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Blaine County, MT Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Local detail |
|---|---|
| Court | The Blaine County District Court, Montana 17th Judicial District Court sitting in Blaine County |
| Courthouse address | Blaine County Courthouse, 420 Ohio Street, Chinook, MT 59523 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 969, Chinook, MT 59523 |
| Phone | (406) 357-3230, clerk of district court |
| Fax | No fax number is listed for the clerk of district court in Blaine County; call the clerk before sending anything by fax. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the office closes for the midday lunch period. |
| Filing fee | $100.00 to commence a probate, formal or informal or ancillary, current under the 2025 Montana Code Annotated. The figure is the sum of the $70 statutory probate fee, a $20 additional filing fee and a $10 court information technology user surcharge (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202, § 3-1-317). |
| Local probate forms | Blaine County does not publish a county-specific probate packet. Use the Montana Judicial Branch probate forms at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. |
| E-filing | E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants at this time, according to courts.mt.gov. Blaine County District Court also is not listed in the July 30, 2026 Judicial Branch e-filing court policy or Court ID documents, so represented and self-represented filers should plan on paper filing with the clerk in Chinook unless the clerk says otherwise. |
| Case search | Montana publishes a District Court Public Access Portal through courts.mt.gov for district courts that have converted to FullCourt Enterprise. Blaine County's own court page says there is no internet access to its court records. The clerk's office provides a public computer for public searches, and staff-performed record search fees are set by statute, current under the 2025 Montana Code Annotated (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201). |
| Hearing calendar | The Seventeenth Judicial District local rules set law and motion at Chinook, Blaine County, on Tuesday after the second Monday and on the fourth Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m., continued to the next business day if a holiday. Probate proceedings are among the routine law and motion matters, and the rules require notice to the clerk of court by noon on the preceding business day. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk what the 17th Judicial District local rules require for a specific hearing. Montana district courts may permit testimony by contemporaneous transmission from another location only for good cause in compelling circumstances (Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a)). |
| Websites | Blaine County District Court: blainecounty-mt.gov/district-court/. Montana Court Locator: courts.mt.gov/CourtLocator/17thJudicialDistrict. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Blaine County, identify the assets, debts, beneficiary designations, co-owned property and possible creditors. That first inventory drives whether you need a court appointment, which notice has to be sent, whether the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 can be used for personal property, and what the personal representative will need after Letters of Authority issue through courts.mt.gov forms.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then helps organize the information needed for the Blaine County filing packet. That work is especially useful when the person handling the estate settlement lives away from Chinook or does not know where the decedent kept accounts.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Blaine County is filed with the clerk of district court at the county courthouse in Chinook, 420 Ohio Street, Chinook, MT 59523. Venue for the first informal or formal proceeding is the county where the decedent had the decedent's domicile at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Montana, any county where the decedent's property was located (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
Blaine County is one of three counties in Montana's 17th Judicial District, with Phillips and Valley Counties (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101). The district judge is chambered in Malta, Phillips County, but a Blaine County estate is filed with the Blaine County clerk in Chinook.
Montana uses the District Court for estate cases: the District Court has exclusive jurisdiction of all probate matters, and a will is proved and Letters are issued by the clerk of district court or the district judge (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-111, § 3-5-302). Montana's courts of limited jurisdiction, including the Justice Court and City Court that sit in Chinook, do not handle estate filings and have no probate authority (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-10-301, § 3-11-102).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the correct opening document. In an informal proceeding, use an application to the clerk; in a formal probate matter, use a petition with notice (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-1-103, § 72-3-301). The clerk of district court makes the statutory findings for informal probate, may deny an application that does not meet them, and issues the statement of informal probate and Letters after the required waiting period (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-212, § 72-3-214, § 72-3-215, § 72-3-225).
- Prepare the statewide Montana Judicial Branch probate forms from courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife and any supporting documents the Blaine County clerk requests. The statewide packet uses Letters of Authority and related forms available through courts.mt.gov.
- File on paper with the clerk of district court at 420 Ohio Street in Chinook, or mail the packet to PO Box 969, Chinook, MT 59523 if the clerk confirms mail filing is acceptable for your papers. E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants through courts.mt.gov, and Blaine County District Court is not listed as enabled for attorney e-filing in the July 30, 2026 Judicial Branch e-filing materials.
- Pay the $100.00 filing fee, current under the 2025 Montana Code Annotated, unless the court grants relief from fees. The $100.00 total comes from the $70 probate filing fee, the $20 additional filing fee and the $10 court information technology user surcharge (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202, § 3-1-317).
- Give required notice. In formal probate, notice is part of the court process. After appointment, the personal representative publishes notice to creditors once a week for 3 successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, and creditors have 4 months after the date of first publication unless a different statutory rule applies (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-801, § 72-3-803).
