Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Carroll 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 Carroll 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.
FirmLexington, MO
Since 1951 · Serves 9 counties
Sits across the street from the historic Lafayette County Court House in Lexington and has practiced there since 1951, now in its third generation with Gary R. Bradley and Douglas R. Bradley. Handles wills, trusts, probate, and trust and estate litigation, and takes on step-family real estate disputes that surface while an estate is going through probate. A second office operates in Kansas City.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 2 more
- Office
- 105 S 10th StLexington, MO 64067
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
FirmLiberty, MO
Serves 15 counties
Liberty elder law firm handling probate for families whose loved one lived in Kansas City, Liberty, Gladstone, Parkville, or anywhere in Clay or Platte counties. Guides executors through small-estate and full administration, intestate estates, and determinations of heirship. Cassie M. Rocha, Kara T. Burgess, and Tessa R. Carr also handle Medicaid and nursing home planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planning
- Office
- 1508 NE 96th St, Suite DLiberty, MO 64068
FirmMoberly, MO
Since 2016 · Serves 3 counties
Serves Randolph, Carroll, and Monroe counties from offices in Moberly, Carrollton, and Paris. Handles estate planning and guardianships, with probate work carried by attorney Jake Peak; Sidney Wheelan opened the firm in 2016. The Carrollton office came from a July 2025 merger with the Wendel Law Office, which brought in Joyce Wendel, a former Carroll County prosecuting attorney.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness LawFamily Law
- Office
- 401 W Reed St, Suite BMoberly, MO 65270
FirmSpringfield, MO
Serves the whole state
Springfield firm serving Greene County and southwest Missouri, handling probate in county courts throughout the state. Runs estate administrations, small estates, refusals of letters, heirship determinations and affidavits, guardianship and conservatorship estates, and ancillary probate. Its elder law practice covers Medicaid (MO HealthNet) planning and special needs trusts.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipand 4 more
- Office
- 1546 E Bradford PkwySpringfield, MO 65804
Solo PracticeLaurie, MO
Serves the whole state
Laurie practice of attorney Andrew W. Renken, serving the Lake of the Ozarks and Camden, Miller, Morgan, and Laclede counties, and taking estate planning cases throughout Missouri. Handles probate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and living wills. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- 724 N Main StLaurie, MO 65037
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.
