Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Platte 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 Platte 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.
FirmKansas City, MO
Serves 4 counties
Main office on Madison Avenue in Kansas City with a by-appointment Lenexa, Kansas office, serving Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties. Works with executors on valuing assets, creditor claims, unclear wills, heir disputes, and contested estates, plus guardianships and conservatorships. Founded by Stacey Janssen; Jeremy Keel also practices with the firm.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 4 more
- Office
- 4505 Madison Ave, Suite 230Kansas City, MO 64111
FirmLiberty, MO
Serves 15 counties
Liberty elder law firm handling probate for families whose loved one lived in Kansas City, Liberty, Gladstone, Parkville, or anywhere in Clay or Platte counties. Guides executors through small-estate and full administration, intestate estates, and determinations of heirship. Cassie M. Rocha, Kara T. Burgess, and Tessa R. Carr also handle Medicaid and nursing home planning.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planning
- Office
- 1508 NE 96th St, Suite DLiberty, MO 64068
Solo PracticeSt. Joseph, MO
Since 2000 · Serves 9 counties
Serves Buchanan County and western Missouri from St. Joseph. Represents personal representatives and family members through estate administration and probate litigation, including will contests, and drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Offers a free initial consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationBusiness LawFamily Law
- Office
- 400 Jules St, Suite 345St. Joseph, MO 64501
FirmPlattsburg, MO
Since 2008 · Serves 9 counties
Clinton County firm with offices in Plattsburg and Lathrop, representing clients across northwest Missouri including DeKalb, Andrew, Buchanan, Caldwell and Daviess counties. Helps families administer trusts and estates, including the estate of a deceased parent, and drafts wills and trusts. Also handles estate and succession planning for family farm, business and real estate holdings.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness LawReal Estate
- Office
- 119 N. Main StPlattsburg, MO 64477
FirmLexington, MO
Since 1951 · Serves 9 counties
Sits across the street from the historic Lafayette County Court House in Lexington and has practiced there since 1951, now in its third generation with Gary R. Bradley and Douglas R. Bradley. Handles wills, trusts, probate, and trust and estate litigation, and takes on step-family real estate disputes that surface while an estate is going through probate. A second office operates in Kansas City.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 2 more
- Office
- 105 S 10th StLexington, MO 64067
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.
