Chadron firm in Dawes County, operating publicly as Chadron Law, founded in 1887 and described on its site as the oldest business in Chadron. Attorneys Amy Patras, Matthew Watson, and Andrew Pope handle estate and trust administration and litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, and wills and trusts.
Probate in Dawes County
Probate Court Record
Dawes County Court
Dawes County · 12
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM MT
Office
451 Main Street, Suite D, Chadron, NE 69337
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Dawes County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Dawes County? →Settling an estate in Dawes County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Nebraska
Free Nebraska forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Nebraska.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Get Started
Free
Last Will and Testament
In Nebraska, a will is signed before 2Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2327Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2327Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Get Started
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Nebraska
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Nebraska: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Nebraska.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Nebraska costs an estimated $25,018Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.7%Modeled estimate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Modeled estimate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Calculate Costs
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Nebraska, a surviving spouse takes the first $150,000 plus half of the restNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2302Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2306Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
Check the Rules
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Nebraska, creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
Check the Rules
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Nebraska: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-2467, 30-2468, 30-2469Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-520.01, 30-2483, 30-2485, 30-2486, 30-2487Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
See the Steps
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Nebraska pays executors reasonable compensationNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Calculate the Fee