Preston-based firm with attorneys licensed in Idaho and Utah, serving Preston, Cache Valley, and communities throughout Southeast Idaho. Practice covers wills, trusts, estate planning and administration, business law, and real estate. Decades of combined experience.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Caribou County, Idaho
How probate works in Caribou County: the Magistrate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Caribou County Magistrate Court
Caribou County · 6th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
159 South Main Street, Room 202, Soda Springs, ID 83276
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
OptionalAttorneys must e-file through iCourt File and Serve (I.R.E.F.S. Rule 4(a)). Self-represented individuals may e-file or file on paper; one who chooses to e-file continues to e-file for the life of the case unless the court grants a motion to withdraw (Rule 4(b)). An original will is filed both electronically and on paper, the paper filing within seven business days of the electronic one (Rule 5(a)). On paper: Original wills (must also be filed conventionally within 7 business days).
Self-represented filing
AllowedSelf-represented filers may file a probate case without an attorney, on paper or through iCourt File and Serve. The Idaho Court Assistance Office publications page carries Wills & Probate guidance, including Most Frequently Asked Questions About Probate in Idaho; its forms library has no probate forms.
Self-help center
- Caribou County Courthouse, 159 South Main Street, Soda Springs1-208-547-4342 ext. 813 · d6cao@bannock.idcourts.govThe Caribou County Court Assistance Office sees people by appointment on Tuesdays. The Sixth District lead office in Pocatello answers at 1-208-236-7067 and by text at 1-208-538-4816; it reviews completed forms by email and offers form packets for family, consumer and housing cases.
P.O. Box 775
Soda Springs, ID 83276
Fax
1-208-547-4759
Departments
- County Clerk1-208-547-4324 ext. 4 · Room 202 · Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Jury Commissioner1-208-547-4324 ext. 811 · Room 202
About the court
- Large courtroom in Room 302, small courtroom in Room 206. The 6th Judicial District includes Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power counties.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Caribou County
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 Caribou County, probate runs through the Magistrate Court at 159 South Main Street, Room 202, Soda Springs. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District. Caribou County shares the 6th Judicial District with Bannock, Bear Lake, Franklin, Oneida and Power.
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 Caribou County
What probate costs in Caribou 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 159 South Main Street, Room 202, Soda Springs. The court is part of the 6th 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.
How to File Probate at the Magistrate Court
Probate documents in Caribou 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 6th Judicial District.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for County Clerk and Jury Commissioner.
The Caribou County Court Assistance Office sees people by appointment on Tuesdays. The Sixth District lead office in Pocatello answers at 1-208-236-7067 and by text at 1-208-538-4816; it reviews completed forms by email and offers form packets for family, consumer and housing cases.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
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 Caribou County Self-Filing Assessment.
Caribou County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Court Appearances
Two courtrooms; the small courtroom doubles as the Commissioners meeting room
The large courtroom is upstairs in Room 302. The small courtroom is Room 206 on the second floor, which also serves as the County Commissioners meeting room.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed 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.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Caribou County
In Caribou 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
Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
Caribou County · State vital records office
Phone
Website
Certified copies
From Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics; the Local Registrar files the certificate and issues no copies to the public
Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $16 |
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Caribou County · Caribou County Coroner
Website
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Caribou County
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 Caribou County are recorded with the County Recorder at 159 South Main Street, Room 202, Soda Springs, ID 83276. Phone: 1-208-547-4324 ext. 4. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 775, Soda Springs, ID 83276.
The County Recorder charges $15 for the first 30 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 30.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Caribou County
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
159 South Main Street, Room 202, Soda Springs, ID 83276
Website
P.O. Box 775
Soda Springs, ID 83276
Fax
1-208-547-4759
Recording fees
| 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
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form · Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Caribou County
Idaho allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Caribou 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 a Caribou 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.
Multi-office Idaho firm serving Southern Idaho with estate planning, asset protection, wills, trusts, living trusts, powers of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives. John O. Avery is admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.
Idaho Falls firm operating across Eastern Idaho since 1963, with offices in Rexburg, Pocatello, and Victor. Its estate planning team handles wills, trusts, probate, trust administration, guardianship matters, and estate tax planning for Bonneville, Madison, Jefferson, Bannock, and Teton county families.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- Idaho Code § 15-3-301
- Idaho Code § 15-3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Idaho Code §§ 15-3-103 (appointment & letters required), 15-3-301 to 15-3-311 (informal), 15-3-401 to 15-3-414 (formal)
- Idaho Code §§ 15-3-801, 15-3-803, 15-3-804, 15-3-805, 15-3-806
- IRCP Appendix A, Category A (eff. 7/12/2024); Idaho Code § 31-3201A(1)
- 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.
- Caribou County Magistrate Court, official page
- Caribou County Recorder, official page
- Caribou County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Idaho statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Idaho
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.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
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.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
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.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
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.
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