What Do I Do When Someone Dies in North Dakota?

A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with the state's rules, deadlines, fees, and official forms noted on the steps they apply to. Free PDF.

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North Dakota Executor Checklist

50 tasks to complete

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Notify immediate family members

Contact close family members who need to know. Coordinate funeral arrangements and gather contact information for extended family and friends.

Confirm who has authority over final arrangements

North Dakota: State law sets the order of who controls disposition of remains. Order: Person designated in a written statement per § 23-06-31; then Surviving spouse (if married; not arrested for, pled guilty/nolo contendere to, or found guilty of intentionally and feloniously killing decedent; and not admitted to or charged with intentionally and feloniously killing decedent); then Majority of the adult children of the decedent; then others in statutory order. A written pre-need designation by the deceased, if one exists, controls over this order.

Arrange burial, cremation, or other disposition

Work with a funeral home, crematory, or other provider to arrange disposition of the body. State rules govern cremation waiting periods, required authorizations, and burial or disposition permits. The funeral home typically provides certified death certificates and files the death certificate with vital records.

North Dakota: A burial or disposition permit is required, issued by Subregistrar of vital statistics; the funeral practitioner secures the final disposition-transit permit from the subregistrar and delivers it to the sexton or person in charge of the place of final disposition (§ 23-06-09). The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. Typical state costs: direct cremation ~$1,650, direct burial ~$3,200, traditional funeral ~$8,500.

How many death certificates do I need?

Obtain certified death certificates

North Dakota: Order from North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records. Fee: $15/copy ($10 additional). Available: online, mail, in-person. Processing: 3-5 business days after receipt, plus return mail time.

Unsure how many death certificates you need?

Secure the residence and valuables

Change locks if necessary, ensure the home is secured, and safeguard valuable items. Review who has keys and whether security measures are needed.

North Dakota: Homestead exemption up to $150,000. Surviving spouse has lifetime right to occupy. Minor children also protected.

Locate estate planning documents

Find the original will, trust documents, and any amendments. Check the home, safe deposit box, and contact any attorney the deceased worked with.

Determine if probate is necessary

Evaluate whether the estate qualifies for small estate procedures or if full probate is required based on asset values and types.

North Dakota: Small estate affidavit available for estates under $100,000. Informal (unsupervised) probate available. Independent administration reduces court oversight.

Do I need probate?Estimate probate costs in your state

Arrange mail forwarding or collection

Ensure mail is collected regularly to identify bills, accounts, and important correspondence. Forwarding mail to the executor/trustee is common practice.

USPS death notification procedures

Notify Social Security Administration

Report the death to Social Security. The funeral home often does this, but verify it was done. Surviving spouse may be eligible for benefits.

Federal: Timing: As soon as possible after death — payments for the month of death and later must be returned. The funeral home typically initiates the report. SSA: 1-800-772-1213.

SSA death notification procedures

Notify Medicare/Medicaid if applicable

Cancel Medicare coverage and return the Medicare card. If on Medicaid, notify the state agency to avoid benefit continuation.

North Dakota: Medicare: No Medicare notification deadline — coverage ends with the death and CMS is notified through SSA. Deadlines that do bind the estate: a Medicare Secondary Payer demand must be repaid within 60 calendar days or interest accrues (42 CFR 411.24(h)), and any claim for services furnished before death must be filed within 12 months of the date of service.. If the deceased received Medicaid, North Dakota's estate recovery program (North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services — Estate Recovery Unit) may file a claim against the estate for benefits paid. Exemptions and hardship waivers are state-specific.

Medicare/Medicaid death notification procedures North Dakota Medicaid estate recovery program

Notify Veterans Affairs if applicable

If the deceased was a veteran, notify the VA to stop benefits and inquire about burial benefits and survivor benefits.

Federal: Timing: No fixed deadline to report the death, but report right away to stop payments and avoid overpayment debt; accrued-benefits and substitution requests are due within 1 year of death, and non-service-connected burial allowance claims within 2 years of burial. VA: 1-800-827-1000 (select 5 to report a death); 1-800-535-1117 (national cemetery scheduling).

