St. Louis County Probate Records

Probate records are legal documents outlining the administration and distribution of a deceased person's estate. The St. Louis County Probate Court in St. Louis County is responsible for keeping these records and overseeing the process to ensure a decedent's assets are allocated in line with their will or, in the absence of a will, in compliance with Missouri state probate law.

Probate records include documents generated, compiled, or submitted in connection with a probate action. These include wills, petitions, dockets, accounts, appraisement bills, bonds, court decrees, letters of administration, and estate inventories.

Probate documents and related St Louis county court records are sought for several reasons, including enabling will beneficiaries to authenticate their inheritance and hence their rights under a will. Also, when disagreements arise over a deceased person's inheritance, heirs or creditors may need to file probate papers to settle the issue. In legal and financial matters, probate records can also be useful to attorneys and financial institutions in legally transferring assets or settling unpaid obligations.

Are Probate Records Public?

Generally, St. Louis County probate records are public, meaning anyone can view documents about the administration of a deceased person's estate. However, under the Missouri Sunshine law (RSMo Section 610.21) some restrictions and privacy considerations may limit access to certain details:

• Confidential Matters: Certain probate cases, like those involving mental health or substance abuse, are considered confidential and are not available for public inspection.
• Redacted Personal Information: Sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers and financial account details, are usually redacted from publicly accessible records to protect privacy;
• Guardianship and Conservatorship Records: Cases involving minors or incapacitated individuals may have restricted access to protect the interests of those involved.

What is Probate Court in St Louis County?

To ensure that a deceased person's assets are divided per their will—or Missouri state probate law in the absence of a will—a probate court starts and oversees the legal process of administering their estate. The court also hears cases involving estates, conservatorships, and guardianships.

In Missouri's St. Louis County, the 21st Judicial Circuit Court's Probate Division is in charge of:

• Examining estate management and verifying wills.
• Selection of administrators or executors to oversee estates.
• Addressing issues involving guardianship for children or individuals incapable of caring for themselves.
• Settlement of estate distribution problems.

For inquiries contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at:

City of St. Louis Circuit Court
10 North Tucker Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63101
Phone: (314) 622-4433

Probate Court Case Lookup

The St. Louis County Probate Court or Missouri's Case.net online system are the two ways to search for probate court cases in St. Louis County. These documents are kept by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

1. Online Search via Case.net (Missouri Case.net)

• Visit the Missouri Judiciary’s Case.net portal.
• Select "Litigant Name Search" or "Case Number Search".
• Enter the case number, party name (decedent, executor, petitioner), or attorney name to locate a case.
• View public case details, including filings, court actions, and scheduled hearings.

2. In-Person Lookup at St. Louis County Probate Court. Visit or call the St. Louis County Probate Court at:

105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 615-8029

In any case, requestors will need to provide case details such as the decedent’s name, case number, or date of filing for a more efficient search. Copies of probate documents may be obtained for a fee. Some sensitive records (such as guardianship cases) may require special access permissions.

How to Find Probate Records Online Free

Several online resources are available for viewing and downloading local probate records on the Case Access website of the St. Louis County Probate Division. Users may need to pay to access search results or download case records, but initial searches are free. However, it is possible to view copies of probate records for free at the courthouse during business hours. Probate records can also be found at the public library.

Another way to find probate records is through online search services provided by third-party sources. These websites compile data from several sources and display it in an easily navigable segment. Aggregate websites are frequently more convenient than contacting individual record custodians due to the availability of public records from multiple entities. Nevertheless, despite their convenience, the retrieved probate records may not always be accurate or comprehensive.

How Long Does Probate Take in Missouri

In Missouri, the probate period typically lasts between six and 12 months, though it can vary depending on several factors. The required six-month period for creditors to make claims against the estate is one of the main determinants. Some factors affecting the probate period:

• Estate complexity: It could take longer to manage an estate with diverse assets or complex financial interests.
• Conflicts among beneficiaries: The procedure may be drawn out by contested wills or disputes among heirs.
• Timelines for court processing may be impacted by differences in administrative processes and workloads.

Are Wills Public Record?

Once a will is submitted for probate in St. Louis County, it becomes a public record. The will is released to the public by the St. Louis County Probate Court when a person dies and their estate is subject to probate. However, wills and codicils submitted to the Circuit Court for safekeeping are not open to the public. Only a court order or a verified copy of the testator's death certificate can grant access to a third party.

How to Find Out If Someone Has a Will

A Will remains a private record for the duration of the testator's (the person who drafts a will) life. Thus, it might be challenging to find out if someone has a will until after their death, whether for personal or legal reasons. Generally speaking, access to a live person's will is only possible with their consent.

The probate court in the county where the testator lived, died, or had property may be contacted for a copy of the will if the testator is deceased. Since testators are not required to deposit their wills with the court, wills may be found in physical and cloud storage locations. Alternatively, contact the executor or estate planning attorney (if known).

St Louis County Family Court Case Search

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office or Missouri's online case database sources of information on family court cases in St. Louis County. Cases involving divorce, child support, custody, adoption, and domestic violence orders are frequently included in these records.

Missouri Case.net, the official statewide court data system, lets the public lookup family court cases using search parameters, such as party names, case numbers, filing dates, attorney names, or judge names. Alternatively, visit or call the St. Louis County Family Court Division during business hours.

105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 615-8029

Note: Not every family court case is available to the general public. Some records may be sealed or designated as confidential, including those on adoptions, juvenile cases, protective orders involving minors, or cases containing private financial or health information. Only a court order or legal authority from one of the parties concerned may allow access in such circumstances.