How Much Does Probate Cost? Complete Fee Breakdown for 2026

By Christopher W. Dumm, J.D., Founder & Principal Attorney, The Law Offices of Christopher W. Dumm

Probate costs in Missouri and Arkansas typically range from 3% to 8% of your estate’s total value. For a $500,000 estate, that means $15,000 to $40,000 consumed by court fees, attorney fees, and executor compensation before your family receives a dime.

Over 27+ years helping families across five states, I’ve seen how these expenses quietly drain inheritances that took a lifetime to build. Most families don’t realize how much probate actually costs until they’re already in the middle of it, facing bills they never anticipated.

Dumm Takeaways

• Probate costs typically consume 3% to 8% of your estate’s total value before your family receives anything
• Missouri and Arkansas probate includes attorney fees, court costs, executor compensation, appraisals, and publication expenses that add up fast
• A $500,000 estate loses $15,000 to $40,000 in probate fees, while larger estates pay proportionally more
• Living trusts eliminate probate entirely, costing $2,500 to $5,000 upfront but saving tens of thousands later
• Dying without a will, outdated beneficiary designations, and unprepared executors multiply probate expenses dramatically
• Small estate procedures in Missouri (under $40,000) and Arkansas (under $100,000) offer simplified options with minimal costs
• Good planning now prevents crisis later, protecting your family from unnecessary court proceedings, delays, and expenses

The Cost of Probate in Missouri and Arkansas

What Probate Actually Costs Your Family

Probate fees typically consume 3% to 8% of your estate’s total value. A $300,000 estate in Missouri pays roughly $9,000 to $24,000 in combined costs. Arkansas estates face similar expenses through statutory attorney fees, court filing fees, and personal representative compensation before beneficiaries receive anything.

Why Even Modest Estates Face Substantial Probate Bills

You don’t need millions to lose thousands in probate. We’ve helped families with $150,000 estates who paid $8,000 in probate costs. Court fees, legal counsel expenses, appraisal fees, and executor compensation add up quickly. Real estate sales during probate trigger additional commissions that further reduce what your family inherits.

How Probate Fees Quietly Drain Inheritances

A Springfield couple came to us after losing $32,000 to probate on their father’s $450,000 estate in 2022. Attorney fees alone consumed $18,000. Add court costs, certified copies, publication fees, and accounting expenses, and the inheritance shrank dramatically. Another family in Bentonville watched probate stretch 18 months, costing an additional $6,000 in property maintenance and delayed distributions.

Breaking Down Every Fee You’ll Pay During Probate

Court Filing Fees in Missouri vs. Arkansas

Missouri charges approximately $150 to $200 in initial filing fees to open a probate case, plus additional fees for certified copies and letters of administration. Arkansas filing fees typically run $100 to $175, depending on the county. Both states add smaller administrative costs throughout the probate process that quickly accumulate beyond the initial application fee.

Attorney Fees Explained (Hourly, Percentage, and Flat Fee Models)

We’ve seen three common attorney fee structures in probate cases. Hourly rates in our region range from $250 to $450 per hour, with total costs depending on estate complexity. Some attorneys charge 3% to 5% of the estate’s gross value as a percentage fee. Flat fee arrangements for straightforward estates typically cost $3,500 to $8,000 for complete probate representation.

Executor and Personal Representative Compensation Rules

Missouri and Arkansas allow executors reasonable compensation, typically 3% to 5% of estate value. A Joplin client serving as executor for her mother’s $400,000 estate in 2023 received $16,000 in compensation. Arkansas statutory formulas permit similar percentages. Many family members waive executor fees, but the estate still bears this expense when professionals serve as personal representatives.

