Missouri Resources for Executors

If you die without a will in Missouri, your heirs must survive you by at least 120 hoursMo. Rev. Stat. § 474.015Verified Sep 10, 2026View source to inherit anything. This "survival period" exists to prevent property from passing through multiple estates in quick succession when family members die close together in time, such as in an accident.

Missouri sets probate attorney fees by law rather than leaving them to negotiation. Fees are calculated as a percentage of the estate's value, which means you can predict costs in advance—but also means there's little room to shop around for a better rate.

Missouri does not impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax, which means estates are only subject to the federal estate tax (currently exempting the first $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source per person, or $30,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source for married couples using portability). This is a meaningful advantage over the states that layer their own death taxes on top of the federal system.

Missouri provides a statutory homestead exemption protecting up to $15,000 in home equity from creditors. While not as strong as the constitutional protections in states like Texas or Florida, this still provides meaningful protection for the family home. Executors must publish a notice to creditors, who then have 6 monthsRSMo § 473.360Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to file claims against the estate.