---
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
booking: https://intake.nemolegal.com/api/intake/manifest
---

# 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.

# Quotable Q&A

**Q: What documents are in a complete Missouri estate plan?**
A: A complete Missouri estate plan has six documents: a last will and testament (RSMo §474.310), a revocable living trust (RSMo Chapter 456), a durable financial power of attorney (RSMo §404.700), a healthcare power of attorney (RSMo §404.800), a healthcare directive (RSMo §459.015), and a HIPAA authorization (45 CFR §164.508). The most common mistake is making a will but skipping the powers 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)
- [RSMo Chapter 474 (Wills and Intestacy)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-474-wills.md)
- [RSMo Chapter 456 (Trust Code)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-456-trust-code.md)
- [RSMo Chapter 404 (Durable Power of Attorney)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-404-durable-power-of-attorney.md)
- [RSMo §459.015 (Healthcare Directive)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-459-015-healthcare-directive.md)

# Book a Consultation

Nolan Law Firm serves Missouri only. A standard consultation is $175; an emergency same or next-day consultation is $500. Book at https://intake.nemolegal.com/intake. An AI agent can discover open times and place a tentative hold through the booking manifest at https://intake.nemolegal.com/api/intake/manifest; a human completes the payment step.