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Pierce County, ND Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | The district court in Pierce County, at the Pierce County Courthouse in Rugby (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06) |
| Courthouse address | Pierce County Courthouse, 240 2nd St SE, Suite 8, Rugby, ND 58368 |
| Mailing address | No separate mailing address is published. Use the courthouse address for mail. |
| Phone | (701) 776-6161, clerk of district court in Pierce County (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46) |
| Fax | (701) 776-5707 |
| No email address is published for Pierce County. | |
| Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Filing fee | $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate, guardianship or another Title 30.1 testamentary case (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03) |
| Local forms | Pierce County does not publish a separate local probate packet or local cover sheet. Use statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center probate forms at https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. |
| E-filing | Represented parties file electronically through Odyssey. A self-represented filer is exempt from the electronic filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail or by third party commercial carrier, or may use Odyssey by choice (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). |
| Case lookup | North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry, https://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/. Choose Pierce County and the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. Data is current through the end of the previous business day. |
| Remote appearance | A party may ask for reliable electronic means by written motion. The court decides the request under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52. |
| Court website | https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/pierce-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Rugby, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, jointly held property, beneficiary designations and the location of the original will. That early asset picture drives the estate settlement path, the papers you prepare and whether the original will must be delivered to the courthouse on paper under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5.
Sunset can search across 2,300 financial institutions to help identify accounts and assets before you decide what to file with the clerk of district court in Pierce County (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). That keeps the probate packet tied to the property actually needing court authority.
Which court handles jurisdiction
North Dakota has no separate court for decedents' estates and no separate probate forum of any kind: estate settlement is a case class of the state's single district court, which sits in all 53 counties, and the papers are filed with the clerk of district court at the Pierce County Courthouse (N.D. Const. art. VI, §§ 1, 8; N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06). The separate county-level forum that once heard these cases was abolished on January 1, 1995, and its files became district court files (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-00.1).
Probate for Pierce County is filed with the clerk of district court at the county courthouse in Rugby (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). Pierce County is one of the 11 counties in the Northeast Judicial District, which is how judges and district administration are organised; the case itself is filed at this county's own courthouse (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6; N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-13). An informal application must state the county and state of the decedent's domicile at the time of death (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01).
The jurisdiction process
- Confirm that Pierce County is the right place to file. North Dakota venue for probate is addressed in N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-13, and an informal application must state the decedent's county and state of domicile at death (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01).
- Prepare the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center papers that match the situation. Use an application for informal probate or informal appointment under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14, and use a petition if the matter must proceed formally under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
- File with the clerk of district court at the Pierce County Courthouse, 240 2nd St SE, Suite 8, Rugby, ND 58368 (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). Represented parties file through Odyssey, while a self-represented filer may file paper documents in person, by mail or by third party commercial carrier, or may use Odyssey (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
- Deliver the original will on paper if there is one. Original wills, codicils and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed as paper documents under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5.
- Pay the $160 filing fee, effective July 1, 2025, or submit a fee waiver request through the North Dakota courts form at ndcourts.gov if you qualify (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03).
- Complete the required notices for the proceeding. If the personal representative chooses to publish notice to creditors, North Dakota's creditor-claim rules are in N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-19, including N.D.C.C. § 30.1-19-01.
- If a hearing is required, coordinate with the court. A party may ask for reliable electronic means by written motion, served at least seven days before the proceeding, with any response served at least four days before, and the court decides the request under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52.
- After the court has what it needs, the court reviews the application, makes the statutory findings, issues the written statement of informal probate when applicable, and issues letters testamentary or letters of administration within ten working days after all requirements for informal proceedings have been met (N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-14-02, 30.1-14-03, 30.1-14-07).
- Use the letters to administer the estate settlement, pay allowed obligations, distribute assets and complete the closing papers that apply under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-21.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pierce County
Pierce County does not publish its own probate packet or local cover sheet. Filers use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help, and state law says the court shall provide the necessary forms to an applicant who requests aid in using the informal probate or appointment procedure (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.1).
