How Much Does a Will Cost in North Dakota?
Compare will costs across providers in North Dakota. Includes document purchase, annual subscriptions, life event fees, and probate costs your heirs will pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will costs in North Dakota depend on the provider. Online services range from $30-$300 upfront. Attorneys in North Dakota charge around $319/hour for wills and estates, putting a simple will between $957 and $1,914. The document is only part of the cost: probate on a $500,000 estate in North Dakota adds about $25,519 in fees that heirs pay later.N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01 (small estate affidavit), § 30.1-23-03 (summary admin), § 30.1-18-19 (PR compensation), § 30.1-18-20/21 (attorney fees), § 30.1-19-01 (notice to creditors, permissive), § 30.1-19-03 (creditor claims), § 30.1-17-03 (bond), § 30.1-14-01 (informal probate), § 30.1-18-04 (independent administration), § 30.1-18-06/07 (inventory/appraisers), § 30.1-07-01 (exempt property $15K), § 30.1-07-03(1) (family allowance $27K PR cap), § 47-18-01 (homestead $150K), § 27-05.2-03 (filing fee)Verified Jul 14, 2026
Probate on a $500,000 estate in North Dakota costs about $25,519 — roughly 5% of estate value — including attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs.N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01 (small estate affidavit), § 30.1-23-03 (summary admin), § 30.1-18-19 (PR compensation), § 30.1-18-20/21 (attorney fees), § 30.1-19-01 (notice to creditors, permissive), § 30.1-19-03 (creditor claims), § 30.1-17-03 (bond), § 30.1-14-01 (informal probate), § 30.1-18-04 (independent administration), § 30.1-18-06/07 (inventory/appraisers), § 30.1-07-01 (exempt property $15K), § 30.1-07-03(1) (family allowance $27K PR cap), § 47-18-01 (homestead $150K), § 27-05.2-03 (filing fee)Verified Jul 14, 2026 These costs are paid by the estate before assets transfer to beneficiaries, reducing the total inheritance. Estimate the full cost with the North Dakota probate calculator.
A will does not avoid probate in North Dakota — probate is the court-supervised process that validates the will, pays debts, and distributes assets. Estates under $100,000 may qualify for a simplified small-estate procedure instead of full probate. A revocable living trust transfers assets to beneficiaries without probate at any estate size.
Online will services cost $30-$300 upfront compared to $957-$1,914 for an attorney in North Dakota. Either way, the will goes through the same probate process. Total cost depends on subscription fees, amendment charges, and the eventual probate expenses heirs will pay.
Life events like marriage, divorce, or having a child require updating your will. Some online providers require purchasing a new document. Attorney amendments in North Dakota cost $354 to $708 for minor changes and $1,416 to $2,832 for major restructuring.
North Dakota has specific requirements for executing a valid will, including witness and notary rules. A will that does not meet these requirements may not be accepted during probate. See the full requirements with the North Dakota signing requirements tool.
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In-depth guides covering North Dakota probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.