No, a will does not need to be notarized in order to be valid in Missouri. It must be written, signed, and witnessed by two people. A notary is only needed if you want your will to be self-proving, which is optional, but well worth it. Confusing these two rules…
Making sure your will is actually valid is critically important. Not only do you want your wishes honored, you want to make sure your assets aren’t distributed according to intestacy laws. There are specific requirements you have to follow to make sure your will is valid. It is always best…
Too many Missouri residents go without a will, or try to do one on their own. There are countless websites that will let you do a “free will” or one that seems really cheap. Unfortunately, these are usually created by non-lawyers, often from out-of-state. They often fail to meet the…
When a Missouri resident dies without a valid will, their estate is subject to the state’s intestate succession laws. These statutes, found in Chapter 474 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, dictate how assets are distributed among surviving relatives. While designed to reflect traditional family structures, intestate succession may not align…
Dying without a will, known legally as dying “intestate,” can create confusion, delays, and unintended consequences for your loved ones. In Missouri, the state’s intestacy laws determine how your assets are distributed, who manages your estate, and who inherits your property. While these laws aim to reflect typical family structures,…
