Dade County Probate Court Records

Dade County probate court records are maintained by the 28th Judicial Circuit Court in Greenfield, Missouri. This page explains how to search estate filings, guardianship petitions, conservatorship proceedings, and related probate documents through Missouri's statewide online court system or in person at the Dade County courthouse.

Dade County Circuit Court Probate Division

The Dade County Circuit Court handles probate matters as part of the 28th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office in Greenfield is responsible for filing and maintaining all probate records, including estate administrations, guardianship petitions, conservatorship cases, and will filings. Staff can search by name or case number and provide copies of documents in the public record. The presiding judge is David Munton, with Gary Troxell serving as associate judge.

Probate records in Dade County go back to 1841 when the county was formed from Greene County. Those older records have been preserved through Missouri's microfilm program and are accessible through the State Archives. Current case records are available through the clerk's office in Greenfield or through Case.net online. The Circuit Clerk is Kayla Getman. The office is open throughout the day without a lunch break closure, which makes scheduling visits straightforward.

Note the slightly earlier start time. Dade County's office opens at 7:30 AM rather than 8:00 AM, which is earlier than most Missouri circuit clerks. It closes at 4:00 PM. Plan calls and visits accordingly.

How to Search Dade County Probate Court Records

Two methods work for accessing Dade County probate court records. The first is Missouri's free online court portal, Case.net. The second is a visit to the Greenfield courthouse during business hours. Which one to use depends on what you need. Case.net works well for checking case status and docket history. In-person access is necessary when you need printed copies of actual documents.

Case.net is available at courts.mo.gov/casenet. To search, type the person's name in the format "LAST, FIRST MIDDLE INITIAL" with the last name first. You can filter results by Dade County to narrow down results if the name is common. The portal holds over 45 million records. For probate cases, full document access starts with filings made on or after July 12, 2004. The system shows case parties, docket entries, judgments, and scheduled hearings. It does not display the full text of filed documents.

Since July 1, 2023, documents filed on or after that date can be viewed and downloaded from personal phones and computers. Earlier Dade County probate records require a courthouse visit. Bring photo ID and whatever case information you have. The OSCA Help Desk at (888) 541-4894 is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM CST, for help with Case.net technical issues. For Dade County-specific questions, call the clerk at (417) 637-2124.

Mail requests are also accepted. If you know the case number and the documents you need, you can send a written request to the clerk's office at 300 W. Water St., Greenfield, MO 65661. Include a check for the applicable copy fees and a self-addressed return envelope.

Types of Probate Cases in Dade County

The Dade County Circuit Court handles all standard Missouri probate case types. Each type produces its own set of records that become part of the court's permanent file. Knowing the case type helps when you search Case.net or ask the clerk for assistance.

Estate administration is the most common probate matter. When a person dies with assets held in their name, the estate often must go through probate to transfer those assets to heirs or beneficiaries. If the person left a will, it must be filed with the Dade County court. The court then appoints a personal representative to manage the estate. Chapter 473 RSMo governs estate administration and sets deadlines for creditor notice publication and the six-month period for creditors to submit claims. The personal representative must file annual accounts and a final settlement to close the estate.

Guardianship and conservatorship cases are also filed in Dade County. A guardianship gives one person authority to make personal care decisions for someone who cannot do so independently. A conservatorship covers financial decision-making. Both types apply to minors and to incapacitated adults. Chapter 475 RSMo requires the court to appoint an attorney for any adult respondent in these proceedings. Annual progress reports keep the case active and under court supervision.

Small estate cases offer a faster path for modest estates. If the total value is $40,000 or less, the simplified process under Section 473.097 RSMo may apply. The filing can happen just 30 days after the person's death. Will contests and disputes over estate administration are less common but do arise in Dade County. Under Section 472.013 RSMo, fraud claims in probate matters must be filed within two years of discovering the problem.

Dade County Government and Probate Court Records

The Dade County government website at dadecountymo.com provides local government information including contact details for county offices, including the circuit court that handles probate records.

The site lists contact information for county departments and confirms the courthouse location in Greenfield, where Dade County probate filings are maintained by the Circuit Clerk.

Fees for Dade County Probate Court Records

Dade County uses Missouri's standard fee schedule for probate court filings. A full estate administration petition costs approximately $155.50 to file. Estates that qualify for the small estate procedure under $40,000 have a lower filing fee, roughly $65.50 to $75.00. These amounts follow the 28th Judicial Circuit's standard schedule.

