North Dakota Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering North Dakota probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
In-depth guides covering North Dakota probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
Complete North Dakota's official NDPC Form 1: Affidavit For Collection Of Personal Property Of The Decedent for estates up to $100,000. N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-23-01, 30.1-23-02.
Step 1 of 5
The North Dakota affidavit identifies the claiming successor and the basis of entitlement.
The decedent's state. Only states where this tool prepares the affidavit are listed; other states' pages explain their procedure.
The successor signing the affidavit.
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Yes — NDPC Form 1: Affidavit For Collection Of Personal Property Of The Decedent. This tool completes the official form with the estate, successor, and property details.
$100,000, per N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-23-01, 30.1-23-02. This tool checks the entered estate value against the limit and does not prepare an affidavit for an estate over it.
30 days after the death (N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-23-01, 30.1-23-02). The affidavit states that the waiting period has elapsed, so it cannot be signed earlier.
A person claiming to be the successor of the decedent — per the Legal Self Help Center instructions, the person entitled to the personal property by will or intestate succession; the affidavit is "made by or on behalf of the successor." N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01(1).
The person or entity indebted to the decedent or holding the tangible personal property or instrument (bank, business, or other holder); a transfer agent of any security must change registered ownership on presentation of the affidavit (§ 30.1-23-01(2)). The Self Help Center suggests confirming in advance that the holder will accept the affidavit.
The North Dakota affidavit is signed before a notary (NDPC Form 1 (Rev Aug 2025) signature block and instructions).
The person paying, delivering, transferring, or issuing personal property pursuant to the affidavit is discharged and released to the same extent as if the person dealt with a personal representative, and is not required to see to the application of the property or inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit; refusal can be compelled by proceeding, and the recipient is answerable and accountable to any personal representative or person with a superior right (§ 30.1-23-02).
Personal property only — the affidavit reaches sums owed to the decedent, tangible personal property, and instruments evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action (§ 30.1-23-01(1)); it does not transfer real property, and the Legal Self Help Center instructions require that no real property be part of the probated estate. The court-proceeding alternative is the § 30.1-23-03 summary administration (formula-based ceiling: homestead + exempt property + family allowance + administration, funeral, and last-illness expenses). N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-23-01(1), 30.1-23-03.
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