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Estates and Trusts: Estates and Trusts Overview

A guide designed for MU Law students to introduce some of the Law Library resources on estates and trusts / Last updated by Jacob Wood, JD '25

Subject Overview

Estates and Trusts covers the rules for the transmission of property upon an individual's death.  The subject matter is generally broken up into three portions, Wills, Trusts, and Nonprobate Transfers.  

Research Strategy

Research on estate and trust topics is state specific. The Missouri Practice Series is typically on point and will direct the researcher directly to the necessary statutes. In addition, the Missouri Practice Series will generally include citations to recent and relevant cases on the subject.  Case law applies and interprets statutory law, and it is imperative to determine whether there is any relevent Missouri case law.

Other secondary sources are useful to familiarize oneself more generally with estate and trust law.

While estates and trusts are governed by state law, several areas of federal law are also relevant such as Federal tax, Social Security, and Medicaid.   

CALI tutorials

Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (Cali) lessons can be used to prepare for class or review for an exam.  The lessons focus on the rules under the Uniform Probate Code.  This link provides access to the wills and trusts lessons.

  Where are these books located?

MU Law RESERVE materials are located on the 1st floor plaza level in the room behind the circulation desk.

MU Law REFERENCE materials are located on the 1st floor plaza level of the law library.

MU Law refers to treatises located on the 3rd floor east side of the law library.

Select MU Law Library Print Materials

Bloomberg Law

Wolters Kluwer's Cheetah Database

MU Law Students may browse Wolter Kluwer's Cheetah database for access to the journal Estate Planning Review, Estate Tax Guide, and more.

  Westlaw

Lexis Advance

Lexis Advance - Missouri Materials