Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Hickory 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 Hickory 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.
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
FirmCarthage, MO
Serves 4 counties
Serves southwest Missouri from offices in Carthage and Nevada, covering Joplin, Webb City, Lamar, and Neosho. Handles probate, estate and trust administration, will contests, estate tax planning, and business and farm succession planning. Kevin Checkett and Charles Pauly are AV rated under Martindale-Hubbell's peer review system.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 517 S Main StCarthage, MO 64836
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
FirmColumbia, MO
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
Solo PracticeJefferson City, MO
Serves the whole state
Jefferson City practice of attorney Todd Miller, who serves clients across Missouri and has handled probate and estate disputes in more than 30 counties. Guides personal representatives through petitions, creditor payments, distributions, and court deadlines, and represents heirs in will contests and beneficiary disputes. Also handles Medicaid planning, guardianships, and conservatorships.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more
- Office
- 1305 Southwest Blvd, Suite AJefferson City, MO 65109
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.