Appraisal, Accounting, and Valuation Expenses

Every probate estate requires professional appraisals for real estate and valuable personal property. Here’s what you’ll typically pay for valuation services in our service area:

• Real estate appraisals: $400 to $700 per property
• Business valuations: $2,000 to $10,000 depending on complexity
• Probate referee fees: 0.1% to 0.5% of appraised value
• Formal accounting preparation: $1,500 to $5,000

Publication Costs, Notice Requirements, and Bond Premiums

Missouri and Arkansas require published notice to creditors in local newspapers, costing $200 to $500 depending on publication rates. You’ll also pay for certified mail notices to known creditors and beneficiaries. When courts require a surety bond to protect estate assets, premiums typically cost 0.5% to 1% of the estate value annually until probate closes, adding hundreds or thousands more.

Real Estate Commissions When Selling Inherited Property

Selling inherited real estate during probate triggers standard real estate commissions of 5% to 6% of the sale price. A Kansas City executor sold her father’s $250,000 home in 2024 and paid $15,000 in commissions before the estate could distribute proceeds. These costs come directly from estate assets. Some families don’t realize probate assets sold through the court reduce what beneficiaries ultimately inherit by substantial percentages.

Tax Preparation and Final Return Filing Fees

Probate estates require multiple tax filings beyond standard returns. You’ll need a final individual return for the deceased person, plus estate income tax returns if the estate generates income during administration. Professional tax preparation for probate typically costs $800 to $2,500. We recently worked with a Bentonville family whose estate required both federal and Arkansas estate tax filings, adding $3,200 in accounting fees to their total probate expenses.

Table: What You’ll Actually Pay in Probate (Missouri & Arkansas)

Fee Category	Typical Cost Range
Court filing fees	$150 – $200
Attorney fees (3-5% of estate)	$9,000 – $50,000+
Executor compensation (3-5%)	$9,000 – $50,000+
Real estate appraisals	$400 – $700 per property
Business valuations	$2,000 – $10,000
Publication and notices	$200 – $500
Certified copies	$50 – $150
Tax preparation	$800 – $2,500
Bond premiums (if required)	0.5% – 1% annually
Real estate commissions	5% – 6% of sale price

Missouri Probate Costs by Estate Size

What a $100,000 Estate Pays in Probate

A $100,000 Missouri estate typically pays $3,000 to $5,000 in total probate costs. Court filing fees run about $200, attorney fees average $2,500 to $3,500, and executor compensation adds another $3,000 if claimed. Small estates often qualify for simplified procedures that reduce these expenses significantly.

Probate Expenses for $500,000 Estates in Missouri

We helped a Springfield widow in 2023 whose husband’s $480,000 estate included their home and retirement accounts. Her total probate costs reached $22,000:

• Attorney fees: $14,400 (3% of estate value)
• Executor compensation: $4,800 (waived by family)
• Court fees and certified copies: $450
• Real estate appraisal: $600
• Accounting and tax preparation: $1,750

How Much a $1 Million Estate Loses to Probate

Missouri probate on a $1 million estate typically consumes $35,000 to $60,000 in total costs. Attorney fees alone range from $30,000 to $40,000 at standard percentage rates. A Joplin business owner’s estate we probated in 2024 paid $48,000 total after including personal representative fees, business valuation costs, real estate commissions, and extended legal counsel for creditor disputes.

The Staggering Cost of Probating $2 Million Plus Estates

Larger estates face proportionally higher costs plus additional complexity fees. A $2.5 million estate we handled for a Kansas City family in 2022 lost $112,000 to probate expenses. Attorney fees consumed $75,000, executor compensation added $25,000, and business valuations, multiple property appraisals, and tax preparation accounted for the remainder.

Estates exceeding $2 million often trigger federal estate tax filing requirements, adding $5,000 to $15,000 in specialized accounting fees.

Simplified Probate Options for Smaller Missouri Estates

Missouri offers streamlined procedures for estates under $40,000 that avoid full probate court proceedings. Small estates can use affidavit procedures with minimal court involvement, reducing costs to under $500.

We recently helped a Rogers family transfer their father’s $35,000 estate in just three weeks using a small estate affidavit instead of formal probate. These simplified options eliminate attorney fees, executor compensation, and lengthy court hearings for qualifying estates with straightforward asset distributions.

