What are the total probate costs in Missouri?

Probate costs in Missouri typically include attorney fees (set by state statute), executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs (RSMo § 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), § 473.047 (judge or clerk grants certificate of probate), § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof), § 473.073 (clerk or court admits will and grants letters), § 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), § 473.823 (independent-administration compensation), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)). On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $31,315 — roughly 6% of estate value — varying with complexity.

What is the small estate limit in Missouri?

Missouri allows estates valued at $40,000 or less to use the Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full probate administration (RSMo § 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), § 473.047 (judge or clerk grants certificate of probate), § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof), § 473.073 (clerk or court admits will and grants letters), § 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), § 473.823 (independent-administration compensation), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)). In Missouri the affidavit is filed with the court, and holders honor it once filed — but no personal representative is appointed and no letters issue. The waiting period is 30 days after death.

What is the probate timeline in Missouri?

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 § 473.023 (court or clerk grants letters), § 473.047 (judge or clerk grants certificate of probate), § 473.050 (will presentment), § 473.065 (self-proved will probated without further proof), § 473.073 (clerk or court admits will and grants letters), § 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), § 473.823 (independent-administration compensation), § 483.530 (probate division court costs), § 488.012 (uniform court cost surcharges)). The 6-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.

Is there a probate attorney fee calculator for Missouri?

Yes — the calculator above estimates Missouri probate attorney fees from the estate value. Missouri sets probate attorney fees by statute — a schedule tied to the estate value (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.). It shows the attorney fee alongside executor fees, court filing fees, and the total probate cost.

What is the executor compensation in Missouri?

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; 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.). Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.

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.

Past the estimate? Run the whole probate, start to finish.

State

Estate Value

Real Estate

Bank Accounts

Investments & Brokerage

Other Assets

Vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, etc.

Debts & Liabilities

Mortgages, credit cards, loans, etc.

Assets Passing Outside Probate

Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.

Enter estate details

Select your state and enter an estate value to see a detailed cost estimate.

Quick examples:

Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Probate costs in Missouri typically include attorney fees (set by state statute), executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $31,315 — roughly 6% of estate value — varying with complexity. Use the executor fee calculator to estimate executor compensation separately.

Missouri allows estates valued at $40,000 or less to use the Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full probate administration. In Missouri the affidavit is filed with the court, and holders honor it once filed — but no personal representative is appointed and no letters issue. 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. The 6-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline.

Yes — the calculator above estimates Missouri probate attorney fees from the estate value. Missouri sets probate attorney fees by statute — a schedule tied to the estate value. It shows the attorney fee alongside executor fees, court filing fees, and the total probate cost.

Missouri has a statutory fee schedule for executor compensation. 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). 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. After a 30 days waiting period, heirs can collect assets without opening a probate case.

Simple estates in Missouri typically close in 6 months to 12 months. A revocable living trust bypasses probate entirely — assets transfer privately, typically within weeks.