How probate works in Adams County: the Magistrate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Adams County · 3rd Judicial District
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About the court
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Adams County, probate runs through the Magistrate Court at 201 Industrial Avenue, Council. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District. The same 3rd Judicial District also serves Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Idaho intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Idaho estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 4 monthsIdaho Code §§ 15-3-801, 15-3-803, 15-3-804, 15-3-805, 15-3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What probate costs in Adams County, Idaho comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Magistrate Court at 201 Industrial Avenue, Council. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District.
Idaho charges $166IRCP Appendix A, Category A (eff. 7/12/2024); Idaho Code § 31-3201A(1)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Idaho are negotiated, typically 1.8%Modeled estimate under Idaho Code § 15-3-721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage) — see also § 15-3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Modeled estimate under Idaho Code § 15-3-721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage) — see also § 15-3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Idaho allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payIdaho Code § 15-3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Idaho requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
Probate in Idaho typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate documents in Adams County can be filed in person at the Magistrate Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Magistrate Division and Jury trial recorded message.
The Court Assistance Office serving Adams County works by phone or email on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Idaho has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableIdaho Code § 15-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Adams County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Magistrate jury trials scheduled monthly
Magistrate jury trials are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month. A recorded message about scheduled jury trials is available after 5:00 PM and on weekends at 208-253-4104.
SourceFiled with the opening petition at the Magistrate Court: Certified copy of the death certificate (proof of death — I.C. § 15-1-107(a)); Original will and any codicils (filed both electronically and conventionally per I.R.E.F.S. 5); Verified application (informal) or petition (formal) reciting the statutory contents (I.C. §§ 15-3-301, 15-3-402); Acceptance/qualification of the personal representative and statement of informal appointment, or the court order (I.C. § 15-3-103); Renunciations/nominations by persons with higher priority for appointment, if any (I.C. § 15-3-203)Idaho Code §§ 15-3-103 (appointment & letters required), 15-3-301 to 15-3-311 (informal), 15-3-401 to 15-3-414 (formal)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
In Adams County certified copies of the death certificate come from Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics; the Local Registrar files the certificate and issues no copies to the public.
Vital Records Office Record
Adams County · State vital records office
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| First certified copy | $16 |
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Adams County · Adams County Coroner
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Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for Adams County are recorded with the County Recorder at 201 Industrial Avenue, Council, ID 83612. Phone: 1-208-253-4561. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 48, Council, ID 83612.
The County Recorder charges $15 for the first 30 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 30.
Recording Office Record
Adams County
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| Base fee (first 30 pages) | $15 |
| Each page beyond 30 | $3 |
Idaho Code 31-3205 (recorder's fees). Deeds, grants and transfers of title to real property of 30 pages or fewer: $15.00 flat. All other instruments: $10.00 first page + $3.00 each additional page.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Idaho allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Adams County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Idaho are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask an Adams County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Magistrate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmWeiser, ID
Weiser-based firm with over 40 years of legal experience. R. Brad Masingill graduated from Gonzaga Law in 1977 and is joined by his son Brandon. Practice covers estate planning, probate, wills, trusts, real estate, and business law across Washington, Payette, and Adams counties.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts
FirmWeiser, ID
Weiser solo practice serving Washington, Payette, and Adams counties in western Idaho. Steve Stuchlik handles estate planning, probate and estate administration, and real property matters, with added depth in natural-resources and agriculture law. Licensed in Idaho and Oregon.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts
FirmWeiser, ID
Weiser practice covering estate planning, probate, business law, and personal injury. Estate documents include wills, community property agreements, living trusts, and small estate affidavits.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts
FirmIdaho Falls, ID
Specializes in estate planning for families including those with special needs children. Uses a trademarked "Collaborative Legal Planning Process." Virtual meetings available statewide; serves families in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Caldwell, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Pocatello, and more.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateConservatorshipand 2 more
FirmBoise, ID
Handles probate estate legal matters throughout Idaho. Most probates handled on a flat fee basis. Serves Nampa, Caldwell, Meridian, Boise, Kuna, Emmett, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, and more.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
FirmPocatello, ID
Pocatello firm serving Southeast Idaho since 1940. Handles estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, elder law, and Medicaid planning; its estate planning team carries 75+ years of combined experience, including two attorneys with advanced tax-law training.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawMedicaid PlanningWills Trusts
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Idaho statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Free tools for settling an estate in Idaho: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Idaho.
Settling an estate in Idaho: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysIdaho Code §§ 15-3-706, 15-3-707, 15-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsIdaho Code §§ 15-3-801, 15-3-803, 15-3-804, 15-3-805, 15-3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Settling a trust in Idaho happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteIdaho Code §§ 15-7-101 to 15-7-701 (UPC Trust Administration); Idaho Code §§ 68-104 to 68-113 (Uniform Trustees' Powers Act); Idaho Code § 32-906A (community property in revocable trusts)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 30 daysIdaho Code §§ 15-7-303, 15-7-307Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
Idaho has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableIdaho Code § 15-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Browse vetted Idaho attorneys handling probate matters.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Enter the estate value to see Idaho attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
Enter the estate value to see whether Idaho lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
