Estate Planning for Pembina County, North Dakota Property Owners

For most Pembina County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Pembina County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the District Court. The two tools that keep a Pembina County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder / Clerk of Court, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Pembina County property passes through the District Court — even simple North Dakota probates run 4+ months and start with $160 in filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Pembina County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Pembina County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder / Clerk of Court during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a North Dakota transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentNDCC 30.1-32.1-01 to 30.1-32.1-14Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathNDCC 30.1-32.1-01 to 30.1-32.1-14Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a North DakotaTOD deed →Pembina Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Pembina County are recorded with the County Recorder / Clerk of Court at 301 Dakota Street W. #10, Cavalier, ND 58220. Phone: 701-265-4373.

The County Recorder / Clerk of Court charges $20 for the first 6 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 6. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Pembina County comes to $20. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder / Clerk of Court

Pembina County · County Recorder

Address

301 Dakota Street W. #10Cavalier, ND 58220

Fax

701-265-4876
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first 6 pages)$20
Each page beyond 6$3
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

N.D.C.C. § 11-18-05(1)(a) (tiered recording fee); § 11-18-05(1)(a)(2)-(4) (font, legal description, 3-inch first-page header space); § 11-18-05(1)(d) (1-inch margin rule and $10 nonconformance fee); § 11-18-05(2) (filing fee); § 11-18-05(3) (copy fees)

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 7, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Pembina County

FirmGrand Forks, ND

Camrud, Maddock, Olson & Larson, Ltd.

Since 1932

Grand Forks firm founded in 1932, practicing in North Dakota and Minnesota. Its wills and trusts group handles probate and estate administration, trust administration and drafting, gifting of assets, Medicaid eligibility, and elder law; trust and estate litigation is carried in-house by the commercial litigation group rather than referred out. Mineral succession planning is a named service.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planning

Office
401 DeMers Avenue, Suite 500Grand Forks, ND 58201

FirmGrand Forks, ND

Dakota Law Group, P.C.

Since 1932

Grand Forks firm, formerly Zimney Foster P.C., with roots to 1932. Estate administration covers notifying heirs and creditors, inventorying and valuing assets, transferring property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing. Creditor claim resolution is its own service line — validating claims and protecting estate assets from improper ones.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
3770 S Washington Street, Suite BGrand Forks, ND 58201

Solo PracticeGrafton, ND

Einarson Law Office, PC

Since 1996

Grafton firm providing probate support across northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Represents personal representatives in locating assets and heirs, managing estate finances, and distributing — and represents heirs against a representative, including will and trust contests, routed first through alternative dispute resolution. Initial consultations are not free.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate

Office
640 Hill AveGrafton, ND 58237

FirmGrand Forks, ND

Olson, Juntunen & Cobb, Ltd.

Since 1898

Grand Forks firm serving the region since 1898, with lawyers licensed in North Dakota and Minnesota — it makes the difference between the two states’ probate rules its stated focus. Probate administration runs from appointing the personal representative through gathering asset and debt information, paying final expenses, and distributing. Farm succession and guardianship are named practices.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
802 DeMers AvenueGrand Forks, ND 58201

FirmGrand Forks, ND

Pearson Christensen, PLLP

Since 1958

Serves both sides of the river from Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, licensed in North Dakota and Minnesota state and federal courts. Handles probate, estates and trusts, simple and complex wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives, with the firm’s litigation team available for disputes arising out of estate matters. Initial consultations carry no attorney’s fee.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningWills

Office
24 North 4th StreetGrand Forks, ND 58206
Free consultation

FirmGrand Forks, ND

Pringle & Herigstad, P.C.

Serving North Dakota since 1909 from Minot, with a Grand Forks office. Estate administration and probate is aimed particularly at families owning farm and mineral property, where much of the estate is real estate or business assets. Handles administration of estates and trusts, fiduciary work, trust drafting, estate tax installment options, and probate litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
202 North 3rd Street, Suite 200Grand Forks, ND 58203
See all 18 firms serving Pembina County→

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.

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