Best Probate Lawyers Billings, MT

Billings, MT Probate FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Billings, Montana?

  (406) 657-8200 is the non-emergency contact number for the Billings Police Department.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Billings, Montana?

  Copies of police reports related to probate cases in Billings can be obtained from a third party called LexisNexis BuyCrash. Residents can request, pay for, and obtain the report online. A police report costs $13 and can be paid with a debit or credit card.

• How is probate administered in Billings and throughout the state of Montana?

  The County District Court administers probate in Billings and the rest of the state. In Montana, probate is often an informal process, and documents are filed with the District Court Clerk. There are also no court appearances. The decedent's personal representative has a fiduciary obligation to the estate to administer the probate process properly. Thus, the representative can be held civilly accountable for mismanaging the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.

• What are the key elements of the probate process in Billings?

  In Billings, the probate process includes an accounting of estate assets, notifying heirs and beneficiaries, and collecting state debts. It also entails paying state taxes and creditors, as well as distributing estate assets in accordance with a legal will. Probate involves a large number of parties, many of whom have competing interests. Conflicts are prevalent and can pit one family member against another. A skilled attorney can make the probate process easy for executors and beneficiaries while protecting their interests.

• How much does probate in Billings and throughout the state of Montana cost?

  Probate in Billings generally costs an average of $15,000. The money that heirs and beneficiaries will be spending will be money from the estate. Beneficiaries also have to pay the personal representative, who is legally entitled to administer the estate of the deceased. Personal representatives are usually compensated by the estate for their role in administering the decedent's estate.

• What happens if a Billings decedent had no valid will?

  If a Billings resident dies without leaving a valid will, the probate court will distribute the estate's assets according to Montana's intestate succession or inheritance laws. Montana, like most other states, has a system in place where property is distributed depending on each heir's relationship with the deceased.

• Is an expedited probate procedure available in Billings and the rest of Montana?

  An expedited probate procedure is available to small estates in Billings and throughout Montana. This option is available if the total value of the estate does not exceed the homestead allowance, family allowance, and burial expenses. Smaller estates worth $50,000 or less can use a streamlined probate process that avoids most of the complications of probate court. A probate lawyer and the estate’s personal representative file written documents outlining the estate’s assets and affidavits.