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Fritz Law LLC Fritz Law LLC is a St. Louis law firm that focuses on Probate and Estate Administration.

You never imagined that after saying goodbye to your mother, you'd spend your evenings trying to figure out what to do w...
10/16/2026

You never imagined that after saying goodbye to your mother, you'd spend your evenings trying to figure out what to do with everything she left behind.

Her house is still filled with memories. Her favorite chair is right where she left it. Maybe you still expect to hear her voice when you walk through the door.

But now, there's an estate to settle.

There are bank accounts to sort through, bills to address, family members asking questions, and decisions you never thought you'd have to make without her.

Then you learn her estate is worth more than $40,000, and you begin wondering: Where do I even start?

In Missouri, an estate above $40,000 generally requires a different process than a Small Estate Affidavit. Depending on how long it has been since her passing, full probate administration or a Determination of Heirship may be appropriate.

Suddenly, something that already feels overwhelming becomes even more complicated.

And the hardest part? You just want to do right by your mother and make sure everything is handled properly.

You shouldn't have to choose between grieving your loved one and trying to figure out the legal process alone.

At Fritz Law LLC, we understand that behind every probate case is a family trying to find its footing after a loss.

Attorney John P. Fritz helps families in St. Louis and surrounding Missouri counties understand their options and navigate the probate process.

When you're ready for guidance, we're here to help.

Learn more: https://www.fritzlawstl.com/blog/probate-attorney-st-louis-over-40000-estate/

Your mom passed away three weeks ago. You're grieving, trying to manage family responsibilities, and wondering what will...
10/15/2026

Your mom passed away three weeks ago. You're grieving, trying to manage family responsibilities, and wondering what will happen to her estate. But no one has contacted you, and you don't even know whether probate has been opened.

Sound familiar?

Before assuming nothing has been done, there's a simple step you can take.

Visit Missouri Case.net and search your loved one's name under “Litigant Name Search.” Make sure you select the correct county, either St. Louis City or St. Louis County, depending on where your loved one lived.

What if nothing shows up? That doesn't necessarily mean you have no options or that no action is needed.

At Fritz Law LLC, we help St. Louis families find clarity when probate questions leave them feeling lost.

You deserve answers during an already difficult time. Contact Fritz Law LLC if you need help figuring out your next step.

Learn more: https://www.fritzlawstl.com/blog/how-do-i-find-out-if-any-proceedings-have-been-filed-in-probate-st-louis-mo-guide/

Mom's house was still full of memories. But now, the family had to figure out what came next.Her children in St. Louis w...
10/14/2026

Mom's house was still full of memories. But now, the family had to figure out what came next.

Her children in St. Louis were already struggling with her loss. Every room reminded them of her. Every decision about her belongings felt personal.

Then came probate.

They didn't know which deadlines mattered. They weren't sure how to handle her outstanding bills. And what should have been a shared effort to settle the estate began to feel overwhelming.

The truth is, a small probate mistake can create a much bigger problem than a family expects. Missed deadlines, DIY filing errors, overlooked debts, and incomplete financial records can lead to extra expenses, delays, and even conflict among loved ones.

No family should have to learn every probate rule while trying to cope with losing someone they love.

At Fritz Law LLC, we help St. Louis families understand the Missouri probate process and work through the legal details during a difficult chapter of their lives.

Your loved one's legacy deserves care. And your family deserves the chance to move forward without unnecessary complications.

Learn more: https://www.fritzlawstl.com/blog/4-biggest-probate-mistakes-that-could-cost-your-family-thousands/

“Dad just passed away. Now what are we supposed to do?”That was the question the Miller family faced after losing their ...
10/13/2026

“Dad just passed away. Now what are we supposed to do?”

That was the question the Miller family faced after losing their father in St. Louis.

Between the funeral, comforting their mother, and helping each other through their grief, the family suddenly had another challenge: settling his estate.

One sibling was trying to locate the will. Another was calling the bank. Their sister, who was responsible for handling the estate, was worried about court paperwork, debts, and deadlines she didn’t understand.

They wanted to honor their father’s wishes, but they were afraid of making a mistake.

Here’s what every Missouri family should know: probate doesn’t have to become another source of overwhelming stress. Understanding the steps, organizing important documents, and getting legal guidance can make the process more manageable.

At Fritz Law LLC, we help families in St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson counties navigate probate one step at a time.

Your family has already been through a loss. Let us help you take the next step with greater clarity and peace of mind.

Learn more: https://www.fritzlawstl.com/blog/how-to-handle-probate-in-missouri-without-losing-your-mind/

After their mother passed away, a St. Louis family focused on the funeral, sorting through her belongings, and supportin...
10/12/2026

After their mother passed away, a St. Louis family focused on the funeral, sorting through her belongings, and supporting one another. Probate could wait—or so they thought.

