Missouri Estate Planning
Get your own affairs in order in Missouri, for yourself or an aging parent. Compare the documents most adults need (a will, a power of attorney, and a healthcare directive), decide whether you need a trust, and see how to keep your estate out of probate.
Which document do I need?
The core documents at a glance. Each row links to its Missouri guide.
- Will
- Missouri will requirements: sound-mind and age-18 capacity, a signed writing, two witnesses, self-proving affidavits, and no handwritten or oral wills. Read the guide
- Living trust
- How a Missouri revocable living trust works: create it under the Missouri Uniform Trust Code, fund it by retitling assets, and back it with a pour-over will. Read the guide
- Power of attorney
- How a Missouri power of attorney works: it is not durable by default, needs set durability wording, must be notarized, and ends when the principal dies. Read the guide
- Healthcare directive
- How a Missouri healthcare directive works: a durable power of attorney for health care names your agent, plus a Life Support Declaration for terminal care. Read the guide
Missouri estate planning guides
Missouri Estate Planning Basics
Missouri estate planning basics: the will, durable power of attorney, health care directive, and living trust every adult needs, plus probate and taxes.
Missouri Will Requirements
Missouri will requirements: sound-mind and age-18 capacity, a signed writing, two witnesses, self-proving affidavits, and no handwritten or oral wills.
Missouri Power of Attorney
How a Missouri power of attorney works: it is not durable by default, needs set durability wording, must be notarized, and ends when the principal dies.
Missouri Healthcare Directive
How a Missouri healthcare directive works: a durable power of attorney for health care names your agent, plus a Life Support Declaration for terminal care.
Missouri Guardianship Planning
How Missouri guardianship and conservatorship work under RSMo Chapter 475, and how a durable power of attorney and health care directive can avoid a court case.
Missouri Revocable Living Trust
How a Missouri revocable living trust works: create it under the Missouri Uniform Trust Code, fund it by retitling assets, and back it with a pour-over will.
Missouri Trust Administration
How a Missouri successor trustee settles a revocable living trust after death: notice to beneficiaries, trust accounting, paying debts, and distribution.
Missouri Beneficiary Deed (Transfer on Death)
A Missouri beneficiary deed passes real estate to a named beneficiary outside probate under RSMo 461.025. It is revocable and must be recorded before death.
Not sure what you need in Missouri?
Answer a few questions and we'll tell you which estate planning documents to set up first.
Information current as of 2026-06-18
Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in your state can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.