What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Idaho?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Idaho estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Idaho is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Idaho lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalIdaho Code §§ 15-3-706, 15-3-707, 15-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
No. An executor in Idaho can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Idaho, the executor files the estate inventory within 90 daysIdaho Code §§ 15-3-706, 15-3-707, 15-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Idaho requires a supplemental inventory for assets discovered laterIdaho Code §§ 15-3-706, 15-3-707, 15-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Idaho, estates valued at $100,000Idaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitIdaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysIdaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death. An inventory at fair market value is what decides whether the estate falls under the line.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Idaho lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalIdaho Code §§ 15-3-706, 15-3-707, 15-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Idaho
Free forms for settling an estate in Idaho: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Notice to Creditors
In Idaho, the notice to creditors is published for 3Idaho Code §§ 15-3-801, 15-3-803, 15-3-804, 15-3-805, 15-3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 4 monthsIdaho Code § 15-3-801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Idaho, a person named as personal representative may renounce the right to serveIdaho Code § 15-3-203(c)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Idaho, heirs put their identity on the land records with an affidavit of heirship recorded with the countyIdaho Code §§ 15-1-305A, 15-3-901, 55-816; 49-514Verified Sep 24, 2026View source.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Idaho, the Small Estate AffidavitIdaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000Idaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysIdaho Code § 15-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
In Idaho, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysIdaho Code §§ 15-3-706, 15-3-707, 15-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Estate Closing
In Idaho, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsIdaho Code §§ 15-3-1003(b), 15-3-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Idaho
Free tools for settling an estate in Idaho: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Idaho pays executors reasonable compensationIdaho Code § 15-3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 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 the estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Idaho has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableIdaho Code § 15-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Idaho, the Magistrate Division of the District Court appoints the personal representative and the District court clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableIdaho Code § 15-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Idaho, creditors have 4 monthsIdaho Code § 15-3-801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Idaho pays the claims in 6Idaho Code § 15-3-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Idaho costs an estimated $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. Attorney fees run 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 under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Idaho Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Idaho probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.