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White Pine County, NV Probate Information
Quick facts
| Category | Current rules |
|---|---|
| Court | Seventh Judicial District Court, White Pine County (shared with Eureka and Lincoln counties); no separate probate court |
| Filing office | Clerk of the District Court (Courtney Thornal, District Court Administrator and Clerk of the Court), separate from the County Clerk / elections office |
| Courthouse | White Pine County District Court, 1786 Great Basin Blvd., Suite 3, Ely, NV 89301 |
| Mailing address | White Pine County District Court, 1786 Great Basin Blvd., Suite 3, Ely, NV 89301 |
| Phone | (775) 289-7887 (District Court clerk's office); the Nevada Judiciary directory and the County Clerk also list (775) 293-6509 |
| Fax | (775) 293-2544 (per the Nevada Judiciary directory) |
| [email protected] (the court directs that documents be emailed here for filing) | |
| Office hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed legal holidays |
| Filing fee | No fee where the stated estate value is $2,500 or less (NRS 19.013). The district court's posted fee schedule (revisions effective July 20, 2026) lists $170.50 for estates of more than $2,500 but less than $20,000, $269.50 for more than $20,000 but less than $300,000, and $522.50 above $300,000; see the fees section below and confirm the current total with the clerk (verified July 2026). |
| Local probate forms | None; Nevada has no statewide mandatory probate form set and White Pine publishes no local probate forms. The court directs filers to the Nevada Judiciary self-help forms |
| E-filing | No e-filing portal (no Odyssey or eFlex). The court accepts documents for filing by email to [email protected], in addition to paper filing in person or by mail; confirm requirements with the clerk |
| Online case search | Not available; there is no public docket portal. Record searches are performed by the clerk's office, subject to research and copy fees |
| Website | https://www.whitepinecounty.net/223/District-Court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in White Pine County, know exactly what is in the estate. The path you take depends entirely on whether there is a will and on the value and type of the assets, and Nevada offers several routes: an affidavit of entitlement for a qualifying small estate with no Nevada real property (NRS 146.080), a set-aside without administration (NRS 146.070), summary administration (NRS Chapter 145), and full general administration. The dollar thresholds that separate these paths are statewide and are explained on the Nevada state page; identify the estate first so you file the right petition once.
Identify every bank and credit-union account, retirement plan, brokerage holding, life-insurance policy, vehicle, and parcel of real property, along with every debt, before you go to the clerk. Whether the decedent owned real property in Nevada is decisive, because the affidavit path is unavailable if there is any Nevada real property. Sunset's asset-discovery work, searching more than 2,300 financial institutions, exists for this step.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Seventh Judicial District Court serves White Pine County together with Eureka and Lincoln counties, and Ely is the district's administrative seat. It covers the whole of White Pine, including Ely (the county seat), McGill, Ruth, Lund, Baker and the Great Basin communities. White Pine probate matters are filed with the Clerk of the District Court at the courthouse on Great Basin Boulevard in Ely. The district's two judges, Judge Steve L. Dobrescu in Department 1 and Judge Dylan V. Frehner in Department 2, are based in Ely and sit there for White Pine matters; they also hold court in Eureka and Lincoln counties, so ask the clerk how and when a hearing in a White Pine case will be set.
Venue for a decedent's estate is governed by NRS 136.010. Venue is proper in any district court in Nevada, subject to an interested person's objection on convenience grounds, in which case the court weighs, in priority order, where the decedent resided at death and where the decedent owned real property. In practice, file in White Pine County for a decedent who lived here. There is no dedicated probate department in the Seventh Judicial District; probate is heard on the court's general docket.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the documents. Collect the original signed will (if any), a certified copy of the death certificate, the proposed personal representative's contact information and photo ID, the names and addresses of the heirs and beneficiaries, and a list of the assets and debts with values.
- Choose the path based on the estate. Depending on whether there is a will and on the value and type of assets, the route may be an affidavit of entitlement for a qualifying small estate with no Nevada real property (NRS 146.080), a set-aside without administration (NRS 146.070), summary administration (NRS Chapter 145), or general administration. The governing thresholds are statewide and are on the Nevada state page.
