What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Missouri?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Missouri estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Missouri is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Missouri requires a formal appraisal of estate propertyRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
No. An executor in Missouri can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Missouri, the executor files the estate inventory within 30 daysRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Missouri requires a supplemental inventory for assets discovered laterRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Missouri, estates valued at $40,000RSMo § 473.097Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less use the Small Estate AffidavitRSMo § 473.097Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysRSMo § 473.097Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate. An inventory at fair market value is what decides whether the estate falls under the line.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Missouri requires a formal appraisal of estate propertyRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Missouri
Free forms for settling an estate in Missouri: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Renunciation of Executor
In Missouri, a person named as executor may renounce the right to serveRSMo 473.113Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Missouri, heirs put their identity on the land records with an affidavit of heirship recorded with the countyRSMo 490.370; RSMo 301.682; RSMo 474.250; RSMo 473.663Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is admissible as evidence of the facts stated.
Estate Inventory
In Missouri, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysRSMo §§ 473.233, 473.240Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Missouri, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsRSMo § 473.840.6; § 473.837; § 473.660Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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 inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
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; where reasonable compensation exceeds the minimum the court shall allow additional compensation — extraordinary services not required). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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 the clerk thereof ... shall grant letters testamentary and of administration"), 473.073 (clerk or court admits the will to probate and grants letters on the application), 473.047 (judge or clerk may immediately receive the proof and grant a certificate of probate), 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Missouri, the Probate Division of the Circuit Court appoints the personal representative and the Probate division of the circuit court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableRSMo §§ 473.023 (court "or the clerk thereof ... shall grant letters testamentary and of administration"), 473.073 (clerk or court admits the will to probate and grants letters on the application), 473.047 (judge or clerk may immediately receive the proof and grant a certificate of probate), 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Missouri, creditors have 6 monthsRSMo § 473.360Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Missouri pays the claims in 10RSMo § 473.397Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Missouri costs an estimated $28,815RSMo § 473.153(3) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; where reasonable compensation exceeds the minimum the court shall allow additional compensation — extraordinary services not required). Per § 473.153(1) the base is personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law)RSMo § 473.153(3) (statutory minimum: 5% first $5K, 4% next $20K, 3% next $75K, 2.75% next $300K, 2.5% next $600K, 2% over $1M; where reasonable compensation exceeds the minimum the court shall allow additional compensation — extraordinary services not required). Per § 473.153(1) the base is personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded.Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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Missouri Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Missouri probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.