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Williams County, ND Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Williams County details |
|---|---|
| Court | The district court in Williams County at the Williams County Courthouse in Williston (N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06) |
| Courthouse address | Williams County Courthouse, 205 E Broadway, 1st Floor, Williston, ND 58801 |
| Mailing address | Clerk of District Court, Williams County Courthouse, P.O. Box 2047, Williston, ND 58802-2047 |
| Phone | (701) 774-4374, clerk of district court in Williams County (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46) |
| Fax | (701) 774-4379 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. No lunch closure is listed on the court page. |
| 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) |
| Local forms | No Williams County-specific probate forms or local cover sheet. Use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center probate forms at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. |
| E-filing | Represented parties file electronically through Odyssey. A self-represented filer may file paper documents in person, by mail or by third party commercial carrier, and may use Odyssey if preferred. Original wills may be filed on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). |
| Case search | North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry at publicsearch.ndcourts.gov. Choose Williams County and the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. Data is current through the end of the previous business day. |
| Remote appearance | A remote appearance request is handled under the reliable electronic means rule. A written motion is required unless the court acts on its own motion (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52). |
| Website | https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/williams-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Williams County, identify the accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts and beneficiary designations that determine the estate settlement path. The courthouse can process filings, but it does not assemble the asset list for the family.
Sunset can help with that first step by searching across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing what you find into an estate settlement plan for Williams County.
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 Williams 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).
The clerk of district court takes papers, keeps the court file and handles money paid to the clerk under the clerk rule (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). Probate for Williams County is filed with the clerk of district court at the county courthouse in Williston. Williams County is one of the 3 counties in the Northwest 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).
The Williams County Courthouse in Williston serves all of Williams County. The North Dakota 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 a statement of intent and not a guarantee about any particular hearing (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the correct filing path before preparing papers. Use an application for informal probate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14, and use a petition for formal probate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
- Use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help for informal filings. Williams County does not publish its own probate forms or local cover sheet.
- File with the clerk of district court at the Williams County Courthouse, 205 E Broadway, 1st Floor, Williston, ND 58801, or mail the filing to Clerk of District Court, Williams County Courthouse, P.O. Box 2047, Williston, ND 58802-2047 (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46).
- Follow the filing method rule. Represented parties file through Odyssey, while a self-represented filer may file paper documents in person, by mail or by third party commercial carrier, and may use Odyssey if preferred. The original will may be filed on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
- Pay the $160 filing fee, effective July 1, 2025, unless the court grants a fee waiver through the ndcourts.gov fee-waiver process (N.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03).
- For informal probate, the court reviews the application, makes the findings the statute requires, and issues the written statement of informal probate if the requirements are met (N.D.C.C. §§ 30.1-14-02, 30.1-14-03).
- If a formal petition is filed, ask the clerk how the court will schedule the hearing for the Williams County case. Formal probate proceeds under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
- If a hearing is set and a party wants reliable electronic means, first contact the other parties, then file a written motion stating the reasons and whether the parties agree. The motion must be served at least seven days before the proceeding, and any response at least four days before, unless the court shortens time for good cause (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52).
- After appointment, the court issues letters testamentary when there is a will or letters of administration when there is not. For informal appointment, the court must issue letters within ten working days after all requirements for informal proceedings have been met (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07).
- Administer the estate by preparing the inventory or mailing it as allowed by N.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-06, deciding whether to publish and mail notice to creditors under N.D.C.C. § 30.1-19-01, handling creditor claims under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-19, and using the North Dakota closing process under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-21 when administration is ready to end.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Williams County
Williams County does not publish county-specific probate forms or a local probate cover sheet. A filer in Williams County uses the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center probate materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help, including the informal probate guidebook and form set.