VA death notification and survivor benefits

Notify employer or former employer

Contact employer about final paycheck, accrued PTO, life insurance, retirement benefits, and COBRA options for survivors.

Employer benefits and pension after a death

Notify banks and financial institutions

Contact each bank and financial institution. They will freeze accounts until proper documentation is provided.

Find your bank or credit union death claim process FDIC guidance on accounts after a death

Notify insurance companies

Contact life insurance companies to file claims. Also notify health, auto, and homeowner insurance to update or cancel policies.

North Dakota: Divorce automatically revokes beneficiary designations naming a former spouse on life insurance, retirement accounts, POD bank accounts, TOD investment accounts, annuities (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-10-04). Employer plans governed by federal law (ERISA) and federal benefits are not affected by the state rule. Confirm whether any designation predates a divorce before it is paid out.

Find your insurance company death claim process

Freeze credit at all three bureaus

Place a deceased alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to prevent identity theft. Over 2 million deceased identities are stolen annually.

FTC identity theft prevention for the deceased

Gather financial account statements

Collect recent statements for all bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, and any other financial accounts.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

Gather real estate documents

Locate deeds, mortgage statements, property tax bills, and homeowner insurance policies for all real property. Check the county recorder for any recorded Transfer on Death deeds.

North Dakota: Homestead exemption up to $150,000. Surviving spouse has lifetime right to occupy. Minor children also protected. North Dakota allows Transfer on Death (TOD) deeds. Check the county recorder's office to see if a TOD deed was recorded -- if so, the property transfers outside probate.

What is a Transfer on Death deed?

Gather recent tax returns

Locate the last 3-5 years of federal and state income tax returns. These help identify income sources, assets, and deductions.

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?IRS procedures when someone dies

Obtain an EIN for the estate

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. The estate needs its own tax ID to open bank accounts and file tax returns.

Apply for an estate EIN IRS procedures when someone dies

File petition for probate with the court

Submit the original will (if any) and petition to open probate. You will need to pay filing fees and may need to post a bond.

North Dakota: Statewide form: Form 2 (Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of a Personal Representative). File with the District Court (each judicial district). Filing fee $160. Informal probate available. Independent administration reduces court supervision. Typical duration: 6-24 months.

Can I self-file probate?Form 2 (official form)Prepare a Petition for Probate and Letters

Obtain letters testamentary or administration

Once appointed by the court, obtain letters testamentary (with will) or letters of administration (without will). These prove your authority.

North Dakota: Letters Testamentary are issued by the Clerk of District Court / the court — informal letters issue within 10 working days of a complete application (N.D.C.C. 30.1-14-07); no separate 'registrar' (North Dakota amended that UPC term out). The state's title for the role is Personal Representative (executor if testate, administrator if intestate). The Letters document is official form Form 4 (Letters Testamentary) / Form 19 (Letters of Administration) (Letters Testamentary (Form 4) / Letters of Administration (Form 19)). Typically filed with the petition: Certified copy of the death certificate (guidebook lists it under documents you "may also need to file", not the always-required set); Original will (and any codicils), when testate (N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14); Proposed Statement of Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of a Personal Representative (Form 3, testate) / Statement of Informal Appointment of a Personal Representative – Intestacy (Form 18, intestate) — the applicant fills these in and files them unsigned; the judge signs; Proposed Letters Testamentary (Form 4, testate) / Letters of Administration (Form 19, intestate), filed WITH the application for the judge to sign; Waiver of Right of Appointment (Form 9) from any person with higher or equal priority of appointment; Notice and Information to Heirs & Devisees (Form 5), mailed within 30 days of appointment; $160 filing fee (or Filing Fee Waiver Request); Bond only if demanded by an interested person, required by the will, or ordered by the court (N.D.C.C. 30.1-17-03).

Letters Testamentary (Form 4) / Letters of Administration (Form 19) (official form)Prepare a Petition for Probate and Letters

Post surety bond if required

If the court requires a bond, obtain a surety bond from an insurance company. The bond protects beneficiaries from executor misconduct.

