How Do I File for Probate in Missouri?
Missouri publishes no statewide Application for Letters — the state's probate forms cover only small estates, refusal of letters, and heirship. Each circuit court probate division issues its own appointment application, and the circuits' forms differ, so there is no single Missouri form to complete.
Opening an estate in Missouri
Missouri publishes no statewide Application for Letters, so there is nothing for a statewide fill to complete. The Office of State Courts Administrator's statewide probate forms (courts.mo.gov, the "PR" series) cover only the procedures that BYPASS appointment — the small-estate affidavit (PR 16 / PR 17), refusal of letters (PR 23 / PR 25 / PR 33 / PR 30), the spousal election (PR 75) — plus determination of heirship (PR 28). The appointment application itself is published by each circuit court probate division and the circuits' forms are not the same document: St. Charles County (11th Circuit) publishes a fillable Application for Letters of Administration citing RSMo 473.017 & 473.780, while Boone County (13th Circuit) publishes a combined Application for Letters Testamentary / of Administration / with Will Annexed. Filling one circuit's form would break the statewide product, so the page off-ramps to the correct circuit probate division and to counsel. NOTE: this is a FORM problem, not an attorney-mandate problem — no statute or Supreme Court rule bars a self-represented Missourian from applying for letters statewide (though some circuits do bar it locally, e.g. 23rd Circuit Local Rule 72.7). Self-represented filers file on paper; the original will must be delivered to the probate division (RSMo 473.043); the application elects supervised vs. independent administration (RSMo 473.017.1(10), 473.780).
A simpler path may apply
Missouri offers a small-estate or summary procedure that can transfer property without a full grant of Letters when the estate qualifies. This is often the honest self-service path where full administration is not.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Missouri permits a self-represented person to open an estate and apply for Letters. What we do not do is produce the document for you here: missouri publishes no statewide Application for Letters — the state's probate forms cover only small estates, refusal of letters, and heirship. Each circuit court probate division issues its own appointment application, and the circuits' forms differ, so there is no single Missouri form to complete.
Missouri offers a small-estate or summary procedure that can transfer property without a full grant of Letters when the estate qualifies. ONE-YEAR BAR: RSMo 473.050.6 - "no letters of administration shall be issued unless application is made to the court for such letters within one year from the date of death of the decedent" (excepting 473.050.4 and RSMo 537.021); a will not presented within one year (where no notice of letters was given) is "forever barred from admission to probate in this state" (473.050.5). PRIORITY WINDOW: if the person entitled to letters under RSMo 473.110 does not apply within twenty days after death, any interested person may petition (473.020.1), and that petition "must be filed within one year after the date of death of the decedent" (473.020.2). INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION (RSMo 473.780-.843) is ELECTED in the application (473.017.1(10) requires the application to state "Whether the application is for supervised or independent administration") - it is not a separate informal/registrar track; Missouri is not a UPC state and has no registrar appointment. BYPASS ROUTES: small estate by affidavit where "the value of the entire estate, less liens, debt, and encumbrances, does not exceed forty thousand dollars" and thirty days have elapsed since death (RSMo 473.097.1); refusal of letters to a surviving spouse or unmarried minor children where nothing would remain after exempt property and statutory allowances, or to a creditor where "the personal estate of the decedent does not exceed fifteen thousand dollars" and there is no widower, widow or unmarried minor children (RSMo 473.090.1). ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION: there is NO statewide statute or Supreme Court rule requiring counsel to open an estate. The requirement is real but LOCAL - e.g. 23rd Judicial Circuit Local Rule 72.7: "No full decedent's Estate will be administered without an attorney of record (precluded by the unauthorized practice of law rules)." The 11th and 22nd Circuit local rules carry no equivalent bar. RSMo 473.017.1(8) requires the application to state "The name and address of the attorney for the applicant", which presupposes but does not mandate counsel. Do not assert a statewide attorney mandate.
Probate Division of the Circuit Court handles decedents' estates in Missouri. Probate division of the circuit court (judge or clerk), after granting the application for letters issues the Letters after the court grants the petition.
Letters Testamentary are issued when there is a will (to the executor); Letters of Administration are issued when there is no will (to an administrator). They give the personal representative authority to act for the estate.
