Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
Create a TrustNewForms & ToolsFreeResourcesStates
LoginGet started
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsCreate a TrustNew
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA
  • Transfer on Death Deed

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Assets
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.

A will is a wish. A trust is a plan.

Create and manage your trust online.

How it works

No probate. No public record. No court.

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Home→Tools→Executor Duties Checklist→North Dakota

What Are My Duties as Executor in North Dakota?

Step-by-step guide for executors navigating probate, from filing the will to closing the estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

An executor (or personal representative) in North Dakota is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying and appraising assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The executor has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries.

The probate petition filing fee in North Dakota starts at approximately $160.N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01 (small estate, as amended by HB 1224 69th Leg. Assem. 2025), § 30.1-23-03 (summary admin), § 30.1-18-19 (PR compensation), § 30.1-19-03 (creditor claims), § 30.1-17-03 (bond), § 30.1-18-06 (inventory deadline), § 30.1-07-01 (exempt property $15K), § 30.1-07-02 (family allowance $27K), § 47-18-01 (homestead $150K)Verified Jun 1, 2026 Additional fees may apply for certified copies, recording fees, and publication of notice to creditors.

North Dakota requires the executor to publish notice to creditors in a local newspaper, though requirements vary by county. Known creditors should also receive direct written notice. Creditors have 3 months to file claims.N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01 (small estate, as amended by HB 1224 69th Leg. Assem. 2025), § 30.1-23-03 (summary admin), § 30.1-18-19 (PR compensation), § 30.1-19-03 (creditor claims), § 30.1-17-03 (bond), § 30.1-18-06 (inventory deadline), § 30.1-07-01 (exempt property $15K), § 30.1-07-02 (family allowance $27K), § 47-18-01 (homestead $150K)Verified Jun 1, 2026 The executor is personally liable for distributions made before the claim period expires if valid claims go unpaid.

North Dakota allows estates valued at $100,000 or less to use a Small Estate Affidavit.N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01 (small estate, as amended by HB 1224 69th Leg. Assem. 2025), § 30.1-23-03 (summary admin), § 30.1-18-19 (PR compensation), § 30.1-19-03 (creditor claims), § 30.1-17-03 (bond), § 30.1-18-06 (inventory deadline), § 30.1-07-01 (exempt property $15K), § 30.1-07-02 (family allowance $27K), § 47-18-01 (homestead $150K)Verified Jun 1, 2026 The waiting period is 30 days after death. This avoids the need for formal probate and significantly reduces time and cost.

North Dakota allows executors to receive reasonable compensation.N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-19 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 1, 2026 Typical executor fees range from 2% to 4% of estate value. Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the North Dakota executor fee calculator.

Probate costs in North Dakota include court filing fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and potentially a surety bond. Total costs generally range from 3-8% of the estate value depending on complexity. The North Dakota probate calculator provides a detailed cost estimate based on estate value.

Executor Duties in North Dakota

Probate in North Dakota begins with filing the will and a petition with the court. The initial filing fee is $160N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03(1)(a); SB 2057 (69th LA, 2025)Verified Jun 1, 2026. After appointment, the executor receives letters testamentary granting legal authority to manage estate affairs.

Creditors in North Dakota have 3 monthsN.D.C.C. § 30.1-19-03(1)(a)Verified Jun 1, 2026 to file claims after notice is published. The executor must publish notice in a local newspaper and send direct notice to known creditors. For smaller estates under $100,000N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01Verified Jun 1, 2026, simplified procedures may be available that bypass formal probate.

North Dakota allows reasonable compensation for executors, typically 2%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-19 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 1, 2026 to 4%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-19 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 1, 2026 of estate value. Executors can waive their fee or negotiate a different amount. See the executor fee calculator for a breakdown.

Simple estates in North Dakota typically close in 4 monthsN.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01 (small estateVerified Jun 1, 2026 from the date of filing. Estates held in a revocable living trust skip probate entirely — the successor trustee handles distribution privately in weeks. The creditor claims guide covers notification deadlines for estates that do go through probate.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated June 1, 2026

Legal Sources

  • N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03(1)(a); SB 2057 (69th LA, 2025)
  • N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-19 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
  • N.D.C.C. § 30.1-19-03(1)(a)
  • N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01
  • N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01 (small estate

Data sourced from North Dakota statutes and official state code. How we research.

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Court filings, creditor windows, frozen accounts — a revocable living trust skips them all.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

North Dakota Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering North Dakota probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Get Your Executor Checklist

Answer a few questions to get a personalized checklist for your situation.

This checklist provides general guidance for estate settlement. Requirements vary by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

Being named executor means navigating probate, managing assets, and distributing the estate. What's expected, what you can charge, and how to start.

Learn more
Death of a Parent

Death of a Parent

Losing a parent is overwhelming. What needs to happen next — settling the estate, navigating probate, and the steps to move forward.

Learn more