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Adams County, ID Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Adams County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | The magistrate division of the district court at the Adams County Courthouse (Idaho Code § 1-2208). |
| Courthouse address | Adams County Courthouse, 201 Industrial, Council, ID 83612. |
| Mailing address | PO Box 48, Council, ID 83612. |
| Probate phone | Magistrate Division: (208) 253-4230. Adams County Judicial Office main line: (208) 253-4561, Option 8. |
| Fax | (208) 253-4880. Call before sending anything by fax. |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No filing cutoff or midday closure is published for Adams County. |
| Filing fee | $166.00 to open an informal probate or formal probate in the magistrate division, as shown on the Idaho Supreme Court Appendix A schedule effective July 12, 2024. The total includes the magistrate-division fee under Idaho Code § 31-3201A, the $26 judges' retirement fund fee under Idaho Code § 1-2003, the Idaho Code fund fee under Idaho Code § 73-213 and the civil administrative surcharge under Idaho Code § 31-3201. |
| Local forms | Adams County does not publish an online probate form set. Its Judicial Office page directs people to call for the forms it uses. The Court Assistance Office form library is at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms. |
| E-filing | Attorneys must file electronically under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service. A self-represented personal representative may use iCourt File and Serve or file on paper, but choosing electronic filing generally commits the filer to electronic filing for the life of the case unless the court allows withdrawal. |
| Original will | If a will is involved and the case is e-filed, the original will and the pleading it is attached to must also be filed conventionally within seven business days under I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a). |
| Case search | Idaho's iCourt Portal is at https://mycourts.idaho.gov/odysseyportal/. Access to court records is governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32. |
| Remote appearance | The court may hold certain hearings by telephone or video teleconference under Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2. For Adams County scheduling questions, call the Judicial Office at (208) 253-4561, Option 8. |
| Website | Adams County Judicial Office: https://www.co.adams.id.us/departments/judicial |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Adams County, identify the decedent's assets, debts, titled property, beneficiary designations and likely creditors. The right estate settlement path depends on what must pass through a court case, what passes outside probate, whether there is a will, and whether anyone is likely to object.
Sunset can help organize that first inventory by searching across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts and assets. That asset picture helps you decide whether to call the Adams County Magistrate Division line, prepare an application for informal probate, prepare a petition for formal probate, or ask a local attorney to step in.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Idaho has no separate court for decedents' estates: probate is a case class assigned to the magistrate division of the district court, which sits in every one of Idaho's 44 counties, and a magistrate judge hears it (Idaho Const. art. V, § 20; Idaho Code § 1-2201, § 1-2208). The papers are filed with the clerk of the district court at the Adams County Courthouse.
Adams County estates are filed in Council. Adams County is one of six counties in Idaho's Third Judicial District, along with Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon and Owyhee Counties (Idaho Code § 1-804). That district structure organizes judges, administration and local rules; it does not move an Adams County filing to another county.
Venue for the first informal or formal testacy or appointment proceeding is the county where the decedent had domicile at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Idaho, a county where the decedent's property was located (Idaho Code § 15-3-201).
The jurisdiction process
- Confirm that Adams County is the proper venue. Use the decedent's domicile, or Idaho property for a non-Idaho decedent, under Idaho Code § 15-3-201.
- Choose the filing path. An informal probate starts with an application under Idaho Code § 15-3-301 and is acted on by the registrar, who is a magistrate judge or district judge under Idaho Code § 15-1-307. A formal probate starts with a petition under Idaho Code § 15-3-401 and § 15-3-402.
- Prepare the local packet. Adams County does not publish an online probate form set, and its Judicial Office page directs people to call for the forms it uses. If a will exists, plan to provide the original will.
- File with the clerk of the district court at the Adams County Courthouse in Council, by iCourt File and Serve if you are required or choose to file electronically under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service, or on paper if you are a self-represented filer using the paper option.
- Pay the opening filing fee. The statewide amount is $166.00 under the Idaho Supreme Court Appendix A schedule effective July 12, 2024, with the magistrate-division component set by Idaho Code § 31-3201A and additional statutory components under Idaho Code § 1-2003, § 73-213 and § 31-3201.
