Missouri · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Missouri: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for Missouri, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Missouri

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$5,000
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$20–$100
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Missouri

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
30 days
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
No notice required
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Missouri

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Minimum wage (2026)
$15.00
Final paycheck if fired
Immediately
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Missouri

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 months
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 30 working days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Missouri

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
2nd Monday in July (county BOE)
Where you appeal first
County Board of Equalization (BOE) appeal
Median effective tax rate
0.85%
Median yearly tax on a home
$1,948

Closed for 2026The 2026 Board of Equalization deadline passed on July 13, 2026. The State Tax Commission deadline was September 30, 2026, or 30 days after your board decision, whichever is later. If your board decision is dated September 21, 2026 or later, you may still have time: file with the STC within 30 days of that decision. If you bought your home after June 13, 2026, or never got a timely notice of an increase, you may be able to appeal straight to the STC by December 31, 2026 (or within 30 days after the county first sends you the tax bill, if later). The next window opens with the 2027 reassessment: notices by mid-June 2027, and board appeals due Monday, July 12, 2027. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Missouri

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
No general exemption
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
Full exemption

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Missouri

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Missouri Unclaimed Property ("Missouri's Largest Lost and Found")
Held by the state
Over $1.5 billion
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Missouri

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
90 days
Waiting period
30 days after filing
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Missouri

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Missouri
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract10 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit30 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rentNo notice requiredTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedImmediatelyWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 monthsLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineYou must sue within 6 months after the express warranty ends or within 18 months after original delivery, whichever is earlier; if you used the manufacturer's dispute program, within 90 days after its final action (§ 407.573.3).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appeal2nd Monday in July (county BOE)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file90 daysDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting period30 days after filingDivorce Law Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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