Does having a will avoid probate in Missouri?

No. When a person dies in Missouri with a will, the will must be admitted to the Probate Court in the county where the decedent lived.

Once the will is determined to be valid by the Court, then the person named in the will as the Executor or Personal Representative has the legal authority to gather and value the assets owned by the estate, pay the decedent’s bills and taxes and ultimately distribute the assets of the estate to the beneficiaries named in the will.