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Probate in North Dakota · 53 counties

North Dakota Probate Courts

Estates here go through the District Court (Probate Division). Pick a county on the map or search below — each record shows where to file and where every detail comes from.

Small-estate limit
$100,000
Wait 30 days
Death taxes
None
No state death tax
Executor fee
Reasonable
Reasonable fee set by the court
Handwritten wills
Valid
Unwitnessed, in testator’s hand
Plate · ND

Every North Dakota county, on one map

Population, low → high courthouse
§ I

North Dakota probate rules

Court
District Court (Probate Division)In North Dakota, probate cases are filed and heard in the District Court across the 8 judicial districts under the Uniform Probate Code.
Small estates
$100,000 (entire estate less liens; collection of personal property by affidavit)N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-23-01
Filing the will
Must deliver will to clerk promptly; 3-year deadline for informal or formal probate
Creditor claims
3 months after the date of first publication of notice to creditorsN.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-19-01 & § 30.1-19-03
Executor fees
Reasonable compensation approved by District Court (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-19)N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-18-19 · calculator
Estate tax
NoneNorth Dakota has no state estate tax.
Inheritance tax
NoneNo inheritance tax in North Dakota.
Typical duration
6 to 9 months
Official courts site
ndcourts.govCase search: North Dakota Supreme Court Public Access Case Search

Re-checked Sept 2026 against: ndlegis.gov (statute) · ndlegis.gov (statute)

Need help with an estate in North Dakota?

Where to get help.

We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.

  1. 01 North Dakota courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
  2. 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
  3. 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
§ II · Register

All 53 counties

Sorted by population. office checked = probate office address/phone confirmed on the court's own website. courthouse mapped = located in OpenStreetMap.

#CountySeatPopulationRecord
1 Cass County Fargo 196,362 courthouse mapped
2 Burleigh County Bismarck 100,012 courthouse mapped
3 Grand Forks County Grand Forks 72,708 courthouse mapped
4 Ward County Minot 68,332 courthouse mapped
5 Williams County Williston 39,113 courthouse mapped
6 Morton County Mandan 33,895 county site
7 Stark County Dickinson 33,001 courthouse mapped
8 Stutsman County Jamestown 21,392 county site
9 Richland County Wahpeton 16,558 county site
10 McKenzie County Watford 14,252 county site
11 Rolette County Rolla 11,728 county site
12 Ramsey County Devils Lake 11,463 county site
13 Barnes County Valley 10,726 courthouse mapped
14 Walsh County Grafton 10,305 county site
15 McLean County Washburn 9,832 county site
16 Mountrail County Stanley 9,383 courthouse mapped
17 Mercer County Stanton 8,309 courthouse mapped
18 Traill County Hillsboro 7,908 courthouse mapped
19 Pembina County Cavalier 6,661 courthouse mapped
20 Bottineau County Bottineau 6,349 courthouse mapped
21 Benson County Minnewaukan 5,745 county site
22 Ransom County Lisbon 5,603 courthouse mapped
23 McHenry County Towner 5,131 county site
24 Dickey County Ellendale 4,900 courthouse mapped
25 LaMoure County LaMoure 4,096 county site
26 Dunn County Manning 4,019 county site
27 Pierce County Rugby 3,902 county site
28 Wells County Fessenden 3,876 county site
29 Sargent County Forman 3,776 courthouse mapped
30 Sioux County Fort Yates 3,643 county site
31 Cavalier County Langdon 3,596 county site
32 Foster County Carrington 3,309 county site
33 Emmons County Linton 3,224 county site
34 Nelson County Lakota 2,991 courthouse mapped
35 Bowman County Bowman 2,867 county site
36 McIntosh County Ashley 2,488 county site
37 Hettinger County Mott 2,415 county site
38 Kidder County Steele 2,342 courthouse mapped
39 Renville County Mohall 2,279 county site
40 Eddy County New Rockford 2,263 county site
41 Griggs County Cooperstown 2,248 courthouse mapped
42 Grant County Carson 2,215 county site
43 Adams County Hettinger 2,163 courthouse mapped
44 Divide County Crosby 2,135 county site
45 Burke County Bowbells 2,134 county site
46 Towner County Cando 2,030 county site
47 Oliver County Center 1,879 county site
48 Logan County Napoleon 1,869 county site
49 Steele County Finley 1,782 county site
50 Golden Valley County Beach 1,743 courthouse mapped
51 Sheridan County McClusky 1,266 county site
52 Billings County Medora 1,034 courthouse mapped
53 Slope County Amidon 674 county site
§ III

North Dakota probate questions

What is the small estate affidavit limit in North Dakota?
$100,000 (entire estate less liens; collection of personal property by affidavit) (N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-23-01). It can be used 30 days after death. Wait 30 days after death. Net personal estate under $50,000. Real estate cannot pass by affidavit.
How are executor and administrator fees calculated in North Dakota?
Reasonable compensation approved by District Court (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-19) (N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-18-19). Courts can award more for extraordinary services, such as running a business or litigation.
What is the creditor claim deadline for estates in North Dakota?
3 months after the date of first publication of notice to creditors (N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-19-01 & § 30.1-19-03). Claims filed after the deadline are generally barred.
Does North Dakota recognize handwritten (holographic) wills?
Yes. North Dakota recognizes holographic wills if signature and material provisions are in testator's handwriting (NDCC § 30.1-08-02).
Does North Dakota have a state estate tax or inheritance tax?
North Dakota has no state estate tax. There is no inheritance tax.