About Petition for Determination of Heirship
To establish heirship and determine the inheritance rights of persons claiming interest in a decedent's estate when no probate administration has been commenced.
When you'd use it: When more than one year has passed since the decedent's death, no estate administration has been commenced, and no will has been probated, and the petitioner seeks a judicial determination of the heirs.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Petition for Determination of Heirship is published as a PDF by the Missouri courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Petition for Determination of Heirship (PDF) →
Source: stlcitycircuitcourt.com
Link last checked: June 27, 2026
How to file Petition for Determination of Heirship in Missouri
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Petition for Determination of Heirship when when more than one year has passed since the decedent's death, no estate administration has been commenced, and no will has been probated, and the petitioner seeks a judicial determination of the heirs. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Missouri probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Petition for Determination of Heirship carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Petition for Determination of Heirship to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Missouri county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).