Over 125 years of experience with more than 150 lawyers practicing from 11 offices in 3 states. Extensive experience in advising commercial and individual clients in complex probate and estate planning matters including wills, revocable trusts, financial and healthcare powers of attorney, charitable giving, and various trust planning alternatives.
Columbia Falls is in Flathead County.
More Trust Administration Firms in Flathead County
Kalispell firm, formerly Travis & Brann, PLLP, handling estate planning, probate, and trust matters for Flathead Valley families. Also provides personal injury, real estate transaction, and mediation services.
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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Free
Pour-Over Will
In Montana, a pour-over will is signed before 2MCA § 72-2-522Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Montana happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMCA 72-38-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysMCA §§ 72-38-813, 72-38-109, 72-38-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Montana, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Mont. Code Ann. § 72-38-708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
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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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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Montana requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Mont. Code Ann. § 15-30-2103 (as amended by Ch. 227, L. 2025 — HB 337)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Montana take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces the state's preferential capital gains ratesMont. Code Ann. § 15-30-2103(2)(c)-(d) (Temporary; terminates Dec. 31, 2026)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source.
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