How Much Does a Will Cost in North Dakota?
An attorney-prepared will in North Dakota runs $957Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source to $1,914Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $24,994N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Frequently Asked Questions
A will in North Dakota costs what the provider charges. An online service runs $0 to $299 up front. An attorney in North Dakota charges around $319Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source an hour for wills and estates, which puts a simple will at $957Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source to $1,914Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source. The document is only part of the cost: probate adds about $24,994N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source on a $500,000 estate in fees the heirs pay later.
Probate in North Dakota costs about $24,994N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source on a $500,000 estate: attorney fees of typically 1.8%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-21 (court reviews the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage schedule); § 30.1-18-20 (estate pays reasonable attorney's fees)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate, plus executor fees, the court filing fee and publication. The estate pays those costs before anything transfers to the beneficiaries. The North Dakota probate calculator estimates them for a given estate.
No. A will does not avoid probate in North Dakota; probate is the court process that proves the will, pays the debts and distributes the assets. In North Dakota, estates valued at $100,000N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitN.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysN.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death. A revocable living trust transfers assets to the beneficiaries without probate at any estate size.
An online will service costs $0 to $299 up front against $957Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source to $1,914Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source for an attorney in North Dakota. Either way the will goes through the same probate. The lifetime figure turns on the subscription, the amendment charges and the probate expenses the heirs pay at the end.
A marriage, a divorce or a new child means updating the will. Some online providers require a new document. An attorney amendment in North Dakota costs $354Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source to $708Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source for a minor change and $1,416Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source to $2,832Clio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jul 1, 2026View source for a major restructuring.
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