Idaho allows estates valued at $100,000Idaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less to use the Small Estate AffidavitIdaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which avoids full probate administration. The Small Estate Affidavit is presented directly to the bank, employer, or other holder of the property — it is not filed with a court. The waiting period is 30 daysIdaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
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 intestacy law decides. As a community property stateIdaho Code § 15-2-102Verified Sep 10, 2026View source, Idaho distinguishes community property (acquired during the marriage) from separate property (owned before it, or received as a gift or inheritance), and the surviving spouse's share differs for each. The estate passes to the closest surviving relatives, in most cases the spouse and children first, then in order: Parents; Issue of parents; Grandparents and their issue; No escheat tierIdaho Code § 15-2-102Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
No. Idaho imposes no state estate tax and no inheritance taxNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax. Idaho Code Title 14, ch. 4 (Estate and Transfer Tax Reform Act of 1988) was repealed in full by H.B. 381, 2020 Idaho Sess. Laws ch. 65 (eff. July 1, 2020); the estate tax had applied only to deaths before Jan. 1, 2005. Idaho State Tax Commission: "Idaho has no gift tax or inheritance tax, and its estate tax for deaths expired in 2004."Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. Only the federal estate tax applies, on an estate above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, an exemption the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21 §70106) set permanently from 2026 and indexes for inflation.
A will in Idaho costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $299 up front. An attorney in Idaho charges around $311Clio Compare Lawyer Rates, Idaho: Wills and Estates rate (2025 data)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source an hour for wills and estates, which puts a simple will at $933Estimate: 3 hours at $311, Clio's Idaho Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $1,866Estimate: 6 hours at $311, Clio's Idaho Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. The document is only part of the cost: probate adds 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 on a $500,000 estate in fees the heirs pay later.