Probate
St. Louis Probate Attorneys
When someone dies owning property in Missouri, that property typically must pass through the probate process before it can be transferred to heirs or beneficiaries. Probate can feel overwhelming at a difficult time, especially for families unfamiliar with Missouri’s court procedures, deadlines, and creditor claim requirements. With more than 20 years of experience in the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Jefferson County probate divisions, O’Gorman and Sandroni guide personal representatives and families through every stage of the process, from opening an estate to final distribution.
What Probate Involves in Missouri
When someone dies owning property in Missouri, that property typically must pass through the probate process before it can be transferred to heirs or beneficiaries. Probate can feel overwhelming at a difficult time, especially for families unfamiliar with Missouri’s court procedures, deadlines, and creditor claim requirements. With more than 20 years of experience in the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Jefferson County probate divisions, O’Gorman and Sandroni guide personal representatives and families through every stage of the process, from opening an estate to final distribution.
Common Reasons Families Need a Probate Attorney
Even straightforward estates raise questions: which assets require probate, how to handle a business interest or out-of-state property, how to resolve disagreements among heirs, and how to protect a personal representative from personal liability for mistakes in the process. We handle the filings, notices, inventories, and accountings that Missouri probate courts require, so families can focus on settling their loved one’s affairs without getting lost in procedural detail.
When Probate Becomes Contested
Not every probate matter proceeds smoothly. Will contests, disputes over a personal representative’s conduct, and disagreements among beneficiaries about asset valuation or distribution can turn an administrative process into litigation. Our attorneys represent personal representatives, beneficiaries, and interested parties in contested probate matters throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Missouri law requires a probate estate to remain open for at least six months to allow the creditor claim period to run. Most straightforward estates close within nine months to a year; contested or complex estates can take considerably longer.
No. Missouri offers simplified procedures, such as small estate affidavits, for estates below a statutory value threshold, and assets held jointly, in trust, or with a named beneficiary generally pass outside probate.
Probate matters are handled by the probate division of the circuit court in the county where the deceased person resided, including St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Jefferson County.
Since 1985 Sean O’Gorman and Andrew Sandroni have been representing clients in all areas of the law. O’Gorman & Sandroni, P.C. was founded in 1989 on the principles of honesty, integrity, and the aggressive pursuit of our client’s goals.