Legal Services Costs in Missouri

Verified cost ranges across cities in Missouri

Verified by 2 sourcesUpdated May 22, 2026

Legal Services Cost Comparison — Missouri

Compare verified cost ranges across cities in Missouri

Cost Comparison — Contested Divorce

Missouri2 sources

Low

$2,055

Typical

$5,163

High

$8,270

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,902

Typical

$4,777

High

$7,653

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,954

Typical

$4,909

High

$7,864

Springfield2 sources

Low

$1,820

Typical

$4,573

High

$7,326

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,838

Typical

$4,617

High

$7,397

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$1,775

Typical

$4,459

High

$7,144

Joplin2 sources

Low

$1,762

Typical

$4,425

High

$7,089

Low

$1,808

Typical

$4,541

High

$7,275

Cost Comparison — Child Custody Agreement

Missouri2 sources

Low

$2,845

Typical

$5,363

High

$7,880

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$2,633

Typical

$4,962

High

$7,292

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$2,705

Typical

$5,099

High

$7,493

Springfield2 sources

Low

$2,520

Typical

$4,750

High

$6,980

Columbia2 sources

Low

$2,545

Typical

$4,796

High

$7,048

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$2,458

Typical

$4,632

High

$6,807

Joplin2 sources

Low

$2,439

Typical

$4,597

High

$6,755

Low

$2,503

Typical

$4,717

High

$6,932

Cost Comparison — Child Support Order

Missouri2 sources

Low

$650

Typical

$1,202

High

$1,755

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$602

Typical

$1,113

High

$1,624

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$618

Typical

$1,143

High

$1,668

Springfield2 sources

Low

$576

Typical

$1,065

High

$1,554

Columbia2 sources

Low

$581

Typical

$1,075

High

$1,569

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$561

Typical

$1,039

High

$1,516

Joplin2 sources

Low

$557

Typical

$1,031

High

$1,504

Low

$572

Typical

$1,058

High

$1,543

Cost Comparison — Landlord-Tenant Dispute

Missouri2 sources

Low

$429

Typical

$1,146

High

$1,864

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$397

Typical

$1,061

High

$1,725

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$407

Typical

$1,090

High

$1,772

Springfield2 sources

Low

$380

Typical

$1,015

High

$1,651

Columbia2 sources

Low

$383

Typical

$1,025

High

$1,667

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$370

Typical

$990

High

$1,610

Joplin2 sources

Low

$367

Typical

$983

High

$1,598

Low

$377

Typical

$1,008

High

$1,640

Cost Comparison — Simple Will Drafting

Missouri2 sources

Low

$304

Typical

$588

High

$873

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$281

Typical

$544

High

$807

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$289

Typical

$559

High

$830

Springfield2 sources

Low

$269

Typical

$521

High

$773

Columbia2 sources

Low

$272

Typical

$526

High

$780

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$263

Typical

$508

High

$754

Joplin2 sources

Low

$261

Typical

$504

High

$748

Low

$267

Typical

$517

High

$768

Cost Comparison — Revocable Living Trust

Missouri2 sources

Low

$1,123

Typical

$1,945

High

$2,768

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,039

Typical

$1,800

High

$2,561

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,067

Typical

$1,850

High

$2,632

Springfield2 sources

Low

$994

Typical

$1,723

High

$2,451

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,004

Typical

$1,740

High

$2,475

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$970

Typical

$1,680

High

$2,391

Joplin2 sources

Low

$962

Typical

$1,667

High

$2,372

Low

$987

Typical

$1,711

High

$2,435

Cost Comparison — Probate Filing

Missouri2 sources

Low

$1,807

Typical

$4,335

High

$6,863

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,672

Typical

$4,011

High

$6,351

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,718

Typical

$4,122

High

$6,526

Springfield2 sources

Low

$1,601

Typical

$3,840

High

$6,079

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,616

Typical

$3,877

High

$6,138

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$1,561

Typical

$3,744

High

$5,928

Joplin2 sources

Low

$1,549

Typical

$3,716

High

$5,883

Low

$1,590

Typical

$3,813

High

$6,037

Cost Comparison — Green Card Application

Missouri2 sources

Low

$1,395

Typical

$2,454

High

$3,513

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,291

Typical

$2,271

High

$3,250

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,327

Typical

$2,333

High

$3,340

Springfield2 sources

Low

$1,236

Typical

$2,174

High

$3,111

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,248

Typical

$2,195

High

$3,142

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$1,205

Typical

$2,120

High

$3,034

Joplin2 sources

Low

$1,196

Typical

$2,103

High

$3,011

Low

$1,227

Typical

$2,159

High

$3,090

Cost Comparison — Citizenship & Naturalization

Missouri2 sources

Low

$723

Typical

$1,243

High

$1,764

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$669

Typical

$1,151

High

$1,632

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$687

Typical

$1,182

High

$1,677

Springfield2 sources

Low

$640

Typical

$1,101

High

$1,563

Columbia2 sources

Low

$646

Typical

$1,112

High

$1,578

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$624

Typical

$1,074

High

$1,524

Joplin2 sources

Low

$619

