Wills, presentment for probate, time limited

473.050. Wills, presentment for probate, time limited — presented, defined. — 1. A will, to be effective as a will, must be presented for and admitted to probate.

2. When used in chapter 472, chapter 474, chapter 475, and this chapter, the term "presented" means:

(1) Either the delivery of a will of a decedent, if such will has not previously been delivered, to the probate division of the circuit court which would be the proper venue for the administration of the estate of such decedent, or the delivery of a verified statement to such court, if the will of such decedent is lost, destroyed, suppressed or otherwise not available, setting forth the reason such will is not available and setting forth the provisions of such will so far as known; and

(2) One of the following:

(a) An affidavit pursuant to section 473.097, which requests such will be admitted to probate; or

(b) A petition which seeks to have such will admitted to probate; or

(c) An authenticated copy of the order admitting such will to probate in any state, territory or district of the United States, other than this state.

3. No proof shall be taken of any will nor a certificate of probate thereof issued unless such will has been presented within the applicable time set forth as follows:

(1) In cases where notice has previously been given in accordance with section 473.033 of the granting of letters on the estate of such testator, within six months after the date of the first publication of the notice of granting of letters, or within thirty days after the commencement of an action under section 473.083 to establish or contest the validity of a will of the testator named in such will, whichever later occurs;

(2) In cases where notice has not previously been given in accordance with section 473.033 of the granting of letters on the estate of testator, within one year after the date of death of the testator;

(3) In cases involving a will admitted to probate in any state, territory or district of the United States, other than this state, which was the decedent's domicile, at any time during the course of administration of the decedent's domiciliary estate in such other state, territory or district of the United States.

4. A will presented for probate within the time limitations provided in subsection 3 of this section may be exhibited to be proven, and proof received and administration granted on such will at any time after such presentation.

5. A will not presented for probate within the time limitations provided in subsection 3 of this section is forever barred from admission to probate in this state.

6. Except as provided in subsection 4 of this section and section 537.021, no letters of administration shall be issued unless application is made to the court for such letters within one year from the date of death of the decedent.

(RSMo 1939 § 532, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 42, A.L. 1969 S.B. 85, A.L. 1973 H.B. 216, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 1996 S.B. 494, A.L. 2016 H.B. 1765)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 531; 1919 § 519; 1909 § 549

(1997) Action by probate division is condition precedent to bringing suit to set aside a will or to establish a will that has been rejected. Brunig v. Humburg, 957 S.W.2d 345 (Mo.App.E.D.).

(2005) Tolling provisions of federal Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act toll statute of limitations for filing petition for presentment and application for letters testamentary for covered individuals. State ex rel. Estate of Perry ex rel. Perry, 168 S.W.3d 577 (Mo.App.W.D.).