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

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

• Missouri small claims guide
• How to file, step by step
• Can you file? 60-second check
• Free demand letter

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

• Missouri renters' rights guide
• Getting your deposit back in Missouri
• Repairs in Missouri
• Eviction in Missouri
• Deposit return calculator
• Free deposit demand letter
• Free repair request letter
• Eviction notice timeline

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

• Missouri wage claim guide
• Wage-theft calculator
• When was your final paycheck due?
• Free demand letter for unpaid wages

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

• Missouri lemon law guide
• Is your car a lemon? Quick check
• Free notice letter to the manufacturer

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)

• Missouri property tax appeal guide
• How much could you save?
• Free appeal letter

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

• Missouri property tax exemptions
• Eligibility finder for Missouri
• County offices in Missouri
• Breaks for seniors in Missouri
• Breaks for veterans in Missouri
• Breaks for people with disabilities in Missouri

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

• Missouri unclaimed money guide
• Search Missouri Unclaimed Property ("Missouri's Largest Lost and Found") (official site)
• Money owed to a relative who died
• Finder fees by state

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

• Missouri divorce guide
• Divorce timeline estimator
• Divorce checklist
• Served with divorce papers: what to do

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

Debt Collector Map

Debt collectors in Missouri

A collector can sue you only for a limited time, and state law limits how much of your pay it can take after a judgment. You can dispute the debt in writing.

Time limit to sue on a debt

10 years (written contract), 5 years (open account)

Wage garnishment limit

25% (federal limit); 10% for head of family

State license for collectors

No statewide license

• Missouri debt collection rights
• Is my debt too old? Checker for Missouri
• Free debt dispute (validation) letter
• Sued by a debt collector: what to do

Facts from Debt Collector Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic