Buchanan County
Probate Court
In Missouri, estates are probated in the Circuit Court (Probate Division). This page gathers where to file in Buchanan County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.
located via OpenStreetMap
Where to file in Buchanan County
- Handled by
- Circuit Court (Probate Division)In Missouri, probate is administered by the Probate Division of the County Circuit Court in each of the 46 judicial circuits.
- County building
- Buchanan County Courthouse In Saint Joseph, MO — street address not tagged in OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
- Phone
- No phone number published in an open source. Use the county website's contact page — we don't list numbers we can't source.
- Opening hours
- Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
- County website
- co.buchanan.mo.usWikidata
- State courts & e-filing
- courts.mo.govCase search: Missouri Case.net State Court Portal
How probate runs in Buchanan County
Six stages, with the Missouri rules that set the pace.
- 01
Secure the original will
Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. Missouri deadline: Must present will for probate within 1 year from death (strict absolute bar Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.050).
- 02
Pick the right track
If the probate estate is under $40,000, a small-estate procedure (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.097 (Small Estate Affidavit)) may avoid full administration.
- 03
Petition the court
File the petition with the Circuit Court (Probate Division) for Buchanan County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.
- 04
Inventory the estate
Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.
- 05
Notify creditors
Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 6 months from the date of first publication of notice of letters, or 1 year from death if no notice.
- 06
Account and distribute
Pay debts, taxes and fees (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.153), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.
Where to get help.
We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.
- 01 Missouri courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
- 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
- 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
Missouri rules that apply here
Probate law is state law — these apply in all 115 Missouri counties.
- Small estates
- $40,000 (net estate value)Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.097 (Small Estate Affidavit) · wait 30 days
- Filing the will
- Must present will for probate within 1 year from death (strict absolute bar Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.050)
- Creditor claims
- 6 months from the date of first publication of notice of letters, or 1 year from death if no noticeMo. Rev. Stat. § 473.360
- Executor fees
- Mandatory Statutory Minimum Schedule: 5% on first $5k, 4% next $20k, 3% next $75k, 2.75% next $300k, 2.5% next $600k, 2% over $1MMo. Rev. Stat. § 473.153 · estimate the fee
- Handwritten wills
- Not recognized without witnesses. Missouri does NOT recognize unwitnessed holographic wills; must be signed in presence of two witnesses.
- Estate tax
- No state estate tax.Missouri has no state estate tax.
- Inheritance tax
- No.No inheritance tax in Missouri.
- Typical duration
- 6 to 12 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.
Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: revisor.mo.gov (statute)