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Home→Tools→Probate Calculator→Missouri

How Much Does Probate Cost in Missouri?

Use our free calculator to estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Probate costs in Missouri typically include attorney fees (set by state statute), executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs.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 May 14, 2026 Total costs generally range from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. Use the executor fee calculator to estimate executor compensation separately.

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 May 14, 2026 The waiting period is 30 days after death. Check eligibility with the Missouri probate need checker.

In Missouri, simple estates typically take 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 May 14, 2026 The 6-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.

Yes. Missouri has a statutory attorney fee schedule for probate.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 May 14, 2026 Attorneys and clients may agree to different arrangements, but the statutory schedule provides a baseline.

Missouri has a statutory fee schedule for executor compensation.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; court may award more for extraordinary services). Schedule is computed on personal property administered plus proceeds of court-ordered real property sales; unsold real property is excluded from the base.Verified May 14, 2026 Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the Missouri executor fee calculator.

Probate Costs in Missouri

Understanding probate costs in Missouri is the first step in estate planning. Fees, timelines, and court requirements vary significantly from other states, so a Missouri-specific estimate matters. Compare probate with trust-based planning using the trust vs. will tool.

Missouri sets probate attorney fees by statute — the fee type is 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 May 14, 2026. This provides predictability but can result in higher fees for large, straightforward estates. Executor compensation follows a separate compensation standard.

Missouri offers a small estate shortcut for estates valued under $40,000§ 473.097Verified May 14, 2026. After a 30 days§ 473.097Verified May 14, 2026 waiting period, heirs can collect assets without opening a probate case.

Simple estates in Missouri typically close in 6 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified May 14, 2026 to 12 monthsRSMo § 473.050Verified May 14, 2026. A revocable living trust bypasses probate entirely — assets transfer privately, typically within weeks.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 14, 2026

Legal Sources

  • § 473.097
  • RSMo § 473.050
  • 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.

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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