How Do I Settle an Estate in Missouri?

Missouri allows estates valued at $40,000 or less to use the Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full probate administration.RSMo § 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), § 473.047 (judge or clerk grants certificate of probate), § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof), § 473.073 (clerk or court admits will and grants letters), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 473.823 (independent-administration compensation), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jul 14, 2026 In Missouri the affidavit is filed with the court, and holders honor it once filed — but no personal representative is appointed and no letters issue. The waiting period is 30 days after death. As you enter the estate's assets, the plan totals what is subject to probate and checks it against that limit.

Creditors in Missouri have 6 months from first publication of notice to file claims against the estate.RSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444Verified Jul 14, 2026 The executor must publish notice in a local newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks. All claims are barred 1 year after death regardless of notice. No final distribution should occur until this period expires. Enter the date the clock started and the plan works out when the window closes, then holds the distribution and final-accounting steps until it does.

Missouri typically requires a probate bond, but it can be waived if specified in the will.RSMo § 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), § 473.047 (judge or clerk grants certificate of probate), § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof), § 473.073 (clerk or court admits will and grants letters), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 473.823 (independent-administration compensation), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The bond protects beneficiaries and creditors from executor mismanagement. Bond premiums typically cost approximately 0.5% of the estate value annually.

In Missouri, simple estates typically settle in 6-12 months. Average estates take 12-18 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets can take 18-36 months or longer.RSMo § 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), § 473.047 (judge or clerk grants certificate of probate), § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof), § 473.073 (clerk or court admits will and grants letters), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 473.823 (independent-administration compensation), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jul 14, 2026 State procedure sets a practical floor of about 8 months before an estate can close.RSMo § 473.540 (annual settlements; final settlement after 6 months + 10 days from first publication; court may extend)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The plan lays the work out across those months and reorders it around the dates you enter.

An executor (or personal representative) in Missouri is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The specific duties depend on whether the estate goes through formal probate or qualifies for simplified procedures. The plan carries each of those duties as a task, with the institution, agency, or office it belongs to attached. See the Missouri executor appointment guide for how to get appointed and begin.

Estate settlement costs in Missouri include court filing fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and potentially a probate bond. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $31,315 depending on complexity. Costs you pay out of pocket go on the ledger as reimbursable disbursements, so what the estate owes you back is on the record. Use the Missouri probate calculator for a detailed cost estimate.