Document copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry a higher rate and are needed when you must present estate documents in another legal proceeding. Call the clerk's office at (417) 637-2124 to confirm the current certified copy rate before making the trip to Greenfield. Fees are set by the state and can change over time.

Personal representative compensation in Missouri follows the schedule at Section 473.153 RSMo. The rate starts at 5% of the first $5,000 of estate value. It drops to 4% of the next $20,000, then 3% of the next $75,000, then 2.75% of the next $300,000, then 2.5% of the next $600,000, and finally 2% of any value above $1 million. Courts can approve extra fees for work beyond the normal scope of estate administration.

Missouri Probate Laws Affecting Dade County Cases

Missouri's probate code covers every case filed in Dade County. The statutes are organized into four main chapters, all available at revisor.mo.gov. Knowing the relevant chapter helps when you are researching your rights or obligations in a Dade County probate proceeding.

Chapter 472 RSMo is the general foundation of probate law. It defines terms, sets court jurisdiction, and addresses record-keeping standards. Section 472.280 allows records to be maintained in electronic format. Section 472.013 sets the timeline for fraud remedies in probate cases, giving injured parties two years from discovery to bring a claim.

Chapter 473 RSMo covers the practical steps of estate administration in detail. It sets out what the personal representative must do from the initial petition through final distribution. Annual account filings are required on the anniversary of the personal representative's appointment. The creditor claim period is six months from first publication of the notice. Final settlement must come within six months and ten days of that publication.

Chapter 474 RSMo addresses intestate succession for people who die without a valid will. It ranks heirs by their relationship to the deceased and determines how property passes. Chapter 475 RSMo governs guardianship and conservatorship cases in Dade County, setting out court appointment procedures, attorney requirements, and annual reporting obligations.

Public Access to Dade County Probate Records

Missouri Court Operating Rule 2.02 establishes that all court records are presumed open to the public. Dade County probate records are public. No reason is required to access them. You do not need to be a party to a case or have any special status.

Exceptions exist. Sealed, expunged, juvenile, and mental health records are not public and are excluded from Case.net and from the courthouse counter. For records that are open, filers must redact certain personal information before submitting documents to the court. This includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, dates of birth, and names of minors. The court does not check each document for redaction. That responsibility rests with the person who files the document.

Since July 1, 2023, remote access to Dade County probate documents has expanded. You can now view, download, and print public case documents filed on or after that date from a personal phone or computer through Case.net. Documents filed before July 1, 2023 remain available only at courthouse terminals in Greenfield. If you cannot access a document remotely, a visit to the Dade County courthouse is required.

Historical Dade County Probate Records and State Archives

Dade County was formed in 1841, and probate records date back to that founding year. Historical records from Dade County are held by the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. The Archives is located at 600 W. Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, and can be reached at (573) 751-3280. Their website is at sos.mo.gov/archives.

The Archives holds over 65,000 reels of microfilm from counties across Missouri, including Dade County. These records cover early estate administrations, will filings, and guardianship cases that are not available through Case.net. Researchers doing genealogical work on Dade County families often start with the Archives for records before the digital era. The research room in Jefferson City is open to the public without a fee. Some collections have been digitized and are available through Missouri Digital Heritage at sos.mo.gov/mdh. The Local Records Preservation Program has been creating microfilm copies of Missouri county records since 1990 as part of a statewide effort to protect against loss.

Note: The Archives research room hours may vary. Check the website or call ahead before making the trip to Jefferson City.

Legal Help for Probate in Dade County

Probate cases in Dade County can be handled without an attorney in straightforward situations, but complex estates, contested wills, or guardianship disputes often benefit from legal representation. Several resources can help you find qualified help.

The Missouri Bar's lawyer directory at mobar.org lets you search by practice area and county. Look for attorneys who handle probate and estate matters in the 28th Judicial Circuit. The search is free and open to anyone. The Missouri Bar also publishes practice guides used by attorneys who handle Dade County probate filings.

The Missouri Association of Counties at mocounties.com offers resources about county court operations. For self-help, the Missouri Courts website provides plain-language guidance on probate procedures. The OSCA Help Desk at (888) 541-4894 can assist with technical issues related to Case.net access, available weekdays from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM CST. For questions about the specific steps in a Dade County probate case, contact the clerk's office or consult with an attorney.

Cities in Dade County

Greenfield is the county seat and largest city in Dade County, and all probate filings for the county are made at the courthouse there. No cities in Dade County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Dade County in southwest Missouri. Each has its own circuit court and probate division handling estate and guardianship filings.