Probate cost in Missouri
In Missouri, estates up to $40,000 can often skip full probate. For a $300,000 estate, the court fee is $365 and state law puts the attorney fee at $8,800.
Missouri's small estate limit is $40,000. Above it, the estate usually goes through probate.
- Court fee to open probate source$365
- Attorney fee sourceLegal minimum: the fee can be higher$8,800
- Executor fee sourceLegal minimum: the fee can be higher$8,800
Probate total$17,965
- Quicken WillMaker & Trust Plus sourceOne-time price for one person$149
- Yearly feeoptional yearly renewal$40
- Moving a home into the trustSet by your county recordercounty recording fee
Trust total$149+
Assets left outside the trust can still need probate.
Probate cost by estate size
| Estate value | Court fee | Attorney (law) | Executor (law) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $165 | $3,300 | $3,300 | $6,765 |
| $250,000 | $315 | $7,425 | $7,425 | $15,165 |
| $500,000 | $565 | $14,050 | $14,050 | $28,665 |
| $1,000,000 | $565 | $26,550 | $26,550 | $53,665 |
"Not set by law" means the fee is agreed with the lawyer or set by the court, so it is not in the total. Use your own numbers.
The rules in Missouri
- Small estate limit: $40,000 (Small estate affidavit (distribution without letters), RSMo 473.097). Can cover real estate. Heirs wait 30 days after the death. Entire estate less liens, debts and encumbrances must not exceed $40,000. Real property passes by recording the affidavit and clerk's certificate with the recorder of deeds. Court cost reported as $35 under Court Operating Rule 21; not re-verified. Not re-read in the v3 pass. Source
- Simplified probate: Refusal of letters to surviving spouse or unmarried minor children (RSMo 473.090). Source
- Court fee: $365 for a $300,000 estate. Court Operating Rule 21.01(a)(12) (revised effective Aug 28, 2021): $115 when original letters are applied for, plus $50 for each additional $50,000 of final inventory value over $50,000, up to $500,000 of value; total capped at $565. Bands below are this statewide Rule 21 schedule ($365 for $300,000). They count a partial $50,000 step as a full step (reading of 'exceeds $50,000'). Rule 21.01(a) keeps other statutory surcharges in effect, so counties charge more. Example: Jackson County (16th Circuit) letters fee $190.50 testate, $155.50 intestate. Excludes the $30 fee for each extra 12 months open. Rule read from a Wayback copy dated 2022-09-04 (courts.mo.gov 403). Source
- Attorney fee: Legal minimum: the fee can be higher. 473.153.3: attorneys get at least the 473.153.1 schedule; the court must allow more if a reasonable fee is higher. Text effective Aug 28, 1989. Re-read 2026-10-10. Source
- Executor fee: Legal minimum: the fee can be higher. 473.153.1 minimum: 5% of the first $5,000, 4% of the next $20,000, 3% of the next $75,000, 2.75% of the next $300,000, 2.5% of the next $600,000, 2% over $1,000,000. The court must allow more if reasonable. Two or more representatives share at most twice the minimum or 5%, whichever is less, with exceptions. Re-read 2026-10-10. Source
Some Missouri rules could not be checked on a current official page. Each rule links to the source we used. Confirm with the court or a lawyer before you rely on it.
General information from official state sources, not legal advice.