Probate Reference

Probate Timeline by State

Probate timelines vary widely state by state — UPC states with informal probate often finish in 4-9 months; California and New York routinely run 12-24+ months. Below: a per-state overview of probate framework, typical duration, small-estate threshold, and court resource.

Not legal advice. Probate is highly state-specific and fact-specific. If you\'re inheriting property or serving as executor, consult a licensed probate attorney in the state where the deceased lived.

Fast states (under 6 months typical)

Mostly UPC states with informal probate available for uncontested estates. Move quickly when there\'s a clear will and agreement among heirs.

AK Alaska 4-9 months (informal); 9-18 months (formal) AZ Arizona 4-9 months (informal); 9-18 months (formal) CO Colorado 4-9 months (informal); 9-15 months (formal) HI Hawaii 4-9 months (informal); 9-15 months (formal) ID Idaho 4-8 months (informal) ME Maine 4-9 months MA Massachusetts 4-9 months (informal); 6-12 months (formal) MN Minnesota 4-9 months (informal); 6-12 months (formal) MT Montana 4-9 months NJ New Jersey 3-9 months NM New Mexico 4-9 months ND North Dakota 4-9 months SC South Carolina 4-9 months SD South Dakota 4-9 months TX Texas 4-9 months (independent admin) UT Utah 4-9 months WA Washington 4-9 months (non-intervention) WY Wyoming 4-9 months

Medium states (6-12 months typical)

Traditional probate procedures or modified UPC. Most uncontested estates resolve within a year.

AL Alabama 6-12 months AR Arkansas 6-12 months CT Connecticut 6-12 months DE Delaware 6-12 months FL Florida 6-12 months (formal admin); 1-3 months (summary) GA Georgia 6-12 months IN Indiana 6-12 months IA Iowa 6-12 months KS Kansas 6-12 months KY Kentucky 6-18 months LA Louisiana 3-12 months MD Maryland 6-12 months (regular); 30-60 days (small estate) MI Michigan 5-12 months MS Mississippi 6-12 months MO Missouri 6-12 months NE Nebraska 6-12 months NV Nevada 6-12 months (full); 1-3 months (set-aside) NH New Hampshire 6-12 months NC North Carolina 6-12 months OH Ohio 6-12 months OK Oklahoma 6-12 months OR Oregon 6-12 months PA Pennsylvania 6-12 months RI Rhode Island 6-12 months TN Tennessee 6-12 months VT Vermont 6-12 months VA Virginia 6-18 months WV West Virginia 6-12 months WI Wisconsin 6-12 months DC District of Columbia 6-12 months

Slow states (12+ months typical)

California, Illinois, New York. Court backlogs and complex procedures push uncontested estates past one year.

CA California 9-18+ months IL Illinois 8-18+ months NY New York 12-24+ months

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