- If the case is e-filed and a will is involved, file the original will and the pleading it is attached to conventionally within seven business days under I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a).
- For informal probate, the registrar issues a written statement of informal probate if the statutory requirements are met and at least five days have elapsed since death (Idaho Code § 15-1-307; Idaho Code § 15-3-302). For an informal appointment, the registrar may appoint after 120 hours, with the nonresident rule stated in Idaho Code § 15-3-307.
- For formal proceedings, follow the notice and hearing process required for a petition. Idaho defines formal proceedings as those conducted before a judge with notice to interested persons (Idaho Code § 15-1-201; Idaho Code § 15-3-401).
- After appointment, use the letters testamentary or letters of administration to administer estate assets, communicate with institutions and complete estate settlement tasks (Idaho Code § 15-1-201; Idaho Code § 15-3-103).
- Handle creditor and inventory duties. Idaho allows a personal representative to publish notice to creditors to start the four-month claims period, with the mailed-notice tail stated in Idaho Code § 15-3-801. Within three months after appointment, the personal representative prepares an inventory, sends it to interested persons who request it and may file the original with the court (Idaho Code § 15-3-706).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Adams County
Adams County does not publish an online probate form set or cover sheet for decedent estates. The Adams County Judicial Office page says its forms section has no uploaded forms and directs people to call for the forms the office uses.
The Idaho Court Assistance Office form library at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms includes many court form categories, but the public index does not list a probate category. A Court Assistance Office Pb probate form series exists in Idaho, but no Adams County page published that series for local probate filings.
For an Adams County estate, call the Adams County Judicial Office at (208) 253-4561, Option 8, or the Magistrate Division line at (208) 253-4230 before filing. A personal representative or attorney drafts the application or petition from Idaho Code Title 15, chapter 3.
Local nuance
Adams County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for an Adams County filing |
|---|---|
| Separate Magistrate Division phone | Adams is one of the Idaho counties where the Judiciary lists a separate Magistrate Division number. For probate-side questions, start with (208) 253-4230, and use the Judicial Office main line, (208) 253-4561, Option 8, for courthouse routing (Idaho Code § 1-2208). |
| Third Judicial District administration | Adams County is in Idaho's Third Judicial District. The district has eight district judges under Idaho Code § 1-804, but none has resident chambers in Adams County. That does not change where an Adams County estate is filed. |
| No posted probate calendar | Adams County posts jury-trial information, but not a probate-specific hearing day. Ask the Judicial Office how the court is setting probate hearings and whether Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 remote procedures are available for your hearing. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Adams County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether the spouse is the sole beneficiary. If the surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary, Idaho has a summary administration route under Idaho Code § 15-3-1205, but the spouse assumes estate debts under that section. | Sunset organizes assets, debts and title clues so the spouse and attorney can decide whether the § 15-3-1205 route fits. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate under Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 | If only personal property needs transfer, the collection of personal property by affidavit under Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 may be relevant after 30 days. If court authority is needed, file in Adams County if venue is proper under Idaho Code § 15-3-201. | Sunset helps separate financial accounts, beneficiary assets and court assets before the child decides whether to travel, file on paper, use iCourt File and Serve under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service, or hire counsel. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale of real property usually requires court authority or another legally effective transfer path. File the probate case with the clerk of the district court at the Adams County Courthouse if Adams County is the proper venue, then use letters testamentary or letters of administration after appointment (Idaho Code § 15-1-201; Idaho Code § 15-3-103). | Sunset builds the estate settlement workspace, tracks accounts and documents, and can connect the parent with an Idaho probate attorney. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Court Assistance Office for Adams County | Provides court forms, document review and legal information for self-represented people through the Idaho Court Assistance Office system at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov. It does not act as the personal representative's lawyer. | Adams County Courthouse, 201 Industrial, PO Box 48, Council, ID 83612. Phone: (208) 454-7455. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by phone or email. |
| Adams County Judicial Office | Answers local filing, scheduling and form-routing questions for Adams County matters. | 201 Industrial, Council, ID 83612. Phone: (208) 253-4561, Option 8. Magistrate Division: (208) 253-4230. |
