Estate Planning & Probate in Clay County, Missouri
There are two reasons people look up Clay County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Clay County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Clay County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Clay County→The Probate Process in Clay 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 Clay County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 11 South Water, Liberty. The court sits in the 7th Judicial Circuit.
Full Clay Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court - Probate Division
Clay County · 7th Judicial Circuit
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Recorder of Deeds
Clay County · Recorder of Deeds
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$26 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $29; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 7, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Circuit Court - Probate Division
Proposed judgments must be submitted to the division (div4@circuit7.net) before a hearing date is set. Routine probate motions are heard Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. Motions expected to exceed 30 minutes must be specially scheduled with the division.
Missouri Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Clay County.
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