North Dakota law says the court shall provide the necessary forms to an applicant who requests aid in using the informal probate or appointment procedure, and that the assistance of an attorney is not required for that informal procedure (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-01.1). The statewide materials also warn that the Center's forms are not official court forms and courts are not required to accept them. Forms are not available for formal probate proceedings under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
Local nuance
Williams County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Street ZIP and mailing ZIP are different | Use 205 E Broadway, Williston, ND 58801 for the courthouse street address. Use P.O. Box 2047, Williston, ND 58802-2047 for mail to the clerk. Do not put the box ZIP+4 on the street-address line. |
| Northwest Judicial District | Williams County is in the Northwest Judicial District with Divide and McKenzie. The case is still filed at the Williams County Courthouse in Williston (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6). |
| No local probate rule found for forms | The Northwest Judicial District local rules page lists Local Rule 1 on case reassignment procedure. Williams County filers use the statewide probate materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Williams County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by sorting which assets need court authority and which pass outside the estate. If a Williams County filing is needed, file with the clerk of district court at the Williams County Courthouse in Williston during the posted courthouse hours (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46). | Sunset helps identify accounts, title information and beneficiary designations so the spouse does not open an unnecessary estate settlement case. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Check the North Dakota state page for the small estate options under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-23 before opening a Williams County case. If a court filing is needed, a self-represented filer may mail paper documents to P.O. Box 2047, Williston, ND 58802-2047, or use Odyssey if preferred. The original will may be filed on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5). | Sunset helps assemble the asset picture, prepare the estate settlement packet and keep the Williston mailing details organized. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale generally requires an appointed personal representative with letters testamentary or letters of administration. File in Williston; for informal appointment, the court issues letters within ten working days after the requirements are met (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-14-07). | Sunset helps gather property and account information, generate the probate packet and connect the parent with local counsel when a home sale makes attorney help important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or phone |
|---|---|---|
| Williams County courthouse page | Courthouse address, mailing address, clerk contact information and hours for filings in Williston. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations/williams-county |
| North Dakota Legal Self Help Center | Statewide informal probate materials, the fee-waiver page and general court information. The Center does not give legal advice. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help |
| North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry | Case search for Civil, Family & Probate Case Records. Select Williams County; data is current through the end of the previous business day. | https://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/ |
| Attorney Search | North Dakota Judiciary attorney lookup for finding licensed counsel. | https://www.ndcourts.gov/lawyers |
| Legal Services of North Dakota | Statewide civil legal aid intake. Call to ask whether help is available for your situation. | https://lsnd.org/; under age 60: 1-800-634-5263; age 60 and over: 1-866-621-9886 |
When to hire an attorney
Attorney help makes sense if the Williston filing involves a dispute, a formal probate petition under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15, a real estate sale, unclear heirs, creditor claims under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-19, or a family member who is uncomfortable serving as personal representative. If the estate settlement needs counsel, Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions, helps identify accounts and property, and organizes the information families need before filing in Williams County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset uses the asset and family information you provide to assemble a county-ready estate settlement packet for review, including the Williams County courthouse and mailing details.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal help, Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney who can advise on Williams County filings, formal proceedings, real estate and disputes.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset helps families move from asset discovery to estate settlement without adding another bill at the start of the process.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Williams County?
File with the clerk of district court at the Williams County Courthouse, 205 E Broadway, 1st Floor, Williston, ND 58801, or mail the filing to Clerk of District Court, Williams County Courthouse, P.O. Box 2047, Williston, ND 58802-2047 (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 46; N.D.C.C. § 27-05-06).
What are the clerk's hours in Williston?
The Williams County courthouse hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The court page does not list a lunch closure.
Do I have to e-file in Williams County if I am self-represented?
No. Represented parties file electronically through Odyssey, but a self-represented filer may file paper documents in person, by mail or by third party commercial carrier, and may use Odyssey if preferred (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
Can I mail the original will to the Williams County courthouse?
Yes. Original wills, codicils and other documents of independent legal significance may be filed as paper documents, so the original will may be sent to the Williams County Courthouse on paper (N.D.R.Ct. 3.5).
How much does it cost to file probate in Williams 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). A fee waiver request is available through ndcourts.gov.
Are there Williams County probate forms?
Williams County does not publish its own probate forms or local cover sheet. Use the statewide North Dakota Legal Self Help Center materials at ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help. Informal probate uses N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-14; forms are not available for formal probate under N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-15.
Can I look up a Williams County probate case online?
Use the North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry at publicsearch.ndcourts.gov and select Williams County, then the Civil, Family & Probate Case Records category. Data is current through the end of the previous business day.
Will I have to travel outside Williams County for a hearing?
The North Dakota 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 not a guarantee for every hearing (N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 6).
Can I request a remote appearance for a Williams County hearing?
A party may request reliable electronic means under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 52. The party must contact the other parties first, then file a written motion stating the reasons and whether the parties agree. The motion must be served at least seven days before the proceeding, and any response at least four days before, unless the court shortens time for good cause.
How long until letters are issued in Williams County?
For informal appointment, 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.