Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Missouri

Re: Esate or will?

A Will is a legal document that must conform to the applecable state law in order to dispose of a person's proerty (both real and personal) at the time of that person's death. The Will is filed with the Probate Court and a Probate Estate is opened. Although the word "estate" can have different meanings, in this context we are talking about all of the decedent's property (except for any specific bequests in the Will)being included in the Probate estate, and liquidated by the decedent's personal representative or the public administrator. Then, after any claims against the estate are taken care of, taxes, fees, costs are paid and the rest is paid out to the heirs or legatees in the Will.