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Valley County, ID Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Valley County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Magistrate division of the district court at the Valley County Courthouse (Idaho Code § 1-2201, § 1-2208) |
| Courthouse address | 219 N. Main Street, Cascade, ID 83611 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 1350, Cascade, ID 83611 |
| Clerk phone | (208) 382-7178 for the clerk of the district court office in Valley County. The Idaho courts directory also lists (208) 382-7100 as the courthouse main phone. |
| Fax | (208) 382-7184. Do not assume fax filing is available. |
| [email protected] for general clerk contact. Do not assume email may be used for filing. | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No midday closure or filing cutoff is published on the county clerk of the district court page. |
| Filing fee | $166.00 to open a probate in the magistrate division, effective under the Idaho Supreme Court Appendix A schedule dated July 12, 2024. The amount includes the $120 magistrate-division filing fee under Idaho Code § 31-3201A, a $26 judges' retirement fund fee under Idaho Code § 1-2003, a $10 Idaho Code fund fee under Idaho Code § 73-213 and a $10 civil administrative surcharge under Idaho Code § 31-3201. |
| Local forms | Use the Court Assistance Office forms site at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms and ask the Court Assistance Office for Valley County whether a Pb probate form applies. The county clerk of the district court page does not post a county-only probate packet. |
| E-filing | Attorneys are required to use Idaho's iCourt File and Serve system under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service. A self-represented personal representative may use iCourt File and Serve or file on paper with the clerk. A self-represented filer who elects electronic filing must keep using it for the life of the case unless the court allows withdrawal, and the original will must also be filed conventionally on paper within seven business days in a testate e-filed case (I.R.E.F.S. Rule 4, Rule 5(a)). The vendor charges a $5.00 electronic-filing fee effective December 15, 2023. |
| Case search | Idaho's statewide iCourt Portal is at mycourts.idaho.gov. Access to court records is governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32. |
| Remote appearance | Idaho courts may hold some matters by telephone or video teleconference under Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2, but the Fourth Judicial District page does not publish a Valley County probate remote-hearing block. Ask the clerk what the judge requires. |
| Websites | Clerk of the district court office in Valley County: co.valley.id.us/departments/CourtClerksOffice. Fourth Judicial District: isc.idaho.gov/district-4. Court Assistance Office: courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Local/Valley. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path in Valley County, list the decedent's assets, debts, account ownership, beneficiary designations and real estate. Probate venue turns on the decedent's domicile, and the filing belongs in Valley County if the decedent was domiciled there at death (Idaho Code § 15-3-201).
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 institutions so you can see what may require court authority, what may pass outside probate, and what information belongs in the Valley County filing packet.
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 Valley County Courthouse.
Valley County probate is filed in Cascade, Idaho. Valley County is one of four counties in Idaho's Fourth Judicial District, along with Boise, Ada and Elmore Counties, and that district has 13 district judges under Idaho Code § 1-805. The judicial district organizes judges and local rules, but it does not move a Valley County estate filing to Boise.
The Valley County Courthouse serves Cascade, McCall, Donnelly and the rest of Valley County. If the decedent was not domiciled in Idaho, Idaho venue may be in a county where the decedent's property was located at death (Idaho Code § 15-3-201).
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether the estate needs court authority in Valley County. If the estate is limited to probate personal property at or below $100,000, effective July 1, 2006, the Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 collection affidavit may be presented to the holder of the property after 30 days, not filed with the court.
- Choose the opening document. An application is used for informal probate, and the registrar, meaning a magistrate judge or district judge, acts under Idaho Code § 15-1-307 and may issue a written statement of informal probate after five days (Idaho Code § 15-3-302). A petition is used for formal probate under Idaho Code § 15-3-402.
- Prepare the Valley County filing packet, including the original will if there is one. The original will must be filed conventionally on paper within seven business days even if the case is e-filed under I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a).
- File with the clerk of the district court at the Valley County Courthouse, 219 N. Main Street in Cascade, or file electronically through iCourt File and Serve if the filer is using electronic filing under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service. Attorneys are required to file electronically, while self-represented parties may file electronically or on paper under I.R.E.F.S. Rule 4.
- Pay the $166.00 opening filing fee, effective July 12, 2024, unless the filing is a separately priced Part 12 proceeding. The $166.00 total includes the Idaho Code § 31-3201A magistrate-division fee, the Idaho Code § 1-2003 fee, the Idaho Code § 73-213 fee and the Idaho Code § 31-3201 civil administrative surcharge.
