Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Madison 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 Madison 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.
FirmCape Girardeau, MO
Serves 6 counties
Practices in the Cape Girardeau, Perry, and Scott county probate courts from offices in Cape Girardeau and Perryville. Guides families through probate, from filing the will to paying debts and distributing the estate, and assists with trust administration, special needs trusts, and Medicaid planning. Founding attorney John A. Layton has practiced since 1972; the first consultation is free.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs PlanningMedicaid Planning
- Office
- 2845 Professional CtCape Girardeau, MO 63703
FirmFredericktown, MO
Since 1947 · Serves 8 counties
Fredericktown firm with a second office in Farmington, serving St. Francois, Madison, Ste. Genevieve, Washington, Iron, Reynolds, Bollinger, and Wayne counties. Handles probate, guardianships, and conservatorships, plus wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and Medicaid planning. Attorneys Michael W. Silvey, R. Scott Reid, and Nathaniel J. Bollinger; established 1947.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 4 more
- Office
- 135 E Main StFredericktown, MO 63645
Solo PracticeFestus, MO
Serves 7 counties
Festus practice of attorney Jackie Gonz, who opened her own practice in 1995 and serves Ste. Genevieve, Jefferson, Perry, St. Francois, Cape Girardeau, Madison, and Washington counties. The firm is led by divorce and child custody work and also lists estate planning and guardianship among the matters it handles. Evening and weekend appointments are available by request.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipFamily Law
- Office
- 386 Festus Centre DrFestus, MO 63028
FirmPoplar Bluff, MO
Since 1979 · Serves 10 counties
Poplar Bluff firm with roots in the city since 1979, serving Butler County and the Ozark Foothills towns of Doniphan, Van Buren, Piedmont and Ellington. Handles estate administration and probate alongside wills, trusts and powers of attorney. Partner Scott A. Robbins, in practice in Poplar Bluff since 1996, lists probate and estate planning among his practice areas.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawCriminal Defenseand 2 more
- Office
- 1165 Cherry StreetPoplar Bluff, MO 63901
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
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.