North Dakota: Bond generally not required. Typical premium: 0.5% of estate value.

Open an estate bank account

Open a dedicated checking account for the estate using the EIN and letters testamentary. All estate income and expenses flow through this account.

Consider hiring a probate attorney

For complex estates or if unfamiliar with probate, hiring an attorney is common. Many states allow statutory attorney fees.

North Dakota: Attorney fees typically 1.8-2.9% of estate.

Find a probate attorney in your state Can I self-file probate instead?

Publish notice to creditors

Publish a notice in a local newspaper to alert potential creditors. This starts the creditor claim period running.

North Dakota: Publication is optional in North Dakota, but publishing for 3 consecutive weeks is what starts the claim period. The executor places the notice with the newspaper directly. Creditors have 3 months from first publication to file claims. Known creditors must receive direct mailed notice. Proof of publication must be filed with the court.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?Official notice form (Notice to Creditors (Form 6))Find a legal newspaper (state press association)

Inventory digital accounts and assets

Identify email accounts, social media, online banking, cryptocurrency, and other digital assets. Note any password managers used.

North Dakota: North Dakota has adopted digital asset access laws (2017). User authorization or court order may be required to access accounts. Online tool authorizations (like Google Inactive Account Manager) are valid.

Digital assets guide

Search for unclaimed property and lost assets

Search the state unclaimed property database for forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and refunds owed to the deceased. Estates frequently recover assets the deceased never tracked.

North Dakota: Search North Dakota Department of Trust Lands — Unclaimed Property Division for forgotten accounts, refunds, and uncashed checks owed to the deceased.

North Dakota Department of Trust Lands — Unclaimed Property Division unclaimed property search

Manage real estate

Maintain property, continue paying mortgage and taxes, arrange for property management if needed, and prepare for sale or transfer.

North Dakota: Property owned in other states may require ancillary probate in those states. Small estate exception may apply for property under $100,000. State recognizes out-of-state personal representatives.

Estimate probate costs for real estate

Review and manage investments

Review investment accounts, decide whether to maintain or liquidate positions, and manage accounts prudently during administration.

Find your brokerage death claim process SEC guidance on accounts after a death

Handle retirement accounts

Contact retirement account custodians about beneficiary claims. IRAs and 401(k)s typically pass by beneficiary designation, not through the estate.

Find your retirement provider death claim process Are my beneficiary designations protected?

Identify and list all debts

Create a comprehensive list of all debts including credit cards, loans, mortgages, and any other obligations.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?CFPB guidance on debts after a death

Cancel subscriptions and memberships

Cancel recurring charges for subscriptions, memberships, and services no longer needed.

Managing digital accounts after a death

File inventory with the court

Prepare and file an inventory of all estate assets with their values. The filing deadline runs from your appointment as personal representative and is set by state law.

North Dakota: Inventory due within 180 days of appointment — you may either file it with the court or send it to interested persons who request it. You set the fair-market values yourself; no independent appraiser is required. Supplemental inventory required for assets discovered after the initial filing.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

Review and respond to creditor claims

Review claims submitted by creditors. Reject invalid claims and pay valid debts from estate/trust assets.

North Dakota: After a claim is rejected, the creditor has 60 days to sue on it. If the estate cannot pay every claim, payment order: Costs and expenses of administration; then Reasonable funeral expenses; then Debts and taxes with preference under federal law; then remaining claims in statutory order.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?

Wait for creditor claim period to expire

Do not make final distributions until the creditor claim period has expired. This protects you from personal liability.

North Dakota: Creditor claim period is 3 months from first publication. All claims are barred 3 years after death regardless of notice.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?

Transfer vehicle titles

Transfer ownership of vehicles to beneficiaries or the estate. Contact the state DMV with a death certificate and title documents.

North Dakota: North Dakota does not offer transfer-on-death vehicle title designations. Vehicles pass through the estate or under other title rules.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

File final personal income tax return

File a final IRS Form 1040 for the deceased covering January 1 through date of death. Write "DECEASED," the decedent's name, and the date of death across the top of the return. If filing jointly with a surviving spouse, include both incomes. Attach Form 1310 to claim a refund, unless you are the surviving spouse filing a joint return or a court-appointed personal representative attaching a copy of the court certificate to the original return.

