Estate Planning & Probate in Washington County, Missouri
Most Washington County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Circuit Court - Probate Division.
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 Washington County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Washington County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Washington County→The Probate Process in Washington 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 Washington County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at Washington County Court Annex, 104 North Missouri Street, Potosi. The court sits in the 24th Judicial Circuit. The same 24th Judicial Circuit also serves Madison, St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve.
Full Washington Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Circuit Court - Probate Division
Washington County · 24th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Recorder of Deeds
Washington County · Recorder of Deeds · Jamie Miner
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
Local Procedures at the Circuit Court - Probate Division
Case records available electronically beginning March 30, 2015. Cases filed after November 6, 2000 receive JIS case numbers with format: year (2 digits) + case type (CV-civil, CR-criminal, PR-probate, etc.) + 6-digit sequential number.
Missouri Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Washington County.
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