Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Phelps 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 Phelps 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.
FirmRolla, MO
Since 1930 · Serves 6 counties
Rolla firm on North Pine Street, with roots dating to 1930, serving Phelps, Pulaski, Dent, Texas, Crawford, and Maries counties. Guides personal representatives and trustees through probate and trust administration, filings, accountings, and estate claims, and litigates will contests and fiduciary disputes. Ownership passed to Emily Guffey, Carolyn Buschjost, and Lance Thurman in November 2024.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 6 more
- Office
- 901 N Pine St, 4th FloorRolla, MO 65401
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
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
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.
