What to Do When Someone Dies in Cass County, Missouri

How probate works in Cass County: the Circuit Court - Probate Division record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Cass County Circuit Court - Probate Division

Cass County · 17th Judicial Circuit

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

2501 West Mechanic, Harrisonville, MO 64701

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

Required for attorneysAttorneys file probate cases through the statewide Missouri eFiling System. The original will is filed on paper with the probate division. On paper: Self-represented filers file on paper with the clerk; the eFiling system is open to Missouri attorneys and approved agency filers.

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe Cass County Probate Division accepts the Jackson County (16th Circuit) probate forms. Non-lawyer self-represented filers are not required to e-file.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Cass County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Cass County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 2501 West Mechanic, Harrisonville. The court sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit. The same 17th Judicial Circuit also serves Johnson.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Missouri intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Missouri estates take 12 months to 18 months to move through this process. Creditors have 6 monthsRSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Cass County

What probate costs in Cass 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 2501 West Mechanic, Harrisonville. The court is part of the 17th Judicial Circuit.

The Circuit Court - Probate Division charges $115 - $565 (based on estate value)Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. R. 21.01(a)(12)-(13); RSMo §§ 488.012, 483.580Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

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.

Missouri sets executor compensation by statute — about $14,050 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.8%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, on personal property administered and court-ordered real estate sales)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Missouri requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under RSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Missouri typically runs 12 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division

Probate cases in Cass County, Missouri are filed at the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The court sits in the 17th Judicial Circuit.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Civil.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Missouri has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableRSMo §§ 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), 473.073 (clerk or court admits the will and grants letters), 473.047 (judge or clerk grants a certificate of probate), 473.065 (self-proved will)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Cass County Self-Filing Assessment.

Cass County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

A small estate over $15,000 is published.

Final inventory fees are due in every decedent estate, plus an annual fee for each year it stays open.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Circuit Court - Probate Division: Copy of the death certificate; Original will and any codicils, delivered to the probate division after death (RSMo 473.043); OSCA: "the Original Will must be filed with Probate (RSMo 473.043) before Letters will be granted"; Application for Letters Testamentary / of Administration stating decedent, heirs/devisees, probable value of the estate, the attorney for the applicant, and whether supervised or independent administration is sought (RSMo 473.017.1(1)-(10)); Bond, unless waived by the will or excused by the court (RSMo 473.157, 473.160)RSMo 473.017 (application for letters - content); 473.020 (who may apply / time limits); 473.023 (court or clerk to grant letters); 473.073 (proof required for probate and grant of administration); 473.110 (priority for letters); 473.780-.843 (independent administration)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Cass County

In Missouri a death is registered locally, and in Cass County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Cass County Health Department as well as by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

Local Health Department

Cass County · Cass County Health Department

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

1411 South Commercial Street, Harrisonville, MO 64701

Certified copies

At the counter, issued while you wait

Order online

Mail

Cass County Health Department Attn: Vital Records 1411 South Commercial Street Harrisonville, MO 64701

Fax

1-816-380-8450

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Medical Examiner

Cass County · Cass County Medical Examiner

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Cass County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Recorder of Deeds.

Deeds and other real property documents for Cass County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds at 102 East Wall Street, Harrisonville, MO 64701. Phone: 1-816-380-8118. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.

The Recorder of Deeds charges $26 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.

Cass County accepts electronic recording through iCounty.

Recording Office Record

Recorder of Deeds

Cass County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Office

102 East Wall Street, Harrisonville, MO 64701

Fees

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$26
Each additional page$3
Transfer tax on a TOD deedNo transfer tax applies to TOD deeds

RSMo 59.310.6(1), 59.319, 59.321, 59.800, 50.1190

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Cass County

Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Cass 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 Cass 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.

FirmKansas City, MO

Janssen Estate Probate & Elder Law

Serves 4 counties

Main office on Madison Avenue in Kansas City with a by-appointment Lenexa, Kansas office, serving Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties. Works with executors on valuing assets, creditor claims, unclear wills, heir disputes, and contested estates, plus guardianships and conservatorships. Founded by Stacey Janssen; Jeremy Keel also practices with the firm.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 4 more

Office
4505 Madison Ave, Suite 230Kansas City, MO 64111

FirmLiberty, MO

Northland Elder Law

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

FirmLexington, MO

Bradley and Bradley, L.C.

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

FirmSpringfield, MO

The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC

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

Renken Law Firm

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

FirmColumbia, MO

Simmons, Henderson & Associates LLC

Serves the whole state

Columbia firm serving clients throughout Missouri. Handles probate decedent estates from small estates to full administration, administers trusts after a death, and litigates will and trust contests, breach of fiduciary duty, accountings, and removal of fiduciaries. Also handles guardianships, conservatorships, and special needs planning; new probate clients get a complimentary consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 8 more

Office
1109 Club Village Dr, Suite 101Columbia, MO 65203
Free consultation
See all 7 firms serving Cass County →

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.

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Legal Sources

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Data sourced from Missouri statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Missouri

Free tools for settling an estate in Missouri: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Missouri.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Missouri: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsRSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.

See the Steps

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Missouri happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMo. Rev. Stat. § 456.1-101 et seq. (Missouri Uniform Trust Code)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 120 daysRSMo §§ 456.8-813, 456.10-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

Missouri has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableRSMo §§ 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), 473.073 (clerk or court admits the will and grants letters), 473.047 (judge or clerk grants a certificate of probate), 473.065 (self-proved will)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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