Find Probate Court Records in Cedar County
Cedar County probate court records are kept by the 28th Judicial Circuit Court in Stockton, Missouri. The Circuit Court has handled wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships in Cedar County since the county's formation in 1845, with records dating back to that year. Anyone who needs to access Cedar County probate court records can do so online through Case.net or in person at the courthouse on South Street in Stockton.
Cedar County Quick Facts
Cedar County Circuit Court - Probate Records Office
The Cedar County Circuit Court is the official probate court for the 28th Judicial Circuit. Melinda Gumm serves as Circuit Clerk, with Denzial Turner as Chief Deputy Clerk and Ruth Allison handling traffic matters. Presiding Judge James R. Bickel and Associate Circuit Judge Joseph B. Phillips oversee court proceedings including probate cases. The court adopted electronic filing on July 28, 2014, which means many more recent filings can be accessed digitally. Credit and debit cards are accepted for filing fees, though a processing fee applies.
Cedar County probate court records go back to 1845 and include not just estate filings but also marriage, land, and birth and death records from that period. This makes the Cedar County courthouse a valuable resource for anyone researching family history in addition to legal matters. Staff can assist visitors in locating specific case files. The office is one block south of the Stockton town square.
| Office | Cedar County Circuit Court - 28th Judicial Circuit |
|---|---|
| Address | 113 South Street, P.O. Box 665 Stockton, MO 65785 |
| Phone | 417-276-6700 ext. 234 |
| Fax | 417-276-5001 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Circuit Clerk | Melinda Gumm |
| E-Filing Since | July 28, 2014 |
Source: Cedar County Missouri Official Website
The Cedar County government website provides links to the circuit clerk's office, court schedules, and filing information for probate cases in Stockton.
Searching Cedar County Probate Court Records
Case.net is the fastest way to find Cedar County probate court records online. The statewide system run by the Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator covers all 115 counties, including Cedar County's 28th Judicial Circuit. Search using the format "LAST, FIRST MIDDLE INITIAL" to find cases by name. Case numbers work too. Visit courts.mo.gov and open Case.net from the menu. Basic lookups are free. Records from documents filed after July 1, 2023 are available for remote viewing through the portal.
If you prefer to search in person, visit the courthouse at 113 South Street in Stockton. The office is open weekdays from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, which gives you a slightly earlier start than many other Missouri county courts. Bring a valid ID. Staff can pull case files and direct you to the records you need. Copies are $0.25 per page for plain copies; certified copies cost more. Official forms for probate filings are available through courts.mo.gov as well.
Note: Credit and debit card payments are accepted at the Cedar County clerk's office, but a processing fee is added. Cash or check avoids that extra charge.
Cedar County Probate Case Types and Procedures
Cedar County probate court records reflect the full range of matters handled under Missouri's probate laws. The most common are decedent estates, where an executor or administrator petitions the court after someone dies. The court supervises the process from initial filing through final settlement. Under Chapter 473 RSMo, annual accounts are due on the anniversary of the estate opening, and final settlement cannot be approved until at least six months and ten days after the first creditor notice publication. The full estate filing fee is approximately $155.50.
Small estates are also handled by the Cedar County Circuit Court. Missouri's small estate procedure under Section 473.097 RSMo allows families to use a simplified affidavit when the total estate value is $40,000 or less. This can be filed 30 days after the person's death. Fees for small estate affidavits run from $65.50 to $75.00. If the estate value exceeds $15,000, a publication notice is required. Both small and full estate files become part of Cedar County's permanent probate court records.
The Cedar County court also handles wills, will contests, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, and conservatorships for those who cannot manage their own finances. Guardianship and conservatorship cases are filed under Chapter 475 RSMo. An attorney is appointed for respondents in these cases. Annual reports are required for conservators, and all filings are part of the Cedar County probate court record accessible to authorized parties.
Mental health cases are also within the jurisdiction of the Cedar County probate court. These proceedings, sometimes called civil commitments, result in court files that are generally more restricted in public access than standard estate filings.
Public Access to Cedar County Probate Court Records
Missouri Court Operating Rule 2.02 establishes that court records are presumed open to the public. Cedar County probate court records follow this rule. You can request to view any probate case file at the Stockton courthouse without needing to explain why you want the information. Case.net provides basic case data online at no cost. The more complete file, including all filed documents, is available in person.
Certain items are redacted from public copies under Missouri law. These include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, dates of birth, and names of minors. Court staff will provide documents with these items removed. The key facts of the case, including party names, asset values, court orders, and outcomes, are available in full.
Historical Cedar County records, including materials dating back to 1845, may also be available through the Missouri State Archives. Call (573) 751-3280 or check sos.mo.gov/archives for availability. Missouri Digital Heritage at sos.mo.gov/mdh has digitized some older materials that may include early Cedar County court filings.
Source: Missouri Revised Statutes - Revisor of Statutes
The Missouri Revised Statutes at revisor.mo.gov contain Chapters 472, 473, and 475, which govern all probate court proceedings in Cedar County.
Legal Resources for Cedar County Probate
The Missouri Bar Association at mobar.org provides a lawyer search tool you can use to find an attorney in or near Cedar County who handles estate and probate matters. Rural counties like Cedar sometimes require working with attorneys from nearby larger communities, so the bar directory is a practical place to start. Attorneys handling probate in Missouri earn fees based on the statutory schedule at Section 473.153 RSMo, so fee expectations are predictable from the start.
Self-represented filers can get forms from the Missouri courts website at courts.mo.gov. The OSCA Help Desk at (888) 541-4894 answers questions about Case.net and general court access issues. For questions specific to the Cedar County clerk's office, call 417-276-6700 ext. 234 during business hours.
Cities in Cedar County
Cedar County is a rural county in southwest Missouri. Stockton, the county seat, is the largest community. Other towns in Cedar County include Jerico Springs, Humansville, Eldorado Springs, and Roscoe. All probate court records for residents of any city or town in Cedar County are handled by the 28th Judicial Circuit Court in Stockton. No city in Cedar County meets the population threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site, but the Stockton courthouse serves all county residents equally for probate filings and record access.
Nearby Counties
Cedar County borders several counties in southwest Missouri. Each has its own probate court. Jurisdiction follows the county where the deceased lived or where the ward resides. Verify the correct county before filing.