473.043 Will of decedent, where delivered — wills found in safe deposit boxes, how ...

473.043. Will of decedent, where delivered — wills found in safe deposit boxes, how delivered — refusal to deliver, how handled. — 1. After the death of the testator, the person having custody of his will shall deliver it to the probate division of the circuit court which has jurisdiction of the estate or to the probate division of the circuit court of the county where the will is found and if the latter, that court shall keep a copy and deliver the original will, by certified mail, to the probate division of the circuit court which has jurisdiction of the estate.

2. Wills of decedents found in safe deposit boxes are in the custody of the depository for the purposes of this section and said depository may make a copy of the will before delivering it to the proper court.

3. If the probate division of the circuit court is satisfactorily informed that any person has in his possession the will of any testator, and refuses to produce the same, the court may summon the person, and compel him, by attachment and commitment, to produce the same.

(RSMo 1939 § 569, A.L. 1955 p. 385 § 40, A.L. 1971 S.B. 85, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634) Prior revisions: 1929 § 568; 1919 § 556; 1909 § 584 Effective 1-02-79