Back to Missouri
Livingston County, MO Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Livingston County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Livingston County |
| Courthouse address | Livingston County Courthouse, 700 Webster Street, Suite 11, Chillicothe, MO 64601 |
| Mailing address | 700 Webster Street, Suite 11, Chillicothe, MO 64601 |
| Phone | (660) 646-8000, ask for the circuit clerk's office. The local listing includes extension 305. |
| Fax | (660) 646-2734 |
| Hours | Call (660) 646-8000 before traveling to check current public counter hours. |
| Court cost | Court Operating Rule 21.01, effective September 1, 2023, sets the statewide probate cost structure for letters, small estate affidavits, refusal of letters, heirship matters, copies and later inventory based charges. Ask the Livingston County clerk to quote the current total for your filing. |
| Local forms | No Livingston County probate packet or local probate form set is posted. Use the Missouri Judiciary probate forms and any instructions from the clerk. |
| E-filing | Attorneys use the Missouri eFiling System. Self-represented filers are not required to e-file under Court Operating Rule 27.03, effective October 1, 2019. Ask the clerk what filing options are open for a self-represented probate filing in Livingston County. |
| Case search | Case.net, the Missouri Judiciary statewide public case search |
| Remote appearance | No Livingston County probate remote appearance rule is posted. Ask the clerk when a hearing is set. |
| Website | Missouri Judiciary Livingston County local rules and filing information page |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a probate path in Livingston County, make a practical inventory of what the person owned, what was jointly held, what had a beneficiary designation, what debts exist, and whether Livingston County real estate is involved. That information drives whether the family needs letters testamentary or letters of administration, a small estate affidavit, a refusal of letters, or another Missouri procedure.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families find accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property before they spend time at the Chillicothe courthouse. A clearer asset picture makes estate settlement more efficient and helps you ask the clerk or an attorney the right questions the first time.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Livingston County serves Livingston County probate matters from the courthouse in Chillicothe. Livingston County is part of the 43rd Judicial Circuit with Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess and DeKalb counties, but each county keeps its own courthouse and probate filing counter.
Missouri venue for probate follows the decedent's domicile: the will is probated and letters are granted in the county where the decedent was domiciled (RSMo 473.010). If the decedent was domiciled in Livingston County, file the estate in Chillicothe. If the decedent had no Missouri domicile, Missouri law looks to where Missouri property is located, with special treatment when the major part of the Missouri estate is real estate (RSMo 473.010).
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the local filing office. For a Livingston County estate, use the circuit clerk's office in Suite 11 at the Livingston County Courthouse, 700 Webster Street, Chillicothe, because the circuit clerk serves as the clerk of the probate division (RSMo 472.010(4)).
- Choose the Missouri path before preparing forms. Full administration asks the court for letters testamentary or letters of administration. Smaller or family allowance matters may use a small estate affidavit or refusal of letters when the statewide requirements fit.
- Prepare the filing packet. Livingston County does not post a local probate packet, so start with the Missouri Judiciary probate forms, including the FI-50 confidential case filing information sheet when a new probate case is filed.
- Handle the original will correctly. If there is an original will, deliver it to the probate division on paper even if other documents are handled electronically or by an attorney through the Missouri eFiling System (RSMo 474.510).
- File in Chillicothe and get the current cost from the clerk. Court Operating Rule 21.01, effective September 1, 2023, sets the statewide structure for probate court costs, including later inventory based charges, but Livingston County's exact total should be quoted by the clerk for the filing you are making.
- Address attorney representation early. In Missouri, a personal representative who is not a lawyer cannot appear in court except through an attorney, although a personal representative may prepare and file their own inventories and settlements (RSMo 473.153.7). Small estate affidavits and refusals of letters do not appoint a personal representative.
- Give notice and handle creditor deadlines when letters are issued. The clerk causes notice of letters to be published once a week for four consecutive weeks (RSMo 473.033). Missouri then runs the creditor deadlines described in RSMo 473.360 and RSMo 473.444.
- Attend any required hearing or follow the court's order. If the court sets a hearing, ask the Livingston County clerk whether the appearance is in person and whether any remote option is available for that setting.
- Use the authority document and administer the estate. Once the court grants authority, the personal representative uses letters testamentary or letters of administration to collect assets, deal with creditors, sell property if authorized, and settle accounts.
- Close or complete the local follow-up. If a small estate affidavit or refusal of letters affects Livingston County real estate, take the required certified copy or clerk certificate to the Livingston County Recorder of Deeds in the same courthouse, using the Recorder of Deeds line at (660) 646-8000, extension 6.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Livingston County
Livingston County does not post a separate local probate packet, checklist, or county-specific probate form set. The local court page points readers to local rules and filing information, so a Livingston County filing should use the Missouri Judiciary probate forms plus any instructions the clerk gives for the specific case.
