Uncontested Probate
A will exists, heirs agree, and the assets are straightforward.
Typically Includes
- Filing the petition with the court
- Notifying heirs and creditors
- Inventory and appraisal of assets
- Final distribution to beneficiaries
Estate Administration AttorneyWe Handle the Paperwork, So You Can Focus on Your Family.
Whether there's a will, a trust, or neither, someone has to manage the legal and financial steps after a death — filing with the court, notifying creditors, and distributing what's left.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri estate attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so the numbers get checked as carefully as the paperwork.
Free 30-minute consultationNo obligation
30 Years
Practicing law
11 Years
In wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
AEP®
Accredited Estate Planner
What it does
Which Situation Fits You
Start with what's true for your family — we'll help you figure out the rest.
Probate — the court-supervised process to validate a will, or apply Missouri law if there isn't one, pay debts, and distribute what's left.
Learn about Probate →Trust Administration — a private process to settle a trust and distribute its assets, typically without court involvement.
Learn about Trust Administration →What we watch for
What Actually Has to Happen Now
An executor named in a will, or a trustee named in a trust, has to step in and handle things. If neither exists, a court appoints someone.
An executor named in a will, or a trustee named in a trust, has to step in and handle things. If neither exists, a court appoints someone.
Before anyone receives an inheritance, valid debts, funeral costs, and final taxes have to be settled.
What's left goes according to the will or trust. Without either, Missouri law decides.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri estate attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so the numbers get checked as carefully as the paperwork.
What we watch for
How We Help
You shouldn't have to learn probate or trust law during one of the hardest years of your life. Here's what we take off your plate.
Petitions, notices, and deadlines are tracked and filed correctly, so nothing gets missed or delayed.
We review and respond to claims against the estate, so you don't have to negotiate with strangers during a hard time.
Regular updates, so family members aren't left wondering what's happening or when it will be done.
Pricing
How Estate Administration Is Priced
Pricing depends on what's involved — whether there's a will, a trust, or a court process, and how straightforward the estate is. Most matters are quoted as a flat fee or a clear hourly rate, agreed to before work begins.
Trust Administration
A living trust is already in place, so no court process is required.
Typically Includes
- Guidance for the successor trustee
- Asset retitling and transfers
- Creditor notice and claims
- Final trust accounting and distribution
Complex or Contested
Disputes among heirs, no will, or a large or complicated estate.
Typically Includes
- Will contests and disputes
- Locating and valuing complex assets
- Coordinating with CPAs and appraisers
- Resolving creditor or tax disputes
Get an exact number for your situation — the first call is free.
Call 636-214-0546The process
How We Settle an Estate
Whether there's a will, a trust, or neither, and what the estate includes — in one real meeting.
1
We map what exists
Whether there's a will, a trust, or neither, and what the estate includes — in one real meeting.
2
We open the right process
Filing with the court for probate, or guiding the trustee if there's a trust — whichever actually applies.
3
We handle debts, taxes, and claims
So creditors and tax deadlines don't become your problem to manage alone.
4
We distribute and close it out
Assets transferred, final paperwork filed, and the estate properly closed.
Your attorney
Why Families Trust Deborah With This
Deborah Smiley
JD · CFP® · AEP®Deborah has practiced law in Missouri for 30 years. For 11 of those years, she also worked in wealth management — a combination that matters here too, since settling an estate often means untangling real financial accounts, not just legal paperwork.
She's a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and an AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner) — credentials very few estate attorneys hold together.
30 yrsPracticing law in Missouri
11 yrsIn wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®Certified Financial Planner
AEP®Accredited Estate Planner
Past ChairProbate & Trust Committee, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Ready to talk through your plan?
Call 636-214-0546Client Reviews
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Questions
Questions
The legal and financial process of settling someone's affairs after they pass — paying debts and distributing what's left, through probate or a trust.
Probate is a court-supervised process used when there's a will, or no will at all. Trust administration settles a living trust privately, without court involvement.
It varies with the size and complexity of the estate — simple, uncontested estates typically resolve faster than contested or complex ones. We'll give you a realistic timeline after reviewing your situation.
In most cases, yes — Missouri probate courts generally require the personal representative to be represented by an attorney.
Missouri's intestacy law decides who inherits, and the probate court appoints someone to administer the estate.
Generally, any competent adult you name — a family member, friend, or professional fiduciary. The court or trust document confirms the appointment.
Not for assets titled in the trust's name. Only property left outside the trust, or with no trust at all, typically goes through probate.
It depends on whether there's a will, a trust, or a court process involved, and how complex the estate is. Call for a free 30-minute consultation and we'll give you a clear cost estimate before you commit to anything.
Ready for Help Settling an Estate?
Call to schedule your free 30-minute consultation with Deborah — no obligation.
Call 636-214-0546Free 30-minute consultationNo obligationReal person answers