But Missouri probate has deadlines, and some are unforgiving.

Generally, an application to open a full estate must be filed within one year of death. Missing the deadline to present a will can also mean losing the ability to have it admitted to probate.

The last thing a grieving family needs is to discover that waiting has limited its options.

If you’ve lost a loved one, don’t wait until it’s too late to understand your next steps. Fritz Law LLC can help you review your situation and understand the probate process.

Losing a loved one is hard enough. Navigating probate can make an already difficult time even more overwhelming.That’s w...
10/09/2026

Losing a loved one is hard enough. Navigating probate can make an already difficult time even more overwhelming.

That’s why we’re so grateful when a client takes the time to leave Fritz Law LLC a 5-star review.

Thank you for trusting our team to help you through the probate process. It means a great deal to us to be able to support families when they need it most.

Need help with a probate matter in Missouri? Contact Fritz Law LLC to discuss your situation.

Three siblings.One house in St. Louis.And three very different ideas about what Mom would have wanted.After their mother...
10/08/2026

Three siblings.

One house in St. Louis.

And three very different ideas about what Mom would have wanted.

After their mother passed away, the siblings gathered in the living room where they had celebrated birthdays and holidays for years.

Now they had to make decisions about her estate.

The oldest wanted to sell the house.

The youngest wanted to keep it.

The middle sibling wanted everyone to slow down and figure out what was fair.

They quickly realized that probate wasn’t just about paperwork.

It was about family.

Missouri offers different ways to administer a full probate estate.

With independent administration, the personal representative generally handles the estate with less routine court involvement. This can be a more efficient option when the will permits it or everyone agrees.

With supervised administration, the court provides greater oversight of important decisions. That can be valuable when disagreements, complicated assets, or concerns about the administration of the estate exist.

For some families, independence makes sense.

For others, court supervision provides needed guardrails.

The important thing is choosing the path before the conflict gets worse.

And remember: Missouri probate has important deadlines, including the applicable one-year timeframe for presenting a will and opening a full estate.

Your family shouldn’t have to learn these rules the hard way.

When Susan’s mother passed away, the family gathered at her home to begin going through her things.Among the photographs...
10/07/2026

When Susan’s mother passed away, the family gathered at her home to begin going through her things.

Among the photographs, old letters, and boxes of paperwork, they found her will.

Susan felt relieved.

Mom took care of everything, she told her brother. “She had a will, so we shouldn’t have to go through probate.

Unfortunately, that’s where the family was mistaken.

In Missouri, a will does not automatically avoid probate.

A will is incredibly important. It can name the people who should inherit, choose the person who should handle the estate, and explain how your loved one wanted their property distributed.

But in most cases, the will still has to go through probate.

There are exceptions. Some assets may pass outside probate because they are jointly owned, have named beneficiaries, have transfer-on-death designations, or qualify for Missouri’s small-estate procedures.

But simply having a will doesn't mean the probate process disappears.

And for a family already grieving, finding that out after a loved one dies can feel like one more burden they weren't prepared to carry.

The will tells you what your loved one wanted. Probate is often how those wishes become legally effective.

If your family is dealing with an estate in Missouri and you’re not sure whether probate is necessary, Fritz Law LLC can help you understand what needs to happen next.

The house was quiet.Mary had just lost her father, and after everyone left the funeral, she found herself sitting alone ...
10/06/2026

The house was quiet.

Mary had just lost her father, and after everyone left the funeral, she found herself sitting alone at his kitchen table.

There were papers everywhere.

A will. Bank statements. Bills. Insurance documents.

And then she thought:

“How much is all of this going to cost?”

That question weighs heavily on many families after a death.

Missouri probate fees aren’t necessarily one fixed amount. Attorney fees can be structured in different ways—hourly, flat fee, hybrid, or based on Missouri’s statutory minimum fee schedule.

Then there may be court filing fees, publication costs, appraisals, and other expenses.

For a family already carrying the emotional weight of losing someone, not knowing what lies ahead financially can feel overwhelming.

But there is something you can do.

Ask about the costs before probate begins.

Ask how the attorney charges. Ask what is included. Ask what additional expenses may come up.

And if the estate qualifies, a Small Estate Affidavit may provide a simpler and less expensive option than a full probate administration.

You shouldn’t have to sit at the kitchen table wondering what comes next.

Fritz Law LLC helps families throughout the St. Louis area understand the Missouri probate process—and the costs that come with it.

Because after losing someone you love, a little clarity can make a difficult road feel a little easier.

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8909 Ladue Road
St. Louis, MO
63124

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