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Home→Tools→Estate Settlement Checklist→Missouri

How Do I Settle an Estate in Missouri?

Generate a personalized checklist of steps to settle an estate. A few questions about the situation produce a full process plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Settling an estate in Missouri involves gathering assets, notifying creditors, paying debts, and distributing property to beneficiaries. Estates with a living trust typically settle within 6-12 months without court involvement. Estates requiring probate take 12-18 months on average, with a minimum 6-month creditor claim period.RSMo § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jun 1, 2026

Missouri allows estates valued at $40,000 or less to use a Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids formal probate.RSMo § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jun 1, 2026 The waiting period is 30 days after death.

Creditors in Missouri have 6 months to file claims against the estate after proper notice is published.RSMo § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jun 1, 2026 The executor or personal representative must publish notice in a local newspaper and may also need to send direct notice to known creditors. No final distribution should occur until this period expires.

Missouri typically requires a probate bond, but it can be waived if specified in the will.RSMo § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jun 1, 2026 The bond protects beneficiaries and creditors from executor mismanagement. Bond premiums typically cost approximately 0.5% of the estate value annually.

In Missouri, simple estates typically settle in 6-12 months. Average estates take 12-18 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets can take 18-36 months or longer.RSMo § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.090 (refusal of letters), § 473.097 (small estate), § 473.153 (fees; § 473.153(1) base = personal property administered + court-ordered real property sale proceeds), § 473.157 (bond), § 473.160 (bond waiver), § 473.233 (inventory deadline), § 473.360 (creditor claims), § 473.780 (independent administration), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)Verified Jun 1, 2026

An executor (or personal representative) in Missouri is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The specific duties depend on whether the estate goes through formal probate or qualifies for simplified procedures. See the Missouri executor checklist for a step-by-step guide.

Estate settlement costs in Missouri include court filing fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and potentially a probate bond. Total costs generally range from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. Use the Missouri probate calculator for a detailed cost estimate.

Settling an Estate in Missouri

The first step in settling an estate in Missouri is evaluating the estate's size and how assets are titled. Estates under $40,000§ 473.097Verified Jun 1, 2026 may bypass formal probate entirely. Trust-held assets transfer outside probate regardless of value.

Creditors in Missouri have 6 monthsRSMo § 473.360Verified Jun 1, 2026 to file claims after notice is published. This claim period sets a minimum timeline for estate settlement. Simple estates typically close in 6 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified Jun 1, 2026 to 12 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified Jun 1, 2026, while contested or complex estates take longer.

The executor or personal representative in Missouri manages all estate affairs during the settlement period. Bond requirement: YesRSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)Verified Jun 1, 2026. A bond waiver in the will eliminates this expense. The Missouri executor checklist details each responsibility.

Total settlement costs depend on estate size, complexity, and whether disputes arise. Attorney fees, executor compensation, court filing fees, and publication costs typically total 3-8% of estate value. A revocable living trust bypasses this entire process — assets transfer privately without court involvement.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated June 1, 2026

Legal Sources

  • § 473.097
  • RSMo § 473.050
  • RSMo § 473.360
  • RSMo §§ 473.157 (requirement), 473.160 (waiver by will)

Data sourced from Missouri statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Missouri Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Missouri probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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This checklist provides general guidance for estate settlement. Requirements vary by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

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