Rolla firm on North Pine Street, with roots dating to 1930, serving Phelps, Pulaski, Dent, Texas, Crawford, and Maries counties. Guides personal representatives and trustees through probate and trust administration, filings, accountings, and estate claims, and litigates will contests and fiduciary disputes. Ownership passed to Emily Guffey, Carolyn Buschjost, and Lance Thurman in November 2024.
Probate in Dent County
Probate Court Record
Dent County Circuit Court - Probate Division
Dent County · 42nd Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Office
112 East 5th Street, Salem, MO 65560
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Dent County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Dent County? →Settling an estate in Dent County →
Trust Administration Firms Serving Dent County
Columbia firm serving clients throughout Missouri. Handles probate decedent estates from small estates to full administration, administers trusts after a death, and litigates will and trust contests, breach of fiduciary duty, accountings, and removal of fiduciaries. Also handles guardianships, conservatorships, and special needs planning; new probate clients get a complimentary consultation.
All 3 Missouri trust administration firms serving Dent County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Missouri
Free Missouri forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Missouri.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Free
Pour-Over Will
In Missouri, a pour-over will is signed before 2RSMo § 474.320Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Missouri
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Missouri: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Missouri.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Missouri happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMo. Rev. Stat. § 456.1-101 et seq. (Missouri Uniform Trust Code)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 120 daysRSMo §§ 456.8-813, 456.10-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Missouri, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Mo. Rev. Stat. § 456.7-708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Missouri: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsRSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Missouri requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Mo. Rev. Stat. § 143.011Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Missouri take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces no state tax after a 100% exclusion of long-term gains, available to individuals only, not to estates or trusts§ 143.121.3(14)(a) RSMo (HB 594, 2025) — 100% capital gains deduction for an INDIVIDUAL subject to tax under § 143.011; estates/trusts excludedVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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