---
type: Concept
title: The Six Core Documents of a Missouri Estate Plan
description: A complete Missouri estate plan includes a will, a revocable living trust, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, a healthcare directive, and a HIPAA authorization.
resource: https://nemolegal.com/estate-planning-missouri/
tags: [estate-planning, missouri, will, trust, power-of-attorney, hipaa]
timestamp: 2026-06-18
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
---

# Summary

A complete Missouri estate plan is built from six documents. The most common mistake is creating a will but skipping the power of attorney, which forces a court proceeding the moment you are incapacitated.

# The six documents

| Document | What it does | Missouri authority |
|---|---|---|
| Last Will and Testament | Directs probate property; names a guardian for minor children | RSMo §474.310 |
| Revocable Living Trust | Avoids probate; manages assets during incapacity | RSMo Chapter 456 |
| Durable Financial Power of Attorney | Authorizes someone to manage your finances | RSMo §404.700 |
| Healthcare Directive | States your wishes on life-sustaining treatment | RSMo §459.015 |
| Healthcare Power of Attorney | Names someone to make medical decisions | RSMo §404.800 |
| HIPAA Authorization | Lets named people access your medical records | 45 CFR §164.508 |

# Decision rule

Build all six documents together. Never create a will without the financial and health-care powers of attorney; that gap forces a court proceeding the moment you are incapacitated.

# Related

- [Wills and Will Requirements](/okf/estate-planning/wills.md)
- [Powers of Attorney](/okf/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney.md)
- [Revocable Living Trusts](/okf/estate-planning/revocable-living-trust.md)