Estate Planning & Probate in Yellowstone County, Montana
There are two reasons people look up Yellowstone County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Yellowstone County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the District Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Yellowstone County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Yellowstone County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Yellowstone County→The Probate Process in Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County, probate runs through the District Court at 217 North 27th Street, Rooms 702, 703, and 704, Billings. The court sits in the 13th Judicial District.
Full Yellowstone Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
District Court
Yellowstone County · 13th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
County Clerk and Recorder
Yellowstone County · Clerk and Recorder · Jeff Martin
Address
Phone
Fax
E-recording
$20 for the first page plus $10 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $30; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 7, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the District Court
The District Court schedules probate hearings Law and Motion held in each department: Civil at 8:30 AM, Criminal at 9:00 AM. Call the Clerk to schedule (probate: 406-256-2865).
Electronic filing mandatory for all attorneys. Courtesy copies of motions and briefs must be delivered to presiding judges chambers. Pleadings/briefs limited to 20 pages, not including attachments. If generative AI used in document preparation, must identify AI type and certify all citations have been verified.
Montana Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Yellowstone County.
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