Missoula firm handling estate planning and probate across western Montana, from wills, trusts, and succession planning to estate administration for personal representatives and beneficiaries. Several attorneys handle estate matters, with a dedicated estate-tax practice for estates carrying gift, generation-skipping, or business-succession complexity.
Probate in Ravalli County
Probate Court Record
Ravalli County District Court
Ravalli County · 21st Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
205 Bedford Street, Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Ravalli County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Ravalli County? →Settling an estate in Ravalli County →
Probate Firms Serving Ravalli County
Established in 1974, this Missoula law firm has 12 lawyers practicing general trial practice, banking law, and estate planning. Experienced in representing clients in the preparation of wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney, as well as representation of trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries in trust and probate proceedings.
Missoula firm founded in 1870, serving western Montana from the Fourth Judicial District. Handles probate administration, from asset inventory and creditor notice to debt settlement and distribution, plus estate and trust disputes including will contests and breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims. Drafts wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and business-succession plans.
Missoula firm founded in 1975 serving western Montana. Handles probate administration for personal representatives and beneficiaries, wills, trusts, and succession planning, alongside its insurance and litigation practice. Estate-tax and business-succession work is led by Gerald W. Steinbrenner, a member of the Western Montana Estate Planning Council.
Handles estate planning, probate, and trust administration for families in Missoula and western Montana. Drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and represents clients in estate and probate proceedings, guardianships, and conservatorships. Founding attorney Don St. Peter is a past chair of the State Bar of Montana business, estates, trusts, tax and real property section.
Havre law firm serving the Hi-Line region of Montana since 2017. Provides corporate and business planning, wills and estate planning, probates, real estate transactions, and civil litigation services. Serves Montana from the Hi-Line to Missoula and beyond.
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.
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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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