Springfield practice representing clients in Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk, Dallas, Lawrence, Laclede, and Ozark counties. Handles full probate administration, small estate affidavits, creditor and spousal refusal of letters, determination of heirship, and adult and minor guardianship and conservatorship. Evening and weekend appointments can be arranged.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Webster County, Missouri
How probate works in Webster County: the Circuit Court - Probate Division record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Webster County Circuit Court - Probate Division
Webster County · 30th Judicial Circuit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
101 South Crittenden Street, Room 22, Marshfield, MO 65706
Website
E-filing
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
AllowedMissouri publishes statewide probate forms for small estate affidavits, refusal of letters and the surviving spouse's election. Court clerks may be able to help complete these forms, and the local clerk's office says which ones.
Accepted payment
- At the counterThe circuit clerk's office no longer takes personal checks.
County forms
- Webster County circuit clerk filing feesThe circuit clerk's fee list, including small estates, full estates with and without a will, refusals of letters and heirship.
Fax
1-417-859-6265
Departments
- Domestic and Civil1-417-859-2006
About the court
- Part of the 30th Judicial Circuit serving Dallas, Hickory, Polk and Webster Counties. Probate shares the circuit clerk's criminal and traffic line, and domestic and civil matters have their own line.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Webster 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 Webster County, probate runs through the Circuit Court - Probate Division at 101 South Crittenden Street, Room 22, Marshfield. The court sits in the 30th Judicial Circuit. The same 30th Judicial Circuit also serves Dallas, Hickory and Polk.
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 Webster County
What probate costs in Webster 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 101 South Crittenden Street, Room 22, Marshfield. The court is part of the 30th Judicial Circuit.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: Vouchers, receipts and bank statements supporting a settlement are filed as separate paper documents, not as attachments.
The Circuit Court - Probate Division charges $115 - $565 (based on estate value)Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. R. 21.01(a)(12)-(13); RSMo §§ 488.012, 483.580Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. 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 Webster County, Missouri are filed at the Circuit Court - Probate Division. The court sits in the 30th Judicial Circuit.
Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Domestic and Civil.
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 Webster County Self-Filing Assessment.
Webster 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
A decedent's estate starts with a copy of the death certificate and the original will, and a completed filing information sheet comes with every new case.
Until the death certificate is available, the court may accept a death registration, obituary or funeral bill to begin. A creditor may open the case without the certificate, but no letters issue until it is filed.
SourceWhat 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 Webster County
In Missouri a death is registered locally, and in Webster County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Webster County Health Unit as well as by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services - Bureau of Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Webster County · Webster County Health Unit
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
233 East Washington Street, Marshfield, MO 65706
Website
Fax
1-417-859-6192
Local rule
- Payment is by cash or check. A third party may need additional paperwork and proof of a legal need.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $14 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $11 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Webster County · Webster County Coroner's Office
Phone
Website
Mail and offices
Webster County Coroner's Office
P.O. Box 218
Marshfield, MO 65706
Fax
1-417-859-4270
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Webster 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 Webster County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds at 101 North Crittenden Street, Room 16, Marshfield, MO 65706. Phone: 1-417-859-5882. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 546, Marshfield, MO 65706.
The Recorder of Deeds charges $26 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.
Webster County accepts electronic recording through CSC.
Recording Office Record
Recorder of Deeds
Webster County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
101 North Crittenden Street, Room 16, Marshfield, MO 65706
E-recording
available via CSC
P.O. Box 546
Marshfield, MO 65706
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $26 |
| Each additional page | $3 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No 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
- Free forms: Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Webster County
Missouri allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Webster 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 Webster 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.
Serves southwest Missouri from Springfield and nine more offices, from Bolivar and Lebanon to Branson and Joplin. Handles probate after a death (validating the will, paying debts and final expenses, distributing to heirs), guardianship and conservatorship, special needs planning, Medicaid coverage, and elder abuse matters. Lori Rook is managing attorney; the first consultation is free.
Branson practice serving Taney, Stone, Christian, and Webster counties in the Tri-Lakes region of southwest Missouri. Attorney Rudy A. Arambulo handles probate cases, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, guardianships, and planning for taxes and postmortem expenses. Arambulo is fluent in Spanish.
Lebanon firm practicing in Laclede, Pulaski, Webster, Camden, Dallas, and Wright counties. Helps families with probate and the disposition of property after a loss, estate and probate litigation, and guardianships for adults and minor children, alongside trusts, wills, and probate-avoidance planning. Tom O'Neil has practiced in Lebanon since 1972 and Bob O'Neil since 2002.
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.
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.
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.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. R. 21.01(a)(12)-(13); RSMo §§ 488.012, 483.580
- 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)
- RSMo §§ 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)
- RSMo §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.380, 473.397, 473.403, 473.444
- 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)
- RSMo 59.310.6(1), 59.319, 59.321, 59.800, 50.1190
- Webster County Circuit Court - Probate Division, official page
- Webster County Recorder of Deeds, official page
- Webster County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
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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