The first task is determining the full scope of what the decedent owned and how each asset is titled. This determines whether probate is required, which track applies, and what your obligations will be. Before any court filing, gather:

• The original will — courts require the original document, not a copy; if it was held by the decedent’s attorney, contact them immediately
• Certified death certificates — order 10 to 15 copies; every institution and agency will require one
• Financial statements for all accounts — bank, brokerage, retirement, and any others
• Real estate deeds — to determine how property is titled
• Insurance policies — life insurance, annuities, and any policies with named beneficiaries
• Business documents — LLC operating agreements, stock certificates, partnership agreements

With this information in hand, you and your attorney can determine whether full probate, simplified administration, or a small estate affidavit is the right path — and begin mapping out your obligations and timeline.

To open a Missouri probate estate with assets above $40,000, an attorney must file a Petition for Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative with the Probate Division of the Circuit Court in the county where the decedent resided. The petition includes the original will, a certified death certificate, and a request for your appointment as Personal Representative.

Once the court issues Letters Testamentary — typically at or shortly after the hearing — you have the legal authority to act on behalf of the estate: access accounts, manage property, and communicate with financial institutions. Do not attempt to access or transfer probate assets before Letters are issued. Doing so without authority exposes you to personal liability and will complicate the administration.

• Filing fees vary by county — typically $150 to $300
• Hearing typically scheduled 2 to 4 weeks after filing
• Request multiple certified copies of Letters — every institution will require one
• TrustFully prepares all pleadings and accompanies you through the court process

Missouri law requires publication of a notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where probate was opened. This notice starts the 6-month creditor claim period — the window during which creditors may file claims against the estate. Once published, creditors who do not file within 6 months are generally barred from collecting.

Beyond publication, known creditors — medical providers, credit card companies, mortgage lenders — should receive direct written notice. Additionally, all beneficiaries named in the will must be formally notified of the probate proceeding and their right to receive a copy of the will.

• Publication must appear in a qualifying newspaper in the correct county
• Proof of publication must be filed with the court
• Known creditors should receive written notice even if they also see the publication
• No distributions to beneficiaries until the 6-month creditor period closes

As Personal Representative, you must prepare a formal Inventory of Assets — a complete list of every asset in the estate with its date-of-death value. In formal Missouri probate, this inventory is filed with the court. It is the foundation for everything that follows: creditor payments, tax filings, and beneficiary distributions.

• Real estate: professional appraisal required to establish fair market value at date of death; critical for tax purposes and establishing stepped-up cost basis
• Financial accounts: date-of-death account statements from each institution
• Vehicles: title and NADA/KBB value at date of death
• Personal property of value: jewelry, art, collectibles, firearms — professional appraisal recommended for items of significant value
• Business interests: LLC membership interests, corporate shares, partnership interests — may require a formal business valuation
• Complex or unusual assets: mineral rights, intellectual property, cryptocurrency, artwork — TrustFully has experience identifying and properly valuing these categories

With Letters Testamentary in hand, you can begin the work of collecting estate assets into a dedicated estate account, managing property the estate holds, and evaluating creditor claims as they come in during the publication period.

• Collect financial accounts: transfer each account to the estate account using Letters Testamentary; obtain date-of-death valuations for tax records
• Manage real estate: maintain insurance, utilities, and upkeep; in some cases court approval is required before selling — TrustFully guides you through the authorization process
• Handle creditor claims: every claim filed during the 6-month period must be evaluated; valid claims paid in Missouri’s statutory priority order; invalid or questionable claims formally rejected in writing
• Coordinate with the estate CPA: identify all tax filing obligations and begin gathering records for the decedent’s final personal return and any estate income tax returns
• Manage complex assets: minerals, hard-to-value assets, artwork, business interests — each requires specific handling that TrustFully’s experience makes straightforward

As executor, you are personally responsible for ensuring every required tax return is filed and every tax obligation is paid before making distributions. Failure to do so does not just delay the estate — it creates personal liability for you if the IRS later asserts a deficiency after money has been distributed.

• Decedent’s final Form 1040: covers January 1 through date of death; due April 15 of the year following death; any refund belongs to the estate
• Estate income tax return (Form 1041): required if the estate earns $600 or more during administration from any source — interest, dividends, rental income, or capital gains from asset sales
• Federal estate tax return (Form 706): required only if the gross estate exceeds the current federal exemption ($13.99 million per individual in 2025); the vast majority of Missouri estates do not file this return
• IRS clearance: before making final distributions, confirm in writing that all tax accounts are settled — if the IRS later finds additional taxes owed, you may be personally responsible for the deficiency

Once creditor claims are resolved, taxes are filed and cleared, and all assets have been collected, the estate is ready for distribution. The sequence matters: following it correctly is what releases you from personal liability as executor.

• Initial distribution: once you have a clear picture of remaining assets and confirmed obligations, an initial distribution of the bulk of the estate is appropriate — while retaining a reserve for remaining fees, final tax matters, and any pending items
• Final accounting: a complete statement of every asset received, every expense paid, every tax filed, and every distribution made — filed with the probate court and provided to all beneficiaries
• Beneficiary releases: before making final distribution, obtain signed releases from each beneficiary acknowledging receipt and releasing you from further liability — this is critical protection for you personally
• Final distribution: remaining assets distributed to beneficiaries with a final statement of account confirming the estate is fully administered
• Petition to close: filed with the probate court along with the final accounting; once approved, the court issues an order discharging you as Personal Representative, releasing you from further obligation