Columbia Falls solo practice serving estate and probate clients across the Flathead Valley, including Kalispell and Whitefish. Attorney Denise Romer handles probate administration, wills, revocable and special-needs trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship and conservatorship matters. Offers free consultations, in person or virtual, and a military discount.
Kalispell is in Flathead County.
More Probate Firms in Flathead County
Multi-state law firm with a dedicated Whitefish office providing personalized estate planning services, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, elder law, probate, and family law.
Serves northwest Montana from Whitefish (Flathead County, Eleventh Judicial District), handling probate, will and trust drafting, and real estate transfers alongside its family-law practice. Attorneys assist personal representatives and beneficiaries through estate administration. Practicing in the Flathead Valley since 1979.
Probate in Flathead County
Probate Court Record
Flathead County District Court
Flathead County · 11th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
920 South Main Street, Suite 300, Kalispell, MT 59901
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Flathead County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Flathead County? →Settling an estate in Flathead 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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Last Will and Testament
In Montana, a will is signed before 2MCA § 72-2-522Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyMCA § 72-2-522Verified Oct 18, 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 Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Montana costs an estimated $24,934MCA § 72-3-634 (compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.8%Modeled estimate under MCA § 72-3-634 (compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019: the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%Modeled estimate under MCA § 72-3-634 (compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019: 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.
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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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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Montana pays executors reasonable compensationMCA § 72-3-631 (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.
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Do I Need Probate?
In Montana, estates valued at $100,000MCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Collection of Personal Property by AffidavitMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysMCA § 72-3-1101Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Montana, creditors have 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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Can I Self-File Probate?
In Montana, informal probate is availableMCA § 72-3-201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
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