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Blaine County, ID Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Blaine County probate information |
|---|---|
| Court | The Blaine County District Court, magistrate division, for probate of wills and administration of estates (Idaho Const. art. V, § 20; Idaho Code § 1-2201, § 1-2208). |
| Courthouse address | Idaho Judiciary courthouse directory: 206 1st Avenue South, Hailey, ID 83333. Blaine County's Courts page: 201 South 2nd Avenue, Suite 106, Hailey, ID 83333, the Judicial Building. Call before visiting to confirm the filing counter. |
| Mailing | Confirm mailing instructions with the clerk of the district court before sending probate papers. The Courts page for Blaine County publishes 201 South 2nd Avenue, Suite 106, Hailey, ID 83333 as the public court contact address. |
| Phone | (208) 788-5521, Magistrate Division and court line. |
| Fax | (208) 788-5527, published by Blaine County's Courts page. Do not assume fax filing is available for probate papers. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed during the noon hour and on judicial holidays. |
| Filing fee | $166.00 to open a probate in the magistrate division, effective July 12, 2024, whether by petition for formal probate or application for informal probate. The total includes the $120 magistrate division filing fee, effective July 12, 2024, the $26 judges' retirement fund fee, effective July 12, 2024, the $10 Idaho Code fund fee, effective July 12, 2024, and the $10 civil administrative surcharge, effective July 12, 2024 (Idaho Code § 31-3201A, § 1-2003, § 73-213, § 31-3201). |
| Local forms | No Blaine County-specific probate packet or checklist was found on the county materials described here. Idaho's Court Assistance Office at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov has a Pb probate form series, but you should ask the Court Assistance Office for Blaine County or the clerk what papers are accepted for your filing. |
| E-filing status | Attorneys must file electronically under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service. A self-represented personal representative may use iCourt File and Serve but may instead file on paper with the clerk of the district court, and an original will must also be filed conventionally within seven business days in an e-filed case (I.R.E.F.S. Rule 4; I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a)). A $5.00 electronic filing vendor fee, effective December 15, 2023, is separate from the court filing fee. |
| Case search | The iCourt Portal at mycourts.idaho.gov is Idaho's statewide online records and payments portal. Access to court records is governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32. |
| Remote appearance | Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 lets the court hold certain matters by telephone or video teleconference. The Fifth Judicial District publishes Zoom information for attorneys; no Blaine probate hearing day was published in the materials described here. |
| Website | Blaine County's Courts page: https://www.blainecountyid.gov/186/Courts. Idaho courthouse directory: https://isc.idaho.gov/about-the-courts/county-courthouse-directory. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you decide whether to file in Blaine County, list the decedent's probate assets, nonprobate transfers, debts, possible creditors and real property. Venue turns on the decedent's domicile or, for a nonresident decedent, Idaho property location (Idaho Code § 15-3-201), so a Ketchum or Sun Valley address still points you to Hailey if Blaine County is the proper county.
Sunset's estate settlement workflow starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then organizes what you find into the probate path, filing packet and attorney handoff if needed. That prevents a rushed filing before you know whether the estate needs an application, a petition, or a narrower Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 collection of personal property by affidavit.
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 Blaine County Courthouse.
Blaine County is one of eight counties in Idaho's Fifth Judicial District with Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls; the Fifth Judicial District has seven district judges, and one resident chambers is established in Blaine County (Idaho Code § 1-806). The judicial district organizes judges and local rules, but a Blaine County estate is filed in Hailey.
Venue for the first informal or formal testacy or appointment proceeding is in the county where the decedent had domicile at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Idaho, in any Idaho county where the decedent had property (Idaho Code § 15-3-201). Blaine County includes Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley, Bellevue and Carey, but Hailey is the courthouse city.
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether Blaine County is the proper venue by looking at the decedent's domicile and any Idaho property (Idaho Code § 15-3-201).
- Choose the correct opening paper. An application is used for informal probate and informal appointment (Idaho Code § 15-3-301, § 15-3-302, § 15-3-307). A petition is used for formal probate or appointment before a judge (Idaho Code § 15-3-401, § 15-3-402).
- Prepare the will, death certificate, asset list, debt list and proposed personal representative information. If there is a will and the case is filed electronically, the original will must also be filed conventionally within seven business days (I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a)).
- File with the clerk of the district court in Blaine County. Call (208) 788-5521 before visiting, because the Idaho Judiciary lists 206 1st Avenue South and Blaine County's own courts page lists the Judicial Building at 201 South 2nd Avenue, Suite 106.
