Missouri Probate Learning Library
A free, step-by-step curriculum that takes you from "I know nothing about probate" to "I understand how this works." Guides, videos, and interactive tools — organized in the order you need them.
1.First Steps — "Someone Just Died, What Do I Do?"
Start here. These guides explain what probate is, when it is required, and whether your situation calls for it.
Understanding the Probate Process in Missouri: A Quick Overview
Unraveling the mysteries of the probate process can be challenging, especially amidst the pain of loss. Discover our comprehensive guide on understanding the...
When is Probate Required in Missouri?
Probate is usually required in Missouri when someone dies with assets titled only in their name and no beneficiary or joint owner. This guide explains the as...
What to Do When Your Spouse Dies in Missouri
If your spouse died in Missouri, probate may not be needed for everything. Start by checking how each asset is titled, whether it has a beneficiary, and whet...
Probate Decision Tool
Not sure whether you need probate? Use our free decision tool to find out in under two minutes.
Try It FreeSimplifying Missouri Probate: Start to Finish
Losing a loved one is hard enough. But now someone (usually a bank or mortgage company) has told you a piece of their property must go through probate. What ...
2.Time, Cost, and Whether You Need a Lawyer
Understand how long probate takes, what it costs, and when you can (or cannot) handle it yourself.
How Long Does Probate Take in Missouri? (6-12 Months)
Most full probate cases in Missouri take 6-12 months because creditors get a six-month claim period. Small estates can be faster. Learn the timeline, what sl...
How Much Does Probate Cost in Missouri?
Probate costs in Missouri can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands depending on estate size and complexity. Learn about court filing fees, a...
Probate Calculator
Estimate your probate costs based on estate size and case type.
Try It FreeDo I need a lawyer to go to probate in Missouri?
Facing the probate process in Missouri can be daunting. One of the first questions many ask is whether they need a lawyer or can handle it themselves. While ...
3.Your Role as Personal Representative
If you have been named executor or administrator, these guides explain your duties, liabilities, and rights.
Personal Representative, Executor, or Administrator: What's the Difference in Missouri Probate?
In Missouri probate, personal representative is the court's usual term. Executor and administrator are older, more familiar words for the same basic role. He...
What Does Being an Executor or Administrator in a Probate Case Really Mean: Responsibilities and Difficulties
Being an executor or administrator entails significant responsibilities, from initiating the probate process to managing assets, settling debts, and distribu...
Who Can File for Probate in Missouri? Understanding Your Rights and Options
Understanding who can file for probate in Missouri is essential for families handling a loved one’s estate. This comprehensive guide explores the eligibility...
Can an Out-of-State Executor Serve in Missouri Probate?
Missouri allows out-of-state executors and personal representatives. The main extra step is filing a designation of resident agent so someone in Missouri can...
Do Out-of-State Executors Have to Come to Missouri for Probate?
Out-of-state executors usually do not have to appear in person for Missouri probate, especially in independent administration. The court process can often be...
Missouri Executor Checklist
Stay on track with our step-by-step checklist of executor responsibilities.
Try It Free4.The Probate Process Step by Step
Walk through the major milestones of a Missouri probate case, from paying bills to closing the estate.
Paying a Deceased Person’s Bills in Missouri? Read This First
Losing a loved one brings emotional challenges, and understanding financial obligations can feel daunting. This blog post explores the question, “Am I ...
Understanding Missouri’s Probate Allowances: Protecting Spouses and Children
Navigating the probate process in Missouri can be overwhelming, especially when ensuring financial protections for surviving spouses and minor children. In t...
Do You Need Court Permission to Sell Property in Missouri Probate?
When a loved one passes away in Missouri, navigating the probate process can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to selling property. Understanding w...
Closing a Probate Estate in Missouri: A Step-by-Step Guide for Executors
Navigating the closure of an estate can be daunting for personal representatives and heirs in Missouri. This comprehensive guide walks you through the essent...
5.Handling Specific Assets
Houses, cars, bank accounts, personal property — each asset type has its own transfer process. Learn the details here.
