Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Newton 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 Newton 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.
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
FirmCarthage, MO
Since 1877 · Serves 14 counties
Carthage civil trial firm founded in 1877, the oldest law firm in Jasper County, practicing across southwest Missouri counties from Jasper to Greene and Bates. Opens and administers probate estates and tries contested probate and inheritance matters; partner Judy Moore guides families through trust administration, guardianship, and conservatorship.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 130 W 4th StCarthage, MO 64836
FirmNeosho, MO
Since 1940 · Serves 5 counties
Neosho firm serving Newton, McDonald, Jasper, Barry, and Lawrence counties in southwest Missouri, founded in 1940. Handles probate, wills and testamentary trusts, revocable living trusts, beneficiary deeds and other non-probate transfers, Missouri Asset Protection trusts, and guardianship and conservatorship matters. Consultations are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningConservatorshipand 5 more
- Office
- 116 W Main StNeosho, MO 64850
FirmMonett, MO
Serves 4 counties
Serves Lawrence, Barry, Newton, and Stone counties from Monett, with a second office in Aurora. Handles probate, guardianships and conservatorships, wills and trusts, property management, and estate tax matters. Three attorneys practice at the firm: James J. Randall III, Fares H. Masri, and James J. Randall IV.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipReal Estate
- Office
- 405 E Broadway StMonett, MO 65708
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
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.
