Use This County Probate Reference Before You File
This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Circuit Court probate division contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Jackson County.
Local Fee Schedule
Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.
Court Rules and Orders
Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.
Clerk and Filing Logistics
Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.
Jackson County Circuit Court probate division Guide
16th Judicial Circuit of Missouri · Circuit Court probate division information · Updated July 2026
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Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
Small Estate Affidavit For estates under threshold (no court filing needed) | $56 |
Note: Missouri probate court costs are set statewide by RSMo 483.580 and RSMo 488.010 to 488.020 and are collected by the clerk of the Probate Division; Missouri charges NO probate tax and NO state estate or inheritance tax. Opening a full decedent’s estate requires a flat base filing-fee deposit for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration that varies modestly by county because of local surcharges (for example about $155.50 in the 16th Circuit / Jackson County per the 16th Circuit Probate Manual Section 5, Rev. 7/2021, and about $210.50 testate or $170.50 intestate in the 7th Circuit). ON TOP of the base, the Probate Division charges a statewide-uniform graduated additional court cost keyed to the total inventory value (personal plus real property) shown in graduated_additional_cost: $0 for estates of $50,000 or less, then $50 for each additional $50,000 bracket, capped at $450 over $450,000 (identical in the 16th and 7th Circuit published schedules; typically collected when the inventory is filed). A small estate affidavit under RSMo 473.097 costs about $55.50 to $65.50, plus about $35 if a will is admitted at the same time. Verify the current base filing fee and short-form costs with the Probate Division of the Jackson County Circuit Court before relying on a figure. Effective schedule dated Rev. 7/2021.
Missouri probate court costs are set statewide by RSMo 483.580 and RSMo 488.010 to 488.020 and are collected by the clerk of the Probate Division; Missouri charges NO probate tax and NO state estate or inheritance tax. Opening a full decedent’s estate requires a flat base filing-fee deposit for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration that varies modestly by county because of local surcharges (for example about $155.50 in the 16th Circuit / Jackson County per the 16th Circuit Probate Manual Section 5, Rev. 7/2021, and about $210.50 testate or $170.50 intestate in the 7th Circuit). ON TOP of the base, the Probate Division charges a statewide-uniform graduated additional court cost keyed to the total inventory value (personal plus real property) shown in graduated_additional_cost: $0 for estates of $50,000 or less, then $50 for each additional $50,000 bracket, capped at $450 over $450,000 (identical in the 16th and 7th Circuit published schedules; typically collected when the inventory is filed). A small estate affidavit under RSMo 473.097 costs about $55.50 to $65.50, plus about $35 if a will is admitted at the same time. Verify the current base filing fee and short-form costs with the Probate Division of the Jackson County Circuit Court before relying on a figure. Effective schedule dated Rev. 7/2021.
Required Documents
- Original Will
The original signed will, if one exists, delivered to and presented before the Probate Division of the Circuit Court for probate.
- Application for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
Filed in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of the county (or City of St. Louis) where the decedent was domiciled. The court issues letters testamentary (with a will) or letters of administration (without a will). A bond may be required unless waived by the will or by the distributees.
- Small Estate Affidavit
Affidavit under RSMo 473.097 to collect estate property when the entire estate, less liens, debts, and encumbrances, does not exceed $40,000 and at least 30 days have elapsed since death. Local Probate Divisions provide their own affidavit forms; there is no single statewide form number.
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Records portal
Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.
Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- Verify locally
- Creditor Claims
- 6 months
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first published notice of letters
- Statute
- RSMo 473.360; RSMo 473.444
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Sources (9)
- https://www.16thcircuit.org/probate
- https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/welcome.do
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=473
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.097
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.090
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.050
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.360
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.444
- https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=483.580