Eviction in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City), Missouri
Where eviction cases are filed in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)
- Eviction court
- Circuit Court of Clay County (7th Judicial Circuit) - Associate Division rent and possession cases — Associate circuit court (division of the state circuit court) Court page
- Filing fee
- $33.50 rent and possession filing fee (Associate Division) + Clay County Sheriff service fee $50 for one defendant ($80 two, $110 three, $140 four) 7th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order - Filing Deposits and Other Fees (effective August 1, 2021); Landlord/Tenant filing instructions
- Notice before filing (state law)
- No fixed pay-or-quit notice period. Landlord must demand the rent; if it is unpaid, landlord may file a rent-and-possession statement. The one-month termination notice of 441.060 is not required before filing. Missouri rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,358/month HUD
- Renter households
- 31,172 (30% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)
Eviction cases in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City) are heard by the Circuit Court of Clay County (7th Judicial Circuit) - Associate Division rent and possession cases (Associate circuit court (division of the state circuit court)).
- James S. Rooney Justice Center - Circuit Clerk Civil Department — 11 South Water Street, Liberty, MO 64068 (816-407-3850; Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center
The court posts rent-and-possession forms (Form 108 petition, Form 163 motion/order for posting, Form 112 special process server) with filing instructions. The clerk's instructions say the filer must be the land owner. Bring completed forms to the Civil Filing Window or mail them with the fee, the sheriff's check and a self-addressed stamped envelope, then check service on Case.net. Service by posting can give possession but no money judgment.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)
$33.50 rent and possession filing fee (Associate Division) + Clay County Sheriff service fee $50 for one defendant ($80 two, $110 three, $140 four)
The court's instructions page rounds the filing fee to $33. No personal checks for filing fees (the Sheriff accepts personal checks). Trial de novo in Chapter 517 cases $45; verified application for execution $50 (payable to the Sheriff). The fee order is dated 2021; confirm with the clerk.
How eviction cases work locally
| Free mediation | Division VII offers free mediation (up to two hours) in rent-and-possession cases through the Seventh Circuit Office of Dispute Resolution Services, R. Kenneth Elliott Children's Justice Center, 351 East Kansas Street, Liberty (816-736-8402). Agreements may lead to dismissal, short-term monitoring or an agreed judgment. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Service by posting | Landlords may request a Motion and Order to Post; a posted summons can support possession but not a money judgment. Source: Official source |
The Missouri eviction process
Missouri state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City):
- Nonpayment: landlord demands rent (no fixed notice period). Lease breach, waste, or unauthorized sublet: 10-day notice to vacate (441.040). Holdover/month-to-month: one-month written termination notice (441.060).
- Landlord files a rent-and-possession statement (Ch. 535) or an unlawful detainer complaint (Ch. 534) with an associate circuit judge in the county
- Summons served at least 4 days before the court date, or by posting plus mailing at least 10 days before it. The court date is within 21 business days of issuance.
- Hearing. In a rent case, the tenant may stop it by tendering all overdue rent and costs (535.160).
- Judgment for possession, rent, and costs. Tenant has 10 days to move to set aside or apply for a trial de novo before the judgment becomes final.
- Execution issues. The officer (sheriff) delivers possession to the landlord within 5 days of receiving the execution (535.040).
Full Missouri eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Kansas City, MO-KS HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,095 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,197 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,358 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,769 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,103 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City): $1,243/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
HUD designates this metro a Small Area FMR area: Housing Choice Voucher programs here use ZIP-code-level Small Area FMRs; figures shown are the metro-wide FMRs used for other programs.
County tenant ordinance
No Clay County landlord-tenant ordinance identified. Kansas City, MO's tenant Right to Counsel program applies only within city limits.
Eviction help in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)
Free legal help
- Legal Aid of Western Missouri — Free civil legal help including housing/eviction; Clay County is served by the Kansas City office (816-474-6750).
Right to counsel: No county-wide program. Tenants whose rental is inside Kansas City, Missouri city limits (which include parts of Clay County) may qualify for Kansas City's Right to Counsel program once an eviction has been filed; apply at (816) 474-5112. This is a city program, not a county one. Source
Other Missouri counties
- Eviction in St. Louis County
- Eviction in Jackson County (Kansas City)
- Eviction in St. Louis City
- Eviction in Greene County (Springfield)
- Eviction in Boone County (Columbia)
- Eviction in St. Charles County (St. Charles, O'Fallon, St. Peters)
Related
- Missouri landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Missouri
- Missouri eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Missouri (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)?
What is the fair market rent in Clay County (Liberty, North Kansas City, part of Kansas City)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.