Probate in Roosevelt County runs through the District Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Roosevelt County, settling their estate runs through the District Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Roosevelt County · 15th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Accepted paymentCash, Check, Credit card, Debit card. Checks payable to "Clerk of District Court." Credit/debit cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) with a 1.995% + $0.25 processing fee. The office publishes the MCA 25-1-201 fee schedule, including $100.00 for a formal/informal probate, guardianship, or conservatorship case at commencement.
Part of the 15th Judicial District serving Daniels, Roosevelt, and Sheridan counties. Marriage license applications processed 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Verified July 5, 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 Roosevelt County, probate runs through the District Court at 400 2nd Avenue South, Suite 210, Wolf Point. The court sits in the 15th Judicial District. Roosevelt County shares the 15th Judicial District with Daniels and Sheridan.
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 Montana intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Montana estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 4 monthsMCA §§ 72-3-801, 72-3-803Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What probate costs in Roosevelt County, Montana 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 District Court at 400 2nd Avenue South, Suite 210, Wolf Point. The court is part of the 15th Judicial District.
Montana charges $100MCA § 25-1-201(1)(m); MCA § 25-1-202(1)(a); MCA § 3-1-317Verified Sep 8, 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 Montana are negotiated, typically 1.8%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Montana requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
Probate in Montana typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate cases in Roosevelt County are filed at the District Court. File in person during business hours or by mail. The court sits in the 15th Judicial District.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the District Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Roosevelt County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Probate matters heard on regular court calendar. Contact clerk for specific scheduling.
Before You Go
You can file in person without an appointment. Office located in the Roosevelt County courthouse, 2nd floor, Room 210. Open for in-person filing and record requests Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; mail-in requests accepted with prepaid fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Cash, Check, Credit card, Debit card. Checks payable to "Clerk of District Court." Credit/debit cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) with a 1.995% + $0.25 processing fee. The office publishes the MCA 25-1-201 fee schedule, including $100.00 for a formal/informal probate, guardianship, or conservatorship case at commencement.
To file at the District 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.
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 Clerk and Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for Roosevelt County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder, led by Clerk and Recorder Tracy Miranda, at 400 2nd Ave S, Wolf Point, MT 59201. Phone: 406-653-6250. Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
The County Clerk and Recorder charges $20 for the first page plus $10 for each additional page.
Roosevelt County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Roosevelt County · Clerk and Recorder · Tracy Miranda
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $20 |
| Each additional page | $10 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
MCA 7-4-2637 (fees for recording documents); MCA 7-4-2636 (standards for recorded documents); House Bill 192, 69th Legislature (2025) — Ch. 480, L. 2025 — fee increase effective October 1, 2025
Verified September 7, 2026 · Source
Montana allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Roosevelt 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 Montana are based on reasonable compensation — typically 1.8%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%MCA § 72-3-634 (court review of reasonableness of compensation of persons employed by the personal representative, including attorneys); § 72-3-632 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation); former § 72-3-633 repealed by Sec. 105, Ch. 313, L. 2019Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Roosevelt County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the District 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.
Solo PracticeSidney, MT
Sidney sole practitioner serving eastern Montana and western North Dakota. Practice covers estate planning, probate, real estate transactions, oil and gas, business organization, and general practice. Licensed in Montana since 1991 and North Dakota since 1992.
PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawOil And GasProbate AdministrationReal Estate
FirmSidney, MT
Handles estate planning and probate from offices in Sidney and Billings, serving families across eastern Montana and western North Dakota (formerly Netzer, Krautter & Brown, P.C.). Prepares wills, trusts, and powers of attorney and guides personal representatives through estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship. Mineral and oil-and-gas experience aids Bakken-region estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianshipBusiness FormationProbate AdministrationReal Estate
FirmPlentywood, MT
Northeastern Montana law firm established in 1955, serving Sheridan and Daniels counties. Provides estate planning, probate, wills, general trial practice, and oil and gas law services. Maintains a second office in Scobey.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationReal EstateWills Trusts
FirmMissoula, MT
Formerly Bjornson Jones Mungas, PLLC. Over fifty years of combined experience in transactional, business and corporate law, contracts, real estate law, estate planning and probate administration, finance, and tax law. Serves clients throughout Montana and Washington.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration
FirmHelena, MT
Statewide law firm providing estate planning, elder law, business succession planning, and probate administration services from offices in Helena, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Missoula.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawBusiness SuccessionProbate Administration
FirmBillings, MT
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 4 more
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 Montana statutes and official state code. How we research.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, etc.
Mortgages, credit cards, loans, etc.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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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.
Step-by-step tools for families in Roosevelt County, Montana.
Get a personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
Get a personalized plan for settling a trust after the grantor passes away. Covers beneficiary notification, asset transfers, creditor handling, taxes, and distributions.
Get a score-based recommendation on whether self-filing probate is right for your situation. See estimated savings vs. hiring an attorney and get a step-by-step checklist.
Browse vetted Montana attorneys handling probate matters.