- Handle notice and hearing requirements for the path you chose. Formal proceedings are before a judge with notice to interested persons, and Idaho has an uncontested formal testacy route (Idaho Code § 15-1-201, § 15-3-401, § 15-3-405). Ask the Valley County clerk what the Fourth Judicial District requires for scheduling.
- Ask about remote appearance before the hearing date. Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 lets the court hold certain hearings by telephone or video teleconference, and Idaho Code § 15-3-1205 allows a surviving-spouse summary administration petitioner to move to appear telephonically or use affidavits instead of appearing.
- After appointment, obtain the letters testamentary or letters of administration that show authority to act as personal representative (Idaho Code § 15-1-201, § 15-3-103).
- Administer and close the estate settlement. The personal representative prepares an inventory within 3 months after appointment, sends it to interested persons who request it, and may file it with the court (Idaho Code § 15-3-706). Idaho also lets a personal representative publish notice to creditors to start the 4 months claim period, with a 60 days mailed-notice rule where applicable (Idaho Code § 15-3-801).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Valley County
Start with the Idaho Court Assistance Office forms site at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms and the Court Assistance Office page for Valley County at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Local/Valley. A statewide Pb probate form series exists, but the county clerk of the district court page does not post a county-only probate packet, and not every probate filing is covered by a complete statewide packet.
For an informal case, Idaho uses an application; for a formal case, Idaho uses a petition. A personal representative or an attorney should draft the application or petition from Idaho Code Title 15, chapter 3, and should call the Court Assistance Office for Valley County at (208) 587-2127 extension 1263 before filing if using Court Assistance Office materials.
Fees
Valley County publishes a county clerk fax number and email address, but no Valley County probate surcharge or county-only probate charge is published on the Court Clerk's Office page. The statewide opening filing fee remains $166.00, effective July 12, 2024, under Idaho Code § 31-3201A, § 1-2003, § 73-213 and § 31-3201.
Local nuance
Valley County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Valley County filing |
|---|---|
| County name collision | This page is for Valley County, Idaho, seated in Cascade. It is not any other state or county with the same name, and Valley County filings go to the Cascade courthouse. |
| Fourth Judicial District | Valley County is in Idaho's Fourth Judicial District under Idaho Code § 1-805. The district has resident district-judge chambers in Ada and Elmore Counties, but Valley County probate papers are still filed with the Valley County clerk of the district court in Cascade. |
| Published clerk contacts | The county's own Court Clerk's Office page publishes the clerk phone, fax and email. Use those as general contact points, but do not use fax or email to file unless the clerk tells you to use that method. |
| Cascade wording | Use Cascade, Idaho, or Cascade in Valley County when giving directions or mailing context, because Cascade can be confused with a county name in another state. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Fourth Judicial District website | Idaho's judicial district websites launched on August 11, 2026. The Fourth Judicial District site now links Valley County's clerk of the district court page and district information. |
| County clerk contacts | Valley County's clerk of the district court page publishes a direct clerk phone, fax, email and public hours for Cascade. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Valley County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | If the spouse is the sole devisee or heir, the spouse may consider summary administration under Idaho Code § 15-3-1205. The Appendix A fee is $130.00, effective July 12, 2024, under Idaho Code § 31-3201A, but Idaho Code § 15-3-1205(c) says the spouse assumes liability for debts that might be claims against the estate and there is no administration. | Sunset identifies accounts, beneficiary designations and property details so the spouse can decide whether a court order is needed for estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate has no real property needing court authority and probate personal property is $100,000 or less, effective July 1, 2006, the Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 collection affidavit may be presented to the holder after 30 days. If court authority is needed, file in Valley County if domicile was there (Idaho Code § 15-3-201). | Sunset helps organize assets and debts before the child decides whether to use the Idaho Code § 15-3-1201 affidavit or open a Valley County case. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home generally requires court authority unless another nonprobate transfer controls. The parent should expect a Valley County probate filing, likely an informal application or formal petition depending on the facts, followed by letters testamentary or letters of administration (Idaho Code § 15-1-201, § 15-3-103). | Sunset assembles the estate settlement information, generates a probate packet where appropriate and connects the family with a Valley County probate attorney if the sale needs court guidance. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Court Assistance Office for Valley County | Provides Court Assistance Office information for self-represented parties, including document review and legal information through courtselfhelp.idaho.gov. It is not legal advice. | 219 Main Street, PO Box 1350, Cascade, ID 83611. (208) 587-2127 extension 1263. courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Local/Valley. |
| Clerk of the district court in Valley County | Accepts court filings and answers clerk-office questions about local filing logistics. | 219 N. Main Street, Cascade, ID 83611. (208) 382-7178. [email protected]. |
