After someone dies, whoever has their will must turn it in to the right court. If the will is found in a safe deposit box, the bank or business holding the box must hand it over to the court. If someone has a will but refuses to turn it in, the court can force that person to appear and hand it over.
473.043. of , where ed — wills found in safe boxes, how delivered — refusal to deliver, how handled. — 1. After the death of the , the person having of his will shall deliver it to the which has of the or to the probate division of the circuit court of the county where the will is found and if the latter, that court shall keep a copy and deliver the original will, by , to the probate division of the circuit court which has jurisdiction of the estate.
2. Wills of decedents found in safe deposit boxes are in the custody of the for the purposes of this section and said depository may make a copy of the will before delivering it to the proper court.
3. If the probate division of the circuit court is satisfactorily informed that any person has in his the will of any testator, and refuses to produce the same, the court may summon the person, and him, by , to produce the same.
(RSMo 1939 § 569, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 40, A.L. 1971 S.B. 85, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 568; 1919 § 556; 1909 § 584
Effective 1-02-79
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Related Missouri laws
Notice where there are no known heirs
RSMo 473.040
Certificate of probate or rejection
RSMo 473.047
Successor need not publish notice, when
RSMo 473.037
Wills, presentment for probate, time limited
RSMo 473.050
Notice of letters
RSMo 473.033
Testimony of subscribing witnesses, other evidence
RSMo 473.053
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.