How to Transfer Property After Death in Missouri: A Complete Guide
When someone dies in Missouri, their property must be transferred to heirs or beneficiaries. The process depends on the type of asset, how it was titled, and...
Transfer a House Title After Death in Missouri (3 Ways)
Navigating the process of transferring a house title after the owner dies in Missouri can feel overwhelming, especially for heirs, executors, and beneficiari...
How to Transfer a Car Title After Death in Missouri (2025)
Transferring a car title after the owner dies in Missouri can be a challenging process, but understanding the steps involved can make it manageable. This gui...
How to Claim a Deceased Loved One’s Bank Account in Missouri
Navigating the process of claiming a deceased loved one’s bank account in Missouri can be overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the main meth...
Handling Personal Property After Death in Missouri Probate
Navigating the complexities of personal property during probate in Missouri can be overwhelming for executors and beneficiaries. This guide covers essential ...
What Is a Medallion Signature Guarantee, and Do I Need One?
A medallion signature guarantee (MSG) is a unique tool used to protect the transfer of certain accounts and property from fraudulent transfers and may be req...
6.Avoiding or Simplifying Probate
In some cases you can skip or shorten the probate process entirely. These guides explain your options.
How to Avoid Probate in Missouri
Learn the most effective ways to avoid probate in Missouri, from beneficiary designations and joint ownership to revocable living trusts and transfer-on-deat...
Missouri Small Estate Affidavit Filing Tips for 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you navigating a loved one’s modest estate in Missouri? Filing a small estate affidavit can simplify the probate process, saving you time and stres...
How to File Probate Without a Lawyer in Missouri: A Step-by-Step Guide for Super Small Estates
Navigating Missouri’s probate system without hiring an attorney can be challenging, especially for small estates. This comprehensive guide explains how...
Missouri Beneficiary Deeds: A Complete Guide
A Missouri beneficiary deed lets you transfer real estate to a named beneficiary at death — without probate. Learn how they work under RSMo 461.025, their re...
Handling Jointly Owned Property with Right of Survivorship in Missouri
Discover how to handle jointly owned property with right of survivorship in Missouri. Learn the essential steps for recording an Affidavit of Death to ensure...
7.Special Situations
Not every estate is straightforward. These guides cover less common but important scenarios.
Dying Without a Will in Missouri: Intestacy Laws Explained
Discover what happens when someone dies without a will in Missouri. In this informative post, we explore the intricacies of intestate succession laws, the pr...
Missouri Probate: What Happens If an Heir Refuses to Sign Papers?
If an heir refuses to sign probate papers in Missouri, the estate must go through supervised probate—meaning greater court involvement, more paperwork, and i...
Severing Joint Ownership of Property
Severing Joint Ownership of Property One of the most common forms of property ownership in the United States is joint tenancy with rights of survivorship (JT...
What to Do When a Child Dies
The death of a minor child is one of the greatest shocks that life can deliver. No one can ever prepare for the cascade of challenges that will come with suc...
8.Avoiding Probate and Asset-Transfer Basics
Learn which assets usually bypass probate, which title arrangements create trouble later, and how prior planning affects the probate case after death.
The Relationship Between Probate and Estate Planning: How Wills and Trusts Affect the Probate Process
Discover the critical relationship between probate and estate planning with Schnurbusch Law. Get insights on how wills and trusts can affect the probate proc...
Electronic Wills and Estate Planning in Missouri
Missouri’s new Electronic Wills Act, effective August 2025, allows residents to create, sign, and store wills entirely online with the same legal validity as...
How to Own Your Real Estate
Real estate is more than just your primary residence. It can include other real estate such as a vacation home or a rental property. Depending upon the type ...
Seven Ways to Avoid Family Fights over Your Property
Ask a group of friends if they have experienced a family fight over property after a loved one has died, and you will be in for a lively and eye-opening conv...
Reviewing Your Estate Plan after the Death of a Loved One
The death of a loved one is never easy. Regardless of your relationship with the deceased (blood relative, life partner, or close friend), you need space and...
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