Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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
FirmWarsaw, MO
Serves 5 counties
Warsaw office, one of three with Clinton and Sedalia, taking clients from Henry, Pettis, Johnson, Benton, and Bates counties. Jeffrey L. Dull handles complex civil and probate matters, and the firm drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and Missouri nonprobate transfers. Estate planning clients can meet by phone, video conference, or in person.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateReal Estate
- Office
- 220 Main StreetWarsaw, MO 65355
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.