| Idaho Legal Aid Services | Statewide civil legal aid intake. Probate is not one of the service areas listed by Idaho Legal Aid Services, so do not rely on it as a promised probate representation source. | Legal Advice Line: 208-746-7541. |
| Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program | Volunteer civil legal help for financially qualified applicants, including advice and consultation where available. It is not an emergency program and does not promise probate representation. | ilf.idaho.gov/ivlp/legal-assistance/. |
| Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service | Refers callers to Idaho State Bar attorneys. The Idaho State Bar lists a $35 referral fee as of August 2026, with no referral fee for personal injury, medical malpractice or workers' compensation matters. | isb.idaho.gov/lawyer-referral-service/. Idaho State Bar: (208) 334-4500. |
| Idaho State Law Library | Legal research library operated under joint management of the Idaho Supreme Court and the University of Idaho College of Law. | 501 W. Front Street, Boise, ID 83702-7232. (208) 364-4555. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. isll.idaho.gov. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if the will is contested, the family disagrees about who should serve, the estate includes a home sale, a surviving-spouse summary administration under Idaho Code § 15-3-1205 may shift debt liability, or the personal representative is unsure how to draft the application or petition. Idaho does not publish a complete Valley County probate packet for every situation, and the Court Assistance Office cannot provide legal advice. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families identify bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, insurance, debts and other estate settlement details before filing in Valley County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset uses the information you provide to assemble the probate materials that fit the Idaho path, including an informal application or formal petition framework when court authority is needed.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves real property, disputes, creditor issues or a surviving-spouse summary administration under Idaho Code § 15-3-1205, Sunset can connect the family with a local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset helps organize estate settlement tasks, documents and next steps at no cost to families, so you can move from asset discovery to filing decisions with less guesswork.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for a Valley County resident?
File with the clerk of the district court at the Valley County Courthouse in Cascade if Valley County was the decedent's domicile at death (Idaho Code § 15-3-201). The courthouse address is 219 N. Main Street, Cascade, ID 83611.
What is the Valley County probate filing fee?
The opening filing fee is $166.00, effective July 12, 2024, for a petition for formal probate or application for informal probate in the magistrate division. The amount is tied to Idaho Code § 31-3201A, § 1-2003, § 73-213 and § 31-3201. Confirm the current amount with the Valley County clerk before filing.
Can I e-file a Valley County probate case?
Attorneys are required to file electronically under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service. A self-represented personal representative may use iCourt File and Serve or may file on paper with the clerk under I.R.E.F.S. Rule 4. If a self-represented filer chooses electronic filing, that choice continues for the life of the case unless the court allows withdrawal.
What happens to the original will if I e-file?
The original will must also be filed conventionally on paper within seven business days in a testate e-filed case (I.R.E.F.S. Rule 5(a)). Call the Valley County clerk at (208) 382-7178 for local delivery instructions.
Will there be a hearing in Valley County probate?
Informal probate can be handled by the registrar without a hearing if the statutory requirements are met (Idaho Code § 15-1-307, § 15-3-302). Formal probate is before a judge with notice to interested persons, and Idaho has an uncontested formal testacy route (Idaho Code § 15-1-201, § 15-3-401, § 15-3-405). Valley County does not publish a probate hearing day.
Can I appear remotely for a Valley County probate hearing?
Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 allows the court to hold certain matters by telephone or video teleconference, but the decision is the court's. Idaho Code § 15-3-1205 gives a specific telephonic or affidavit option for a surviving-spouse summary administration petitioner. Ask the Valley County clerk what the judge requires for your hearing.
Is there an online case lookup for Valley County probate?
Idaho uses the iCourt Portal at mycourts.idaho.gov for statewide online records and payments. Access to court records is governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, so call the Valley County clerk to ask what will be visible for a particular probate case.
Does Valley County have local probate forms?
The Court Assistance Office forms site is at courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/Forms, and a statewide Pb probate form series exists. The county clerk of the district court page does not post a county-only probate packet, so ask the Court Assistance Office for Valley County whether a form applies before filing.
Do I have to travel to Cascade for every step?
Not always. Self-represented parties may file on paper or may elect iCourt File and Serve under the Idaho Rules for Electronic Filing and Service, and Idaho R. Civ. P. 7.2 allows some hearings by telephone or video teleconference. You should still confirm original-will handling, hearing requirements and any paper-service steps with the Valley County clerk.
Does Idaho tax an inheritance from a Valley County estate?
Idaho has no inheritance tax, no estate tax and no gift tax. The Idaho State Tax Commission states at tax.idaho.gov that Idaho has no gift tax or inheritance tax and that its estate tax for deaths expired in 2004. An estate may still have federal tax or income-tax filing issues.
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.