Arkansas Probate Expenses and Fee Structures

Statutory Attorney Fees vs. Reasonable Fee Agreements in Arkansas

Arkansas allows attorneys to charge either statutory fees based on estate value or negotiate reasonable fee agreements with executors. Statutory formulas typically calculate 3% to 5% of the gross estate. We often use hourly billing for straightforward estates, which frequently costs families less than percentage-based fees for uncomplicated probate cases.

What Different Estate Sizes Actually Pay in Arkansas

Arkansas probate costs scale with estate value but include predictable fee categories. Here’s what families typically pay:

• $100,000 estate: $3,500 to $6,000 total
• $300,000 estate: $10,000 to $18,000 total
• $750,000 estate: $25,000 to $40,000 total
• $1.5 million estate: $50,000 to $80,000 total

Expedited Probate Procedures That Reduce Costs

Arkansas offers simplified probate for estates under $100,000 with no real estate, cutting typical timelines from 12 months to 60 days. We helped a Rogers family in early 2024 use expedited procedures for their aunt’s $85,000 estate. Total costs reached just $2,200 instead of the $6,000 they’d have paid through formal probate administration. These procedures eliminate lengthy court hearings and reduce legal counsel hours substantially.

When Arkansas Law Requires Full Probate Administration

Arkansas requires full probate when estates include real estate, exceed $100,000 in value, or involve contested wills. You’ll also need formal administration if creditor claims exist or beneficiaries dispute asset distribution.

A 58-year-old executor from Fayetteville contacted us in 2023 hoping to avoid probate for her father’s $95,000 estate, but his home ownership triggered mandatory court proceedings. Full probate becomes necessary regardless of estate size when deceased persons owned property titled in their name alone.

Table: State-by-State Probate Cost Comparison

Cost Element	Missouri	Arkansas
Court filing fees	$150 – $200	$100 – $175
Attorney fee structure	Hourly or negotiated	Statutory or reasonable fee
Typical attorney fees (% of estate)	3% – 5%	3% – 5%
Small estate threshold	Under $40,000	Under $100,000
Simplified probate available	Yes (affidavit)	Yes (expedited)
Average timeline	9 – 18 months	9 – 18 months
Executor compensation	3% – 5% (reasonable)	3% – 5% (statutory)

Which Fees Come from the Estate vs. Your Own Pocket

Expenses Paid by the Estate Before Distribution

The estate pays nearly all probate costs before beneficiaries receive anything. Court filing fees, probate attorney fees, executor compensation, appraisal expenses, and publication costs all come from deceased person’s assets. A Springfield executor we advised in 2024 watched $28,000 leave her father’s estate for these expenses before distributions began.

Costs You Might Have to Cover Personally as Executor

You’ll likely pay some expenses upfront from your own funds. Filing a will requires immediate payment of court forms and certified copies before estate accounts open. We’ve seen executors cover property maintenance, utility bills, and insurance premiums for months waiting for letters testamentary. One Joplin client spent $3,400 personally maintaining her mother’s home during a six-month probate process.

How to Get Reimbursed for Out-of-Pocket Probate Expenses

Keep detailed records of every expense you pay personally during estate administration. Submit receipts to the probate court with your final report for reimbursement approval. Courts routinely approve reasonable expenses when you provide proper documentation and legal advice supports your reimbursement claims.

A 62-year-old personal representative from Bentonville we worked with in 2023 recovered $4,200 in out-of-pocket costs by documenting property insurance, lawn maintenance, and safe deposit box fees she paid during probate.

The Hidden Ways Probate Shrinks What Beneficiaries Receive

How Time Delays Cost Your Family Real Money

Missouri and Arkansas probate typically takes 9 to 18 months to complete. During this time, your family pays ongoing property taxes, insurance premiums, and maintenance costs that reduce the estate’s value. We recently helped a Rogers family whose 14-month probate process cost an additional $8,200 in carrying costs beyond standard probate fees.

