472.020 Jurisdiction of probate division of circuit court.

472.020. Jurisdiction of probate division of circuit court. — The probate division of the circuit court may hear and determine all matters pertaining to probate business, to granting letters testamentary and of administration, the appointment of guardians and conservators of minors and incapacitated and disabled persons, settling the accounts of personal representatives and conservators, and the sale or leasing of lands by personal representatives and conservators, including jurisdiction of the construction of wills as an incident to the administration of estates, of the determination of heirship, of the administration of testamentary and inter vivos trusts, of disability and incapacity proceedings as provided by law and of such other probate business as may be prescribed by law.

(RSMo 1939 § 2437, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 3, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 1983 S.B. 44 & 45) Prior revisions: 1929 § 2406; 1919 § 2542; 1909 § 4056 (1959) Court stated "the General Assembly, in its representative capacity, is free to exercise all the primary power of the people in conferring such uniform equitable jurisdiction" referring to jurisdiction in "matters pertaining to probate business". North v. Hawkinson (Mo.), 324 S.W.2d 733. (1962) Judgment of trial court ordering writ of mandamus to compel probate judge to assume jurisdiction of testamentary trust reversed and supreme court refused to rule on constitutionality of provision conferring jurisdiction of testamentary trusts on probate court where record did not show facts sufficient to present issues for determination. State v. Bradley (Mo.), 358 S.W.2d 38. (1964) Appointment by probate court of successor trustee of testamentary trust held void and sections 472.020 and 456.225 declared unconstitutional insofar as they purport to grant jurisdiction over testamentary trusts to the probate court. First National Bank of Kansas City v. Mercantile B. & T. Co. (Mo.), 376 S.W.2d 164.