Fremont firm in Dodge County led by attorneys Leta Fornoff and Melissa Schutt, serving Dodge, Washington, Burt, Cuming, Platte, Colfax, Butler, and Saunders counties. Its estates and trusts practice covers probate, wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, alongside family law, criminal defense, personal injury, and bankruptcy work.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Dodge County, Nebraska
How probate works in Dodge County: the County Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Dodge County Court
Dodge County · 6
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
428 North Broad Street, Fremont, NE 68025
Website
Files probate
Probate, Adoption and Condemnation
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
Required for attorneysAttorneys must e-file in every Nebraska county court through eFileNeb. People without a lawyer may file on paper in person or by mail, or by fax with the court's cover sheet, and an emailed document is not a filing. On paper: People without a lawyer may file on paper in person, by mail, or by fax until July 1, 2028; An original will or other original document a statute requires is delivered to the clerk after its scanned copy is e-filed.
Self-represented filing
AllowedNebraska law allows a person to handle an estate in county court without a lawyer. The Supreme Court's self-help center publishes estate forms, including the affidavits for collecting a small estate without probate, but not forms for every step. A person filing without a lawyer registers an email address with the court to receive its notices.
Fax
1-402-727-2762
Departments
- Probate, Adoption and Condemnation1-402-727-2779 · Takes probate filings
- Civil and Small Claims1-402-727-2756
- Criminal and Traffic1-402-727-2758
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Dodge 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 Dodge County, probate runs through the County Court at 428 North Broad Street, Judicial Center 3rd Floor, Fremont. The court sits in the 6.
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 Nebraska intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Nebraska estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-520.01, 30-2483, 30-2485, 30-2486, 30-2487Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Dodge County
What probate costs in Dodge County, Nebraska 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 County Court at 428 North Broad Street, Judicial Center 3rd Floor, Fremont. The court is part of the 6.
Nebraska charges $44 - $1,670 (based on estate value)Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125Verified 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 Nebraska are negotiated, typically 1.7%Modeled estimate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Modeled estimate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2482 (reasonable compensation determined by court): 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.
Nebraska allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (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.
Nebraska requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2446Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Nebraska typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the County Court
Probate cases in Dodge County, Nebraska are filed at the Probate, Adoption and Condemnation of the County Court. The court sits in the 6.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Nebraska has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2414Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Dodge County Self-Filing Assessment.
What to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the County Court: Original Last Will and Testament (testate cases; in the possession of the court, accompanying the application, or delivered within 10 days of filing); Verified Application for Informal Probate and Appointment of Personal Representative (or Petition for Formal Probate); Notice of Informal Probate and Notice to Creditors for publication; Statement of acceptance of the duties of the office (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2444; flowchart AD 2:26 shows Acceptance of Appointment within 10 days of appointment); Bond, unless excused under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2446(1)Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-2414 to 30-2418 (informal probate), §§ 30-2424 to 30-2429 (informal appointment / formal testacy and appointment), §§ 30-2444 to 30-2446 (qualification, acceptance, bond)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Dodge County
In Dodge County certified copies of the death certificate come from Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records
Dodge County · State vital records office
Phone
Office
Nebraska State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South, 1st Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509
Website
Certified copies
From Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records
Nebraska Vital Records
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, NE 68509-5065
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $16 |
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Dodge County · Dodge County Attorney
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Dodge 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 Register of Deeds.
Deeds and other real property documents for Dodge County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 435 North Park, Room 201, Fremont, NE 68025. Phone: 1-402-727-2735. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.
The Register of Deeds charges $10 for the first page plus $6 for each additional page.
Dodge County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Dodge County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
435 North Park, Room 201, Fremont, NE 68025
E-recording
Fees
Recording fees
| Base fee (first page) | $10 |
| Each additional page | $6 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
Neb. Rev. Stat. 33-109
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Dodge County
Nebraska allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Dodge 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 Nebraska are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Dodge County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the County 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.
Norfolk firm in Madison County, formerly Lammli, Locke & Beaudette Law Office, with offices in Stanton, Pierce, and Elgin and appointment offices in Albion, Columbus, Dodge, and Valentine. Handles probate and trust administration, including disputes and distribution among beneficiaries, along with wills, trusts, elder law, guardianships, and conservatorships.
Fremont firm on West 5th Street, established in 1947, practicing primarily in Dodge County and in the surrounding Washington, Burt, Cuming, Saunders, and Colfax Counties. Its attorneys handle probate of estates and administration of trusts, along with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and Medicaid planning for clients from young families to those transferring wealth and businesses.
Omaha firm representing clients throughout Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Dodge, and Cass Counties in estate planning, probate, and family law. Represents personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in estate and trust administration and inheritance tax proceedings, and handles guardianships and conservatorships. Partner Tosha Rae Heavican leads the estate team.
O'Neill firm in Holt County with further offices in Norfolk (Madison County) and Laurel (Cedar County). Assists families with probate and trust administration after a death, including complex estates and Nebraska inheritance tax and federal estate tax matters, and handles guardianships and conservatorships within its family law practice.
Elkhorn estate planning firm in Douglas County whose practice is limited to wills, trusts, and estate administration, serving clients throughout Nebraska and Iowa. Handles both probate in the county court and trust administration through a systematized process, alongside elder law, nursing home planning, and supplemental needs trusts. Offers a free, no-obligation initial appointment.
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)·
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2414
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125
- Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-520.01, 30-2483, 30-2485, 30-2486, 30-2487
- Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-2414 to 30-2418 (informal probate), §§ 30-2424 to 30-2429 (informal appointment / formal testacy and appointment), §§ 30-2444 to 30-2446 (qualification, acceptance, bond)
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 33-109
- Dodge County Court, official page
- Dodge County Register of Deeds, official page
- Dodge County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Free tools for settling an estate in Nebraska: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Nebraska.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Nebraska: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-2467, 30-2468, 30-2469Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 2 monthsNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-520.01, 30-2483, 30-2485, 30-2486, 30-2487Verified 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 Nebraska happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-3801 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. §§ 30-3809, 30-3878, 30-3894Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Nebraska has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2414Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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