Billings estate and elder-law practice serving Yellowstone County and the Thirteenth Judicial District, led by Sol Lovas, Montana's first Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). Handles post-death probate and trust administration, special-needs trusts, and Medicaid-eligibility work. Reduced fees are available for clients of limited means under federal poverty guidelines.
Billings is in Yellowstone County.
Probate in Yellowstone County
Probate Court Record
Yellowstone County District Court
Yellowstone County · 13th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
217 North 27th Street, Rooms 702, 703, and 704, Billings, MT 59101
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Yellowstone County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Yellowstone County? →Settling an estate in Yellowstone County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Montana
Free Montana forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Montana.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Free
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Montana requires 2Mont. Code Ann. § 50-9-103Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not requiredMont. Code Ann. § 50-9-103Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
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Free
Financial Power of Attorney
Montana treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultMCA § 72-31-305Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementMCA § 72-31-305Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Montana
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Montana: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Montana.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Montana runs $3,620Estimate: 10 hours at $362, Clio's Montana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,430Estimate: 15 hours at $362, Clio's Montana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Montana runs $3,620Estimate: 10 hours at $362, Clio's Montana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,430Estimate: 15 hours at $362, Clio's Montana Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $957Estimate: 3 hours at $319, Clio's Montana Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,914Estimate: 6 hours at $319, Clio's Montana Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
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How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Montana, four years at a public university cost about $72,640NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is 5% below the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; no state estate or inheritance tax appliesMont. Code Ann. § 72-16-905 (estate tax = maximum federal state death tax credit — a pickup tax that computes to $0 for deaths after 12/31/2004, IRC § 2011 credit repealed by EGTRRA 2001; part 9 still codified); Mont. Code Ann. Title 72, ch. 16, pts. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 (inheritance tax) repealed eff. Jan. 1, 2001 (I-145, Nov. 2000)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Calculate the Amount
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Montana: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 daysMCA §§ 72-3-607, 72-3-609Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803, 72-3-804, 72-3-805, 72-3-807Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
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