- Prepare the petition or affidavit. For an administration, prepare the petition for letters testamentary (with a will) or letters of administration (without a will). For a qualifying small estate with no Nevada real property, prepare the affidavit of entitlement instead. The affidavit is presented directly to each bank or asset holder rather than filed with the court, so a qualifying affidavit estate skips the filing and hearing steps below. Nevada has no statewide mandatory form set; the White Pine district court directs filers to the Nevada Judiciary self-help forms, and the Civil Law Self-Help Center packets and the State Bar of Nevada brochure are practical starting points.
- For a court administration (set-aside, summary, or general), file with the Clerk of the District Court in Ely. You can email the documents to [email protected] for filing, or file on paper in person or by mail to 1786 Great Basin Blvd., Suite 3, Ely, NV 89301; there is no e-filing portal, so confirm the accepted method with the clerk. Pay the filing fee: no fee if the stated estate value is $2,500 or less (NRS 19.013); above that, the district court's posted schedule runs from $170.50 to $522.50 by estate value (see the fees section below), so confirm the current total with the clerk.
- Give notice and publish. The personal representative mails notice to heirs, devisees, and known creditors and publishes notice as required (NRS 155.020), including the notice to creditors that opens the claim period.
- Attend the hearing on the general docket. The petition is set for hearing before a Seventh Judicial District judge on the court's general docket in Ely. Because the district's judges also hold court in Eureka and Lincoln counties, ask the clerk how the hearing will be held and whether a remote appearance is available.
- Receive the authority document. On approval the court issues letters testamentary (with a will) or letters of administration (without a will), the proof of the personal representative's authority to act. Request enough certified copies for the banks and institutions involved.
- Administer and close. Inventory and appraise the assets, pay valid claims in statutory priority, and account to the court. A creditor must file its claim with the clerk within 90 days after first publication or mailing of the notice to creditors, reduced to 60 days if summary administration is granted (NRS 147.040). Distribute the remaining assets and close the estate.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in White Pine County
Nevada has no statewide mandatory probate form set, and White Pine County publishes no local probate forms of its own. The district court's forms page offers only a civil cover sheet and an application to proceed in forma pauperis, and it directs filers to the Nevada Judiciary self-help forms, noting that you can use forms from other Nevada courts if you change the court heading to the Seventh Judicial District Court. There is no local probate cover sheet or checklist to download. For self-prepared filings, the most complete free resources are the Nevada Judiciary self-help portal, the Civil Law Self-Help Center's probate packets (Clark County-focused but the most thorough free self-service probate resource in Nevada), and the State Bar of Nevada's probate brochure. For questions about local intake, filing by email versus on paper, or what the clerk needs, contact the Clerk of the District Court at [email protected] or (775) 289-7887.
| Resource | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Nevada Judiciary self-help forms | Statewide self-help forms the White Pine district court directs filers to use (select "All Other Locations") |
| Civil Law Self-Help Center - Probate | Free intro-to-probate guides and estate-administration packets used statewide |
| State Bar of Nevada probate brochure | Plain-language overview of Nevada probate paths and steps |
| White Pine County District Court forms page | The county's forms page, filing-by-email instructions, and clerk contact |
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Probate, stated estate value $2,500 or less | No charge | Matches the statewide rule in NRS 19.013 |
| Probate, estate more than $2,500 but less than $20,000 | $170.50 | NRS 19.013 base fee of $72 plus statutory add-ons |
| Probate, estate more than $20,000 but less than $300,000 | $269.50 | Adds the NRS 19.0302 tiered fee |
| Probate, estate more than $300,000 | $522.50 | The top NRS 19.0302 tier |
| Objection, cross petition, or contest of a will, codicil, or appointment | $208.00 | Also applies to an objection to the settlement of an account or an answer in an estate matter |
| Filing of an original will only | $8.00 | Lodging a will without a petition |
These figures come from the Official Fees for the Seventh Judicial District Court schedule posted on the White Pine County district court's own page, with revisions effective July 20, 2026 (verified July 2026). A civil cover sheet is required with a probate filing. Note that the $20,000 and $300,000 figures are fee brackets under NRS 19.0302, not the thresholds that decide between Nevada's probate paths; those path thresholds are statewide and are explained on the Nevada state page. Confirm the amount due with the clerk at (775) 289-7887 before filing.
