Estate Planning

If a loved one named you to handle their estate, start here. We walk through what the job involves in North Dakota, in the order it usually happens.

Probate has a reputation for being slow and expensive. In North Dakota it’s often simpler than people expect, and planning ahead can make it easier still.

Most families will never owe federal estate tax. The rules still matter for planning, especially the annual gift exclusion and the 2026 exemption.

A farm or small business is often a family’s biggest asset and the hardest one to divide. A succession plan helps it outlast you and keeps the family together.

An accident or illness can leave anyone unable to make decisions. Two simple documents let you choose who steps in and what they should know.

A lot of people think estate planning is only for the wealthy. In practice, it’s for anyone who has people they love and wants to make things easier for them. These are the documents most North Dakota families should have.

A will is the foundation of most estate plans, but it doesn’t cover everything. How trusts fit into a North Dakota plan, and ways to protect what you leave your children.