Missouri Lawyers Handling Probate And Contested Wills In St. Louis And St. Charles

Last updated on January 28, 2026

If you have recently lost a parent, we understand the difficulty of not only having a loved one pass away, but also the accompanying legal confusion. At The Law Office of Baerveldt & Boedefeld, LLC, whether your parent either had a will or did not have a will, we’ll walk with you through and make the process of dividing assets as smooth as possible.

Do any of these sound like you?

• Your parent has a will, but you’re not sure what to do with it.
• Your Mom and Dad did not have a will, but have a house, car and other assets.
• Your parent has a will without assets designated to specific beneficiaries.
• You need help to get assets transferred to beneficiaries.
• You waited too long to file with the state.
• A lawyer needs to open an estate for you.
• There are creditor’s claims that you’re not sure how to handle.

At our firm, we realize all of these things you never wanted to deal with are keeping you up at night and are what you talk about around the dinner table. We are never fully prepared to take on the role of executor and all of the responsibilities that come with it.

The good news is we’re here to help you through the process. Just like you, we want to ensure your loved one’s wishes are carried out and his or her possessions and assets are given to the proper beneficiary.

Death Without A Will In Missouri

When a person dies without a valid will, state intestacy laws determine who receives the estate. Missouri follows a structured inheritance order that first prioritizes spouses and children.

• If the decedent leaves a spouse and shared children, the spouse receives the first $20,000 and half of the remaining estate while the children share whatever is left.
• If the deceased has children from another relationship, the spouse receives one half of the estate and all the deceased’s children (from current and prior relationships) share the other half.
• If there is no spouse or children, the estate passes to parents, then siblings, then more distant relatives, and if no qualifying relatives exist, it ultimately transfers to the State of Missouri.

The intestate process begins with the opening of a probate case and the formal appointment of a personal representative. The next stage involves identifying heirs and assets and distributing property according to state law.

Disputes are a risk during the probate process. Family members may disagree about who qualifies as an heir, whether certain property should be included or how sentimental items should be divided. Disagreements can delay administration and increase costs, making early legal guidance important for avoiding unnecessary conflict.

Probate Litigation In Missouri

Probate litigation may be necessary when disagreements or legal concerns arise during estate administration. These disputes often involve questions about a will’s validity, the conduct of the personal representative or the proper distribution of assets.

Common forms of probate litigation include:

• Will contests: Claims of improper will execution or that the deceased lacked the required mental capacity
• Breach of fiduciary duty: When a personal representative fails to act in the estate’s best interests
• Asset valuation disputes: Disagreements about the worth of real estate, business interests or personal property
• Heir disputes: When family members disagree about legal rights or shares
• Trust litigation: Concerns about trustee conduct, trust interpretation or distribution decisions
• Creditor claims: When legally challenging debts submitted against the estate by creditors

These matters typically proceed through investigation, negotiation and, if necessary, court hearings. Remedies may include removing a fiduciary, correcting erroneous distributions, recovering mismanaged assets or enforcing the terms of a valid will or trust.

Clear Guidance For Missouri Probate Challenges

We’re here to supply you with the roadmap and begin putting the plan in motion today. Please give us a call at 636-260-2515. When you do, you’ll not only have much more clarity, but more importantly, will feel a sense of calm knowing that your loved one’s wishes will be carried out just as they envisioned.