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Will Contest Deadline in Missouri

In Missouri, a will contest must be filed within 6 months after the will is probated or rejected, or within 6 months after first publication of notice of letters, whichever is later.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Missouri at a glance

Deadline to contest
6 months
If no timely contest is filed, the probate or rejection of the will is binding.
Clock starts
Probate or rejection, or first notice of letters, if later
Whichever is later: probate or rejection of the will, or first publication of notice of letters.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Missouri

How long do you have to contest a will in Missouri?

Deadline to contest in Missouri: 6 months. If no timely contest is filed, the probate or rejection of the will is binding.

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Missouri?

Clock starts in Missouri: Probate or rejection, or first notice of letters, if later. Whichever is later: probate or rejection of the will, or first publication of notice of letters.

Where do the Missouri will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from Mo. Rev. Stat. 473.083 and Mo. Rev. Stat. 474.395. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Mo. Rev. Stat. 474.395 lets an interested person ask the court whether a planned action would trigger a no-contest clause. It does not itself decide whether such clauses are enforceable.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.