Probate cost · Missouri
Probate cost in Missouri
What every fee is, who sets it, and what a typical estate actually pays end to end.
Probate in Missouri costs about $28,505 to $31,875 for a $500,000 estate. The Probate Court charges $175 to open the case. Executor and attorney fees are the largest line items, set under § 473.097. Publication, bond, and appraisal add $580-$3,950.
Fee breakdown
Every probate cost in Missouri, itemized. Amounts vary by county and by estate complexity.
| Court filing fee | $175 | Probate division filing fee. Add publication and certificate fees. |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice | $80 - $250 | Newspaper notice to creditors, required in most counties. |
| Executor bond | $200 - $2,500 | Often waived by the will. When required, premium is ~0.5% of the estate value. |
| Appraisal | $300 - $1,200 | For real estate, business interests, or unique personal property. |
| Executor fee | $13,875 on $500k | §473.153: 5% first $5k, 4% next $15k, 3% next $30k, 2.75% next $350k, 2.5% next $600k, 2% over $1M. |
| Attorney fee | $13,875 - $13,875 on $500k | Attorney fee follows the same statutory schedule as the executor under §473.153. |
Total by estate size
Estimated total probate cost in Missouri across three common estate sizes. Uses statutory fees where Missouri has them, market ranges where it doesn't.
| $200,000 estate | $12,505 - $15,875 |
|---|---|
| $500,000 estate | $28,505 - $31,875 |
| $1,000,000 estate | $53,505 - $56,875 |
Ranges assume an uncontested estate with one parcel of real property. Contested estates, out-of-state assets, and businesses add cost.
How to reduce probate cost in Missouri
- If the estate is under $40,000, use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate.
- Convert accounts to payable-on-death and beneficiary designations before death. Those assets bypass probate entirely.
- Use a revocable living trust for real estate to avoid the Probate Court probate process.
- Ask the will to waive bond. That saves the $200-$2,500 premium.
- For clean, uncontested estates, use a cost calculator first so you know what to expect before hiring counsel.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in Missouri?
Total probate cost in Missouri for a $500,000 estate typically runs $28,505 to $31,875. A $200,000 estate costs about $12,505-$15,875, a $1M estate $53,505-$56,875. Court filing alone is $175.
Who pays probate fees in Missouri?
The estate pays every probate cost from estate assets before heirs receive anything. Executor and attorney fees, the Probate Court filing fee, publication, and bond premiums all come out of the estate under § 473.097.
Can I reduce probate cost?
Yes. Using the small estate affidavit skips full probate when the estate is under the state threshold ($40,000 in Missouri). Beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and living trusts also keep assets out of probate entirely.
What is the executor fee in Missouri?
§473.153: 5% first $5k, 4% next $15k, 3% next $30k, 2.75% next $350k, 2.5% next $600k, 2% over $1M.
How long does it take to pay these fees?
Filing and publication are paid at filing. Executor and attorney fees are approved by the Probate Court at the end, typically 10 months after opening the estate.
Where in Missouri
In Missouri, probate fees are paid at the Probate Court in the county where your relative lived at death. These three counties handle the largest caseload.
- County seat
St. Louis County
Probate Court - courthouse in Clayton
- County seat
Jackson County
Probate Court - courthouse in Kansas City
- County seat
St. Charles County
Probate Court - courthouse in St. Charles
Every Missouri county has its own Probate Court clerk. Filing fees and processing time vary by county.
Other tasks in Missouri
Related: Probate in Missouri · Cost calculator · Probate timeline