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Traill County, ND Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Traill County details |
|---|---|
| Court | The district court in Traill County, at the Traill County Courthouse in Hillsboro (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06) |
| Courthouse address | Traill County Courthouse, 114 W Caledonia Ave, Hillsboro, ND 58045 |
| Mailing address | Traill County Courthouse, P.O. Box 805, Hillsboro, ND 58045 |
| Phone | 701-636-4454, clerk of district court in Traill County (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46) |
| Fax | Not published for Traill County |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, hours are 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday. |
| Filing fee | $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate, guardianship, or any other testamentary case under Title 30.1 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03) |
| Probate forms | Traill County filers use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. The Traill County Judiciary page and the East Central Judicial District rules page do not publish a Traill County probate packet or cover sheet. |
| E-filing status | Represented parties file through Odyssey. A self-represented filer is exempt from the electronic filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier, and may use Odyssey if preferred. Original wills, codicils and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). |
| Case search | North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry, publicsearch.ndcourts.gov, choose Traill County and the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. Information is current through the end of the previous business day. |
| Remote appearance | A party may ask to appear by reliable electronic means, but it is discretionary. The written motion procedure is in N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52. |
| Website | https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/traill-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Hillsboro, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, account statements, real estate, vehicles, digital accounts, and possible beneficiaries. The right estate settlement path depends on what exists, what is titled in the decedent's name, and whether anyone is likely to object.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts before they prepare a probate packet. That can reduce repeat filings with the clerk of district court in Traill County and help you decide whether you need a lawyer before paying the $160 filing fee, effective July 1, 2025 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03; N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46).
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 Traill County Courthouse (N.D. Const. art. VI, §§ 1, 8; N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06; N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). 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 Traill County is filed with the clerk of district court at the county courthouse in Hillsboro (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). Traill County is one of the 3 counties in the East Central Judicial District, with Cass and Steele, 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).
The courthouse in Hillsboro serves all of Traill County. An informal application must state the county and state of the decedent's domicile at death, and venue is handled under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-13 and N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the correct opening document. Use an application for an informal probate or informal appointment under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14, and use a petition if the matter proceeds under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
- Prepare the statewide forms or your own documents. Traill County does not publish a county probate packet or county cover sheet; the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials are at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help.
- File with the clerk of district court in Traill County at 114 W Caledonia Ave, Hillsboro, ND 58045, or mail paper documents to P.O. Box 805, Hillsboro, ND 58045 (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). Plan around the 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. lunch closure and the Memorial Day to Labor Day summer schedule.
- Handle electronic filing correctly. Represented parties file through Odyssey. A self-represented filer is exempt from the electronic filing requirement and may file paper documents in person, by mail, or by commercial carrier, or may use Odyssey if preferred. Original wills, codicils and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
- Pay the filing fee. The fee is $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate, guardianship, or any other testamentary case under Title 30.1 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). If you cannot afford the fee, use the Filing Fee Waiver Request materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver.
- Follow the notice requirements for your case type. In an informal proceeding, the court acts on the application after the statutory requirements in N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14 are met. Creditor issues are handled under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-19.
- If a hearing is set, ask about reliable electronic means only by motion. A party must first contact the other parties, file a written motion stating the reasons and whether the parties agree, serve it at least seven days before the proceeding, and allow any response at least four days before; the court may shorten the time for good cause (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52).
- Wait for court action on authority. In an informal proceeding, the court reviews the application, makes the required findings, issues any written statement of informal probate, 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).
- Administer and close the estate. After appointment, the personal representative gathers assets, addresses claims, prepares the inventory or mails it as allowed, distributes property, and closes the estate under the applicable North Dakota probate statutes, including N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-18-06, 30.1-19-01, 30.1-19-03 and N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-21.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Traill County
Traill County does not publish a county probate packet, county probate form, or county cover sheet. Filers use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help and file with the clerk of district court in Hillsboro (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46).
The statewide informal materials are supported by N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.1, which requires the court to provide necessary forms and explanatory materials for an informal probate or appointment procedure, at cost if requested in print. The North Dakota Court Fee Schedule lists a printed probate form set at $5, effective July 1, 2025 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03).
The Legal Self Help Center warns that its forms are not official court forms and courts are not required to accept them. It also states that forms are not available for proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15, so a formal filing usually requires drafting documents yourself or retaining a lawyer.
