Missouri Probate Cost: Court Costs and Statutory Compensation
Missouri probate cost comes from court costs (a county base filing fee plus a statewide graduated additional cost keyed to inventory value) and the statutory minimum compensation for the personal representative and the estate attorney, plus publication, copies, and any professional help.
Missouri probate cost comes from two main pieces. First, the probate division charges court costs: a base filing fee of about $155.50 to $215 for a full decedent’s estate, which varies modestly by county because of local surcharges, plus a statewide graduated additional cost keyed to the total inventory value (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 488.010 to 488.020). That graduated cost is $0 up to $50,000, then $50 for each additional $50,000, capped at $450 over $450,000. Second, the personal representative and the estate attorney are each entitled to a minimum commission under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.153: 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, and 2% of the balance over $1,000,000.
The compensation percentages are a statutory minimum computed on the personal property administered plus the proceeds of any real property sold under order of the probate division, and the court may allow additional reasonable compensation. Small estates cost far less: the small estate affidavit short form runs about $55.50 to $65.50, and refusal of letters about $55.50. Missouri imposes no probate tax, and it currently imposes no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Confirm current figures with the county probate division before filing.
Quick Summary
- PR & Attorney Minimum
- 5%-2%Statutory schedule (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.153)
- Base filing fee
- $155.50+Plus graduated cost by inventory; varies by county
- Small estate affidavit
- $55.50+Entire estate $40,000 or less
- Estate / Inheritance Tax
- $0Missouri has none
Missouri probate court costs are collected by the probate division of the circuit court in the county where the decedent lived. The § 473.153 compensation percentages and the statewide graduated additional court cost are uniform, while the base filing fee and short-form court costs vary modestly by county because of local surcharges. Publication and recording fees are set outside the probate code. Confirm the current amounts with the county probate division before filing.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
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| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Estate Affidavit | Entire estate of $40,000 or less, after liens, debts, and encumbrances (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.097); 30-day wait | About $55.50 to $65.50 (about $35 more if a will is admitted at the same time) | 30+ days after death, then file the affidavit; a bond and, over $15,000, published notice are required | No statewide requirement | Small estates of $40,000 or less that can be distributed without a full administration |
| Refusal of Letters | Surviving spouse or unmarried minor children up to the exempt property and allowances; or a creditor when the personal estate is $15,000 or less (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.090) | About $55.50 | Short-form order after the application is filed | No statewide requirement | A surviving spouse or unmarried minor children, or a small-dollar creditor estate, avoiding administration entirely |
| Independent Administration | No dollar cap; the will authorizes it or the distributees agree (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.780 to § 473.843) | County base filing fee (about $155.50 to $215) plus a statewide graduated additional cost keyed to inventory value | Commonly about 6 months to a year, including the creditor-claim period after published notice | No statewide requirement; most estates use counsel | Estates wanting full authority with less court oversight of routine acts |
| Supervised Administration | No dollar cap; the default when independent administration is not authorized or requested | County base filing fee (about $155.50 to $215) plus a statewide graduated additional cost keyed to inventory value | Commonly about 6 months to a year or longer, with court review of major steps | No statewide requirement; most estates use counsel | Larger or contested estates that need close court oversight of the personal representative |
Additional Costs to Expect
Personal Representative and Attorney Compensation
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.153, the personal representative is entitled to a minimum commission computed on the personal property administered plus the proceeds of any real property sold under order of the probate division. The estate attorney is allowed the same schedule, computed separately and not shared with the personal representative’s commission. On a $300,000 estate value, each minimum works out to about $8,800. These are minimums: the court may allow additional reasonable compensation, and extraordinary services are not required to justify it. Real property that is not sold under court order is not part of the commission base.
Graduated Additional Court Cost
In addition to the base filing fee, the probate division charges an additional court cost keyed to the value stated on the estate inventory (personal plus real property) under Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 488.010 to 488.020. This graduated schedule is uniform statewide and is typically collected once the inventory is filed. On a $300,000 inventory the graduated cost is about $250. Estates of $50,000 or less pay no graduated additional cost.
Publication and Notice to Creditors
Notice of the granting of letters is published so creditors may file claims within six months of first publication (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.360). A small estate affidavit over $15,000 also requires published notice. The newspaper sets its own charge, and a publication deposit may be required at filing.
Certified Copies and Certification
The probate division charges for copies of records, certification, attestation, and authentication. The 16th Judicial Circuit charges $0.30 per page, $4.00 for certification, $4.00 for attestation, and $6.00 for authentication. Certified copies of a Missouri death certificate are issued separately by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services rather than by the probate court.
Fiduciary Bond Premium
A fiduciary surety bond may be required unless waived by the will or by all distributees, or excused by the court. When required, the premium depends on the bond amount and the surety. A small estate affidavit requires a bond of not less than the value of the personal property.
Recording (County Recorder of Deeds)
Recording deeds or a certified small estate affidavit that transfers real property with the county recorder of deeds carries the recorder’s fee schedule, which is set outside the probate code. Confirm the current amount with the county recorder before quoting a figure.
State Estate and Inheritance Tax
Missouri imposes no probate tax, no state estate tax, and no inheritance tax. The Missouri estate tax was tied to the now-repealed federal state death tax credit and collects nothing for current deaths. Federal estate tax may still apply to very large estates above the federal exclusion.
Appraisal, Tax Preparation, and Professional Fees
Real estate, business interests, or unusual personal property may need appraisal for the inventory, which sets the graduated court cost. Final individual and fiduciary income tax filings may need professional help. These are separate from the statutory court costs and compensation.
One more cost source to check: if the person who died received Medicaid long-term care benefits, the state may file a recovery claim against the estate. The Missouri Medicaid estate recovery guide explains when that applies.