Estate Planning & Probate in Madison County, Missouri
Madison County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in 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 Madison County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Madison County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Madison County→The Probate Process in Madison 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 Madison County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at One Courthouse Square, Fredericktown. The court sits in the 24th Judicial Circuit. Madison County shares the 24th Judicial Circuit with St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington.
Full Madison Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court - Probate Division
Madison County · 24th Judicial Circuit
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Recorder of Deeds
Madison County · Recorder of Deeds · Saundra Ivison
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
Missouri Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Madison County.
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