Estate Planning & Probate in Ray County, Missouri
Ray County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Ray County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Ray County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Ray County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Ray County→The Probate Process in Ray 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 Ray County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 100 West Main Street, Room 11, Richmond. The court sits in the 8th Judicial Circuit. The same 8th Judicial Circuit also serves Carroll.
Full Ray Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court - Probate Division
Ray County · 8th Judicial Circuit
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Recorder of Deeds
Ray County · Recorder of Deeds · Rhonda Kinnison
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$26 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $29; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 7, 2026 · Source
Missouri Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Ray County.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