- Pay the $166.00 opening filing fee, effective July 12, 2024, unless the clerk identifies a different filing category. The ordinary probate opening fee is tied to Idaho Code § 31-3201A, § 1-2003, § 73-213 and § 31-3201.
- If the case is informal, the registrar, in Idaho a magistrate judge or a district judge, not a clerk, makes the statutory findings and issues the written statement of informal probate or appointment order if the statute is satisfied (Idaho Code § 15-1-307, § 15-3-302, § 15-3-307).
- If the case is formal, follow the court's notice and hearing instructions. Formal proceedings are before a judge with notice to interested persons, and Idaho includes an uncontested formal testacy path (Idaho Code § 15-1-201, § 15-3-401, § 15-3-405).
- Ask the clerk how the Fifth Judicial District handles any requested telephone or video teleconference appearance. Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 leaves that decision to the court, except that a surviving spouse using Idaho Code § 15-3-1205 may move to appear telephonically or submit affidavits instead of appearing.
- After appointment and qualification, obtain the authority document. Idaho uses letters testamentary when there is a will and letters of administration when there is no will (Idaho Code § 15-1-201, § 15-3-103).
- Administer and close the estate. Inventory estate property within 3 months after appointment, with any court filing of the inventory optional under Idaho Code § 15-3-706. Idaho allows the personal representative to publish notice to creditors to start a 4 months claims period from first publication, with 60 days after mailed notice if later (Idaho Code § 15-3-801).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Blaine County
Idaho's Court Assistance Office at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov publishes statewide materials and has a Pb probate form series, but no Blaine County-specific probate packet or local checklist was found in the Blaine County materials described here. Do not assume that Guide and File will prepare a probate application or petition, because Guide and File is tied to Court Assistance Office forms under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service.
For Blaine County, start with the Court Assistance Office page at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Local/Blaine, the Courts page for Blaine County at https://www.blainecountyid.gov/186/Courts and the clerk of the district court at (208) 788-5521. A personal representative or attorney drafts the application for informal probate under Idaho Code § 15-3-301 or the petition for formal probate under Idaho Code § 15-3-402.
Local nuance
Blaine County-specific considerations
Blaine County publishes two different court-related Hailey addresses that matter before you travel. The Idaho Judiciary courthouse directory lists 206 1st Avenue South, Hailey, ID 83333. Blaine County's own courts page lists the District and Magistrate Court public contact point at 201 South 2nd Avenue, Suite 106, Hailey, ID 83333, in the Judicial Building.
Use the courts line, (208) 788-5521, to confirm which building is handling probate filings that day. The same county page publishes a fax number, (208) 788-5527, but you should not assume a probate application or petition may be faxed.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Blaine County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | If the surviving spouse is the sole devisee or heir, Idaho Code § 15-3-1205 may be available, including for real property, with a $130.00 filing category effective July 12, 2024, under Idaho Code § 31-3201A. The spouse must also assume liability for estate debts under Idaho Code § 15-3-1205. | Sunset identifies accounts, debts, title issues and whether the facts fit a spouse-only estate settlement before a filing is prepared. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | For probate personal property of $100,000 or less, effective under Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 as raised by S1319, 2006 Session Law Chapter 160, effective July 1, 2006, the claiming successor may use the Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 affidavit after 30 days. If a probate filing is needed, a self-represented filer may file on paper or elect iCourt File and Serve under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service. | Sunset searches for accounts, helps decide whether an affidavit or Blaine County filing is needed, and can prepare the handoff for a local attorney. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires authority through probate unless title already passes outside probate. File the appropriate application for informal probate under Idaho Code § 15-3-301 and § 15-3-302, or a petition for formal probate under Idaho Code § 15-3-401 and § 15-3-402, with the clerk of the district court in Hailey. | Sunset organizes the estate settlement facts, collects asset information, drafts the probate packet and connects the family with a Blaine County attorney when a sale needs court authority. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Court Assistance Office for Blaine County | Provides court forms, document review and legal information for people representing themselves. The county page is courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Local/Blaine. | 201 2nd Avenue South, Hailey, ID 83333. Phone: (208) 788-5521. Alternate Fifth Judicial District CAO contact: (208) 736-4136. |
| Idaho Legal Aid Services | Statewide civil legal aid intake. Probate is not listed among its service areas, so call to ask whether your issue fits. | Legal Advice Line: 208-746-7541. |
| Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program | Volunteer attorney network for financially qualified civil legal help; the program describes advice, brief service and representation depending on availability. | ilf.idaho.gov/ivlp/legal-assistance/. |
| Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service | Referral to an Idaho State Bar attorney. The Idaho State Bar states the referral fee is $35, as described on its lawyer referral page. | isb.idaho.gov/lawyer-referral-service/. Idaho State Bar: (208) 334-4500. |
| Idaho State Law Library | Legal research resource operated under the joint management of the Idaho Supreme Court and the University of Idaho College of Law. | 501 W. Front Street, Boise, ID 83702-7232. Phone: (208) 364-4555. isll.idaho.gov. |
When to hire an attorney
Counsel often makes sense when the estate includes Blaine County real property, a contested will, family conflict, creditor issues, a nonresident decedent, tax questions, or uncertainty about whether Idaho Code § 15-3-1205 applies to a surviving spouse. Idaho does not require every personal representative to hire counsel, but the Court Assistance Office is not a substitute for legal representation. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps families build the asset picture before they choose a Blaine County probate path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the estate information into an organized estate settlement packet, including the facts needed for an informal application, formal petition, or attorney review.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Blaine County filing involves real property, a dispute, creditor risk or a spouse-only summary administration question under Idaho Code § 15-3-1205, Sunset can connect the family with a local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset helps families move from uncertainty to a clear estate settlement plan without charging families for the core organization and attorney-matching support.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for Blaine County?
File with the clerk of the district court in Blaine County. Probate is handled in the magistrate division of the district court, and a magistrate judge hears it (Idaho Const. art. V, § 20; Idaho Code § 1-2201, § 1-2208). Call (208) 788-5521 before visiting because the Idaho Judiciary lists 206 1st Avenue South, while Blaine County's courts page lists 201 South 2nd Avenue, Suite 106.
Is Blaine County probate filed in Hailey or in Sun Valley?
It is filed in Hailey. Blaine County includes Ketchum and Sun Valley, but Hailey is the courthouse city, and venue depends on domicile or Idaho property location under Idaho Code § 15-3-201.
Can I e-file a Blaine 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 but may file on paper instead, and choosing electronic filing generally commits that filer to keep using it for the life of the case unless the court allows withdrawal (I.R.E.F.S. Rule 4). If there is an original will, it must also be filed conventionally within seven business days (I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a)).
What is the Blaine County probate filing fee?
The ordinary opening filing fee is $166.00, effective July 12, 2024, for a petition for formal probate or an application for informal probate in the magistrate division. It is tied to Idaho Code § 31-3201A, § 1-2003, § 73-213 and § 31-3201, and you should confirm the current amount with the clerk before filing.
Are there Blaine County probate forms online?
Idaho's Court Assistance Office at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov has a Pb probate form series, and Blaine County has a Court Assistance Office page at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Local/Blaine. No Blaine County-specific probate packet or local checklist was found in the county materials described here, so ask the clerk which application, petition and attachments are accepted.
Will Blaine County schedule a hearing?
Informal probate can proceed through the registrar, who is a magistrate judge or a district judge, without a hearing if the statutory requirements are met (Idaho Code § 15-1-307, § 15-3-302). Formal probate proceeds before a judge with notice to interested persons, including an uncontested formal path (Idaho Code § 15-1-201, § 15-3-401, § 15-3-405). No Blaine probate hearing day was published in the materials described here.
Can I attend a Blaine County probate hearing by phone or video?
Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 allows the court to hold certain matters by telephone or video teleconference, and the decision is the court's. One Idaho probate route has a specific telephonic option: in a summary administration where a surviving spouse is the sole beneficiary, the petitioner may move to appear telephonically or file affidavits instead of appearing (Idaho Code § 15-3-1205).
Can I look up a Blaine County probate case online?
Use the iCourt Portal at mycourts.idaho.gov for Idaho's statewide online records and payments portal. Access to court records is governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, so call the Blaine County clerk at (208) 788-5521 to ask what will be visible for a particular probate case.
Do I have to travel to Hailey if I live out of state?
Not always, but do not assume the whole case can be handled online. Self-represented filers may file on paper or use iCourt File and Serve under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service, an original will still has to be filed conventionally within seven business days in an e-filed case, and any hearing appearance depends on Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 or a specific statute such as Idaho Code § 15-3-1205.
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.