North Dakota allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Barnes 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 North Dakota are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Barnes 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.
Serves North Dakota and Minnesota from Valley City, Fargo, and Wahpeton. Estate work covers wills, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, powers of attorney, and probate, and the firm takes estate disputes from both sides — challenging a will or an executor’s conduct, or defending one. Business succession is the focus; the lead attorney is a trained CPA.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawReal Estate Law
- Office
- 253 Central Avenue NEValley City, ND 58072
FirmJamestown, ND
Since 1975
Jamestown firm established in 1975, with a branch office in Carrington and work across North Dakota. Handles probate of a will or an intestate estate, guardianships and conservatorships, and preparation of wills and trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Real estate work includes title opinions and quiet title actions, which matter for farm estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianship
- Office
- 1015 5th Avenue NEJamestown, ND 58401
Solo PracticeJamestown, ND
Solo practice in Jamestown serving Stutsman County and south-central North Dakota. Handles wills, living wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and probate as one of four practice lines, alongside criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. Lawrence Kropp was admitted in North Dakota in 1984.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate
- Office
- 105 10th Street SEJamestown, ND 58401
Solo PracticeJamestown, ND
Larson Law Firm
Solo practice in Jamestown serving Stutsman County and south-central North Dakota. Joseph Larson II was admitted in North Dakota in 1975 and handles estate planning, wills, probate, powers of attorney, real estate, and adult guardianship. The firm has no website; contact is by phone or email.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipReal Estate LawWills
- Office
- 2411 Highway 281 SJamestown, ND 58401
General practice in Jamestown serving Stutsman County and south-central North Dakota, now carried by Steven T. Ottmar after both founding attorneys retired. Practice lines are elder law, estate planning and probate, wills and trusts, real estate, family law, and personal injury.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawReal Estate LawWills
- Office
- 226 2nd Avenue SWJamestown, ND 58402
Solo general practice in Oakes serving Dickey County and the southeastern North Dakota tri-state area. Jason Paradis focuses on property, estate planning, and corporate and transactional work, and is admitted in North Dakota, Minnesota, and New York, having practiced at large firms in New York and Minneapolis and at a Minneapolis agribusiness company.
PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawReal Estate Law
- Office
- 322 Main AvenueOakes, ND 58474
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.
