Missouri Probate Attorneys

Missouri writes the answer into statute, in both directions at once: RSMo 473.153(7) bars a non-attorney personal representative from appearing in court except by attorney, and in the same breath guarantees that any personal representative may prepare and file their own inventories and settlements. Full administration therefore runs with a lawyer for the courtroom steps, while the small-estate affidavit and spousal routes stay do-it-yourself.

• A personal representative who is not an attorney may not appear in court except by attorney (and that attorney may not be the PR's salaried employee). Full supervised or independent administration involves court appearances, so it runs with counsel. (RSMo § 473.153(7))
• The SAME subsection preserves the do-it-yourself half: any personal representative may prepare and file their own inventories and settlements. The affidavit-based small-estate and spousal-refusal routes avoid court appearances entirely and are genuinely pro se. (RSMo § 473.153(7))

Serving as personal representative without a law license is fine in Missouri; standing before the court without one is not. Unbundled arrangements, where the attorney handles only the appearances the statute reserves, fit this rule exactly.

Governing authority: RSMo 473.153(7): a statutory court-appearance counsel mandate, with the self-file carve-out in the same subsection. Verified August 22, 2026.

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% of the balance over $1,000,000 (RSMo 473.153). This is a statutory minimum computed on the personal property administered plus the proceeds of real property sold under court order. Attorneys receive the same schedule as personal representatives, computed separately. Court may award additional reasonable compensation.

Court costs are separate. Estimate them with the Missouri fee calculator, and see how Missouri compares in the cost of probate by state study.