North Dakota: File Form ND-1 (North Dakota Individual Income Tax Return) for January 1 through date of death. Due April 15 following year of death. A final North Dakota return is required whenever a final federal income tax return is required for the decedent for the year of death; the state return is completed from the figures on that final federal return and is signed the same way the federal return is. Fill in the "Deceased" circle and enter the date of death next to the decedent's name on Form ND-1 (or Form ND-EZ). A court-appointed personal representative is responsible for filing it, even if there is a surviving spouse — and if there is a personal representative and no surviving spouse, a copy of the court document showing the appointment must be attached. A surviving spouse may file the final return jointly; the refund is then issued in both spouses’ names. If there is no surviving spouse and no personal representative has been appointed, attach a copy of the death certificate plus a copy of either Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent. Due April 15 following the year of death. A federal filing extension is automatically recognized for North Dakota — no separate state extension form is needed — but extension interest (12% per year from the original due date) still runs on any unpaid tax. 2025 Form ND-1 instructions, "How to file a return for a deceased taxpayer" (tax.nd.gov).

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?IRS procedures when someone dies IRS Form 1040 (Federal)IRS Free File Form ND-1 (North Dakota Individual Income Tax Return) (North Dakota)North Dakota Online Filing

File estate/trust income tax return

If the estate or trust earns income during administration ($600 in gross income), file IRS Form 1041. Required if estate gross income is $600 or more, or if any beneficiary is a nonresident alien. The estate can choose a fiscal year. Use Form 7004 for an automatic 5.5-month extension of time to file.

North Dakota: File Form 38 (North Dakota Fiduciary Income Tax Return) for estate/trust income. Required when Required if the fiduciary is required to file federal Form 1041; a nonresident estate/trust must also have received income from North Dakota sources during the year. No separate North Dakota dollar threshold (tax.nd.gov/fiduciary-tax).. Due April 15 (calendar year); a federal Form 1041 extension automatically extends the Form 38 due date. Estates and trusts pay at the same three rates as individuals (0% / 1.95% / 2.5%) but on a far more compressed bracket schedule of their own — N.D. Cent. Code § 57-38-30.3(1)(e), CPI-adjusted annually under § 57-38-30.3(1)(g) — so for the 2026 tax year retained estate income reaches the top 2.5% rate above $11,900, against $250,400 for a single individual. Income distributed to beneficiaries is reported to them on Schedule K-1 (Form 38) and taxed on their returns instead. The starting point is federal taxable income. An estate or trust with 10 or more beneficiaries must file and pay electronically (2026 Form 38-ES, SFN 28723; tax.nd.gov/fiduciary-tax).

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?IRS procedures when someone dies IRS Form 1041 (Federal)Form 38 (North Dakota Fiduciary Income Tax Return) (North Dakota)

Determine if estate tax return is required

For estates exceeding the federal exemption ($15,000,000), IRS Form 706 is required. Some states have lower thresholds. File Form 4768 for an automatic 6-month extension of time to file. The estate and GST tax is still due within 9 months of death; an extension of time to pay must be requested separately on the same form. Form 706 may also be filed to elect portability of the unused exemption to a surviving spouse.

North Dakota: No state estate or inheritance tax. Only federal Form 706 applies if estate exceeds the federal exemption ($15,000,000).

How much are estate and inheritance taxes?IRS procedures when someone dies IRS Form 706 (Federal)Form 4768 (Extension)

Obtain tax clearance if required

Some states require tax clearance or closing letters before final distribution. Distributing without clearance can create personal liability for the executor or trustee.

