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Probate in South Dakota typically costs 2%–4% of the estate value in attorney feesSDCL § 29A-3-719(a) (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage for attorneys)Verified May 27, 2026, plus court filing fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and any required surety bond. Attorney fees in South Dakota are negotiated, so the actual cost depends on the firm and complexity. Total all-in costs typically run 3-8% of estate value. The South Dakota probate calculator gives a detailed estimate based on estate value.
South Dakota allows "independent administration" (sometimes called unsupervised or informal probate), which lets the executor handle most estate decisions without ongoing court approval. The executor still files the will, inventories assets, and reports to the court, but doesn't need a hearing for routine actions like paying bills or selling assets. Independent administration typically saves both time and attorney fees compared to supervised probate.
Estate planning attorneys in South Dakota average $311 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $933–$1,866 for a simple individual will and $3,580–$5,370 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
South Dakota has a generous small-estate threshold of $100,000. Estates under that line can use the Small Estate Affidavit procedure, which is a form rather than a court case — most families can handle it without an attorney. For estates above the threshold, formal probate generally benefits from counsel because of the procedural overhead, even when nothing is contested. The South Dakota probate calculator estimates total costs based on estate value.
In South Dakota, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships; ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 3,941 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
48 firms
Anker Law Group handles all aspects of probate and estate administration for families in western South Dakota. The firm guides clients through estate valuation, asset transfers, debt payments, tax filings, and estate closing in accordance with the law.
Location
1301 West Omaha Street, Suite 207Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone
(605) 519-5967
Established
1984
With over 30 years of proven experience in estate planning and probate, Aspen Legacy Planning in Rapid City provides in-depth legal knowledge and insights to help families build a secure and prosperous future. Services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, TOD deeds, trust and estate administration, elder law, Medicaid planning, VA benefits, and business and ranch succession planning.
Location
770 Sheridan Lake RoadRapid City, SD 57702
Phone
(605) 610-4016
Established
2006
Bangs McCullen Law Firm handles probate of estates (formal and informal), will contests, dynasty trust formation, and comprehensive estate planning services with offices in Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
Location
333 West Boulevard, Suite 400Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone
(605) 343-1040
Bantz, Gosch & Cremer is a multi-attorney firm in Aberdeen with attorneys actively handling estate planning, probate, guardianships, and conservatorships. The firm also provides banking law, corporate formation, personal injury, and criminal defense services.
Location
305 6th Avenue SEAberdeen, SD 57401
Phone
(605) 225-2232
Beardsley, Jensen & Lee is a full-service law firm established in 1997 with over 100 years of collective legal experience. Their Rapid City estate planning attorneys assist with comprehensive estate plans, estate administration, and succession planning for businesses, farms, and ranches. Licensed in SD, ND, NE, and WY.
Location
4200 Beach Drive, Suite 3Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone
(605) 777-7466
Established
1997
Bennett, Main, Gubbrud & Willert has served Belle Fourche and the Northern Black Hills for over 100 years, providing estate planning, probate, wills, powers of attorney, real estate, agricultural law, and natural resources law.
Location
618 State StreetBelle Fourche, SD 57717
Phone
(605) 892-2011
Service Area
5 counties
Boos & Grajczyk is a general practice firm in Milbank serving Grant County and northeastern South Dakota. The firm handles estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, real estate, business law, and family law with four attorneys and over 40 years of experience.
Location
301 South Main StreetMilbank, SD 57252
Phone
(605) 432-6868
Service Area
4 counties
Boyce Law Firm is South Dakota's oldest law firm with over 145 years of continuous service. Their estate planning attorneys provide comprehensive will writing, trust creation and administration, probate, guardianship, elder law, special needs planning, and contested estate matters.
Location
300 S. Main AvenueSioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone
(605) 336-2424
Established
1878
Christopherson, Anderson, Paulson & Fideler has been serving South Dakota since 1894 with over 130 years of legal practice. The firm handles estate planning, probate, trust creation and updates, asset preservation, wills, real estate, and business organization. An intentionally small firm where clients work directly with their attorney.
Location
426 East 8th StreetSioux Falls, SD 57103
Phone
(605) 679-6745
Established
1894
Christopher Jansen Law Office in Mobridge provides estate planning, estate administration, health care directives, trusts, wills, guardianship, and conservatorship services for families in the north-central South Dakota region. Attorney Jansen has 20 years of experience and is a graduate of USD School of Law.
Location
415 14th Avenue EastMobridge, SD 57601
Phone
(605) 670-0701
Service Area
5 counties