Local nuance
White Pine County-specific considerations
A dedicated Clerk of the Court, separate from the County Clerk. White Pine County has a District Court Administrator who serves as Clerk of the Court (Courtney Thornal) at the district court office, distinct from the County Clerk / elections office. Probate is filed with the district court clerk, not the County Clerk counter.
The courthouse is on Great Basin Boulevard. The district court is at 1786 Great Basin Blvd., Suite 3, Ely, NV 89301. The 801 Clark Street, Suite 4 address that appears in some directories is the County Clerk / elections office, not the district court filing counter.
File by email or on paper. The White Pine district court directs that court documents be emailed to [email protected] for filing, and it also accepts paper filings in person or by mail. This is not a formal e-filing portal like Clark County's Odyssey or Washoe County's eFlex, so confirm the accepted format and any signature requirements with the clerk before you send.
No online case search. White Pine County has no public docket portal. Record searches are performed by the clerk's office and are subject to research and copy fees. To check on a filing, contact the clerk's office directly.
Judges based in Ely, court held across three counties. The Seventh Judicial District Court is shared with Eureka and Lincoln counties, with Ely as the administrative seat. Its two district judges, Steve L. Dobrescu (Department 1) and Dylan V. Frehner (Department 2), sit in Ely for White Pine matters and also hold court in Eureka and Lincoln; ask the clerk how and when your hearing will be set.
Recent updates
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2021 | The district court moved into the new Justice Center at 1786 Great Basin Blvd., Suite 3, Ely, leaving the historic downtown courthouse. Some directories still show the former 801 Clark Street, Suite 4 address, which is now the County Clerk / elections office (per the court's own page, verified July 2026). |
| April 2025 | Judge Gary D. Fairman (Department 2) retired on April 4, 2025, and Governor Lombardo appointed Dylan V. Frehner to Department 2 on April 11, 2025 (nvcourts.gov). |
| July 20, 2026 | The Seventh Judicial District Court's posted fee schedule carries revisions effective this date, including the probate filing-fee tiers shown in the fees section above. |
Page last reviewed: July 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely path in White Pine County | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse, co-owned home | If the Ely home was held in community property with right of survivorship or in joint tenancy, it passes to the surviving spouse outside probate by recording the death certificate and an affidavit of death with the White Pine County Recorder. If the home was in the decedent's sole name and there is a will, the spouse petitions for letters testamentary and files with the Clerk of the District Court in Ely. Because there is Nevada real property, the affidavit of entitlement path is not available (NRS 146.080). | Asset discovery to confirm how title is held. Packet generation for the qualifying paperwork. Guidance on recording the survivorship documents with the county recorder. |
| Out-of-state adult child, small estate | For a parent who lived in McGill or Ruth and left a qualifying small estate with no Nevada real property, the child can often use the affidavit of entitlement (NRS 146.080), which is typically handled by mail without a court appearance once the statutory waiting period has passed. If the estate is larger or holds Nevada real property, the child files a set-aside, summary, or general administration petition with the Ely clerk, by email or mail. The statewide thresholds that separate these paths are on the Nevada state page. | Asset discovery to confirm the estate qualifies and holds no Nevada real property. Packet generation for the affidavit or petition, prepared and notarized in advance so an out-of-state filer can proceed largely at a distance. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Because a Lund or Ely home held in the estate must be sold, the affidavit path is unavailable; the parent files a set-aside, summary, or general administration petition (depending on value) with the Clerk of the District Court in Ely, is issued letters of administration or an order setting the estate aside, and can then convey the home. A Seventh Judicial District judge hears the petition on the general docket in Ely. | Asset discovery for the child's accounts and property. Packet generation for the administration filing. Attorney referral if the sale or an heir dispute turns contested. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it offers |
|---|---|
| White Pine County District Court, (775) 289-7887, [email protected] (whitepinecounty.net) | The filing office for probate; local intake questions, filing by email or on paper, hours, and the base filing fee |
| Nevada Judiciary self-help and court locator (selfhelp.nvcourts.gov, nvcourts.gov) | Statewide self-help forms the White Pine court directs filers to use, plus the District Courts directory |
| Civil Law Self-Help Center - Probate (civillawselfhelpcenter.org/self-help/probate) | Free intro-to-probate guides and estate-administration packets, the most complete free self-service probate resource in Nevada |
| State Bar of Nevada Lawyer Referral Service (nvbar.org) | Attorney referrals statewide, including for White Pine County probate matters |
| Nevada Legal Services, (866) 432-0404 (nevadalegalservices.org) | Free civil legal help for income-eligible Nevadans; its Elko office and rural Senior Law Project serve White Pine County |
When to hire an attorney
Most White Pine County estates are uncontested and can be handled without an attorney: a qualifying small estate with no Nevada real property often moves by affidavit of entitlement and mail, and a straightforward administration is filed with the Clerk of the District Court in Ely, by email or on paper. Consider counsel when the estate holds real property that must be sold, when a will contest or heir dispute is likely, when the estate is insolvent or a formal accounting is demanded, or when the estate includes a business interest or out-of-state property. Because the district's judges also hold court in Eureka and Lincoln counties, a lawyer can help manage hearing scheduling and remote appearances. Sunset can connect families to a vetted Nevada probate attorney serving White Pine County.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and public records to surface bank and credit-union accounts, retirement plans, brokerage holdings, life insurance, White Pine County real estate, and unclaimed property, so you know the estate's value and which Nevada estate settlement path fits before you file.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset assembles the petition or affidavit of entitlement and the supporting paperwork for your path, ready to file with the Clerk of the District Court in Ely, by email or on paper.
