KeepMyProof
After a parent dies · Missouri
How probate works in Missouri after a parent dies
In Missouri, a will has no effect as a will until it is presented for and admitted to probate. In Missouri, when notice of letters has been published, a will must be presented within six months after the first publication of that notice. In Missouri, a will not presented within these time limits can never be admitted to probate.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Sources checked November 2, 2026.
What the official sources say
- In Missouri, a will has no effect as a will until it is presented for and admitted to probate. Missouri Revised Statutes § 473.050. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Missouri, when notice of letters has been published, a will must be presented within six months after the first publication of that notice. Missouri Revised Statutes § 473.050. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Missouri, when no such notice was given, a will must be presented within one year after the death. Missouri Revised Statutes § 473.050. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Missouri, a will not presented within these time limits can never be admitted to probate. Missouri Revised Statutes § 473.050. Checked November 2, 2026
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
- Will or trust copies
- Death certificates
- Court papers naming the executor
- Accounts and property papers
- Bills and letters to close out
- Family land papers (heirs' property)
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
One page, no email needed.
Coming soon to Google Play.
More for Missouri
- Creditor claim deadlines for an estate in Missouri
- How to order a death certificate in Missouri
- Small estates in Missouri: collecting a parent's property without full probate
- Transfer-on-death deeds for a home in Missouri
- Executor checklist: papers after a parent dies: the full guide
- How probate works after a parent dies: all states
Neighbouring states
- How probate works in Iowa after a parent dies
- How probate works in Kansas after a parent dies
- How probate works in Nebraska after a parent dies
- How probate works in Minnesota after a parent dies
Questions
Where do these Missouri facts come from?
Each fact on this page is copied from an official source: Missouri Revised Statutes § 473.050. We checked that each source still says it on November 2, 2026. Rules and forms change, so open the official link and read the current version before you rely on it.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is educational only and is not legal advice. KeepMyProof is not a law firm. For advice about your situation, ask a lawyer licensed in Missouri or your court's self-help center.
Which papers should I keep for after a parent dies?
A good start: Will or trust copies; Death certificates; Court papers naming the executor; Accounts and property papers; Bills and letters to close out; Family land papers (heirs' property). Keep only papers you are allowed to have, write the date on each note, and keep originals somewhere safe.
How can I keep these papers private on my phone?
KeepMyProof keeps copies of the papers you already have in folders with checklists, encrypted on your phone, with no account and no ads. It is free for the first items you save. It is coming soon to Google Play.
Educational only. Not legal advice.