Wills and Pour-Over Wills in Missouri
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It says who receives your property, who manages your estate and who cares for your minor children. Legal Hero drafts wills that are clear, valid under Missouri law and coordinated with the rest of your plan.
What a Will Does
- Names the beneficiaries who receive your property.
- Appoints a personal representative to settle your estate.
- Names guardians for minor children.
- Can create trusts for children or other beneficiaries.
What Is a Pour-Over Will?
A pour-over will works alongside a revocable living trust. Any asset not already in the trust at your death “pours over” into it, so everything ends up distributed under one set of instructions.
Signing Requirements in Missouri
A Missouri will must be in writing, signed by you and witnessed by two competent witnesses (RSMo 474.320). Missouri does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills. A self-proving affidavit, signed before a notary, can make the will easier to admit to probate later (RSMo 474.337).
Does a Will Avoid Probate?
No. Assets passing under a will generally go through probate. If avoiding probate is a priority, we can pair your will with a trust, beneficiary deeds and beneficiary designations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I die without a will in Missouri?
Your property passes under Missouri’s intestacy rules, and the court chooses who manages your estate and who cares for minor children.
How often should I update my will?
After major life changes: marriage, divorce, a birth, a death in the family, a move or a significant change in assets.
Do I need a pour-over will if I have a trust?
Yes. It catches assets left outside the trust and is where you name guardians for minor children.
Haven’t updated your will in years? Call Legal Hero at 314-816-3081.