Find a local probate attorney. When a matter is contested or otherwise calls for counsel, Sunset connects families to a vetted Nevada probate attorney serving White Pine County.
Sunset is free for families. Revenue comes from bank partners that pay Sunset while estate funds sit in an FDIC-insured estate account ($3M coverage).
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for probate in White Pine County?
With the Clerk of the District Court at the White Pine County District Court, 1786 Great Basin Blvd., Suite 3, Ely, NV 89301. White Pine is in the Seventh Judicial District, which it shares with Eureka and Lincoln counties, and Ely is the district's administrative seat. There is no separate probate court in Nevada.
Can I file probate documents by email in White Pine County?
Yes. The White Pine County District Court directs that court documents be emailed to [email protected] for filing, and it also accepts paper filings in person or by mail. This is not a formal e-filing portal like Clark County's Odyssey or Washoe County's eFlex, so confirm the accepted format and any signature requirements with the clerk before you send.
Can I look up a White Pine County probate case online?
No. White Pine County has no public online case portal. Record searches are performed by the clerk's office and are subject to research and copy fees. To check on a filing, call the district court clerk's office at (775) 289-7887.
What forms do I need for probate in White Pine County?
Nevada has no statewide mandatory probate form set, and White Pine County publishes no local probate forms. The court directs filers to the Nevada Judiciary self-help forms at selfhelp.nvcourts.gov and notes you can use forms from other Nevada courts if you change the court heading. The Civil Law Self-Help Center probate packets and the State Bar of Nevada brochure are also practical starting points.
What does it cost to file probate in White Pine County?
There is no filing fee if the stated estate value is $2,500 or less (NRS 19.013). Above that, the district court's posted fee schedule (revisions effective July 20, 2026) lists $170.50 for an estate of more than $2,500 but less than $20,000, $269.50 for more than $20,000 but less than $300,000, and $522.50 above $300,000; those brackets are NRS 19.0302 fee tiers, not the thresholds between Nevada's probate paths. Confirm the current amount with the clerk at (775) 289-7887 before filing.
Do I have to travel to Ely to settle an estate there?
Often not. A qualifying small estate with no Nevada real property can usually be handled by affidavit of entitlement through the mail without a court appearance, and administration documents can be emailed to the clerk at [email protected] or mailed to 1786 Great Basin Blvd., Suite 3, Ely, NV 89301. Where a hearing is required, ask the clerk whether a remote appearance is available.
Who hears probate cases in White Pine County?
A Seventh Judicial District judge on the court's general docket in Ely. The district's two judges are Judge Steve L. Dobrescu (Department 1) and Judge Dylan V. Frehner (Department 2, appointed in April 2025 on the retirement of Judge Gary D. Fairman), who also hold court in Eureka and Lincoln counties. There is no dedicated probate department or probate commissioner in the Seventh Judicial District.
Who do I call about probate in White Pine County?
The White Pine County District Court clerk's office at (775) 289-7887, or by email at [email protected]. The Nevada Judiciary directory and the County Clerk also list (775) 293-6509; the district court clerk's office is a separate office from the County Clerk / elections office.
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.