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Dawson County, MT Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Dawson County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Dawson County District Court, Montana's 7th Judicial District (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101) |
| Courthouse address | 207 West Bell Street, Glendive, MT 59330 |
| Mailing address | 207 West Bell Street, Glendive, MT 59330 |
| Clerk phone | (406) 377-3967 |
| Fax | Call the clerk before sending anything by fax. |
| Hours | Call the clerk to confirm current public counter hours before traveling to the courthouse. |
| Filing fee | $100.00 under current 2025 Montana law to commence a probate, formal or informal or ancillary, paid to the clerk of district court. The amount is the sum of the $70 statutory probate fee, a $20 additional filing fee and a $10 court information technology user surcharge under current 2025 Montana Code text (Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, § 25-1-202, § 3-1-317). |
| Local forms | Dawson County publishes no county-specific probate packet on its clerk page. Use the Montana Judicial Branch statewide probate forms at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. |
| E-filing | Self-represented litigants file on paper because e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants through courts.mt.gov. Attorneys may e-file Probate (DP) cases in Dawson County District Court under the Judicial Branch court policy listed at courts.mt.gov. |
| Case search | Montana publishes a district court public access portal through courts.mt.gov at dcportal.pubcourts.mt.gov for courts converted to FullCourt Enterprise. Dawson County District Court converted in October 2020. |
| Remote appearance | Ask the clerk what the 7th Judicial District local rules and the assigned district judge require. Montana allows testimony by contemporaneous transmission only when the rule's standard is met (Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a)). |
| Court website | courts.mt.gov/CourtLocator/7thJudicialDistrict and dawsonmt.gov/departments/clerk_of_court/index.php |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose an estate settlement path in Dawson County, list the decedent's probate assets, nonprobate transfers, debts, vehicle titles, real property, and known creditors. Montana venue turns on the decedent's domicile at death, or Montana property if the decedent was not domiciled in Montana (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
Sunset's estate settlement tools help families look for accounts across more than 2,300 financial institutions, organize liabilities, and decide whether the Dawson County District Court filing is needed before you spend time at the courthouse in Glendive.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Dawson County is filed with the clerk of district court at the Dawson County Courthouse, 207 West Bell Street, Glendive, MT 59330. Dawson County is one of five counties in Montana's 7th Judicial District, with McCone, Prairie, Richland and Wibaux Counties (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101). Each county in the district keeps its own clerk of district court, so a Dawson County filing belongs with the clerk in Glendive.
The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction of all probate matters, and Montana District Courts have original jurisdiction over all civil and probate matters (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-111, § 3-5-302). Montana's courts of limited jurisdiction, including the Dawson County Justice Court and the Glendive City Court, do not handle probate filings because Justice Court civil authority is limited by statute and City Court jurisdiction follows the limited criminal matters assigned by statute (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-10-301, § 3-11-102).
Venue for the first informal or formal proceeding is in the county where the decedent had domicile at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Montana, in any county where the decedent's property was located (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether the estate needs a Dawson County District Court filing. If the personal property route is enough, the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property is presented to the holder of the property after the statutory conditions are met, including the $100,000 probate estate ceiling under current 2025 Montana law (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101).
- Prepare the correct statewide packet from courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. Use an application for informal probate with the clerk of district court, or a petition for formal probate when a judge proceeding with notice is needed (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-1-103, § 72-3-301).
- File the application or petition with the clerk of district court at 207 West Bell Street in Glendive. A self-represented personal representative files on paper because e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants through courts.mt.gov. An attorney may e-file a Probate (DP) case in Dawson County District Court under the Judicial Branch policy listed at courts.mt.gov.
- Pay the $100.00 filing fee under current 2025 Montana law unless the court grants a fee waiver through courts.mt.gov forms. The fee combines $70 under Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, $20 under Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-202, and a $10 user surcharge under Mont. Code Ann. § 3-1-317.
- For informal probate, the clerk of district court reviews the application, makes the findings required by statute, may deny an application that does not meet them, and issues the statement of informal probate and Letters after at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-212, § 72-3-214, § 72-3-215, § 72-3-225). If the decedent was a nonresident, the informal appointment timing is different under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-225.
