Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Howell 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 Howell 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.
FirmWest Plains, MO
Since 2017 · Serves 1 county
Serves West Plains and the surrounding Howell County area from West Main Street, with attorneys who are in the courtroom most days of the week. Handles probate and trust administration and estate planning alongside family law and civil litigation. Christena Silvey Coleman, who returned to West Plains to practice after law school in 1995, formed the firm in 2017.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
- Office
- 311 W Main StWest Plains, MO 65775
Solo PracticeWest Plains, MO
Serves 1 county
West Plains practice in the historic Butler Building, continuing the former Ray & Fisher firm. Represents families in probate court after a death, preparing the documents and presenting them to the judge, and drafts wills and living trusts along with the real estate work of finalizing an estate. Chrys Fisher has been licensed in Missouri since 1995.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationBusiness Lawand 2 more
- Office
- 408 Washington Avenue, Suite 230West Plains, MO 65775
FirmSpringfield, MO
Serves 8 counties
Serves southwest Missouri from Springfield and nine more offices, from Bolivar and Lebanon to Branson and Joplin. Handles probate after a death (validating the will, paying debts and final expenses, distributing to heirs), guardianship and conservatorship, special needs planning, Medicaid coverage, and elder abuse matters. Lori Rook is managing attorney; the first consultation is free.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipand 3 more
- Office
- 2832 S Ingram Mill Rd, Suite 100Springfield, MO 65804
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
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.