| Form or form group | How it fits a Livingston County filing |
|---|---|
| FI-50 confidential case filing information sheet | Required by the Missouri Judiciary forms page for each probate and non-domestic relations case filed. |
| Small estate forms | Use the statewide small estate affidavit forms when the Missouri small estate procedure fits (RSMo 473.097). |
| Refusal of letters forms | Use the statewide creditor, surviving spouse, or unmarried minor children refusal forms when that Missouri procedure fits (RSMo 473.090). |
| Determination of heirship form | Use the statewide heirship petition form when the after-one-year Missouri heirship procedure fits (RSMo 473.663). |
| Full administration pleadings | No Livingston County form number for opening a full estate is posted. In a full administration, coordinate the packet with a Missouri probate attorney or the clerk's office. |
Local nuance
Livingston County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Livingston County |
|---|---|
| Shared circuit, local courthouse | Livingston County is in the 43rd Judicial Circuit with four other counties, but a Livingston County estate is filed in Chillicothe. |
| Filing counter | Use the circuit clerk's office in Suite 11 at 700 Webster Street for probate filings. |
| No separate probate phone found | Call (660) 646-8000 and ask for the circuit clerk's office. The local listing includes extension 305. |
| Hours | Call before traveling to check current public counter hours. |
| Local probate forms | No Livingston County probate packet or county-specific probate form set is posted. |
| Real estate follow-up | The Recorder of Deeds is a separate office in the same courthouse and is reached at (660) 646-8000, extension 6. |
| Remote appearance | No Livingston County probate remote appearance rule is posted, so ask the clerk when a hearing is scheduled. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Livingston County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | First identify whether the home was jointly held or otherwise passes outside probate. If probate is still needed for Livingston County property, file in Chillicothe and ask whether refusal of letters or a full estate is the correct Missouri path. | Sunset helps find accounts, identify beneficiary assets, organize property information, and connect the spouse with a Missouri probate attorney when court representation is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Call the Livingston County clerk before traveling to ask what the office needs for a self-represented small estate filing, and deliver any original will to the probate division on paper. | Sunset helps gather account information remotely, prepare a probate packet, and reduce unnecessary trips by organizing questions before the child calls the Chillicothe courthouse. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home is in Livingston County and no nonprobate transfer controls it, a court process may be needed before sale. File in Chillicothe, and use the Livingston County Recorder of Deeds for any required real estate recording after the probate order or certificate is issued. | Sunset helps identify debts and assets, assemble real estate and account information, and connect the parent with a vetted attorney for sale authority and court appearances. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Livingston County local rules and filing information | Missouri Judiciary page for Livingston County court information. | Missouri Judiciary Livingston County court page |
| Case.net | Statewide public case lookup for Missouri circuit court cases, including probate division cases. | Case.net |
| Missouri Judiciary probate forms | Statewide probate forms, including confidential filing information, small estate, refusal of letters, and heirship forms. | Missouri Judiciary probate forms page |
| Missouri Revisor of Statutes | Official Missouri statutes for probate, venue, small estate affidavits, refusal of letters, creditor deadlines, and personal representative duties. | Missouri Revisor of Statutes |
| Legal Aid of Western Missouri, St. Joseph office | Free civil legal aid intake for eligible low-income Missourians in Livingston County. | Legal aid offices |
When to hire an attorney
Missouri draws an important line between preparing paperwork and appearing in court: a personal representative who is not a lawyer cannot appear in court except through an attorney, although the personal representative may prepare and file their own inventories and settlements (RSMo 473.153.7). Counsel is especially important in Livingston County when a full estate must be opened, heirs disagree, creditors are active, real estate must be sold, or a hearing is likely. Sunset connects families to a vetted Missouri probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across 2,300 institutions to help families locate bank accounts, retirement plans, insurance, investments, and other assets that shape the Livingston County probate plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns what you know about the person, the family, and the assets into an organized estate settlement packet you can review with the Livingston County clerk or a Missouri probate attorney.
Find a local probate attorney. When full administration or a court appearance is needed, Sunset connects families with a vetted Missouri probate attorney who can handle the Livingston County filing and hearing requirements.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools, asset discovery, probate packet support, and attorney matching without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for a Livingston County resident?
File in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Livingston County at the Livingston County Courthouse, 700 Webster Street, Suite 11, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Missouri venue is based on the county where the decedent was domiciled (RSMo 473.010).
Is Livingston County part of a shared circuit?
Yes. Livingston County is in the 43rd Judicial Circuit with Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess and DeKalb counties. That does not move a Livingston County estate to another courthouse. Use the Chillicothe courthouse for a Livingston County estate.
What number should I call before I go to the courthouse?
Call (660) 646-8000 and ask for the circuit clerk's office. The local listing includes extension 305. Call ahead to check current public counter hours and the cost for the filing you plan to make.
Can I e-file a Livingston County probate case if I am representing myself?
Self-represented filers are not required to e-file under Court Operating Rule 27.03, effective October 1, 2019. Attorneys use the Missouri eFiling System. If you are filing without a lawyer, ask the Livingston County clerk what filing options are open for your probate filing.
Do I have to bring the original will to the courthouse?
Yes. If there is an original will, deliver it to the probate division on paper even if other documents are submitted electronically by an attorney or handled another way (RSMo 474.510).
Does Livingston County have its own probate forms?
No Livingston County probate packet or county-specific probate form set is posted. Use the Missouri Judiciary probate forms, including the FI-50 confidential case filing information sheet when a new probate case is filed, and follow any instructions from the clerk.
What court cost should I expect in Livingston County probate?
Court Operating Rule 21.01, effective September 1, 2023, sets the statewide structure for letters, small estate affidavits, refusal of letters, heirship matters, copies, and inventory based charges. Livingston County does not post a probate cost schedule, so ask the clerk to quote the current total for your filing.
Can I look up a Livingston County probate case online?
Yes. Use Case.net, the Missouri Judiciary statewide public case search. Public Case.net generally shows docket information, not every document in the court file.
Do I have to travel to Chillicothe for a probate hearing?
Maybe. No Livingston County probate remote appearance rule is posted. If the court sets a hearing, ask the clerk whether the appearance is in person and what options, if any, are available for that setting.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.