Documents a Missouri personal representative needs to gather

Certified death certificate (several copies)

Recorders, courts, banks, and title companies each want their own certified copy.

The original will (if one exists)

Filed with the probate court to begin the case and name the executor.

Letters testamentary or letters of administration

The court-issued proof that you are the personal representative with authority to act. Title companies and banks rely on these.

Your government photo ID

Needed to open estate accounts and sign documents as the representative.

List of assets and account statements

Bank, retirement, and investment statements near the date of death help value the estate and decide if a small estate affidavit (RSMo §473.097) fits.

List of debts and bills

Mortgages, credit cards, medical bills, and taxes — these must be handled before heirs are paid.

Beneficiary designations and trust documents

Assets with a named beneficiary or held in trust usually pass outside probate.

The current recorded deed

Shows exactly how the property is titled — sole owner, joint owners, beneficiary deed, or trust.

Any recorded beneficiary (transfer-on-death) deed

If recorded before death, ownership passed at death under RSMo §461.025 and probate may not be needed for the house.

Most recent mortgage statement and property tax bill

Confirms the payoff and whether taxes are current before a sale.

Homeowner’s insurance policy

Vacant inherited homes need coverage kept in force during the process.

Court order authorizing sale (if supervised)

A supervised probate generally needs the court’s approval to sell real estate (RSMo §473.457).