Unexpected Creditor Claims That Surface During Probate

The public court process requires notice of administration to creditors, inviting claims against the estate. Medical bills, credit cards, and unknown debts often emerge after the date of death.

A 55-year-old surviving spouse in Joplin discovered $18,000 in unexpected medical claims during her husband’s 2023 probate that nobody knew existed. These claims get paid before beneficiaries receive distributions, sometimes eliminating anticipated inheritances entirely.

The Compounding Effect of Multiple Fee Categories

Probate costs stack quickly when you add every category together. Here’s how a typical $600,000 Missouri estate we handled in 2024 lost $34,600 before distributions:

• Probate attorney fees: $18,000
• Executor compensation: $9,000
• Court filing fees and certified copies: $500
• Real estate appraisal: $650
• Inventory and appraisal services: $1,200
• Publication and notice costs: $450
• Tax preparation and final report: $2,800
• Property maintenance during probate: $2,000

Each fee seems reasonable individually, but combined they consumed nearly 6% of what beneficiaries expected to inherit.

Strategies to Minimize or Eliminate Probate Costs

Living Trusts That Bypass Probate Entirely

A revocable trust lets you transfer assets to beneficiaries without court involvement, eliminating probate fees completely. We helped a Bentonville couple in 2023 create a living trust for their $850,000 estate, saving their children an estimated $42,000 in future probate costs. Trust administration typically costs $2,000 to $5,000 compared to tens of thousands for probate.

Joint Ownership Arrangements (and Their Serious Risks)

Adding adult children as joint owners avoids probate but creates dangerous unintended consequences. Joint accounts expose your assets to your children’s creditors, divorces, and lawsuits. A Springfield widow added her son to her bank accounts in 2022, then watched his divorce attorney claim half the funds as community property. Joint ownership also triggers gift tax issues and eliminates important asset protections.

Payable on Death and Transfer on Death Designations

Payable on death accounts and transfer on death deeds let assets pass directly to named beneficiaries without probate. We routinely help clients add these designations to bank accounts, investment accounts, and even real estate in states permitting transfer-on-death registration.

A Joplin client transferred $280,000 in retirement accounts and life insurance policies to her children using beneficiary designations, keeping these nonprobate assets out of court entirely.

Strategic Asset Gifting Before Death

Federal law allows tax-free gifts up to $18,000 per person annually without reducing your lifetime exemption. Strategic gifting reduces your estate size and future probate costs. Here are assets we help clients gift strategically:

• Cash gifts to children and grandchildren
• Real estate transferred during lifetime
• Family business interests gifted gradually
• Investment accounts repositioned as gifts

Small Estate Affidavit Procedures Available in Your State

Missouri allows small estate affidavits for estates under $40,000 without real property. Arkansas permits simplified procedures for estates under $100,000 with no real estate. These processes cost under $500 and complete in weeks instead of months.

We recently helped a Rogers family use Arkansas small estate procedures to transfer their father’s $65,000 estate in just 45 days. The entire process cost $380 compared to the $4,500 formal probate would have required.

When Attorney Fees Actually Save You Money

Hiring a probate attorney for complex estates prevents costly mistakes that exceed legal fees. We saved a Springfield family $34,000 in 2023 by identifying improper creditor claims against their mother’s estate.

Contested wills, business valuations, and multi-state assets require legal counsel to protect beneficiaries. One Bentonville executor tried handling probate alone, made filing errors, and paid $6,200 in penalties before hiring us to fix the problems for an additional $8,500.

Probate Costs vs. Trust Administration

What Setting Up a Living Trust Actually Costs

Creating a comprehensive revocable trust in our region typically costs $2,500 to $5,000 for couples and $1,800 to $3,500 for individuals. This includes the trust document, pour-over will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We helped a Springfield couple establish their living trust in 2024 for $3,200, protecting their $720,000 estate from future probate expenses.

