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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Missouri

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Missouri?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Missouri. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Missouri is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.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 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Missouri has statutory probate fees calculated as a percentage of the gross estate value, which includes personal property.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 Reporting accurate fair market values instead of purchase prices directly reduces attorney and executor fees. Use the Missouri probate calculator to see the fee impact.

Estates with personal property under $40,000 in Missouri may qualify for Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full 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 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Missouri probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Missouri probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.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

Total probate costs in Missouri include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Missouri probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Missouri. The Missouri probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Missouri

Because Missouri uses 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; court may award more for extraordinary services). Per § 473.153(1) the base is personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded.Verified Jun 1, 2026 probate fees, every dollar of reported personal property value increases attorney and executor costs. Accurate fair market valuations — typically 50-90% below purchase price for household items — can produce meaningful savings.

Estates with personal property under $40,000§ 473.097Verified Jun 1, 2026 in Missouri may qualify for simplified procedures that avoid formal probate. Accurate valuation can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the probate need checker.

Beyond the $250RSMo § 488.012(3)(16),(17),(20); COR 021.01(a)(12),(14),(17)Verified Jun 1, 2026 court filing fee, Missouri probate costs include attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication expenses — all influenced by estate value. See a full estimate with the probate calculator.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated June 1, 2026

Legal Sources

  • § 473.097
  • 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; court may award more for extraordinary services). Per § 473.153(1) the base is personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded.
  • RSMo § 488.012(3)(16),(17),(20); COR 021.01(a)(12),(14),(17)

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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Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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