How Much Does Probate Cost in Missouri?

One of the first questions families ask after losing a loved one is: "How much is all of this going to cost?" It is a fair question. Missouri probate involves several categories of expense, and the total can vary significantly based on the size of the estate, whether disputes arise, and the county where the case is filed.

This guide breaks down every major cost category so you can plan ahead and make informed decisions. For a broader overview of how the process works, see our complete guide to Missouri probate.

Court Filing Fees

Every probate case begins with filing a petition at the circuit court in the county where the deceased person lived. Filing fees in Missouri vary by county, but most fall in the $50 to $300 range.

Filing fees change by county and by case type. A small estate affidavit, a determination of heirship, and a full administration do not always cost the same to open. The court may also charge separate fees later for things like certified copies, motions, accountings, or the petition to close.

If you are comparing counties, be careful with old fee schedules you find online. Call the clerk or check the court's current information before relying on a number. The filing fee is usually not the expensive part of probate, but it is one of the first costs the family sees.

You can find contact information and filing details for your county on our county probate resources page.

Attorney Fees and Personal Representative Compensation

Attorney fees and personal representative (PR) compensation are typically the two largest expenses in a Missouri probate case. Under RSMo 473.153, Missouri sets the same statutory fee schedule for both — meaning the attorney and the personal representative each receive compensation calculated from the same percentage table. The schedule is based on the value of personal property administered and proceeds from real property sales:

Estate Value	Rate (applies to both attorney and PR)
First $5,000	5%
Next $20,000	4%
Next $75,000	3%
Next $300,000	2.75%
Next $600,000	2.5%
Over $1,000,000	2%

In other words, this fee schedule can apply twice — once for the attorney and once for the personal representative. On a $250,000 estate, the statutory fee for the attorney would be approximately $6,200, and the personal representative may also be entitled to up to $6,200. The exact fee treatment depends on the work performed, the fee agreement, the type of administration, and what the court approves.

Attorney Fee Alternatives

While the statutory schedule sets the baseline for full administration cases, many probate attorneys also offer alternative fee structures:

• Flat fee: Common for straightforward estates. Flat fees generally range from $2,000 to $5,000 for simple cases and $5,000 to $15,000+ for more complex ones.
• Hourly rate: Rates for experienced probate attorneys in Missouri typically range from $200 to $400 per hour. Total costs depend on how much time the case requires.

An experienced probate attorney can often save the estate money by avoiding delays, properly handling creditor claims, and minimizing the chance of disputes. For more on whether you need legal representation, see our article on whether you need a lawyer for probate.

How Schnurbusch Law Charges

At our firm, we use a hybrid fee model for most probate cases: we charge the higher of the statutory fee or a flat rate. This gives clients cost certainty on smaller estates (where the flat rate applies) while following the statutory schedule on larger ones. In certain situations — such as supervised full administration — we charge on an hourly basis instead, since the additional court involvement makes the timeline and workload less predictable. Try our probate cost calculator for a quick estimate, or contact us to discuss your specific situation.

Personal Representative: Can You Waive Your Fee?

Yes — personal representatives can choose to waive their compensation, and many family members do, especially in smaller estates. However, if the work is substantial, the PR is entitled to be paid for their time. To understand everything the role involves, read our guide on what being an executor really means.

Bond Costs

Missouri courts often require the personal representative to post a surety bond, which protects the estate's beneficiaries from potential mismanagement. The bond amount is typically set to the value of the estate's personal property.

Bond premiums generally run 0.5% to 1% of the bond amount per year. On a $200,000 bond, that translates to roughly $1,000 to $2,000 annually for the duration of the probate.

The will can waive the bond requirement, which is one reason having a well-drafted estate plan matters. If bond is waived in the will, this cost is eliminated entirely.

Appraisal and Accounting Fees

Certain estate assets need professional appraisals, particularly:

• Real estate — a formal appraisal typically costs $300 to $600 per property
• Business interests — valuations can range from $1,000 to $10,000+ depending on complexity
• Specialty personal property — antiques, artwork, or collections may require specialized appraisers

The personal representative must also file periodic accountings with the court. If a CPA prepares tax returns or handles estate accounting, expect to pay $500 to $2,000+ depending on the estate's complexity.

Publication Costs

Missouri law requires the personal representative to publish a notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the probate is filed. This notice must run for a specified period to give unknown creditors the opportunity to file claims.

Publication costs range from $65 to over $600, depending on the county. Counterintuitively, more rural counties tend to be significantly more expensive than urban ones — rural newspapers often have higher per-line rates due to smaller circulation and less competition.

What usually changes the total cost

The estate value matters, but it is not the only thing that drives cost. In practice, these issues often matter just as much:

• Real estate. A house may require insurance, utilities, cleanout work, appraisals, repairs, sale approval, or coordination with a realtor.
• Missing information. If no one has a full list of bank accounts, debts, heirs, or beneficiary designations, the opening phase takes longer.
• Creditor claims. Valid debts need to be reviewed and paid. Disputed or questionable claims take more work.
• Family cooperation. A cooperative family can move faster. Unresponsive heirs, unsigned consents, or conflict can slow even a modest estate.
• Court supervision. Supervised administration usually requires more filings and court involvement than independent administration.

Total cost estimates

Here is a rough planning range for different estate sizes:

Estate Type	Estimated Value	Approximate Total Cost
Small estate	Under $40,000	$2,000–$3,000 (with attorney via small estate affidavit)
Moderate estate	$40,000–$500,000	$3,000–$12,000
Large or complex estate	$500,000+	$10,000–$30,000+

In some rural and suburban Missouri counties, clients are allowed to file a small estate affidavit without an attorney — in those cases, the cost may be as low as the court filing fee alone. However, many urban counties — including St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Jackson County — require an attorney even for small estate filings.

These ranges assume no major disputes among heirs or complex litigation. Contested probates can cost significantly more.

Use our free probate calculator to get a more personalized estimate based on your specific situation.

Ways to Reduce Probate Costs

There are several strategies to keep costs manageable:

1. Use the Small Estate Affidavit

If the estate's total probate assets are $40,000 or less, you may be able to skip formal probate entirely by filing a small estate affidavit under RSMo 473.097. This dramatically reduces both time and cost. Learn more in our Missouri small estate affidavit guide.

2. Avoid Probate Altogether

Many assets can be structured to bypass probate completely through beneficiary designations, transfer-on-death deeds, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, or revocable trusts. Our guide on how to avoid probate in Missouri covers every available method.

3. Request Independent Administration

Missouri allows "independent administration," which reduces court oversight and the number of required filings. This can lower both attorney fees and court costs.

4. Waive Bond in the Will

Including a bond waiver in the will eliminates an ongoing annual expense that can add up over the course of a probate case that lasts several months to over a year.

5. Stay Organized

Keeping thorough records and responding promptly to court requirements reduces the number of billable hours your attorney needs to spend. Our Missouri executor checklist can help you stay on track.

The Bottom Line

Probate costs in Missouri are real, but they are also predictable and manageable when you understand what to expect. For a complete picture of how costs relate to each phase of the process, our Probate Learning Library walks you through every stage with articles, tools, and videos. The key is getting the right probate path at the beginning. A small estate affidavit, full administration, determination of heirship, or refusal of letters can produce very different costs.

If you are facing a probate case and want to understand the likely cost for your specific situation, contact Schnurbusch Law for a consultation. We help Missouri families sort out the probate path, the court filings, and the practical work needed to close the estate.

For a step-by-step look at what happens after all costs are paid and the estate is ready to wrap up, see our guide on closing a probate estate in Missouri.