- Calendar any hearing through the clerk. Under the 17th Judicial District local rules, law and motion at Chinook is set for Tuesday after the second Monday and the fourth Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m., continued to the next business day if a holiday. Probate proceedings are listed among routine law and motion matters, and the rules require notifying the clerk of court by noon on the preceding business day.
- Ask early about remote appearance. The 17th Judicial District local rules and the district judge control the specific procedure; statewide, testimony by contemporaneous transmission may be allowed for good cause in compelling circumstances (Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a)).
- Obtain the signed statement of informal probate and Letters of Authority if the application is approved, then qualify as personal representative by filing any required bond and a statement of acceptance before receiving letters (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-512). Informal probate and informal appointment cannot issue until at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-215, § 72-3-225).
- Administer and close the estate. Prepare the inventory within 9 months after appointment (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-607), address claims and taxes, distribute property, and use the appropriate Montana closing procedure. Montana has no inheritance tax and Montana has no estate tax for a current death, but an estate may still have federal obligations or a Montana fiduciary income tax filing issue through revenue.mt.gov.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Blaine County
Blaine County does not publish a county-specific probate packet. The court filing starts with the Montana Judicial Branch probate forms at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife, and the Blaine County clerk can provide general information about court procedures but cannot give legal advice or fill out forms for you.
| Form or resource | Where it comes from | How it is used in Blaine County |
|---|---|---|
| How to Administer a Small Estate Packet | Montana Judicial Branch, courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife; used with Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 when the personal-property affidavit route is being considered | Use the statewide packet when the estate needs an informal probate filing in the Blaine County District Court. |
| Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent | Montana Judicial Branch, courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife; Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 | This is presented to the person or institution holding personal property when the statutory conditions are met. It is not the way to transfer Montana real estate. |
| Affidavit of Death | Montana Judicial Branch, courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife | Use only when it fits the property and title situation; ask the clerk or an attorney if the estate includes land or unclear ownership. |
| Fiduciary Statement | Montana Judicial Branch, courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife | Use when the statewide form is required for the fiduciary role in the estate settlement. |
Timeline
- Check the filing window first. Informal probate and informal appointment cannot issue until at least 120 hours after death (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-215, § 72-3-225). The Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent has its own 30-day timing and $100,000 probate estate ceiling under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101.
- File with the Blaine County clerk in Chinook. The clerk's public hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; plan around the midday closure.
- Use the 17th Judicial District law and motion calendar if the matter needs court time. At Chinook, Blaine County, the local rules set law and motion for Tuesday after the second Monday and the fourth Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m., continued to the next business day if a holiday.
- Notify the clerk on time for law and motion. The 17th Judicial District local rules require notice to the clerk of court by noon on the preceding business day, and probate proceedings are called second on the calendar after adoption matters.
- After appointment, publish notice to creditors once a week for 3 successive weeks, with claims generally due within 4 months after the first publication, subject to the statutory claim rules (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-801, § 72-3-803).
- Prepare the inventory within 9 months after appointment (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-607). If a case was not opened promptly, remember Montana's outer opening limit for many probate proceedings is 3 years after death, with statutory exceptions (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-122).
Local nuance
Blaine County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| File in Chinook, even though the district judge is chambered in Malta | Blaine County is in Montana's 17th Judicial District with Phillips and Valley Counties (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101). The clerk of district court in Blaine County is the filing office for a Blaine County estate. |
| No internet access to Blaine County District Court records | Blaine County's court page states that its court records are not available through internet access. Montana still publishes a District Court Public Access Portal through courts.mt.gov for courts that have converted to FullCourt Enterprise, but Blaine County is not on the conversion list. Use the clerk's office public computer or ask the clerk about statutory record search fees under Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201. |
| Paper filing is the practical route | E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants at this time through courts.mt.gov, and Blaine County District Court is not listed as enabled in the July 30, 2026 Judicial Branch e-filing court policy or Court ID materials. |
| Published law and motion dates exist | The 17th Judicial District local rules set law and motion at Chinook on Tuesday after the second Monday and on the fourth Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m., with notice to the clerk due by noon on the preceding business day. |
