What to Do When Someone Dies in Pike County, Missouri

How probate works in Pike County: the Circuit Court - Probate Division record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Pike County Circuit Court - Probate Division

Pike County · 45th Judicial Circuit

Hours

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

Office

115 West Main Street, Room 24, Bowling Green, MO 63334

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

Required for attorneysAttorneys file probate cases through the statewide Missouri eFiling System. The original will is filed on paper with the probate division. On paper: Self-represented filers file on paper with the clerk; the eFiling system is open to Missouri attorneys and approved agency filers.

Self-represented filing

AllowedA self-represented filer who is not a Missouri attorney files original documents on paper with the clerk, under 45th Circuit Local Rule 72.1, at the Civil and Probate Division in Room 24.

Accepted payment

  • At the counterCredit card.The Circuit Clerk's office accepts credit cards for court costs through a third-party vendor. The office can be called for other payment details.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Pike County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Pike County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 115 West Main Street, Room 24, Bowling Green. The court sits in the 45th Judicial Circuit. Pike County shares the 45th Judicial Circuit with Lincoln.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Missouri intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Missouri estates take 12 months to 18 months to move through this process. Creditors have 6 monthsRSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.

What Probate Costs in Pike County

What probate costs in Pike County, Missouri comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 115 West Main Street, Room 24, Bowling Green. The court is part of the 45th Judicial Circuit.

Procedures at this court that affect cost: Settlements are e-filed with the vouchers and cancelled checks attached, numbered in the order of the disbursements and showing front and back.

Missouri's letters fee is tiered on the final inventory value: $115 up to $50,000, then $50 for each further $50,000, capped at $565 at $500,000 and above, and it includes one certified copy of the letters. Admitting a will adds $35, and each extra year the estate stays open adds $30. Counties add local surcharges at filingMo. Sup. Ct. Op. R. 21.01(a)(12)-(13); RSMo §§ 488.012, 483.580Verified Oct 17, 2026View source. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Missouri sets attorney fees by statute — a percentage of the estate's gross value. Every attorney charges the same schedule, so the decision to hire one comes down to complexity, not price.

Missouri sets executor compensation by statute — about $14,050 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.8%RSMo § 473.153(1) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M, on personal property administered and court-ordered real estate sales)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Missouri requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under RSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Missouri typically runs 12 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division

Probate cases in Pike County, Missouri are filed at the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The court sits in the 45th Judicial Circuit.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Criminal Division.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Missouri has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableRSMo §§ 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), 473.073 (clerk or court admits the will and grants letters), 473.047 (judge or clerk grants a certificate of probate), 473.065 (self-proved will)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Pike County Self-Filing Assessment.

Pike County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Document Requirements

After a will or codicil is e-filed, the original is filed in person with the probate division within five business days.

The estate does not move forward until the original will or codicil is on file. The same five-day rule applies to the original commissions and testimonials of subscribing witnesses.

Source

Every decedent's estate filing, including an application for letters, a small estate affidavit, a refusal of letters and a petition to determine heirship, includes a copy of the death certificate.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Circuit Court - Probate Division: Copy of the death certificate; Original will and any codicils, delivered to the probate division after death (RSMo 473.043); OSCA: "the Original Will must be filed with Probate (RSMo 473.043) before Letters will be granted"; Application for Letters Testamentary / of Administration stating decedent, heirs/devisees, probable value of the estate, the attorney for the applicant, and whether supervised or independent administration is sought (RSMo 473.017.1(1)-(10)); Bond, unless waived by the will or excused by the court (RSMo 473.157, 473.160)RSMo 473.017 (application for letters - content); 473.020 (who may apply / time limits); 473.023 (court or clerk to grant letters); 473.073 (proof required for probate and grant of administration); 473.110 (priority for letters); 473.780-.843 (independent administration)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Coroner in Pike County

In Missouri a death is registered locally, and in Pike County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Pike County Health Department as well as by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital Records.

Vital Records Office Record

Local Health Department

Pike County · Pike County Health Department

Hours

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

Office

1 Healthcare Place, Bowling Green, MO 63334

Fax

1-573-324-3057

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Coroner

Pike County · Pike County Coroner

Office

115 West Main Street, Bowling Green, MO 63334

Mail and offices

Fax

1-573-294-2702

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Pike County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Recorder of Deeds.

Deeds and other real property documents for Pike County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds at 115 West Main Street, Bowling Green, MO 63334. Phone: 1-573-324-5567. 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.

Pike County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Recorder of Deeds

Pike County

Hours

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

Office

115 West Main Street, Bowling Green, MO 63334

E-recording

available via CSC

Fees

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$26
Each additional page$3
Transfer tax on a TOD deedNo transfer tax applies to TOD deeds

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

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Pike County

Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Pike 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 Pike 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.

FirmHannibal, MO

Wasinger Parham, L.C.

Since 1974 · Serves 13 counties

Serves northeast Missouri and west central Illinois from Hannibal, practicing in thirteen Missouri counties including Marion, Ralls, Pike, Monroe, and Shelby. Handles probate estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships for minors, the elderly, and people with disabilities, and will and trust litigation. Six attorneys practice at the firm, founded in 1974.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 5 more

Office
2801 St MarysHannibal, MO 63401

FirmOsage Beach, MO

Martin, Birdsong & Andreasen, Attorneys at Law

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
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmSpringfield, MO

The Piatchek Law Firm, LLC

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

Renken Law Firm

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

FirmColumbia, MO

Simmons, Henderson & Associates LLC

Serves the whole state

Columbia firm serving clients throughout Missouri. Handles probate decedent estates from small estates to full administration, administers trusts after a death, and litigates will and trust contests, breach of fiduciary duty, accountings, and removal of fiduciaries. Also handles guardianships, conservatorships, and special needs planning; new probate clients get a complimentary consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 8 more

Office
1109 Club Village Dr, Suite 101Columbia, MO 65203
Free consultation

Solo PracticeJefferson City, MO

Law Office of Todd Miller, LLC

Serves the whole state

Jefferson City practice of attorney Todd Miller, who serves clients across Missouri and has handled probate and estate disputes in more than 30 counties. Guides personal representatives through petitions, creditor payments, distributions, and court deadlines, and represents heirs in will contests and beneficiary disputes. Also handles Medicaid planning, guardianships, and conservatorships.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more

Office
1305 Southwest Blvd, Suite AJefferson City, MO 65109

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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Legal Sources

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Data sourced from Missouri statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Missouri

Free tools for settling an estate in Missouri: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Missouri.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Missouri: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsRSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.

See the Steps

How Do I Settle a Trust?

Settling a trust in Missouri happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMo. Rev. Stat. § 456.1-101 et seq. (Missouri Uniform Trust Code)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 120 daysRSMo §§ 456.8-813, 456.10-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

Missouri has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableRSMo §§ 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), 473.073 (clerk or court admits the will and grants letters), 473.047 (judge or clerk grants a certificate of probate), 473.065 (self-proved will)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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