North Dakota: North Dakota does not require a state tax clearance certificate before an estate is distributed, and no North Dakota estate tax is payable for deaths on or after January 1, 2005 (the pick-up tax under N.D.C.C. ch. 57-37.1 equals the federal credit for state death taxes, which is $0). The Office of State Tax Commissioner's Estate Tax page still instructs that Form 54-91 (North Dakota Estate Tax Return) is required, within 15 months of death, for any estate that must file a federal Form 706 — and N.D.C.C. § 57-37.1-21 still says so. The department's own legislative history page states that 2017 legislation "eliminates the requirement for an estate to file a North Dakota estate tax return unless tax is due with the return," and § 57-37.1-06 now conditions the filing duty on the estate owing tax. Because these North Dakota sources conflict, an executor filing a federal Form 706 for an estate with North Dakota property should confirm the Form 54-91 requirement with the Office of State Tax Commissioner. No North Dakota tax is owed either way. No inheritance tax (repealed 1927) and no gift tax. Sources: tax.nd.gov/estate-tax; N.D.C.C. §§ 57-37.1-06, 57-37.1-21.

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?North Dakota Tax Clearance

Determine your executor commission

An executor or personal representative is entitled to compensation for administering the estate. Some states set commissions by statute; others allow reasonable compensation. Decide whether to take a commission and document the basis before final distribution.

North Dakota: Executor compensation must be reasonable (no fixed statutory schedule). States that do set a schedule pay 2.2%–3.8% of an estate this size. Commissions are taxable income to the executor and are usually waived when the executor is also the main beneficiary.

How much can an executor charge?

Prepare distribution plan

Create a detailed plan for distributing assets according to the trust terms, will provisions, or intestate succession laws.

Who inherits without a will?

Notify beneficiaries of proposed distribution

Provide beneficiaries with a proposed distribution and accounting before making distributions.

I'm inheriting - what do I need to know?

Handle specific bequests

Distribute specific items (jewelry, heirlooms, etc.) to named beneficiaries as specified in the will or trust.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

Obtain receipts and releases from beneficiaries

Have beneficiaries sign receipts acknowledging distributions. Releases from liability are also commonly obtained.

Distribute assets to beneficiaries

Transfer assets to beneficiaries according to the distribution plan. Keep detailed records of all distributions.

Prepare final accounting

Create a detailed accounting showing all assets, income, expenses, and distributions. This may be required by the court or beneficiaries.

File final accounting with the court

Submit the final accounting to the probate court for approval. This is required before the estate can be formally closed.

Can I self-file probate?

Petition to close the estate

File a petition with the court to formally close the estate once all duties are complete.

Estate closing forms

Retain records for required period

Keep copies of all documents, accountings, receipts, and tax returns. Most professionals recommend keeping records for 7-10 years.

I understand this is general guidance only and requirements vary by state. I will verify all requirements with my state's probate court.I understand this checklist is not legal advice; a licensed attorney handles legal questions.Send me helpful estate planning resources and updates

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This checklist provides general guidance for estate settlement. Requirements vary by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.Data verified 2026-09-15

Frequently Asked Questions

Request 10-15 certified copies from the funeral home or state vital records office. You will need these for banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and other institutions. Each institution typically requires an original certified copy. Order from North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records. Fee: $15/copy ($10 additional). Available: online, mail, in-person. Processing: 3-5 business days after receipt, plus return mail time.

State law sets the order of who has the legal right to decide burial, cremation, or other disposition. A written pre-need designation by the deceased, if one exists, controls. Confirm who holds this authority before arrangements are made. State law sets the order of who controls disposition of remains. Order: Person designated in a written statement per § 23-06-31; then Surviving spouse (if married; not arrested for, pled guilty/nolo contendere to, or found guilty of intentionally and feloniously killing decedent; and not admitted to or charged with intentionally and feloniously killing decedent); then Majority of the adult children of the decedent; then others in statutory order. A written pre-need designation by the deceased, if one exists, controls over this order.

Evaluate whether the estate qualifies for small estate procedures or if full probate is required based on asset values and types. Small estate affidavit available for estates under $100,000. Informal (unsupervised) probate available. Independent administration reduces court oversight.

