---
type: Concept
title: The Probate Process in Missouri
description: Probate is the public, court-supervised process for transferring a deceased person's solely owned assets; a small-estate affidavit can shortcut small estates.
resource: https://nemolegal.com/how-to-avoid-probate-in-missouri/
tags: [probate, missouri, small-estate-affidavit, court]
timestamp: 2026-06-18
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
---

# Summary

Probate is the court-supervised process for settling a deceased person's estate and transferring assets held in their sole name with no beneficiary or survivorship designation. It is a public record and can be slow and costly.

# Small-estate shortcut

Missouri allows a small-estate affidavit to transfer assets when the estate is $40,000 or less (RSMo §473.097), avoiding full administration.

# Decision rule

Assets with a valid beneficiary, survivorship, or trust designation skip probate. The way to keep an estate out of probate is to title and designate assets so none pass through the deceased person's sole name.

# Related

- [Non-Probate Transfers](/okf/trusts-probate-avoidance/non-probate-transfers.md)
- [Revocable Living Trusts](/okf/trusts-probate-avoidance/revocable-living-trust.md)