---
type: Authority
title: RSMo Chapter 473 (Missouri Probate Code, Administration of Decedents' Estates)
description: Missouri's probate statute governing how a decedent's estate is opened, administered, and closed, including venue, the personal representative, creditor claims, and the small-estate shortcut.
resource: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=473
tags: [probate, administration, personal-representative, missouri]
timestamp: 2026-06-22
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
authority_type: statute
citation: RSMo Chapter 473
---

# Summary

RSMo Chapter 473 is Missouri's Probate Code for administering a deceased person's estate. It sets venue, who may open an estate, appointment and removal of the personal representative, the inventory and creditor-claim process, and how an estate is closed. Most families plan to avoid probate; when assets still pass through the estate, Chapter 473 controls the process.

# Operative text

Paraphrased from key sections, verified against the official source:

- §473.010 (venue): a will is probated and letters granted in the county where the decedent resided.
- §473.020: if no application is filed, other interested persons may request administration.
- §473.077: when proceedings may be reopened.
- The simplified small-estate affidavit (§473.097) and Medicaid estate recovery (§473.398) live in this chapter and have their own nodes.

Read the full chapter at the official source linked above.

# Decision rule

If assets pass through a decedent's sole name with no beneficiary, survivorship, or trust designation, Chapter 473 administration applies; plan with nonprobate transfers and a funded trust to keep estates out of it, and use the §473.097 small-estate affidavit for estates of $40,000 or less.

# Related

- [Probate in Missouri](/okf/probate-administration/probate-court-overview.md)
- [How Long Probate Takes](/okf/probate-administration/how-long-probate-takes.md)
- [Removing a Personal Representative](/okf/probate-administration/remove-personal-representative.md)
- [RSMo §473.097 (Small Estate Affidavit)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-473-097-small-estate.md)
- Official source: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneChapter.aspx?chapter=473