Estate Planning Laws in North Dakota.

North Dakota has adopted the Uniform Probate Code. Provides for informal, formal, and supervised probate administration.

A will must be in writing, signed by the testator (or by another at the testator's direction in the testator's conscious presence), and signed by at least 2 individuals within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment.

A will is valid as a holographic will if the signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting, even without witnesses.

Personal property of a decedent with aggregate value not exceeding $50,000 may be transferred by affidavit 30 days after death.

North Dakota has adopted the Uniform Trust Code. Comprehensive framework for trust creation, administration, and termination.

A surviving spouse may elect against the will and take a percentage of the augmented estate varying by length of marriage (under 1 year: 3%; 15+ years: 50%).

North Dakota permits owners of real property to execute recorded TOD deeds naming beneficiaries who receive the property automatically at death.

North Dakota has no estate tax and no inheritance tax.

Authorizes combined health care directives (living will plus health care proxy/power of attorney).