What is Probate?
Probate refers to the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. It involves distributing assets and paying debts. Explore our templates specific to Missouri for your needs.
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Missouri Probate
Probate involves managing a deceased person's estate. Our attorney-drafted templates are quick and easy to complete.
Common Missouri Probate documents
- Petition for Probate — initiates the probate process in court.
- Letters Testamentary — authorizes an executor to manage the estate.
- Letters of Administration — allows an administrator to handle the estate without a will.
- Inventory of Assets — lists all the assets in the deceased's estate.
- Final Accounting — summarizes financial transactions during the probate process.
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Similar documents: key differences
- Executor vs. Administrator — An executor is named in a will, while an administrator is appointed by the court.
- Will vs. Trust — A will directs asset distribution after death; a trust manages assets during life and after death.
- Letters Testamentary vs. Letters of Administration — The former is for estates with a will; the latter is for those without.
- Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets — Probate assets go through court; non-probate assets transfer directly to beneficiaries.
Key legal points
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Probate is necessary for distributing a deceased person’s estate.
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Not all assets require probate, such as those in a trust.
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Probate can involve court hearings and public records.
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An executor or administrator is responsible for estate management.
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Probate procedures may vary by state.
How to get started
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- Find a template or package that fits your situation.
- Review the description, preview, and signing requirements.
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- Complete it in the online editor.
- Export or send: download, email, USPS mail, notarize online, or send for e-signature (Premium).
FAQs
A trust can help avoid probate and manage assets more efficiently.
If no action is taken, the estate may go through probate automatically.
It's wise to review your estate plan every few years or after major life changes.
Beneficiary designations can override your will, directly transferring assets.
Yes, you can designate separate agents for financial and health care decisions.
Glossary
- Probate - The legal process of settling a deceased person's estate.
- Executor - The person named in a will to manage estate tasks.
- Administrator - A court-appointed individual to manage an estate without a will.
- Intestate - Dying without a valid will in place.
- Beneficiary - An individual entitled to receive assets from an estate.
- Asset - Any property or resource owned by an individual.
- Will - A legal document stating how a person's assets should be distributed.
- Trust - A fiduciary arrangement allowing a third party to manage assets.
- Inventory - A detailed list of all assets in an estate.
- Estate - All the money and property owned by an individual at death.