Local nuance
Traill County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Lunch closure | The courthouse hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Do not plan to file at the counter during the lunch closure. |
| Summer schedule | From Memorial Day to Labor Day, hours are 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday. |
| Courtroom and entrances | The courtroom is on the 2nd floor. The handicap entrance is on the west side in back of the courthouse, the main entrance is to the east, and another entrance is to the south. People entering go through a metal detector, and cell phones should be silenced or turned off. |
| District travel context | Traill County is in the East Central Judicial District with Cass and Steele (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6). The district page lists one district judge chambered in Hillsboro and ten chambered in Fargo, but that does not promise where a specific hearing will be held or who will hear it. |
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | The North Dakota Court Fee Schedule lists the filing fee for probate, guardianship, or any other testamentary case under Title 30.1 as $160, effective July 1, 2025 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Traill County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by sorting which assets actually need court authority. If a probate filing is needed, file the application with the clerk of district court at the Hillsboro courthouse or by mail, include the original will on paper if there is one, and plan around the daily lunch closure and the Memorial Day to Labor Day Friday schedule (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46; N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, beneficiary designations, and co-owned assets before you pay the $160 filing fee, effective July 1, 2025 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | A self-represented filer may mail paper documents to P.O. Box 805, Hillsboro, ND 58045, use a commercial carrier, or e-file through Odyssey if preferred. The original will still needs to reach the courthouse on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). If a route under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-23 applies, confirm the statewide requirements before filing anything in Hillsboro. If a hearing is set, a remote appearance request uses the written motion procedure in N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52. | Sunset organizes asset information and can help you decide whether a full Traill County filing is needed before you travel or mail papers. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires an appointed personal representative and letters testamentary or letters of administration. File in Hillsboro; after all informal requirements are met, the court issues letters within ten working days (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07). Certified copies are $20, effective July 1, 2025, with additional copies of the same document at $10 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). | Sunset assembles the probate packet, tracks the authority documents needed for banks and closing agents, and connects the family with a local probate attorney when the real estate sale needs legal support. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Traill County Judiciary page | Use it for the courthouse address, mailing address, hours, phone, email, and courtroom instructions for filings in Hillsboro. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/traill-county |
| North Dakota Legal Self Help Center | Publishes statewide probate information, the informal administration guidebook, the personal property affidavit page, and the fee waiver materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help |
| North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry | Use the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category and select Traill County. The portal is current through the end of the previous business day. | https://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/ |
| Filing Fee Waiver Request | Use this 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 |
| Attorney Search | The North Dakota Courts website offers an Attorney Search for finding lawyers. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/lawyers |
| Legal Services of North Dakota | Statewide civil legal aid intake. Call to ask whether your issue fits its services. | https://lsnd.org/; under age 60: 1-800-634-5263; age 60 and over: 1-866-621-9886 |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is often worth involving when heirs disagree, a home must be sold, a creditor problem is expected, the will may be challenged, the case needs a petition under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15, or you are unsure who has priority to serve under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-13-03. North Dakota allows informal probate without requiring an attorney under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.1, but legal advice can keep an estate settlement from stalling. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 institutions to help identify bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, retirement assets, debts, and other property before you file in Traill County. Better asset information leads to a cleaner estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps turn the family's information into an organized probate packet for the Traill County courthouse, including the documents needed to request letters testamentary or letters of administration under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07.
Find a local probate attorney. If the case needs a lawyer, Sunset can connect you with a probate attorney who understands North Dakota district court practice and filings with the clerk of district court (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06; N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46).
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, discover assets, and understand the next filing step without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Traill County?
File with the clerk of district court in Traill County at the Traill County Courthouse, 114 W Caledonia Ave, Hillsboro, ND 58045, or mail paper documents to Traill County Courthouse, P.O. Box 805, Hillsboro, ND 58045 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06; N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46).
What are the clerk's hours in Hillsboro, and is the office open at lunch?
The courthouse is open 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, hours are 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday.
Do I have to e-file in Traill County if I am self-represented?
No. Represented parties file 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 commercial carrier. A self-represented filer may use Odyssey if preferred (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
Can I mail the original will to the Traill County courthouse?
Yes. Original wills, codicils and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed on paper, so the original will must reach the courthouse in paper form even when other documents are filed through Odyssey (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
How much does it cost to file probate in Traill County?
The filing fee is $160, effective July 1, 2025, for filing probate, guardianship, or any other testamentary case under Title 30.1 (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03). If you cannot afford the fee, use the Filing Fee Waiver Request materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/fee-waiver.
Are there Traill County probate forms?
Traill County does not publish a county probate packet or county cover sheet. Use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. The court must provide necessary forms and explanatory materials for an informal probate or appointment procedure, at cost if requested in print, under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.1.
Can I look up a Traill County probate case online?
Use North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry at publicsearch.ndcourts.gov and select Traill County under the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. The portal states that information is current through the end of the previous business day.
Will I have to travel to another city for a hearing?
Traill County is in the East Central Judicial District with Cass and Steele (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6). The East Central district page lists one district judge chambered in Hillsboro and ten chambered in Fargo, but that does not promise where a specific hearing will be held. The supreme court's stated intent is that residents receive judicial services in their own county without the need to travel to chamber cities (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6).
Can I appear by video in a Traill County probate hearing?
A party may ask to appear by reliable electronic means, but the court decides whether to allow it. The party must first contact the other parties, file a written motion stating the reasons and whether the parties agree, serve the motion at least seven days before the proceeding, and allow any response at least four days before the proceeding unless the court shortens the time for good cause (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52).
How long until letters are issued in Traill County?
In an informal proceeding, after all requirements for informal proceedings have been met, the court must make its order of appointment and issue letters testamentary or letters of administration within ten working days (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07). That period does not start simply because papers were dropped off or mailed.
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.