Burleigh County
Probate Court
In North Dakota, estates are probated in the District Court (Probate Division). This page gathers where to file in Burleigh County, the state rules that apply, and where every detail comes from.
located via OpenStreetMap
Where to file in Burleigh County
- Handled by
- 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.
- County building
- Burleigh County Courthouse In Bismarck, ND — street address not tagged in OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap · view the map entry
- Phone
- No phone number published in an open source. Use the county website's contact page — we don't list numbers we can't source.
- Opening hours
- Not published in an open source. Check the court or county website before you go.
- County website
- burleighco.comWikidata
- State courts & e-filing
- ndcourts.govCase search: North Dakota Supreme Court Public Access Case Search
How probate runs in Burleigh County
Six stages, with the North Dakota rules that set the pace.
- 01
Secure the original will
Find the original signed will and order certified death certificates. North Dakota deadline: Must deliver will to clerk promptly; 3-year deadline for informal or formal probate.
- 02
Pick the right track
If the probate estate is under $100,000, a small-estate procedure (N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-23-01) may avoid full administration.
- 03
Petition the court
File the petition with the District Court (Probate Division) for Burleigh County. The court appoints the executor or administrator and issues letters.
- 04
Inventory the estate
Open an estate bank account (the IRS issues the EIN), list assets at date-of-death values and file the inventory if the court requires it.
- 05
Notify creditors
Publish or send notice to creditors. Window: 3 months after the date of first publication of notice to creditors.
- 06
Account and distribute
Pay debts, taxes and fees (N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-18-19), file the final account if required, distribute to heirs and ask to close the estate.
Where to get help.
We don't sell leads or take referral fees. Eligibility, availability and fees depend on the provider; confirm them directly.
- 01 North Dakota courts — self-help & formsOfficial judiciary website: forms, filing rules and e-filing.
- 02 Legal aid directory — LawHelp.orgNonprofit directory of free and low-cost legal aid by state, including probate and estates.
- 03 Find a probate lawyer — American Bar AssociationState-by-state links to bar lawyer-referral services and pro bono programs.
North Dakota rules that apply here
Probate law is state law — these apply in all 53 North Dakota counties.
- Small estates
- $100,000 (entire estate less liens; collection of personal property by affidavit)N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-23-01 · wait 30 days
- 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 · estimate the fee
- Handwritten wills
- Recognized. North Dakota recognizes holographic wills if signature and material provisions are in testator's handwriting (NDCC § 30.1-08-02).
- Estate tax
- No state estate tax.North Dakota has no state estate tax.
- Inheritance tax
- No.No inheritance tax in North Dakota.
- Typical duration
- 6 to 9 monthsA lawyer is not required by statute, though most formal estates use one.
Rules re-checked Sept 2026 against: ndlegis.gov (statute) · ndlegis.gov (statute)