Short answer: Yes — in Missouri, money realized from selling estate assets is estate property and may generally be used to pay reasonable administration expenses, including cleanup and junk removal, when those actions are necessary to preserve, prepare for sale, or distribute estate assets. However, executors/administrators must follow probate rules, keep careful records, and obtain court approval or beneficiary consent for unusual or disputed expenses.

Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. Consult a Missouri probate attorney about your specific situation before spending estate funds or selling estate property.

Detailed answer — legal framework under Missouri law

When someone dies, their property becomes estate property. The personal representative (executor or administrator) has a duty to collect estate assets, preserve them, pay valid debts and expenses, and distribute the remainder to heirs or devisees. That authority generally includes paying reasonable costs that are necessary to preserve or market estate property — for example, cleaning, removing junk, repairing hazards, or hauling away personal property that would prevent a house from being sold.

Missouri statutory and court rules govern administration duties, creditor notice, and accounting. For general statutory authority and probate procedure, see the Missouri Revised Statutes chapters that govern probate and administration (for example, the chapters dealing with executors/administrators and administration):
RSMo Chapter 473 (Executors & Administrators) and
RSMo Chapter 474 (Probate Administration).

Key points under Missouri practice:

• Sale proceeds are estate funds. The personal representative holds proceeds on behalf of the estate and must use them to pay valid debts, taxes, and administration expenses before distributing to beneficiaries.
• Expenses that are ordinary, reasonable, and necessary to preserve, maintain, or market estate property are typically allowed as costs of administration. Services like junk removal, removal of personal property blocking a sale, cleaning, and securing a home commonly qualify.
• If an expense is unusual, large, or potentially disputed by beneficiaries, the personal representative should seek court approval (a probate court order) or written beneficiary consent before paying from estate funds.
• The personal representative must account for all receipts and disbursements and should retain invoices, photos, and bids to justify the expense if beneficiaries or the court later inquire.

Practical examples:

• If a decedent’s house is full of debris and cannot reasonably be marketed, hiring a junk-removal service to clear and clean the property so a real estate broker can show it is typically a justified administration expense paid from estate sale proceeds.
• If personal property has sentimental value to a named beneficiary, the personal representative should communicate and, where appropriate, obtain the beneficiary’s written decision about removal or sale before hauling items away. Disputes may require court guidance.
• If the estate is small, or if the executor plans to use pre-sale proceeds to pay a contractor before a formal appointment, it is safer to get court authorization or beneficiary waiver first to avoid personal liability.

When you should get court approval or beneficiary consent

Although many cleanup tasks are routine, seek formal approval when:

• The cost is significant relative to the estate’s value.
• Beneficiaries have expressed objections or competing claims to items.
• The personal representative might personally benefit from the transaction (to avoid any appearance of self-dealing).
• The estate is insolvent or there is uncertainty about priority of payments to creditors.

Getting an order from the probate court or a written release from beneficiaries reduces the risk the personal representative will be held personally responsible later.

How to handle sales and disbursements properly

1. Open a separate estate bank account. Deposit sale proceeds there — never mix estate funds with personal funds.
2. Document authority to sell: record the will’s directions (if any), or a court order authorizing sale if required. A clear record prevents later challenges.
3. Get multiple bids for cleanup or removal when practical. Retain written contracts and invoices.
4. Keep before-and-after photos and inventory lists of removed personal property.
5. Notify beneficiaries of planned major expenditures and give them an opportunity to consent or contest.
6. Include any cleanup expense as an administration expense in the estate accounting submitted to the court or beneficiaries.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Using personal funds without tracking: never assume beneficiaries will approve later — you may be accountable to reimburse the estate.
• Removing items without documenting who claimed what: disputes over personal property are a common source of litigation.
• Paying large bills without notice: large or unusual expenses can prompt beneficiary objections and court scrutiny.
• Self-dealing: avoid hiring a family member or selling to yourself without full disclosure and court approval when appropriate.

When to consult a probate attorney in Missouri

Talk to a probate lawyer if the estate involves any of the following:

• Conflicts among beneficiaries about cleanup or distribution of personal property.
• The cost of cleanup or repair is substantial compared to the estate value.
• There are creditor claims, taxes, or liens that complicate payment priority.
• The personal representative is unsure of their authority under the will or statute.

An attorney can help obtain court approval, prepare required accountings, and reduce the risk of personal liability for the personal representative.

Helpful Hints

• Keep a dedicated estate bank account for all receipts and payments related to the estate.
• Collect written estimates and retain final invoices for cleanup, junk removal, and hauling services.
• Photograph property before and after cleanup to document necessity and condition changes.
• Notify beneficiaries early when large or irreversible actions (like disposal of personal property) are planned.
• When in doubt, ask the probate court for instructions or obtain a short court order authorizing the expense.
• Save copies of the will, letters testamentary/administration, inventories, and communications about the cleanup.
• Avoid cash transactions and insist on written receipts from vendors that identify the estate as the payer.