets that bypass probate entirely. Joint accounts with rights of survivorship, life insurance with named beneficiaries, retirement accounts with designated beneficiaries, payable-on-death accounts, and property in a living trust all pass outside of probate. Identify these first — the probate estate may be much smaller than the total estate.

If the estate exceeds these thresholds or includes assets that must go through court, you'll need formal probate. Here's how it works in Missouri.

Step 3: File the Will and Petition for Probate

This step officially opens probate in Missouri.

File with the Circuit Court Probate Division. Submit the original will and a petition for Letters Testamentary to the Probate Division of the Circuit Court in the county where the deceased lived at the time of death. Missouri uses the Circuit Court Probate Division for all probate matters — there's no separate probate court.

Independent vs. supervised administration. In Missouri, independent administration is the default if the will doesn't specify otherwise. This is a significant advantage. Under independent administration, you can handle most estate matters — paying debts, selling property, managing assets — without getting court approval for each action. Supervised administration requires court approval for most steps and is only imposed if the will requests it, a beneficiary petitions for it, or the court determines supervision is necessary.

Pay the filing fee. Missouri probate filing fees range from $75 to $200, depending on the county and estate size. This is one of the more affordable states for probate filing. The fee is paid from estate funds.

Post a bond (unless waived). Missouri generally requires a bond, but the will can waive this requirement. If the will waives the bond, note it in your petition. If a bond is required, the premium is typically 0.5% to 1% of the bond amount annually.

Letters Testamentary are issued. Once the court approves your appointment, you'll receive Letters Testamentary — the document proving your legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. Get several certified copies. Banks, title companies, and financial institutions won't deal with you without them.

For context on the general process, our general executor checklist covers the phases that apply in every state.

Step 4: Publish Notice and Notify Creditors

Missouri law requires you to notify creditors and give them an opportunity to file claims.

Publish notice to creditors. You must publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where probate was opened. The notice must run for 4 consecutive weeks (once per week). The newspaper handles formatting — you arrange publication and pay the cost (typically $100-250).

Send written notice to known creditors. In addition to the published notice, Missouri requires you to send written notice directly to all known creditors. This includes credit card companies, mortgage holders, medical providers, utilities, and anyone else the deceased owed money to. Use certified mail or another method that provides proof of delivery.

The creditor claim window: 6 months. In Missouri, creditors have 6 months from the date of first publication to file claims against the estate. This is longer than many states and is one of the reasons Missouri probate can take a while. You cannot safely distribute assets until this window closes and all valid claims are resolved. Understanding how debt works after someone dies helps you evaluate claims.

Notify beneficiaries. Send formal notice to everyone named in the will and to any heirs who would inherit under Missouri intestacy law. Beneficiaries have specific legal rights, including the right to receive notice of the probate proceedings and to object to estate actions.

Step 5: Inventory and Appraise Assets

Now you need to account for everything the deceased owned.

File an inventory with the court. Missouri requires you to file an inventory of estate assets within 30 days of your appointment as personal representative. This is one of the shorter inventory deadlines in the country, so start gathering asset information immediately — ideally before you're formally appointed. The inventory lists every asset, its fair market value as of the date of death, and how you determined that value.

Get professional appraisals. Real estate, business interests, valuable collections, and unusual assets should be professionally appraised. Missouri does not require a court-appointed appraiser — you can hire your own. Keep appraisal reports as part of the estate records.

Cash and financial accounts. Use the balance as of the date of death for bank accounts. Request date-of-death valuations from brokerage firms for investment accounts. These institutions handle these requests regularly.

Real estate valuation. Missouri real estate should be valued at fair market value as of the date of death. A professional appraisal is recommended for any significant real property. If you plan to sell the property during probate, the appraisal will also help you set a reasonable listing price.

Step 6: Pay Debts, Taxes, and Expenses

Once the creditor window is open and claims start arriving, handle them systematically.

Evaluate creditor claims. Review each claim carefully. Accept valid claims, negotiate where appropriate, and reject claims you believe are invalid. Rejected creditors can petition the court, so document your reasoning. Missouri law sets out a specific procedure for handling disputed claims.

Missouri has no state estate or inheritance tax. This is good news. Missouri does not impose any state estate tax or inheritance tax. You only need to worry about federal estate tax if the estate exceeds the federal exemption — currently $15 million. The vast majority of Missouri estates owe nothing in estate tax.

File the decedent's final tax returns. The deceased's final federal and Missouri state income tax returns (Form MO-1040) are due by April 15 of the year following death. Any tax owed is paid from the estate. If the estate earns income during administration (rental income, investment dividends, interest), you'll need to file a separate estate income tax return — federal Form 1041 and Missouri Form MO-1041.

Pay debts in priority order. Missouri law establishes a priority for paying debts: costs of administration first, then funeral expenses (up to $5,000), then debts due the United States and state of Missouri, then debts for wages earned within 90 days of death, then all other claims. Following this priority protects you from personal liability.

Step 7: Distribute Assets and Close the Estate

You're in the final stretch. Here's how to close the estate in Missouri.

Wait for the creditor window to close. The 6-month creditor period must fully expire before you can safely distribute assets. Distributing early puts you at personal risk if a creditor comes forward with a valid claim.

Prepare a settlement. Create a detailed accounting of everything that came into the estate, everything that went out (debts paid, expenses, fees), and what remains for distribution. Under independent administration, you prepare a proposed settlement and provide copies to all interested persons.

File for settlement and distribution. Submit your accounting and proposed distribution to the court. Under independent administration, the settlement can proceed without a court hearing unless an interested person files an objection within 30 days. Under supervised administration, the court must approve the distribution at a hearing.

Distribute assets to beneficiaries. After settlement is approved (or the objection period expires), transfer assets to beneficiaries as directed by the will. Get signed receipts from every beneficiary confirming receipt. These protect you from future disputes.

Request discharge. File your final report and request discharge as personal representative. The court issues an order closing the estate and releasing you from further liability. Keep copies of all documents for several years.

For a broader look at how the probate timeline typically unfolds, including common causes of delays, see our detailed timeline breakdown.

Missouri-Specific Probate Rules to Know

Beyond the step-by-step process, there are several Missouri-specific rules worth understanding.

Independent administration is the default. This is one of Missouri's best features for executors. Unless the will specifically calls for supervised administration, or a beneficiary successfully petitions for it, the personal representative can manage the estate independently. This means selling property, paying debts, and making distributions without individual court approval. It saves time, money, and frustration.

30-day inventory deadline. Missouri's 30-day deadline for filing the estate inventory is unusually short. Many states allow 60-90 days or more. Start gathering asset information immediately — ideally before you're formally appointed — so you're ready to file quickly. Extensions may be available, but it's better not to need one.

6-month creditor period. Missouri's creditor claim period is 6 months, which is longer than many states. This is the primary reason Missouri probate takes longer than some neighboring states. The clock starts from the first newspaper publication, so publish the notice as early as possible to start this window running.

Executor compensation. Missouri has a statutory minimum fee schedule under RSMo 473.153: 5% of the first $5,000, 4% of the next $20,000, 3% of the next $75,000, 2.75% of the next $300,000, 2.5% of the next $600,000, and 2% of everything over $1,000,000. The court may allow additional compensation for extraordinary services. For more on executor compensation across states, see our guide.

Spousal allowances. Missouri provides the surviving spouse with several protections: a homestead allowance (the right to continue living in the family home), a family allowance for living expenses during probate, and an exempt property allowance. These amounts are set by statute and are paid before creditors and before distributions to other beneficiaries.

Nonprobate transfers. Missouri has a robust system of nonprobate transfer tools — payable-on-death accounts, transfer-on-death deeds for real estate, and beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance. Identifying which assets pass outside of probate can significantly simplify the administration.

What HeirPortal Does for Missouri Executors

When you set up an estate in HeirPortal, Missouri-specific deadlines and requirements populate automatically — the tight 30-day inventory deadline, the 6-month creditor claim window, publication requirements, and key filing dates. Your family members see the same timeline you do, which means fewer calls asking "how much longer is this going to take?" and more time spent actually moving the estate forward. Check our state coverage page to see what's included for Missouri.

FAQ

How long does probate take in Missouri?

Most Missouri estates take 9-15 months from filing to final distribution. The 6-month creditor period alone means no estate closes faster than about 7-8 months. Simple estates with cooperative beneficiaries and no contested claims can sometimes close in 9-10 months. Complex estates with business interests, multiple properties, or family disputes can take 18 months or longer.

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Missouri?

No — Missouri does not require an attorney for probate. However, Missouri probate involves specific procedures, tax filings, and potential personal liability for mistakes. For estates valued over $40,000, or for any estate with real estate, business interests, or potential disputes, hiring a probate attorney is strongly recommended. Attorney fees are paid from the estate.

What is the small estate threshold in Missouri?

Missouri's small estate threshold is $40,000 for personal property (excluding real estate). If the estate falls below this amount, you can transfer assets using a small estate affidavit — Form PR 16 (intestate) or Form PR 17 (testate) — without going through formal probate. You must wait at least 30 days after death before using this procedure.

How much does probate cost in Missouri?

Major costs include:

• Court filing fee: $75 -- $200 (varies by county)
• Attorney fees: $2,000 -- $5,000 for straightforward estates
• Newspaper publication: $100 -- $250 (4 consecutive weeks)
• Certified death certificates: $140 -- $210 (10-15 copies at ~$14 each)
• Appraisal fees: Varies based on assets
• Bond premium: 0.5% -- 1% of estate value (if required)

Total costs for a typical Missouri estate range from $3,000 to $7,000. Missouri's low filing fees make it one of the more affordable states for probate.

What is the difference between independent and supervised administration in Missouri?

Independent administration allows the personal representative to manage the estate without court approval for routine actions — selling property, paying debts, distributing assets. It's faster and less expensive. Supervised administration requires court approval for most actions. In Missouri, independent administration is the default unless the will specifies otherwise or a beneficiary petitions for supervision. Always keep independent administration unless there's a specific reason to switch.

Does Missouri have an estate or inheritance tax?

No. Missouri has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Only federal estate tax applies, and only for estates exceeding the federal exemption (currently $15 million).

Can an out-of-state executor serve in Missouri?

Yes, Missouri allows non-resident personal representatives. However, a non-resident may need to post a bond even if the will waives it, and may need to appoint a Missouri resident agent for service of process. If you're managing an estate from out of state, consider hiring a local Missouri probate attorney for court filings and appearances.

What is "refusal to probate" in Missouri?

Missouri offers a unique option where the potential personal representative can file a written refusal to probate the estate. This is appropriate when the estate is very small, there are no creditors, and formal administration would cost more than the estate is worth. If a refusal is filed, assets can sometimes be transferred through other mechanisms — small estate affidavit, beneficiary designations, or family agreement — without opening a formal probate case.

Executor Checklists for Other States

Looking for executor guidance specific to another state? We have detailed checklists for:

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | DC | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming

Don't see your state? Check our state coverage page for probate requirements in all 50 states plus DC.

Missouri probate moves at a moderate pace — the 6-month creditor period makes sure of that — but independent administration makes the process manageable. Stay organized, file your inventory promptly, and take things one step at a time. You don't have to navigate this alone, and the fact that you're researching it now shows you're approaching it the right way.