The Center publishes materials for informal proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14, including the informal administration guidebook and forms. The Center also warns that its forms are not official court forms and courts are not required to accept them. It also states that Center forms are not available for every informal situation and are not available for formal proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
Local nuance
Pierce County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to know |
|---|---|
| Clerk location | The courthouse address for Pierce County lists Suite 8 at 240 2nd St SE in Rugby. File probate papers there with the clerk of district court (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). |
| Courtroom location | The Pierce County courthouse page states that the courtroom is on the 3rd floor. It does not publish parking, entrance-side or elevator details. |
| Judicial district | Pierce County is in the Northeast Judicial District, an 11-county district under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6. The supreme court's stated intent is that residents receive judicial services in their own county without the need to travel to chamber cities, but that is an intent statement rather than a guarantee for every hearing. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Person | Likely local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by sorting what passes outside the estate and what needs court authority. If probate is needed, file the application with the clerk of district court in Suite 8 at the Pierce County Courthouse (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46), and deliver the original will on paper if there is one (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). | Sunset helps identify accounts, beneficiary designations and co-owned assets so the estate settlement packet reflects what actually needs court action. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-23 | A self-represented filer may file paper documents by mail or third party commercial carrier, or may use Odyssey, under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5. If a court case is opened in Pierce County, choose Pierce County in the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry at https://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/ to follow case status. | Sunset helps organize the asset list and generate the right filing packet, so travel to Rugby is limited to what the court actually requires. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires an appointed personal representative with letters. File the application in Rugby, then the court issues letters testamentary or letters of administration within ten working days after all informal-proceeding requirements have been met (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07). | Sunset helps gather property, debt and account details and can connect the family with a North Dakota probate attorney when a sale or dispute needs legal work. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or phone |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Legal Self Help Center | Online self-help materials, the informal administration guidebook and probate forms for statewide use. The Center does not provide legal advice. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help |
| Informal probate page | Overview and forms for informal probate and informal appointment under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/informal-probate |
| Fee waiver request | Use this ndcourts.gov form if you cannot afford the $160 filing fee, effective July 1, 2025 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). | https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver |
| North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry | Case lookup for Civil, Family & Probate Case Records. Select Pierce County. Data is current through the end of the previous business day. | https://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/ |
| Legal Services of North Dakota | Statewide civil legal aid intake. Call to ask whether help is available for your situation. | https://lsnd.org/; under 60: 1-800-634-5263; age 60 and over: 1-866-621-9886 |
| North Dakota Attorney Search | Search for a North Dakota lawyer through the Judiciary's lawyer directory. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/lawyers |
| Pierce County clerk contact | For a case already filed in Pierce County, call the clerk of district court at the Rugby courthouse (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). | (701) 776-6161 |
When to hire an attorney
North Dakota law says assistance of an attorney is not required for informal probate or appointment procedure (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.1), but counsel makes sense when family members disagree, a home must be sold, the will is questioned, a creditor issue is significant, or a formal proceeding under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15 is needed. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property so families can start estate settlement with a clearer asset list.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the facts you provide into a tailored probate packet for filing in Pierce County, including the local courthouse details and the statewide North Dakota form path.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal judgment, Sunset can connect you with a vetted North Dakota probate attorney who understands district court filings and rural courthouse logistics.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset, and decide later whether they want attorney help.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Pierce County?
File with the clerk of district court at the Pierce County Courthouse, 240 2nd St SE, Suite 8, Rugby, ND 58368 (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46; N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06).
What are the clerk's hours in Rugby?
The published courthouse hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call (701) 776-6161 before traveling if timing is tight.
Do I have to e-file in Pierce County if I am self-represented?
No. Under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5, represented parties file electronically through Odyssey, but a self-represented filer is exempt from the electronic filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail or by third party commercial carrier. A self-represented filer may also use Odyssey by choice.
Can the original will be mailed to the Pierce County courthouse?
A self-represented filer may file paper documents by mail or third party commercial carrier under N.D.R.Ct. 3.5, and original wills, codicils and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed as paper documents. Call the clerk before sending an original will if you need delivery instructions.
How much does it cost to file probate in Pierce County?
The filing fee is $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate, guardianship or another Title 30.1 testamentary case (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). A fee waiver request is available through ndcourts.gov.
Are there Pierce County probate forms?
Pierce County does not publish a separate local probate packet. Use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center probate forms at https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. The Center says its forms are not official court forms and are not available for every situation.
Can I look up a Pierce County probate case online?
Use the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry at https://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/ and select Pierce County. The portal includes Civil, Family & Probate Case Records, and data is current through the end of the previous business day.
Which judicial district is Pierce County in?
Pierce County is in the Northeast Judicial District, one of the eight named judicial districts created under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6.
Will I have to travel for a hearing in Pierce County?
Informal probate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14 can proceed without a court appearance or court hearing when the proper papers and procedures are used. If a hearing is required, N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6 states the supreme court's intent that residents receive judicial services in their own county without the need to travel to chamber cities. A party may also ask by written motion for reliable electronic means under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52, and the court decides the request.
How long until letters are issued in Pierce County?
In an informal proceeding, the court must issue letters testamentary or letters of administration within ten working days after all requirements for informal proceedings have been met (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07).
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.