Typical

$1,066

High

$1,512

Low

$636

Typical

$1,094

High

$1,552

Cost Comparison — Prenuptial Agreement

Missouri2 sources

Low

$798

Typical

$1,956

High

$3,115

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$738

Typical

$1,810

High

$2,883

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$758

Typical

$1,860

High

$2,962

Springfield2 sources

Low

$706

Typical

$1,733

High

$2,759

Columbia2 sources

Low

$713

Typical

$1,750

High

$2,786

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$689

Typical

$1,690

High

$2,691

Joplin2 sources

Low

$684

Typical

$1,677

High

$2,670

Low

$702

Typical

$1,721

High

$2,740

Cost Comparison — DUI/DWI Defense

Missouri2 sources

Low

$723

Typical

$2,118

High

$3,513

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$669

Typical

$1,960

High

$3,250

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$687

Typical

$2,014

High

$3,340

Springfield2 sources

Low

$640

Typical

$1,876

High

$3,111

Columbia2 sources

Low

$646

Typical

$1,894

High

$3,142

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$624

Typical

$1,829

High

$3,034

Joplin2 sources

Low

$619

Typical

$1,815

High

$3,011

Low

$636

Typical

$1,863

High

$3,090

Cost Comparison — Misdemeanor Defense

Missouri2 sources

Low

$1,923

Typical

$8,893

High

$15,863

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,779

Typical

$8,229

High

$14,679

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,828

Typical

$8,456

High

$15,084

Springfield2 sources

Low

$1,703

Typical

$7,877

High

$14,051

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,719

Typical

$7,953

High

$14,187

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$1,661

Typical

$7,681

High

$13,702

Joplin2 sources

Low

$1,648

Typical

$7,623

High

$13,597

Low

$1,691

Typical

$7,823

High

$13,954

Cost Comparison — Felony Defense

Missouri2 sources

Low

$5,285

Typical

$15,618

High

$25,950

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$4,891

Typical

$14,452

High

$24,014

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$5,026

Typical

$14,851

High

$24,676

Springfield2 sources

Low

$4,681

Typical

$13,834

High

$22,987

Columbia2 sources

Low

$4,727

Typical

$13,968

High

$23,210

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$4,565

Typical

$13,490

High

$22,416

Joplin2 sources

Low

$4,530

Typical

$13,387

High

$22,244

Low

$4,649

Typical

$13,739

High

$22,828

Cost Comparison — Criminal Record Expungement

Missouri2 sources

Low

$738

Typical

$1,628

High

$2,518

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$683

Typical

$1,506

High

$2,330

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$702

Typical

$1,548

High

$2,394

Springfield2 sources

Low

$654

Typical

$1,442

High

$2,230

Columbia2 sources

Low

$660

Typical

$1,456

High

$2,252

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$637

Typical

$1,406

High

$2,175

Joplin2 sources

Low

$633

Typical

$1,395

High

$2,158

Low

$649

Typical

$1,432

High

$2,215

Cost Comparison — Deportation Defense

Missouri2 sources

Low

$2,740

Typical

$6,825

High

$10,910

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$2,536

Typical

$6,316

High

$10,096

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$2,605

Typical

$6,490

High

$10,374

Springfield2 sources

Low

$2,427

Typical

$6,046

High

$9,664

Columbia2 sources

Low

$2,451

Typical

$6,104

High

$9,758

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$2,367

Typical

$5,895

High

$9,424

Joplin2 sources

Low

$2,349

Typical

$5,850

High

$9,352

Low

$2,410

Typical

$6,004

High

$9,598

Cost Comparison — Asylum Application

Missouri2 sources

Low

$2,068

Typical

$3,799

High

$5,530

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,913

Typical

$3,515

High

$5,117

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,966

Typical

$3,612

High

$5,258

Springfield2 sources

Low

$1,831

Typical

$3,365

High

$4,898

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,849

Typical

$3,398

High

$4,946

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$1,786

Typical

$3,281

High

$4,777

Joplin2 sources

Low

$1,772

Typical

$3,256

High

$4,740

Low

$1,819

Typical

$3,342

High

$4,865

Cost Comparison — Estate Administration

Missouri2 sources

Low

$1,745

Typical

$4,013

High

$6,280

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,615

Typical

$3,713

High

$5,812

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,659

Typical

$3,815

High

$5,972

Springfield2 sources

Low

$1,546

Typical

$3,554

High

$5,563

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,561

Typical

$3,589

High

$5,617

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$1,507

Typical

$3,466

High

$5,425

Joplin2 sources

Low

$1,496

Typical

$3,440

High

$5,383

Low

$1,535

Typical

$3,530

High

$5,525

Cost Comparison — Work Visa Application

Missouri2 sources

Low

$1,126

Typical

$1,983

High

$2,840

Kansas City2 sources

Low

$1,042

Typical

$1,835

High

$2,628

St. Louis2 sources

Low

$1,071

Typical

$1,886

High

$2,701

Springfield2 sources

Low

$997

Typical

$1,757

High

$2,516

Columbia2 sources

Low

$1,007

Typical

$1,774

High

$2,540

St. Joseph2 sources

Low

$973

Typical

$1,713

High

$2,453

Joplin2 sources

Low

$965

Typical

$1,700

High

$2,434

Low

$991

Typical

$1,744

High

$2,498

Browse Legal Services Costs by City in Missouri

Select a city to see local pricing adjusted for cost of living.

