When one’s estate passes through probate in Missouri, there are a number of fees that the estate will face. There can be (1) bond premiums, (2) cost of publication in a local newspaper, (3) court costs, and the largest expense (4) attorney fees.
By statute, Missouri law establishes a minimum fee schedule for estates passes through probate. The fees are a percent of the money and personal property in the estate. It can also include any real estate sold during probate.
The minimum attorney fees in Missouri probate are as follows:
| Size of Estate | Fee |
| Less than $5,000 | 5% |
| $5,001 – $25,000 | $250 + 4% of amount over $5,000 |
| $25,000 – $100,000 | $1,050 + 3 of estate over $25,000 |
| $100,001 – $400,000 | $3,300 + 2 ¾% of estate over $100,000 |
| $400,000 – $1,000,000 | $11,550 + 2 ½% of estate over $400,000 |
| Over $1,000,000 | $26,550 + 2% of estate over $1,000,000 |
The statute is 473.153. It can be found here: http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/47300001531.HTML
Plus, the law allows the personal representative to take an amount equal to the attorney’s fee. The result is for an estate of $150,000, one may face $9,350 of expenses. Planning is better!