Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
Create a TrustNewForms & ToolsFreeResourcesStates
LoginGet started
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsCreate a TrustNew
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA
  • Transfer on Death Deed

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Assets
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.

A will is a wish. A trust is a plan.

Create and manage your trust online.

How it works

No probate. No public record. No court.

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

States→Idaho→Benewah County→How to File

How Do I File Probate in Benewah County, Idaho?

A step-by-step guide to filing at the Magistrate Court—what documents you'll need, where to go, and what happens after you file.

OverviewCosts & FeesHow to FileFind Attorneys

Probate documents in Benewah 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 1st Judicial District.

Filings here are routed through District Court and Jury Services. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.

Your Filing Options

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.

E-Filing Also Available

If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.

View E-Filing Information

Paper Filing Required For

  • •Original wills (must also be filed conventionally within 7 business days)

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Factors like estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree can determine if self-filing at the Magistrate Court is realistic for your situation. Benewah County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.

For a detailed cost comparison and filing checklist, see the full Benewah County Self-Filing Assessment.

In-Person Filing

The Magistrate Court is located at 701 W College Avenue, Suite 203, St. Maries, ID 83861. Phone: 208-245-3241. Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

What to Bring

To file at the Magistrate Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Court Resources

The Magistrate Court runs a self-help center for filers without attorneys. Call 208-446-1225. Staff can review paperwork for completeness and explain procedures, though they can't give legal advice on a specific case.

Additional resources, forms, and fee schedules are available on the Magistrate Court website.

Visit Court Website →

Court information verified June 2, 2026 · Source

Frequently Asked Questions

You open probate by filing a petition with the Magistrate Court in Benewah County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($166). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.

At minimum: petition for probate, application for letters testamentary or of administration, notice to heirs, and an oath for the personal representative. Benewah County uses the standard Idaho probate forms — the court's website lists the current versions.

Idaho allows informal (unsupervised) probate, which many families handle themselves for simple estates. The Magistrate Court in Benewah County does not require attorney representation. Use the Idaho self-filing assessment to see if your estate qualifies.

Yes. The Magistrate Court in Benewah County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.

Assets stay locked, creditors can still pursue them, and beneficiaries cannot sell real property or close accounts. After a few years, interested parties can petition to open probate themselves. Waiting rarely helps. Families who set up a revocable living trust ahead of time bypass this problem entirely.

Magistrate Court

Benewah County

701 W College Avenue, Suite 203

St. Maries, ID 83861

Phone:

208-245-3241

Fax:

208-245-3046

Hours:

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit Court Website →
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

America First

America First logo

Credit Union serving the West and Southwest

America First

Auto-Owners Life

Auto-Owners Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Auto-Owners Life

Banner Bank

Banner Bank logo

Bank serving the West

Banner Bank

BECU

BECU logo

Credit Union serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho

BECU

Columbia Bank

Columbia Bank logo

Bank serving the West and Southwest

Columbia Bank

COUNTRY Financial

COUNTRY Financial logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, West, and more

COUNTRY Financial

CSAA Insurance

CSAA Insurance logo

Insurance Company serving the West, Northeast, and more

CSAA Insurance

D.A. Davidson

D.A. Davidson logo

Brokerage serving the West, Midwest, and more

D.A. Davidson

Farm Bureau Financial

Farm Bureau Financial logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, West, and more

Farm Bureau Financial

First Interstate

First Interstate logo

Bank serving the West and Midwest

First Interstate

Glacier Bancorp

Glacier Bancorp logo

Bank serving the West and Southwest

Glacier Bancorp

Global CU

Global CU logo

Credit Union serving the West and Southwest

Global CU

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.

Learn more
Death of a Parent

Death of a Parent

Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.

Learn more

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Court filings, creditor windows, frozen accounts — a revocable living trust skips them all.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play
$

Total probate assets (exclude beneficiary-designated accounts)

Can you self-file probate?

Enter your state and estate value to get a personalized recommendation with estimated cost savings.

Score-based assessment with reasoning

Cost comparison vs. hiring an attorney

This tool provides general information about self-filing probate and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.