| Regional self-help support comes from Great Falls | Blaine County's court page points readers to the Cascade County Self-Help Law Center and notes that staff travel to the Hi-Line on a regular schedule. The Court Help Program information is maintained by courts.mt.gov. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Blaine County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by confirming how the home is titled and whether any assets still need a Blaine County District Court filing. Real estate questions often require careful review because the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property is limited by Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 and is not a real-estate transfer tool. | Sunset identifies accounts, insurance, retirement assets and possible nonprobate transfers so the spouse can see what actually needs estate settlement in court. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Call the Blaine County clerk before mailing papers to Chinook. If only personal property is involved and the statutory conditions fit, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property may be used under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101; otherwise, prepare the statewide informal probate packet and plan for paper filing. | Sunset organizes financial institution information, generates a probate packet, and helps the child decide when a Montana attorney should review the plan. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A court appointment is usually the practical path when a home must be sold from the estate. File with the clerk of district court in Chinook, pay the $100.00 opening fee under Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202 and § 3-1-317, and calendar any court setting under the 17th Judicial District local rules. | Sunset helps collect asset information, prepare the estate settlement checklist, and connect the parent with a local probate attorney for the real-estate sale and court filings. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | Contact | How it helps in Blaine County |
|---|---|---|
| Court Help Program | courts.mt.gov/SelfHelp/; (406) 841-2975 | A free Montana Supreme Court program for civil, non-criminal problems. It can provide legal information and resources, but it cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. |
| Cascade County Self-Help Law Center | Great Falls Public Library, 301 2nd Ave N, Great Falls; 406-899-7109; [email protected] | Blaine County's court page directs readers to this regional center and says staff travel to the Hi-Line on a regular schedule. Confirm the schedule before traveling. |
| Montana Legal Services Association | mtlsa.org; apply at mtlsa.org/apply-for-services/; HelpLine 1-800-666-6899, Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | The statewide civil legal aid intake. Do not assume it will take an estate matter; use it as an eligibility and referral starting point. |
| MontanaLawHelp.org | montanalawhelp.org | A public self-help library connected with Montana Legal Services Association, including life and estate planning information. |
| State Law Library self-help center | 215 N Sanders, Helena; 406-444-9300; [email protected] | A statewide self-help contact for people who cannot use a nearby staffed center. |
When to hire an attorney
Montana does not require every personal representative to start by hiring a lawyer, and the Montana Supreme Court provides self-help resources through courts.mt.gov, but counsel makes sense when the estate includes land, a business, creditor disputes, unclear heirs, a will contest, tax filings, or a hearing before the district judge. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney when the Blaine County estate settlement needs legal advice.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help identify bank, investment, retirement and insurance accounts that may affect the Blaine County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family information into an organized probate packet using Montana terminology, including personal representative, statement of informal probate, Letters of Authority through courts.mt.gov forms, and the Blaine County filing location.
Find a local probate attorney. When the matter needs legal advice, real-estate work, contested formal probate with notice, or help with a hearing, Sunset connects the family with a vetted Montana probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand the next filing step, and decide whether to proceed on their own or with counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Blaine County?
File with the clerk of district court at the Blaine County Courthouse, 420 Ohio Street, Chinook, MT 59523. Mail can be sent to PO Box 969, Chinook, MT 59523. Venue depends on the decedent's domicile or Montana property location (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
Is Blaine County probate filed in the District Court?
Yes. The Blaine County District Court handles probate because Montana district courts have original jurisdiction over all civil and probate matters and exclusive jurisdiction over all probate matters (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-302, § 72-3-111). Estate filings do not go to the Justice Court or City Court in Chinook (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-10-301, § 3-11-102).
Can I e-file a Blaine County probate case?
Plan on paper filing. E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants at this time, according to courts.mt.gov, and Blaine County District Court is not listed in the July 30, 2026 Judicial Branch e-filing court policy or Court ID materials.
What is the Blaine County probate filing fee?
The probate filing fee is $100.00 to commence a formal, informal or ancillary probate, current under the 2025 Montana Code Annotated. The total is the $70 probate fee, the $20 additional filing fee and the $10 user surcharge (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202, § 3-1-317).
Does Blaine County have a published probate hearing day?
Yes. The Seventeenth Judicial District local rules set law and motion at Chinook, Blaine County, on Tuesday after the second Monday and on the fourth Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m., continued to the next business day if a holiday. Probate proceedings are included among routine law and motion matters, and the rules require notifying the clerk of court by noon on the preceding business day.
Can I appear remotely for a Blaine County probate hearing?
Ask the clerk before the hearing. Remote appearance depends on the 17th Judicial District local rules and the district judge's direction; statewide, Montana allows testimony by contemporaneous transmission only for good cause in compelling circumstances (Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a)).
Can I look up Blaine County probate records online?
Blaine County's court page says there is no internet access to its court records. Montana publishes a District Court Public Access Portal through courts.mt.gov for district courts that have converted to FullCourt Enterprise, but Blaine County is not on that conversion list. The clerk's office provides a public computer, and staff record search charges are governed by Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201.
Does Blaine County have local probate forms?
Blaine County does not publish a county-specific probate packet. Use the statewide Montana Judicial Branch probate forms at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife, including the informal probate packet and the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101.
Do I have to travel to Malta for a Blaine County estate?
Not to file. A Blaine County estate is filed with the clerk in Chinook. The district judge is chambered in Malta, Phillips County, and the 17th Judicial District local rules also publish law and motion times at Chinook, so call the Blaine County clerk to confirm where any specific hearing will be held.
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.