Estate Planning for Perry County, Missouri Property Owners

For most Perry County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Perry County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The two tools that keep a Perry County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Perry County property passes through the Circuit Court - Probate Division — even simple Missouri probates run 6+ months and start with about $115 in filing fees. Missouri also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Perry County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Perry County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Recorder of Deeds during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Missouri beneficiary deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentRSMo 461.003 to 461.081Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathRSMo 461.003 to 461.081Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a MissouriTOD deed →Perry Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Perry County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds, led by Recorder of Deeds Dana Pritchard, at 15 W. Ste. Marie St, Suite 1, Perryville, MO 63775. Phone: 573-547-1611. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

The Recorder of Deeds charges $26 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page beneficiary deed in Perry County comes to $29. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Perry County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Recorder of Deeds

Perry County · Recorder of Deeds · Dana Pritchard

Address

15 W. Ste. Marie St, Suite 1Perryville, MO 63775

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$26
Each additional page$3
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

RSMo 59.310.6(1), 59.319, 59.321, 59.800, 50.1190

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Perry County

FirmCape Girardeau, MO

Birk Law Firm, LC

Serves 4 counties

Serves Cape Girardeau County plus Scott, Perry, and Bollinger counties in southeast Missouri. Guides personal representatives through probate — filing the will, Letters Testamentary, inventory, creditor claims, and distribution — in both supervised and independent administration, and handles farm and business succession. Kelvin Birk is both an attorney and a CPA, and consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate

Office
2851 Professional Court, Suite CCape Girardeau, MO 63703
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSainte Genevieve, MO

Huelskamp Law LLC

Serves 3 counties

Ste. Genevieve solo practice serving Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, and Perry counties. Robert D. Huelskamp handles estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, and real estate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
296 Market StSainte Genevieve, MO 63670

FirmSainte Genevieve, MO

Kreitler Law Firm, LLC

Serves 3 counties

Founded in Ste. Genevieve, with additional offices in Festus and Perryville reaching Jefferson and Perry counties. Handles trust and probate administration for families settling an estate, along with revocable trust planning, wills, powers of attorney, Medicaid planning, and business succession. James M. Kreitler directs the firm's estate planning practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawProbate AdministrationReal Estate

Office
545 Rozier StSainte Genevieve, MO 63670

FirmCape Girardeau, MO

Layton & Southard, LLC

Since 1972 · Serves 4 counties

Practices in the Cape Girardeau, Perry, and Scott county probate courts from offices in Cape Girardeau and Perryville. Handles probate and trust administration for families after a death, plus wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, and Medicaid planning for long-term care. John Layton and Stephen Southard have practiced here since 1972, and the initial consultation is free.

PracticesEstate PlanningMedicaid PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
2845 Professional CtCape Girardeau, MO 63703
Free consultation

FirmFarmington, MO

Marler Law Partners

Serves 9 counties

Serves St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Jefferson, Perry, and Cape Girardeau counties from Farmington, with a second office in St. Louis. Estate work runs from simple wills and beneficiary designations through revocable and irrevocable trusts, built around keeping the family out of probate court. Family law, LGBTQ+ family law, and mediation are the firm's other practice areas.

PracticesEstate PlanningWills Trusts

Office
406 E Karsch BlvdFarmington, MO 63640

FirmSpringfield, MO

The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC

Serves the whole state

Springfield law firm helping families understand Missouri probate laws. Experienced lawyers handle probate in many county courts throughout Missouri, guiding clients from opening estates to closing them.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawAsset ProtectionProbate Administration

Office
1546 E Bradford PkwySpringfield, MO 65804
Free consultation

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.

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