Should You Get a Trust or a Will in Missouri?

Missouri probate fees follow a statutory schedule calculated as a percentage of the gross estate.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 Jul 14, 2026 On a $500,000 estate, combined attorney, executor, and court fees total about $31,315. A revocable trust has a one-time setup cost and no probate fees. See a detailed breakdown with the Missouri probate calculator.

No. A will must go through probate in Missouri. However, estates with personal property under $40,000 may qualify for Small Estate Affidavit, which is faster and less expensive than full probate.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)Verified Jul 14, 2026

Simple estates in Missouri typically take 6-12 months through probate. Complex or contested estates 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)Verified Jul 14, 2026 A revocable trust avoids probate entirely; trust administration typically runs 4-6 months.

Yes. A will becomes a public court record once it enters probate in Missouri. A revocable trust is a private document that does not go through probate, so the terms, beneficiaries, and asset details remain confidential.

Use the Missouri probate calculator to estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and the probate timeline.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)Verified Jul 14, 2026

Whether a trust is cost-effective depends on estate size, property types, and Missouri's probate costs. The Missouri trust need assessment evaluates these factors against your specific situation.