How Much Does Probate Cost in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Cape Girardeau County can expect.
What probate costs in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 203 North High Street, Suite 129, Jackson. The court is part of the 32nd Judicial Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through the Probate Division. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Missouri charges $115 - $565 (based on estate value)Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. R. 21.01(a)(12)-(13); RSMo §§ 488.012, 483.580Verified Jun 11, 2026 to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Circuit Court - Probate Division accepts e-filing (https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=50531). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Missouri sets attorney fees by statute — a percentage of the estate's gross value. Every attorney charges the same schedule, so the decision to hire one comes down to complexity, not price.
Executor compensation is also statutory in Missouri, typically 2%RSMo § 473.153(1) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; where reasonable compensation exceeds the minimum the court shall allow additional compensation — extraordinary services not required). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.Verified Jun 11, 2026 to 5%RSMo § 473.153(1) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; where reasonable compensation exceeds the minimum the court shall allow additional compensation — extraordinary services not required). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.Verified Jun 11, 2026 of estate value. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Missouri requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%RSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)Verified Jun 11, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Missouri typically runs 12 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified Jun 11, 2026 to 18 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified Jun 11, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 monthsRSMo § 473.360Verified Jun 11, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. R. 21.01(a)(12)-(13); RSMo §§ 488.012, 483.580
- RSMo § 473.050
- RSMo § 473.153(1) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; where reasonable compensation exceeds the minimum the court shall allow additional compensation — extraordinary services not required). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.
- RSMo § 473.360
- RSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)
Data sourced from Missouri statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Cape Girardeau County, that means filing fees (about $565 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $565 in Cape Girardeau County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Yes. Missouri sets probate attorney fees by statute, so Cape Girardeau County attorneys charge the same schedule as the rest of the state. Predictable, but often higher than hourly billing would produce for simple estates.
Missouri caps executor compensation by statute — the same schedule used for attorney fees in many states. Executors can waive this fee, which often makes sense for family members who are also beneficiaries.
Yes. Missouri estates under $40,000 can use a Small Estate Affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Missouri self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Cape Girardeau County probate.
Circuit Court - Probate Division
Cape Girardeau County
203 North High Street, Suite 129
Jackson, MO 63755
Phone:
573-335-8253Fax:
573-331-2565
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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