All Legal Services Services

legal-services

Contested Divorce

Legal representation in a divorce where spouses disagree on one or more issues requiring court intervention or negotiation. Billed hourly with costs escalating based on number of disputed issues, discovery, depositions, and trial time required.

Cost data available

legal-services

Child Custody Agreement

Drafting and filing of a formal parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and decision-making authority. Can be completed as a standalone agreement or as part of divorce proceedings.

Cost data available

legal-services

Child Support Order

Legal process to establish, modify, or enforce a court order for child financial support. Calculation is based on state-specific guidelines factoring in parental income, custody time, and child expenses. Attorney fees vary by whether the matter is contested.

Cost data available

legal-services

Prenuptial Agreement

Drafting of a legally binding prenuptial agreement defining each spouse's property rights and financial obligations in the event of divorce or death. Each party should have independent legal counsel for enforceability. Complexity and assets involved drive cost.

Cost data available

legal-services

DUI/DWI Defense

Legal defense for driving under the influence charges including DMV hearing representation, motion to suppress evidence, negotiation for reduced charges, and trial defense if necessary. First offense vs. repeat offense and BAC level significantly affect strategy and cost.

Cost data available

legal-services

Misdemeanor Defense

Legal representation for misdemeanor criminal charges including disorderly conduct, petty theft, simple assault, or minor drug possession. Many cases are resolved through plea negotiations or diversion programs. Flat fees are common for straightforward misdemeanors.

Cost data available

legal-services

Felony Defense

Legal representation for serious felony charges including drug offenses, assault, theft, fraud, or violent crimes. Requires extensive investigation, discovery review, expert witnesses, and potentially jury trial. Hourly billing with substantial retainers is standard.

Cost data available

legal-services

Criminal Record Expungement

Legal process to have an eligible criminal conviction or arrest record sealed or expunged from public view. Eligibility requirements vary by state based on offense type, sentence completed, and time elapsed. Improves employment, housing, and licensing opportunities.

Cost data available

legal-services

Landlord-Tenant Dispute

Legal assistance for landlords or tenants in disputes over lease violations, security deposit disputes, habitability issues, illegal lockouts, or eviction proceedings. Local housing laws vary significantly, making local counsel important.

Cost data available

legal-services

Simple Will Drafting

Preparation of a basic last will and testament naming beneficiaries, executor, and guardian for minor children. A simple will is appropriate for straightforward estates. Must be properly executed with witnesses and notarization per state law to be valid.

Cost data available

legal-services

Revocable Living Trust

Drafting of a revocable living trust to hold assets during the grantor's lifetime and transfer them to beneficiaries outside of probate. Includes pour-over will and asset retitling guidance. Significantly reduces estate settlement time and costs for heirs.

Cost data available

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Probate Filing

Legal assistance initiating probate proceedings to validate a deceased person's will and authorize the executor to administer the estate. Includes court filings, creditor notification, and asset inventory. Probate timelines and costs vary by state.

Cost data available

legal-services

Estate Administration

Full legal representation of an executor or administrator through the entire estate settlement process including probate, asset marshaling, debt payment, tax filings, and distribution to beneficiaries. Typically billed as a percentage of estate value or hourly.

Cost data available

legal-services

Green Card Application

Legal assistance with permanent residency application through family sponsorship, employment, asylum, or diversity lottery. Includes I-485 adjustment of status or consular processing, supporting documents, and USCIS interview preparation. Multi-year timeline is common.

Cost data available

legal-services

Citizenship & Naturalization

Legal assistance with the N-400 naturalization application for eligible permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. Includes eligibility assessment, form preparation, biometrics, civics test preparation, and USCIS interview coaching.

Cost data available

legal-services

Work Visa Application

Legal assistance obtaining temporary work authorization including H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, or E-3 visas. Requires employer sponsorship for most categories. Annual H-1B cap and lottery add complexity and cost. Attorney fees cover petition drafting and USCIS filing.

Cost data available

legal-services

Deportation Defense

Legal representation in immigration court removal proceedings including bond hearings, cancellation of removal applications, asylum claims, and appeals. One of the most complex immigration matters due to high stakes and procedural complexity.

Cost data available

legal-services

Asylum Application

Legal assistance with affirmative or defensive asylum applications for individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group membership. Strong personal statement and corroborating evidence are critical to approval.

Cost data available