Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Boone County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Missouri are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every Boone County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Circuit Court - Probate Division and responsiveness are.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Circuit Court - Probate Division, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmJefferson City, MO
Since 1975 · Serves 14 counties
Serves Cole, Boone, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, Camden, and Gasconade counties from Jefferson City. Represents personal representatives and beneficiaries in probate estates, advises trustees through trust administration, and handles smaller estates by small-estate affidavit or refusal of letters. Appointments can be scheduled in-office, by telephone, or by video conference.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 312 E Capitol AveJefferson City, MO 65101
FirmColumbia, MO
Serves 4 counties
Columbia practice of David W. Walker at Ford, Parshall & Baker, serving Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, and Boonville. Guides executors through Missouri supervised and independent administration and the simplified small-estate procedure, and handles will validation and trust administration. Walker has practiced in Columbia since 1989; consultations are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateAsset Protection
- Office
- 3210 Bluff Creek DrColumbia, MO 65201
Solo PracticeJefferson City, MO
Since 2003 · Serves 10 counties
Solo Jefferson City practice taking cases throughout Cole, Callaway, Boone, Osage, Miller, Camden, and surrounding mid-Missouri counties. Handles probate and trust administration after a death, along with wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianships and conservatorships. Melanie G. Moffat has served the area since 1992 and opened her own practice in 2003.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 3 more
- Office
- 507 E High StJefferson City, MO 65101
FirmJefferson City, MO
Serves 13 counties
Jefferson City firm handling probate and trust administration across 13 mid-Missouri counties, from Cole and Boone to Phelps and Pettis. Advises trustees and personal representatives on their duties, appoints guardians and conservators, and prosecutes and defends estate litigation to recover misappropriated assets, including challenges to a will or trust and disputes between heirs.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 601 Monroe St, Suite 301Jefferson City, MO 65101
FirmMoberly, MO
Serves 2 counties
Moberly firm with a second office in Columbia, serving mid-Missouri. Opens probate estates after a death, with or without a will, and litigates will contests, trust disputes over trustee misconduct, and probate disputes over distribution, executor misconduct, and creditor claims. Also drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney; estate consultations are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust LitigationAsset Protection
- Office
- 110 N 5th StMoberly, MO 65270
FirmOsage Beach, MO
Since 2009 · Serves 38 counties
Lake of the Ozarks firm with offices in Osage Beach and Columbia, serving the mid-Missouri region including Hickory, Benton and Morgan counties. Guides executors through Missouri probate: filing the will, notifying heirs and creditors, the inventory, paying debts and the final accounting, and drafts wills and trusts. Partner Staci Birdsong also handles minor and adult guardianships.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipCriminal DefenseFamily Law
- Office
- 5780 Osage Beach Parkway, Suite 225BOsage Beach, MO 65065
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
