Probate costs in Idaho typically include attorney fees of typically 1.8%Idaho Code § 15-3-721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage) — see also § 15-3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Idaho Code § 15-3-721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage) — see also § 15-3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $24,719Idaho Code § 15-3-721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage) — see also § 15-3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, roughly 5% of estate value, varying with complexity. Estimate executor compensation separately with the Idaho executor fee calculator.

Idaho has no single statewide fill-in petition; the opening document is prepared to statute and filed with the Magistrate Division of the District CourtIdaho Code §§ 15-3-103 (appointment & letters required), 15-3-301 to 15-3-311 (informal), 15-3-401 to 15-3-414 (formal)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. District court clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration after the court grants the petition.

The creditor claim period of 4 monthsIdaho Code §§ 15-3-801, 15-3-803, 15-3-804, 15-3-805, 15-3-806Verified Sep 15, 2026View source runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment. Distributing assets before the period has run can leave the executor personally liable for a claim that arrives later.

Idaho allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payIdaho Code § 15-3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.

In principle, yes: Idaho allows a self-represented person to apply for lettersIdaho Code §§ 15-3-103 (appointment & letters required), 15-3-301 to 15-3-311 (informal), 15-3-401 to 15-3-414 (formal)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source, but it has no standardized statewide probate form, so the opening petition is drafted as a formal legal pleading, and informal probate is availableIdaho Code § 15-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Most people in this position work with an attorney; the small-estate procedures remain simpler to handle independently.