Timeline FAQs

After swearing the oath, you will typically receive the grant of probate within 10 working days. The full administration of the estate, however, often takes much longer depending on complexity.

Probate typically takes 9–12 months, though it can last longer if there are disputes, numerous creditor claims, or an estate tax return is required. After probate is opened, notice is published for three weeks, creditors have six months to file claims, assets are collected, debts are paid, and an accounting is prepared before distribution.

While statutes sometimes allow estates to be closed in as little as six months, in practice most estates take longer. On average, probate takes 15 to 18 months to complete, especially if complications, creditor claims, or disputes are involved.

An estate can be probated as early as 120 hours (five days) after death but must generally be filed within three years of the decedent’s death. If more than three years pass, a petition for a decree of descent may be required to establish heirs, and legal advice is recommended.

Hearing dates are scheduled by the Court Coordinators. You should contact the Court Coordinator for your assigned court.

A will contest can occur after the will is offered for probate and up to two (2) years after it is admitted to probate.

Simple, uncontested estates can finish in ~3 months ; moderate cases often take 6–9 months ; complex/contested or no-will estates can run 9 months to several years .

Expect ~5 months to over a year because the court must determine heirship (often with a court-appointed attorney).

A Small Estate Affidavit (≤ $75,000 in qualifying assets) can complete in ~30–60 days .

Locate the will (1–2 wks) → 2) File probate application (1–2 wks) → 3) Public notice (2–4 wks) → 4) Probate hearing & appointment (3–5 wks) → 5) Oath/Letters (immediately after hearing) → 6) Publish creditor notice (creditors have 6 months to file) → 7) Notify beneficiaries within 60 days and file affidavit of notification (around weeks 10–13) → 8) Inventory & appraisal due within 90 days → 9) Settle claims, pay taxes → 10) Distribute assets & transfer titles .

After public notice (typically 2–4 weeks ), hearings are commonly held ~3–5 weeks from filing, depending on the court’s docket.

Within 60 days after the will is admitted and the executor is appointed; an affidavit of notification is then filed with the court.

Courts sometimes allow partial distributions if there are enough assets and creditors have been satisfied. The executor requests approval and shows why an early payment won’t jeopardize debts or taxes.

Statutory notice is returnable the Monday following the expiration of ten (10) days. If a filing is made on or before 12:00 p.m. on a Thursday, the earliest hearing date is the Monday after the lapse of ten days.

In an unsupervised probate case, you may close the estate once four months have passed since publishing the Notice to Creditors, all claims, expenses, and taxes have been resolved, assets have been distributed, and the Unsupervised Personal Representative’s Statement to Close Estate and accounting have been provided to beneficiaries and unpaid creditors. In supervised cases, you must file an inventory and final account, petition the court, and obtain a discharge order.

To close probate, the personal representative must file an inventory of estate assets with appraised values, which becomes part of the public record. After assets are collected, debts paid, and the minimum waiting period has passed, the representative files a final accounting and petition for distribution. The distribution, including details of beneficiaries, is also recorded publicly.

A probate petition should be filed as soon as possible after the decedent’s death to begin the process of estate administration and protect estate assets.

An application to probate a will must generally be filed within four (4) years of the decedent’s date of death.

Within 90 days after qualification, the executor files the Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims .

Published notice starts a window in which creditors have about 6 months to file claims; the executor generally accepts or rejects a claim within 30 days of receipt.

The decedent’s final income tax return is due by April 15 of the year following death (extensions possible). Estate/trust returns depend on the estate’s chosen tax year.

Typically toward the end —after claims are resolved and debts/taxes are paid—then titles are transferred to the new owners.

Estate complexity , contested wills or heir disputes , court/judge availability , missing heirs , and tax/debt issues .

• Muniment of Title (valid will, no unsecured debts): sometimes ~30 days .
• Small Estate Affidavit : 30–60 days .

Affidavit of Heirship (for certain real-estate transfers): often ~60 days .

Use a self-proving will , keep organized records , communicate early with heirs, hire an experienced probate attorney , and use alternatives (Muniment/SEA) when eligible.

Missing court or statutory deadlines can lead to hearings, fines, or even removal of the executor. Courts may grant extensions for good cause, but it’s critical to communicate and stay on schedule.