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Use This County Probate Reference Before You File

This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, District Court contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Valley County.

Local Fee Schedule

Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.

Court Rules and Orders

Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.

Clerk and Filing Logistics

Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.

Valley County District Court Guide

Settled Estate records a $100+ court filing fee and a 4-month creditor claim period for the Valley County District Court, read from 32 linked sources and last verified September 27, 2026.

Seventeenth Judicial District of Montana · District Court information · Updated September 2026

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Seventeenth Judicial District of Montana|
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Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

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Probate Filing Fees

Filing TypeFee
Ancillary Administration
For out-of-state decedents with property in this state
$85
Petition for Probate
Standard probate filing fee
$100
Small Estate Affidavit
For estates under threshold (no court filing needed)
$0

Note: Montana sets district court fees by statute and there is no per-county or value-based probate filing fee and no probate tax. The Clerks of District Courts Fee Schedule-Civil (Updated MAY 2024) row "Probate Commencement of Action - For filing formal/informal or ancillary petition" is $100: $70 under Mont. Code Ann. 25-1-201(1)(m), which includes filing a will for probate, plus $20 under 25-1-202(1)(a) and $10 under 3-1-317(1)(b), which names probate cases. "Foreign Probate - With certificate" is $85 ($55 under 25-1-201(1)(n) plus $20 plus $10). Certification with a seal is $2; copies are $1 a page for the first ten pages and $0.50 after. The 72-3-1101 small-estate affidavit is not filed with the court. The total to open a probate is $100. Confirm the current amount with the clerk before filing.

Document Fees

Certification (per document)
$2

Required Documents

    E-Filing & Filing Methods

    Case SearchProbate Forms

    Records portal

    Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

    Open the records portal Source page
    Filing Methods: in person, by mail

    Timelines & Proceedings

    Deadlines & Creditor Claims

    Key Deadlines

    Will Deposit
    Verify locally
    Creditor Claims
    4 months
    Known Creditor Notice
    30 days

    Creditor Claims

    Period Starts
    first publication of the notice to creditors
    Statute
    Mont. Code Ann. 72-3-801 and 72-3-803

    Related Proceedings

    Property Recording

    Recording Fees

    First Page
    $20.00
    Additional Pages
    $10.00

    Documentary Stamps

    Deed Rate

    Sources for this page (32)

    The facts above come from these official sources. Verify current details with the office before filing.