St. Louis County Guardianship: Probate Court Filing and Attorney Requirement

Filing for guardianship of a minor in St. Louis County works differently from many other Missouri circuits. The 21st Judicial Circuit's current probate packet requires non-parent petitioners to be represented by a licensed attorney throughout the entire proceeding. You cannot file pro se.

The Attorney Requirement

St. Louis County's probate division instructions (Form CCPR081-W for guardianship and Form CCPR084-W for conservatorship) state that non-parent petitioners seeking appointment as guardian of a minor must retain legal counsel. The probate clerk will reject an unrepresented filing.

Jackson County's 16th Circuit also lists applications for Letters of Guardianship or Conservatorship of a Minor among matters requiring an attorney. Greene County, by contrast, publishes procedures for non-lawyer filings. Check the current probate requirements in the circuit where you will file.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM) serves St. Louis County and the surrounding eastern Missouri counties. Their intake number is (314) 534-4200. They handle civil kinship cases for income-qualified residents, with priority given to cases involving safety or stability concerns.

Filing Deposits and Fees

St. Louis County uses a deposit-based fee structure rather than a flat filing fee:

• When service is not required: Cost deposit of $100.50
• When service is required: Cost deposit of $500.50
• Sheriff service: $36.00 per party served
• Publication fees: Variable, depending on the newspaper and number of weeks

Under RSMo § 514.040, the court may allow a qualifying petitioner to proceed without the fees and charges it determines the person cannot pay. The court's order controls whether filing deposits, service, publication, or private Guardian ad Litem costs are waived.

Forms and Probate Packet

St. Louis County's probate division provides its own set of forms. The key documents for a minor guardianship include:

• Form CCPR081-W — the petition and instructions for guardianship of a minor
• Verified Petition for Appointment of Guardian — identifying the child, the parents, and the statutory basis under RSMo § 475.060
• Parental Consents/Waivers — if a parent agrees and waives service
• Information Concerning Minor — local disclosure form covering the child's assets, residence history, and existing court orders
• Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) reports — required at the petitioner's expense for each petitioner and all adult household members; the court may require additional checks if the petitioner is not a Missouri resident

St. Louis County also offers Form CCPR300-W for a limited guardianship covering only educational and health insurance authority. This is a narrower order than full guardianship and may be enough if your only need is school enrollment or health coverage.

Background Checks

These are local requirements in the St. Louis County minor-guardianship packet. The packet requires FCSR reports for each petitioner and all adult household members, and says the court may require additional checks for petitioners who are not Missouri residents. It does not set a ten-day deadline for these minor-guardianship filings.

What to Expect at the Hearing

Once the petition is filed, notice is completed, and any screening required by the packet or court order is submitted, the probate division schedules a hearing. Your attorney presents:

• Testimony about your relationship with the child and caregiving capacity
• Evidence that the parents are unfit, unwilling, or unable to parent under RSMo § 475.030
• Any screening reports required by the packet or court order
• If the child is over 14, any selection form from the minor

If no parent objects and the court is satisfied, the judge signs the order and the clerk issues Letters of Guardianship — the document that schools, hospitals, and agencies actually accept as proof of your authority.

If a parent objects, the case becomes contested. The court will typically set a scheduling conference, appoint a GAL, and schedule a full evidentiary hearing.

Why the Attorney Rule Matters for Your Budget

Attorney fees for an uncontested minor guardianship in the St. Louis County area typically range from $2,000 to $3,000. Contested cases run $5,000 to $15,000 or more. This is on top of court filing deposits and service fees.

For a step-by-step breakdown of every filing pathway in Missouri — including what each county charges, where pro se filing is accepted, and how to prepare your evidence file — the Missouri Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide covers the full process from choosing the right court path to obtaining your Letters of Guardianship.

See more Missouri guides →