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Best Probate Lawyers in Billings

2023

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Website
490 N 31st St, Billings, MT 59103
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Crowley Fleck has more than 125 years of experience in providing probate and estate administration services for clients in the Billings area. Its attorneys strive to simplify the probate process for executors and trustees by providing services such as tax preparation and filing, management of creditor claims, and help with identifying, contacting, and transferring assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the will. Other practice areas at Crowley Fleck include estate planning, creditors' rights, and mediation.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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Website
3936 Avenue B, Ste C, Billings, MT 59102
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Anderson & Heard PLLC is a firm of probate attorneys in Billings with many years of experience in all aspects of transferring wealth, particularly involving businesses and real estate. Since the firm first opened its doors in 2002, its attorneys have successfully represented executors, heirs, and beneficiaries. Their services have included ensuring each stage of the probate process is conducted within the law, the full estate is collected and its creditors paid, and the estate distributed in accordance with the will.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
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Website
180 South 32nd Street Wes, Billings, MT 59102
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Operating in Billings, Thompson Painter Law P.C. is an estate planning law firm that handles probate cases. It can petition for an appointed individual to compile and distribute the assets of decedents without wills. Alternatively, it can handle all the paperwork and contact all beneficiaries and creditors for the family. The firm also represents its clients in litigation court against creditors looking to seize existing assets. Its founder, James W. Thompson, has been practicing estate planning law since 1962.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1925 Grand Ave, Billings, MT 59102
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Montana Elder Law, Inc., provides legal representation to clients in the Billings area. Its attorneys assist with probate administration, which is the court-supervised process of distributing the assets of a deceased person. They help handle disputes among beneficiaries and settle outstanding debts. The firm's other practice areas include elder law, estate planning, and special needs planning. Lead counsel Steve Darty has been practicing since 2012 and writes an estate planning column for The Missoulian.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Facebook
4.1 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
175 N 27th St Suite 1206, Billings, MT 59101
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Settlement

Why choose this provider?

Ritchie Manning Kautz PLLP is a general practice firm serving individuals, families, and businesses in Billings and the nearby metros. It offers legal representation for estate planning, personal injury, real estate, business disputes, and employment law. Its attorneys can help set up guardianships, conservatorships, and first- and third-party special needs trusts. They have helped families and individuals resolve issues that may arise during probate litigation, including disputes between heirs and representatives.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
2525 Sixth Avenue, North Billings, MT 59107
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld & Turner, P.L.L.P., is a Billings law firm that has been serving the metro since 1969. With over 216 years of collective experience, its attorneys offer legal services for a wide array of practice areas, including probate and estate planning, wills and trusts, personal injury, family law, and construction litigation. With their extensive background in mediation and arbitration, the lawyers work to resolve disputes before going into court. In addition, they are prepared to handle state and federal court cases.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2817 2nd Ave N, Billings, MT 59101
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Patten, Peterman, Bekkedahl & Green PLLC is a firm of experienced probate lawyers in Billings who are licensed to practice in multiple states, including Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota. The attorneys have many years of experience practicing probate law, helping executors navigate the legal complexities, and ensuring petitions are filed on time and in the correct courts. They can also help clients plan their estate and possibly avoid the need for probate.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2625 St. Johns Avenue, Billings, MT 59102
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Lee Law Firm, LLC, is based in Billings and primarily practices estate planning and probate administration. Its sole practitioner, Michelle Lee, aids individuals through the various aspects of estate planning, from helping clients plan for Medicaid coverage to setting up guardianships or conservatorships. She also represents clients in probate proceedings. Lee has been practicing law for over a decade. She previously served as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Billings for five years before returning to private practice.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2817 2nd Ave N, Suite 205, Billings, MT 59101
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Wills

Why choose this provider?

High Plains Law, P.L.L.C., is a Billings office that caters to beneficiaries and executors of probate in the city. Its principal attorney, William Gilbert, has been living in Billings for over 20 years. He educates first-time clients about formal and summary probate proceedings for those with and without wills. William can validate a will's authenticity in court and petition for the appointment of a personal representative. He also provides powers of attorneys and advises on living wills. He also handles family and divorce litigation matters.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
William Gilbert - Founder23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
100 N. 27th Street Suite 450, Billings, MT 59103
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Settlement
  • Real Estate

Why choose this provider?

The Sather Law Attorneys at Law PLLC serves clients in the Billings metro. It provides legal representation for the decedent's family. It helps them through the probate process, settling the decedent's assets, and coordinating with the beneficiaries who will receive the benefits in the trust. It also handles cases on wrongful death, breach of contract, real estate litigation, general insurance defense, and professional malpractice. Civil litigation attorney Ben Sather is a member of the board of trustees for the State Bar of Montana.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ben Sather - Principal17 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
19 36th Street West, Billings, MT 59102
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Taxes
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Christensen, Fulton & Filz PLLC is a small firm of probate lawyers in Billings who represent families and individuals throughout Montana. The attorneys have successfully worked for clients in all areas of probate law, from administering small and large estates to litigating in cases where there have been allegations of wrongdoing, such as breaches of fiduciary duty. The firm can also assist in planning estates and litigating in disputes regarding property.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • 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.

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