- For formal probate, give notice as required for the judge proceeding. Montana treats formal probate as a petition-based track with notice, and it has a distinct provision for uncontested formal cases (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-301, § 72-3-307).
- Ask the Dawson County clerk how the 7th Judicial District schedules any hearing and what the local rules require for a remote appearance. Montana does not give a statewide right to appear remotely, although testimony by contemporaneous transmission may be allowed for good cause in compelling circumstances with safeguards (Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a)).
- After appointment, qualify before receiving letters by filing any required bond and a statement of acceptance of duties (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-512). The statewide packet refers to the authority document as Letters of Authority and is available at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, dealing with claims, taxes, and distributions. The personal representative publishes notice to creditors once a week for 3 successive weeks, with creditor timing measured from the first publication under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-801 and claims barred under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-803. Prepare the inventory within 9 months after appointment under current 2025 Montana law (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-607).
- Close the estate settlement using the closing documents and orders that fit the case. If a closing statement is used, follow Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1104.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Dawson County
Dawson County directs probate filings to the clerk of district court in Glendive, and Dawson County does not publish a county-specific probate packet on its clerk page. Start with the Montana Judicial Branch statewide probate forms at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife.
| Form or packet | When it is used |
|---|---|
| Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent | For the personal property procedure under current 2025 Montana law when the conditions in Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101 are met. |
| How to Administer a Small Estate Packet | A statewide Judicial Branch packet at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife that includes informal probate materials, including the Statement of Informal Probate under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-215 and Letters of Authority. |
| Affidavit of Death | A statewide probate form listed by the Judicial Branch at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. |
| Fiduciary Statement | A statewide probate form listed by the Judicial Branch at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife. |
Local nuance
Dawson County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Dawson County estate |
|---|---|
| Rural self-help location | The Montana Supreme Court's Court Help Program lists a rural location at Dawson County Courthouse in Glendive through courts.mt.gov. Use the statewide Court Help Program contact to ask about appointments. |
| Judge location | Dawson County is in Montana's 7th Judicial District with five counties (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101). One of the district's two judges is chambered in Glendive at the same street address as the clerk, so a Dawson County matter may be handled locally even though the district includes other counties. |
| Attorney e-filing | Dawson County District Court is listed by courts.mt.gov as enabled for attorney e-filing in Probate (DP) cases. E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants through courts.mt.gov. |
| Local rules and hearings | Ask the clerk for current 7th Judicial District local rules before assuming any hearing day, remote appearance procedure, or department assignment. |
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| July 30, 2026 | The Montana Judicial Branch court policy listed at courts.mt.gov includes Dawson County District Court as enabled for attorney e-filing in Probate (DP) cases. E-filing is not available to self-represented litigants through courts.mt.gov. |
| October 2020 | Dawson County District Court converted to FullCourt Enterprise, according to the Montana District Courts information published through courts.mt.gov. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Dawson County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Check title first. If the home passes outside the probate estate, the Dawson County District Court filing may focus only on assets that do not pass by title, beneficiary designation, or another nonprobate transfer. Venue still follows domicile or Montana property (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112). | Sunset helps identify accounts, title issues, and debts before you decide whether a court filing is needed for estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If only personal property needs collection, consider the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property after the statutory wait and $100,000 probate estate limit under current 2025 Montana law (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101). If a personal representative must be appointed, file in Glendive with the clerk of district court. | Sunset organizes assets and can generate a probate packet so you know whether paper filing in Dawson County is necessary. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A court appointment is usually needed before someone can sign for estate property. File the application or petition with the Dawson County clerk of district court, then use Letters of Authority from the courts.mt.gov statewide process to work with the title company or buyer. | Sunset helps gather the estate picture, prepare the filing packet, and connect the family with a local probate attorney when a sale or title question makes the estate settlement more complex. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Court Help Program rural location in Dawson County | The Montana Supreme Court's Court Help Program lists a rural location at Dawson County Courthouse in Glendive through courts.mt.gov. The program can provide legal information and resources, but it cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. | Call the statewide Court Help Program at (406) 841-2975 to ask about Dawson County appointments. |
| Montana Court Help Program | Statewide civil self-help program for people representing themselves. The program can provide legal information and direct you to resources, but it cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. | courts.mt.gov/SelfHelp/ |
| Montana State Law Library self-help contact | A broader statewide self-help contact listed through the Montana Judicial Branch for civil legal information. | 215 North Sanders, Helena, MT, (406) 444-9300, [email protected], through courts.mt.gov |
| Montana Legal Services Association | Statewide civil legal aid intake. It does not promise probate representation for a personal representative. | HelpLine 1-800-666-6899, Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, mtlsa.org/apply-for-services/ |
| MontanaLawHelp.org | Public legal information library associated with Montana Legal Services Association. | montanalawhelp.org |
When to hire an attorney
Montana does not require every personal representative to hire a lawyer, and the Montana Supreme Court provides self-help information through courts.mt.gov, but counsel often makes sense when heirs disagree, a creditor issue is unclear, a home must be sold, a formal probate petition with notice is needed, or the personal representative is acting from outside Montana. 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 build a clearer estate settlement inventory before you file in Dawson County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you gather into a Dawson County focused probate packet, using the Montana terms the clerk of district court expects, including personal representative and Letters of Authority.
