What to Do When Someone Dies in Cavalier County, North Dakota
Probate in Cavalier 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 Cavalier 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 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 Cavalier County, probate runs through the District Court at 901 3rd St. Suite 1, Langdon. The court sits in the Northeast Judicial District.
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 North Dakota intestacy law when there is no will.
Most North Dakota estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 3 monthsN.D.C.C. § 30.1-19-03(1)(a)Verified 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 Cavalier County
What probate costs in Cavalier County, North Dakota 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 901 3rd St. Suite 1, Langdon. The court is part of the Northeast Judicial District.
North Dakota charges $160N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03(1)(a)Verified 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.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the District Court (https://www.ndcourts.gov/district-courts/e-filing-resources). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in North Dakota are negotiated, typically 1.8%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified 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.
Probate in North Dakota typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the District Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Cavalier County, North Dakota, you can file at the District Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the Northeast Judicial District.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Cavalier County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
•Self-represented litigants and prisoners are exempt and may file paper documents in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5(a)(2))
•Original wills, codicils, and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5(a)(3))
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the District Court is realistic.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Other Requirements
Courthouse closes at noon on Fridays between May 1st and September 30th. During limited hours, call (701) 256-2124 and leave message; staff monitor and return calls.
Before You Go
Walk-ins accepted
You can file in person without an appointment. Self-represented filers may file paper probate documents in person at the Clerk of District Court counter during courthouse hours; no appointment required (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5(a)(2) exempts self-represented litigants from mandatory e-filing).
What to Bring
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.
Transferring Property in Cavalier 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 Cavalier County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder Vicki J. Kubat, at 901 3rd St, Suite 13, Langdon, ND 58249. Phone: 701-256-2136. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm (May-Sept: Mon-Thu 8:30am-4:30pm, Fri 8:30am-12:00pm).
The County Recorder charges $20 for the first 6 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 6.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Cavalier County · County Recorder · Vicki J. Kubat
North Dakota allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Cavalier 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 — typically 1.8%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Cavalier 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 PracticeLangdon, ND
Mondragon Law Office
Solo practice in Langdon, one of two law offices in the Cavalier County seat. Angelo Mondragon has been admitted in North Dakota since 2020 and took over R. Scott Stewart’s practice at the same address; the firm is registered as R. Scott Stewart P.C. d/b/a Mondragon Law Office. He also serves as Cavalier County State’s Attorney. No website; contact by phone.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipReal Estate Law
Serves Cavalier and Pembina counties from Cavalier, with a second office in Walhalla open by appointment. Handles settling a loved one’s estate and navigating probate court, and treats guardianship as a specialty — contested and uncontested, adults and minors, including annual reports and modifying or terminating one. Four attorneys, 80-plus years combined.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningAgricultural LawReal Estate Law
Serves north-central and northeastern North Dakota from Devils Lake and Park River, for nearly 20 years. Guides personal representatives through compiling the inventory, notifying and paying creditors, and distributing assets. Attorney Tracy Laaveg has extensive experience establishing guardianships and conservatorships; the firm also does title opinions, title insurance, and farm leases.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipReal Estate Law
Serves rural North Dakota from Devils Lake, with meeting space in Grand Forks and Fargo. Handles probate and trust administration, Medicaid asset protection, special needs and life insurance trusts, and farm and business succession for families, farmers, and small businesses. An attorney and a CPA are both on staff, so estate accounting and tax work stay in one office.
Serves Cass, Traill, and Benson counties from five offices in West Fargo, Casselton, Hillsboro, Page, and Maddock. Addresses newly named personal representatives and successor trustees directly: cataloging and valuing assets, filing court documents, paying creditor claims and estate taxes, and distributing to heirs, with litigation when disputes arise.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Law
Office
444 Sheyenne Street, Suite 102West Fargo, ND 58078
Bismarck office of a regional firm, the largest of its North Dakota offices, with a second office in Williston. Guides personal representatives and trustees through asset management, estate and gift tax returns, fiduciary accountings, elective share and allowances, and beneficiary and creditor claims, and carries trust and estate disputes through appeal.
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.
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.
Cavalier County Guides
Step-by-step tools for families in Cavalier County, North Dakota.