How Trust Administration Expenses Compare to Probate

Trust administration after death costs dramatically less than probate. Settling a trust typically requires $2,000 to $6,000 for legal documents, asset transfers, and tax filings compared to $30,000 to $60,000 for probating the same size estate. A Bentonville family we worked with in 2023 settled their father’s $900,000 trust for $4,100 total, saving approximately $38,000 compared to probate costs.

The Long-Term Savings of Trust-Based Planning

The upfront cost of estate planning pays for itself many times over. A $4,000 investment in a living trust saves a $500,000 estate roughly $20,000 to $35,000 in probate fees. For larger estates, the savings multiply dramatically. We’ve helped families save $50,000 to $100,000 by establishing trusts instead of relying on wills that trigger mandatory court proceedings.

Why Avoiding Probate Protects More Than Just Money

Trusts provide privacy that probate cannot offer. The public court process exposes your estate’s value, beneficiaries, and asset details to anyone who requests court records. Trusts keep your financial information confidential and transfer assets immediately instead of waiting 12 to 18 months.

A Rogers client told us in 2024 that avoiding probate gave her family “peace of mind during grief instead of legal headaches.” Trust administration protects family harmony by eliminating court disputes and providing clear asset distribution instructions that prevent minor children from inheriting directly.

Table: Probate Costs vs. Living Trust

Estate Value	Probate Costs	Trust Setup Cost	Trust Administration	Total Savings
$300,000	$10,000 – $18,000	$3,000	$2,500	$4,500 – $12,500
$500,000	$18,000 – $35,000	$3,500	$3,500	$11,000 – $28,000
$1,000,000	$35,000 – $60,000	$4,000	$5,000	$26,000 – $51,000
$2,000,000	$70,000 – $120,000	$5,000	$6,000	$59,000 – $109,000

Costly Mistakes That Send Your Probate Bill Skyrocketing

How Dying Without a Will Multiplies Expenses

Dying intestate forces your estate through full probate administration with zero shortcuts. Missouri and Arkansas courts appoint administrators, require additional bonds, and follow rigid state formulas for asset distribution. We recently helped a Joplin family whose father died without a will, adding $12,000 in extra legal fees and eight months to the probate timeline.

Beneficiary Designation Errors That Force Unnecessary Probate

Outdated or missing beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and retirement accounts push these assets into probate unnecessarily. Common mistakes that create probate problems include:

• Naming your estate as beneficiary instead of individuals
• Forgetting to update beneficiaries after divorce or death
• Listing minor children directly without trust protection
• Failing to name contingent beneficiaries

A Springfield widow in 2023 discovered her husband’s $240,000 retirement account named his deceased mother as beneficiary, forcing the funds through probate and costing $14,000 in avoidable fees.

Waiting Until Crisis Hits to Create an Estate Plan

Emergency estate planning after diagnosis or decline costs more and provides fewer options. We met a 71-year-old Bentonville man in 2024 facing nursing home placement who waited too long for effective Medicaid planning.

His delayed action cost his family $180,000 in assets that proper advance planning would have preserved. Crisis planning also limits your ability to establish trusts, transfer assets strategically, or structure gifts that reduce probate exposure.

Selecting an Unprepared Executor or Trustee

Choosing an executor who lives out of state, has poor financial skills, or cannot handle family conflicts increases probate costs substantially. Unprepared personal representatives make filing errors, miss deadlines, and require extra legal counsel to fix mistakes.

A Rogers family appointed their youngest daughter as executor in 2023 despite her living in California and having no estate administration experience. Her mistakes added $9,400 in corrective legal fees and extended probate by six months beyond normal timelines.

How to Protect Your Family from Excessive Probate Costs

When You Absolutely Need an Attorney for Probate

Hire a probate attorney when estates include real estate, business interests, contested wills, or significant creditor claims. Complex family situations with minor children, blended families, or out-of-state beneficiaries require professional legal counsel.

We recently guided a Springfield executor through a disputed $680,000 estate in 2024, protecting beneficiaries from improper claims that would have cost $45,000 without experienced representation.