Find a local probate attorney. When a formal probate filing, real property sale, creditor dispute, or family conflict calls for legal help, Sunset can connect you with a Montana probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, identify assets, and decide next steps without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Dawson County?
File with the clerk of district court at the Dawson County District Court, 207 West Bell Street, Glendive, MT 59330. Venue depends on the decedent's domicile at death, or Montana property if the decedent was not domiciled in Montana (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-112).
Is Dawson County in Montana's 7th Judicial District?
Yes. Dawson County is part of Montana's 7th Judicial District with McCone, Prairie, Richland and Wibaux Counties (Mont. Code Ann. § 3-5-101). The filing still goes to the Dawson County clerk of district court in Glendive.
Can I e-file a Dawson County probate case myself?
No. The Montana Judicial Branch states through courts.mt.gov that e-filing is not available to self-represented litigants. A self-represented personal representative files on paper with the Dawson County clerk of district court. Attorneys may e-file Probate (DP) cases in Dawson County District Court under the courts.mt.gov court policy.
How much is the Dawson County probate filing fee?
The probate filing fee is $100.00 under current 2025 Montana law. It combines the $70 probate filing amount in Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201, the $20 additional filing fee in Mont. Code Ann. § 25-1-202, and the $10 court information technology user surcharge in Mont. Code Ann. § 3-1-317.
Does Dawson County have its own probate forms?
Dawson County does not publish a county-specific probate packet on its clerk page. Use the Montana Judicial Branch statewide probate forms at courts.mt.gov/Forms/endoflife, including the packet that contains the Statement of Informal Probate under Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-215 and Letters of Authority.
Can I look up a Dawson County probate case online?
Montana publishes a district court public access portal through courts.mt.gov at dcportal.pubcourts.mt.gov for courts converted to FullCourt Enterprise. Dawson County District Court converted in October 2020. The Judicial Branch describes portal access as a courtesy, so call the clerk if you need help locating a Dawson County file.
Will I have to appear in person for a Dawson County probate hearing?
Ask the clerk what the 7th Judicial District local rules and the assigned district judge require. Montana has no statewide rule giving every party a right to appear by video, but testimony by contemporaneous transmission may be allowed for good cause in compelling circumstances with safeguards (Mont. R. Civ. P. 43(a)).
How soon can informal probate issue in Dawson County?
In an informal probate, the clerk of district court may issue the statement of informal probate only after at least 120 hours have elapsed since death, if the statutory findings are met (Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-215). Informal appointment of a personal representative follows the timing in Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-225.
Does Montana have an inheritance tax or estate tax for a current Dawson County estate?
Montana has no inheritance tax and Montana has no estate tax on a current death. The Department of Revenue states at revenue.mt.gov that the inheritance tax reaches no death after January 1, 2001, the estate tax reaches no death after December 31, 2004, and no Department of Revenue certificate or consent is required to close probate. An estate may still owe federal tax or need a Montana income tax return for the estate.
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.