Submit the original will (if any) and petition to open probate. You will need to pay filing fees and may need to post a bond. Statewide form: Form 2 (Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of a Personal Representative). File with the District Court (each judicial district). Filing fee $160. Informal probate available. Independent administration reduces court supervision. Typical duration: 6-24 months.

Once appointed by the court, obtain letters testamentary (with will) or letters of administration (without will). These prove your authority. Letters Testamentary are issued by the Clerk of District Court / the court — informal letters issue within 10 working days of a complete application (N.D.C.C. 30.1-14-07); no separate 'registrar' (North Dakota amended that UPC term out). The state's title for the role is Personal Representative (executor if testate, administrator if intestate). The Letters document is official form Form 4 (Letters Testamentary) / Form 19 (Letters of Administration) (Letters Testamentary (Form 4) / Letters of Administration (Form 19)). Typically filed with the petition: Certified copy of the death certificate (guidebook lists it under documents you "may also need to file", not the always-required set); Original will (and any codicils), when testate (N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14); Proposed Statement of Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of a Personal Representative (Form 3, testate) / Statement of Informal Appointment of a Personal Representative – Intestacy (Form 18, intestate) — the applicant fills these in and files them unsigned; the judge signs; Proposed Letters Testamentary (Form 4, testate) / Letters of Administration (Form 19, intestate), filed WITH the application for the judge to sign; Waiver of Right of Appointment (Form 9) from any person with higher or equal priority of appointment; Notice and Information to Heirs & Devisees (Form 5), mailed within 30 days of appointment; $160 filing fee (or Filing Fee Waiver Request); Bond only if demanded by an interested person, required by the will, or ordered by the court (N.D.C.C. 30.1-17-03).

After a Death in North Dakota

The first step in settling an estate in North Dakota is evaluating the estate's size and how assets are titled. Estates under $100,000 may bypass formal probate entirely. Trust-held assets transfer outside probate regardless of value.

Creditors in North Dakota have 3 months to file claims after notice is published. This claim period sets a minimum timeline for estate settlement. Simple estates typically close in 4 months to 6 months, while contested or complex estates take longer.

The executor or personal representative in North Dakota manages all estate affairs during the settlement period. North Dakota does not require an executor bond by default. A bond waiver in the will eliminates this expense. North Dakota provides a family allowance for eligible survivors during administration, up to $27,000 (N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-07-02, 30.1-07-03). The North Dakota executor fee calculator covers what that work can charge.

Total settlement costs depend on estate size, complexity, and whether disputes arise. Attorney fees, executor compensation, court filing fees, and publication costs total about $24,994 on a $500,000 estate. A revocable living trust bypasses this entire process — assets transfer privately without court involvement.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 8, 2026

Legal Sources

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

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Death of a Parent

A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.

Learn more

Loss of a Spouse

What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.

Learn more

Named as Executor

What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.

Learn more

Named as Trustee

Being named trustee means managing trust assets and carrying out the grantor's wishes. Your duties, timeline, compensation, and how to get started.

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More tools for handling this estate

Calculators and checklists for executors and trustees.

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Petition for Probate and Letters

Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.

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Notice to Creditors

Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.

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Renunciation of Executor

Decline an appointment as executor — the writing filed with the court, drafted to your state's rule, with its deadline and filing office.

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Affidavit of Heirship

Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, composed to your state's statute with its recording instructions.

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Free

Small Estate Affidavit

Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.

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Free

Estate Inventory

Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.

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How Much Does Probate Cost?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.

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Who Inherits Without a Will?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?

Find out what's fair compensation for serving as trustee. Compare family, professional, and corporate trustee rates based on your situation.

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How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

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How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.

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North Dakota Estate Settlement Resources

In-depth guides covering North Dakota probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.

What Do I Do When Someone Dies in North Dakota?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this your situation?

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Named as Executor

Named as Trustee

More tools for handling this estate

Petition for Probate and Letters

Notice to Creditors

Renunciation of Executor

Affidavit of Heirship

Small Estate Affidavit

Estate Inventory

How Much Does Probate Cost?

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Who Inherits Without a Will?

What's Fair Trustee Compensation?

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

North Dakota Estate Settlement Resources