Does Life Insurance Go Through Probate in Missouri and Arkansas?
Does life insurance go through probate in Missouri or Arkansas? Usually no, but a few common beneficiary mistakes can pull the payout into probate court.
Advance Directives and Living Wills in Missouri and Arkansas: A Complete 2026 Family Guide
Learn how advance directives and living wills work in Missouri and Arkansas, the documents each state requires, and how to choose a health care agent.
How to Properly Use ChatGPT Before Hiring an Estate Planning Lawyer
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm ChatGPT can help you organize financial records, understand basic legal concepts, and generate smart questions before meeting with an estate planning attorney, but it…
How Much Does Probate Cost in Missouri? [2026 Complete Fee Schedule]
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm Probate cost Missouri families typically face runs anywhere from $3,500 on a simple estate up to $45,000 or more on a larger one. After…
How to Properly Use ChatGPT Before Hiring a Medicaid Crisis Lawyer
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm ChatGPT can help you prepare for a Medicaid crisis lawyer consultation by explaining basic eligibility rules, organizing your financial documents, and generating smart questions…
Understanding Executor Compensation: How Much Can Personal Representatives Charge in 2026?
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm Yes, executor compensation is real, it is legal, and you have almost certainly earned every penny of it. Serving as a personal representative is…
Selling Real Estate During Probate: Complete Guide for Executors and Heirs [2026]
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm Yes, selling house in probate is possible, and families do it successfully every single day. As an estate planning and elder law attorney who…
Transfer-on-Death Deeds: How to Avoid Probate on Real Estate in Missouri and Arkansas
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm A transfer on death deed lets you pass your home directly to your beneficiaries without probate court, and it's one of the simplest estate…
Formal vs. Informal Probate: Which Administration Process is Right for Your Estate?
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm Formal probate means court supervision at every step of estate administration, with a probate judge overseeing your decisions, requiring multiple hearings, and approving each…
What Assets Go Through Probate? (And Which Ones Don’t)
By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm Assets owned solely in your name without beneficiary designations go through probate, but jointly owned property, retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, and assets in…