State guide
Missouri
In Missouri, the clerk publishes the notice of letters after appointment of the personal representative, rather than placing that duty on the representative. Missouri also has a distinct small-estate track: estates up to $40,000 may use a small-estate affidavit, and publication in those cases depends on the value listed in the affidavit. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.033&utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Publishing the notice
- In a regular estate, the clerk publishes notice of letters in some newspaper once a week for 4 consecutive weeks; in a small estate over $15,000, the clerk publishes notice once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a qualifying county newspaper. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.033&utm_source=openai))
- Creditor claim deadline
- 6 months after first publication; if mailed or served, 2 months after mailing/service if later
- Law
- Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 473.033, 473.360, 473.097, 493.050
- Small-estate limit
- $40,000 entire estate, less liens, debts, and encumbrances, under § 473.097. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.097&utm_source=openai))
Official resources in Missouri
Official statute for notice of letters and creditor publication in regular probate estates.
Official nonclaim statute with the main creditor filing deadline.
Official small-estate affidavit statute and publication rule for qualifying estates.
Official newspaper-qualification statute for legal notices.
Official judiciary portal with court information and probate forms links.
Key facts for Missouri
- The clerk must publish notice of letters once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.033&utm_source=openai))
- Known creditors do not have to be mailed notice; the personal representative may send it, but is not required to. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.033&utm_source=openai))
- General creditor claims are barred 6 months after first publication, or 2 months after mailed notice if later. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.033&utm_source=openai))
- A small estate may use affidavit procedures if the net estate does not exceed $40,000. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.097&utm_source=openai))
- For small estates, publication is required only when the property listed exceeds $15,000. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.097&utm_source=openai))
- A legal-notice newspaper must qualify under chapter 493 and be of general circulation in the county. ([revisor.mo.gov](https://www.revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=473.097&utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- Ask the probate division clerk which newspaper they use for creditor notices in that county, since the clerk causes publication.
- Check whether the estate fits the $40,000 small-estate affidavit process before filing for full administration.
- If you choose to mail notice to a creditor, calendar the later 2-month mailed-notice deadline and the 6-month publication deadline.
Helpful guides
- What is a notice to creditors in probate?
- How to publish a probate notice in a newspaper
- How much does it cost to publish a probate notice?
- What counts as a legal newspaper for probate notices
Creditor deadline calculator →