Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Pettis 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 Pettis 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.
Solo PracticeSedalia, MO
Serves 1 county
Sedalia solo practice on South Ohio Avenue in Pettis County, where Randy K. Sparks has lived and practiced since 1984. Files probate estates both under wills and under Missouri intestate law, including expedited small administrations, and prepares wills, trusts, living wills, durable powers of attorney, and beneficiary deeds. Initial consultations are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawReal Estate
- Office
- 414 S OhioSedalia, MO 65301
FirmJefferson City, MO
Since 1975 · Serves 14 counties
Serves Cole, Boone, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, Camden, and Gasconade counties from Jefferson City. Represents personal representatives and beneficiaries in probate estates, advises trustees through trust administration, and handles smaller estates by small-estate affidavit or refusal of letters. Appointments can be scheduled in-office, by telephone, or by video conference.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 312 E Capitol AveJefferson City, MO 65101
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
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
FirmJefferson City, MO
Serves 13 counties
Jefferson City firm handling probate and trust administration across 13 mid-Missouri counties, from Cole and Boone to Phelps and Pettis. Advises trustees and personal representatives on their duties, appoints guardians and conservators, and prosecutes and defends estate litigation to recover misappropriated assets, including challenges to a will or trust and disputes between heirs.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 601 Monroe St, Suite 301Jefferson City, MO 65101
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.