| Idaho Legal Aid Services | Statewide civil legal aid intake. Its listed service areas do not include probate administration, so ask whether your issue fits before relying on it for an estate matter. | Legal Advice Line: 208-746-7541. Online intake: https://www.idaholegalaid.org/apply-for-help. |
| Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program | Offers civil legal assistance and advice-and-counsel clinics by appointment through volunteer attorneys. It is not an emergency program. | https://ilf.idaho.gov/ivlp/legal-assistance/ |
| Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service | Connects callers with participating Idaho lawyers. The referral fee listed by the Idaho State Bar as of August 2026 is $35, with an initial up to half-hour consultation at no fee. | https://isb.idaho.gov/lawyer-referral-service/ or (208) 334-4500. |
| Idaho State Law Library | Legal research library operated under the joint management of the Idaho Supreme Court and the University of Idaho College of Law. | https://isll.idaho.gov. 501 W. Front Street, Boise, ID 83702-7232. Phone: (208) 364-4555. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring an Idaho probate attorney if the will is disputed, real property must be sold, family members disagree, the estate has creditor or tax issues, the personal representative lives outside Idaho, or you need to choose between informal probate, formal probate and a spouse-only summary administration under Idaho Code § 15-3-1205. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps families build a clearer picture of what belongs in the estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized probate packet for Adams County, including the details an attorney or self-represented filer needs to prepare the application or petition.
Find a local probate attorney. When an Adams County estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with an Idaho probate attorney who understands local filing practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, find assets and understand next steps without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Adams County, Idaho?
File with the clerk of the district court at the Adams County Courthouse, 201 Industrial, Council, ID 83612. Idaho has a magistrate division of the district court in every county, and probate is assigned to that division (Idaho Code § 1-2201; Idaho Code § 1-2208). Venue is based on the decedent's domicile or, for a non-Idaho decedent, Idaho property (Idaho Code § 15-3-201).
Which Adams County phone number should I call for probate questions?
Start with the Magistrate Division line at (208) 253-4230 for probate-side questions. The Adams County Judicial Office main line is (208) 253-4561, Option 8.
Can I e-file an Adams County probate case?
Attorneys must file electronically under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service. A self-represented personal representative may use iCourt File and Serve or file on paper under I.R.E.F.S. Rule 4(b), but a self-represented filer who chooses electronic filing generally must keep using electronic filing for the life of the case unless the court allows withdrawal.
What if the Adams County estate has an original will?
If a will is involved and the case is e-filed, I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a) requires the original will and the pleading it is attached to to be filed conventionally within seven business days. Call the Adams County Judicial Office before filing if you are unsure how to deliver the original will.
How much is the Adams County probate filing fee?
The statewide filing fee to open an informal probate or formal probate in the magistrate division is $166.00 under the Idaho Supreme Court Appendix A schedule effective July 12, 2024. The magistrate-division component is set by Idaho Code § 31-3201A, with additional statutory components under Idaho Code § 1-2003, § 73-213 and § 31-3201.
Does Adams County publish probate forms online?
Adams County does not publish an online probate form set for decedent estates. Its Judicial Office page directs people to call for the forms it uses, and the Court Assistance Office form library at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms does not list a public probate category.
Can I look up an Adams County probate case online?
Idaho publishes the iCourt Portal at https://mycourts.idaho.gov/odysseyportal/ for statewide online records and payments. Access to court records is governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, so call the Adams County clerk's office to confirm what is available for a particular estate case.
Does Adams County have remote hearings for probate?
Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 allows the court to hold certain hearings by telephone or video teleconference, and the choice belongs to the court. The Third Judicial District lists Adams County scheduling questions under its Court Schedules and Zoom Hearings information, but it gives the Adams County contact number rather than an Adams-specific remote-hearing rule.
Do I have to travel to Council for an Adams County estate?
Not always, but do not assume travel is unnecessary. Self-represented filers may be able to file through iCourt File and Serve under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service, paper filings can be mailed if the clerk accepts them for the situation, and Idaho Code § 15-3-1205 allows a petitioner in a surviving-spouse summary administration to move to appear telephonically or submit affidavits instead of appearing, with the debt-liability rule in that section.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.