Free Missouri Transfer on Death Deed

In Missouri, a beneficiary deed is signed before a notary, then recorded with the county before the owner's death.

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Owner Information

Enter your information as the property owner (transferor). If the property is jointly owned, you’ll add the second owner below.

How is the property owned?*

Choose “Jointly owned” if two people are on the title (e.g. spouses as joint tenants or tenants by the entirety). Both owners must sign.

I am the sole ownerJointly owned with one other person

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

State Where Property Is Located*

City or County*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Missouri prescribes no form. The deed must expressly state that the deed is not to take effect until the death of the owner.

A Missouri beneficiary deed is recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds for the county where the property sits and must be on record before the owner's death to take effect. The deed must be filed of record with the recorder of deeds in the city or county where the property is situated prior to the death of the owner. Consideration and delivery to the beneficiary are not required. St. Louis City is an independent city (not part of any county) with its own Recorder of Deeds.

Co-owners may sign one deed together. The deed is signed by every owner whose interest it transfers.

Missouri passes the share of a beneficiary who dies before the owner to that beneficiary's descendants under its antilapse rule. The deed can name a successor beneficiary to take in that case. A designated beneficiary must survive the owner by one hundred twenty hours to be entitled to a transfer under this deed (RSMo 461.042.1).

The beneficiary takes the property subject to the mortgages, liens and other encumbrances on it at death. Property passing under a beneficiary deed stays within reach of the deceased owner's creditors, surviving spouse and unmarried minor children (RSMo 461.071), including MO HealthNet, whose benefits paid after January 1, 1978 are a debt of the estate (RSMo 473.398.1; In re Estate of Jones, 280 S.W.3d 647 (Mo. banc 2009)). The deed moves this parcel alone; a revocable living trust set up with SimplyTrust carries the rest of the estate.

Missouri Transfer on Death Deed

Missouri authorizes transfer on death deeds: a property owner names a beneficiary who receives the property at death — bypassing probate entirely for that asset. The owner retains full control during their lifetime, including the right to revoke the deed at any time.

Without a TOD deed, real property in Missouri passes through probate — a process that takes at least 6 months for simple estates. A TOD deed removes that property from the probate estate entirely. Estates under $40,000 may qualify for simplified procedures, but a TOD deed avoids the process altogether. See the full cost breakdown with the probate calculator.

TOD deeds are a focused tool — one deed per property, covering only real estate. A revocable trust handles all assets and provides incapacity planning as well. The trust vs. will tool compares the two approaches side by side.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated October 17, 2026

Legal Sources

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

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Missouri authorizes transfer on death deeds: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.

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Probate on a $500,000 estate in Missouri costs an estimated $28,815. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law).

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Missouri Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Missouri probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Free Missouri Transfer on Death Deed

In Missouri, a beneficiary deed is signed before a notary, then recorded with the county before the owner's death.

Progress0%

Missouri Transfer on Death Deed

Free Missouri Transfer on Death Deed

Owner Information

Is this your situation?

New Home

Retirement

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Missouri

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Financial Power of Attorney

Vehicle Transfer on Death

Living Will

Last Will and Testament

Tools for Planning Your Estate in Missouri

Do I Need a TOD Deed?

Do I Need a Vehicle TOD?

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

How Much Does Probate Cost?

When you're ready, we're here.

Missouri Estate Planning Resources

Free Missouri Transfer on Death Deed

Owner Information