How to Be Appointed Administrator of a Sister’s Intestate Estate in Missouri
FAQ: Appointment as Administrator of an Intestate Estate in Missouri Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article is educational and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a Missouri probate attorney or the probate division of the circuit court in the county where the decedent lived. Detailed answer — […]
Read article →Missouri: What Notices to Send to Heirs When Opening Probate
Notifying Heirs and Interested Parties When Opening Probate in Missouri Disclaimer: This is general information only and is not legal advice. Consult a Missouri probate attorney or your local probate court before acting. Detailed answer — What notices you need to send under Missouri law When you file a petition to open probate in Missouri […]
Read article →Finalizing Probate with an Outdated Will and Getting Authority to Sell Property in Missouri
FAQ: Finalizing probate when a will is outdated and securing authority to sell real property — Missouri Short answer: An older will is valid unless it has been revoked. To finalize probate and obtain legal authority to sell estate real property in Missouri, you must open probate (or administration), obtain letters testamentary or letters of […]
Read article →Missouri: Selling a Home with a Reverse Mortgage When the Lender Demands Renunciation Letters
Short answer If a reverse mortgage servicer is requesting “renunciation” letters before it will approve a sale or release the loan, you usually need to show clear legal authority to sell the property (probate or other transfer documents) or provide the specific renunciations the lender requests. In Missouri, the common paths are: (1) have a […]
Read article →Missouri: Options When a Relative Refuses to Renounce So You Can Be Personal Representative
How to proceed when a relative refuses to renounce so you can become personal representative This article explains, under Missouri law, what to do when a person who would need to sign a renunciation refuses to do so. It describes what a renunciation is, why it matters, and the practical and court-based steps you can […]
Read article →Contesting Power of Attorney Transfers in Missouri
How to Challenge Financial Transfers Made Using a Power of Attorney in Missouri If you suspect a relative’s agent used a power of attorney (POA) while your grandfather lacked the mental capacity to authorize transfers, Missouri law gives you several possible paths. This article explains the usual legal grounds, the evidence courts expect, the steps […]
Read article →Missouri — What Happens to Jointly Held Bank Accounts and Property When Someone Dies Without a Will
What Happens to Joint Bank Accounts and Jointly Owned Property When Someone Dies Without a Will in Missouri? This FAQ explains how jointly held bank accounts and property are handled in Missouri when a person dies intestate (without a will). It describes common ownership forms, how assets pass, and practical steps to take. Short answer […]
Read article →Reimbursable Estate Property Expenses in Missouri: What Personal Representatives Can Pay and Track
Detailed Answer When someone serves as a personal representative (executor or administrator) of a Missouri estate, they must preserve estate assets until distribution or sale. Missouri probate rules require the fiduciary to collect, protect, and account for estate property. To do that, the personal representative may pay reasonable and necessary expenses from estate funds and […]
Read article →Missouri: How to Be Appointed Estate Administrator or Co‑Administrator
Detailed Answer Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different. Talk to a Missouri-licensed probate attorney for advice about a specific case. This section explains the typical steps and legal rules you will encounter when seeking appointment as an estate administrator (often called a personal representative) or […]
Read article →Missouri: Using Wills and Beneficiary Designations to Avoid Probate
Can wills and beneficiary designations keep your estate out of probate in Missouri? Short answer: Some assets can pass to your spouse and children outside probate in Missouri if you use beneficiary designations, payable‑on‑death (POD) titles, joint ownership with right of survivorship, or certain transfer‑on‑death mechanisms. Other assets — and any property you only leave […]
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