Free Missouri Estate Closing Packet

In Missouri, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runs, and a final accounting is required.

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The Decedent

The person whose estate you are closing.

Full legal name*

Date of death(MM/DD/YYYY)*

City or town of residence at death

County of administration*

The county where the estate was administered (where letters were issued).

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Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Estate Closing Packets

An independent personal representative (authorized by the will or by consent of all heirs and devisees, RSMo § 473.780) closes the estate by filing a statement of account under § 473.840 — a complete accounting of receipts and disbursements, a statement that claims, expenses, and taxes are paid, and a schedule of proposed distribution — with 29 days’ published notice and a 20-day objection window; if no proceeding is commenced within six months after it is filed, the representative is discharged by operation of law with no court order.

No earlier than six months and ten days after the date of the first published notice of letters, for both the independent statement of account (RSMo § 473.840.1) and a supervised final settlement (§ 473.540.2(1)); § 473.843 requires the independent PR to file the statement of account or petition for complete settlement within one year of appointment absent an extension.

Yes. Missouri requires an account of the administration to close on this route. In independent administration the personal representative mails a statement of account and schedule of proposed distribution to each interested party and files it in court; absent a written objection within 20 days the representative distributes without any judicial settlement, and a court order of complete settlement is available voluntarily and compellable on petition.

Missouri discharges the personal representative automatically once the statutory period runs. On the default statement-of-account route, if no proceeding involving the independent personal representative is filed within six months after the statement of account is filed, the representative is discharged by operation of law and the court makes no order of discharge (RSMo § 473.840.6). The alternate routes discharge by court order: the independent petition for complete settlement (§ 473.837) and the supervised order of discharge entered on the filing of receipts (§ 473.660, barring suit unless commenced within one year of discharge).

No. Missouri publishes no statewide closing form; the closing statement is composed to the requirements of the closing statute.

Closing an Estate in Missouri

Missouri's closing route, in the statute's terms: An independent personal representative (authorized by the will or by consent of all heirs and devisees, RSMo § 473.780) closes the estate by filing a statement of account under § 473.840 — a complete accounting of receipts and disbursements, a statement that claims, expenses, and taxes are paid, and a schedule of proposed distribution — with 29 days’ published notice and a 20-day objection window; if no proceeding is commenced within six months after it is filed, the representative is discharged by operation of law with no court order.

Missouri requires an account of the administration to close on this route. In independent administration the personal representative mails a statement of account and schedule of proposed distribution to each interested party and files it in court; absent a written objection within 20 days the representative distributes without any judicial settlement, and a court order of complete settlement is available voluntarily and compellable on petition.

Missouri publishes no statewide closing form; the closing statement is composed to the requirements of the closing statute.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 15, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Missouri statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Free Missouri Estate Closing Packet

In Missouri, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runs, and a final accounting is required.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Estate Closing Packets

No. Missouri publishes no statewide closing form; the closing statement is composed to the requirements of the closing statute.

Closing an Estate in Missouri

Missouri publishes no statewide closing form; the closing statement is composed to the requirements of the closing statute.

Free Missouri Estate Closing Packet

The Decedent

Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Estate Closing Packets

Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Forms for Settling an Estate in Missouri

Renunciation of Executor

Affidavit of Heirship

Estate Inventory

Letter of Instruction

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Tools for Settling an Estate in Missouri

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Hire a Missouri Probate Attorney

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Missouri Estate Settlement Resources

Free Missouri Estate Closing Packet

The Decedent

Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Estate Closing Packets