Taking Action Now to Eliminate Future Probate Expenses

Good estate planning today prevents crisis tomorrow. Creating a revocable trust, updating beneficiary designations, and structuring asset ownership properly eliminates probate entirely. A Joplin couple in their early 60s came to us in 2023 after watching friends lose $38,000 to probate. We established their living trust for $3,400, saving their children an estimated $32,000 in future expenses and months of court proceedings.

The Peace of Mind That Comes with Proper Planning

Knowing your family avoids probate costs and delays provides genuine relief. Our clients tell us proper planning eliminates the worry about burdening loved ones during grief. A 68-year-old Bentonville business owner told us last year that finalizing his estate plan felt like “lifting a weight I’d carried for years.”

His adult children now have clear instructions, protected assets, and confidence that settling his estate will take weeks instead of consuming a year in probate court.

Getting Started with Your Probate-Free Estate Plan

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your family’s specific situation and explore options that work for your assets and goals. We’ll explain how living trusts, beneficiary designations, and strategic planning eliminate probate costs entirely.

Our LIFE Program provides ongoing support as your life changes, ensuring your estate plan stays current. Most families complete their probate-avoidance planning in 3 to 4 weeks, investing a few thousand dollars now to save tens of thousands later while giving their loved ones peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Probate Costs

1. Can I handle probate myself without hiring an attorney to save money?

You can handle simple estates alone, but mistakes often cost more than attorney fees. We’ve seen executors pay thousands in penalties for filing errors. Complex estates with real estate, creditor disputes, or contested wills absolutely require professional legal counsel to protect beneficiaries and avoid costly mistakes.

2. How long does probate typically take in Missouri and Arkansas?

Probate usually takes 9 to 18 months in both states, depending on estate complexity and court schedules. Simple estates with no disputes sometimes close in 6 months. Complex estates involving business valuations, contested claims, or real estate sales can extend beyond two years, increasing carrying costs substantially.

3. Will my family have to pay probate costs out of their own pockets?

No, the estate pays nearly all probate expenses before beneficiaries receive distributions. Executors sometimes advance costs personally for filing fees or property maintenance but get reimbursed from estate assets. Keep detailed receipts of every expense you pay for proper court-approved reimbursement when submitting your final report.

4. Does a will help my family avoid probate costs?

Wills don’t avoid probate, they just provide instructions for how courts should distribute your assets. Only strategies like revocable trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper joint ownership arrangements eliminate probate entirely. We help families choose the right combination of tools to protect their specific assets from court proceedings and unnecessary expenses.

5. What happens if the estate can’t afford to pay all the probate costs?

Courts prioritize probate expenses and creditor claims before beneficiary distributions. If assets can’t cover all costs, beneficiaries receive nothing and some creditors go unpaid. We recently helped a family discover their father’s $85,000 estate owed $92,000 in debts and probate fees, leaving heirs with zero inheritance after court proceedings.

6. Can probate costs be deducted on tax returns?

Yes, estate administration expenses including attorney fees, executor compensation, and court costs are deductible on the estate’s income tax return. These deductions reduce the estate’s taxable income during probate administration. Your tax preparer or probate attorney can identify which specific expenses qualify for deductions when filing the estate’s final returns.

7. Is it too late to avoid probate if someone already died?

Once death occurs, probate avoidance options end and you must follow probate laws for that estate. However, you can still create your own estate plan now to protect your family from future probate costs. We help families learn from difficult probate experiences and establish trusts that spare their children the same expenses and delays.

Conclusion

Probate costs in Missouri and Arkansas consume thousands of dollars that your family deserves to inherit instead. Over 27+ years, we’ve helped hundreds of families eliminate these expenses entirely through proper estate planning.

Our clients tell us the peace of mind from knowing their loved ones avoid probate is worth far more than the modest investment in a well-structured plan. Let’s discuss your family’s unique situation and create a strategy that protects what you’ve built.

Book a Free Consultation today