{"id":287054,"date":"2017-08-13T18:47:09","date_gmt":"2017-08-13T23:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/estate\/probate\/probate-process-and-timeline.html"},"modified":"2025-07-24T16:33:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T21:33:00","slug":"probate-process-and-timeline","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/probate\/probate-process-and-timeline.html","title":{"rendered":"Probate Process and Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Probate Process and Timeline<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Probate is a court-supervised procedure for administering the deceased person’s estate. It determines the validity of the will and oversees the distribution of assets. The probate timeline ranges from months to several years depending on the complexity of the probate case or the size of the estate.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During a probate process, the probate court ensures that the assets are distributed according to the will or state law. In cases where the deceased person left no will, the probate court appoints an administrator of assets to help manage the estate.<\/p>\n

In general, the probate process involves validating the will, appointing an executor, paying debts, and distributing the remaining assets to the deceased’s beneficiaries or heirs. Legal advice from a probate attorney<\/a> can help streamline the probate proceedings.<\/p>\n

Overview of the Probate Process<\/b><\/h2>\n

If a person passes away with a last will and testament and\u00a0estate plan\u00a0in place (i.e., dying\u00a0testate<\/a>), their beneficiaries receive probate assets. The\u00a0decedent<\/a>‘s assets transfer to those named in their will, in accordance with the\u00a0testator<\/a>‘s wishes.<\/p>\n

If the person passes away without a will (i.e., dying\u00a0intestate<\/a>), the\u00a0state’s intestate succession laws<\/a>\u00a0determine property distribution. These are the probate laws that define which relatives can inherit. State law governs most aspects of probate, estate administration, and\u00a0intestacy.<\/p>\n

Either way, the\u00a0probate court<\/a>\u00a0oversees the probate and estate administration legal process. This probate administration processes documents and distributes a decedent’s estate after death.<\/p>\n

The probate court judge will also settle legal disputes about the person’s assets. These disputes may include disagreements over the administration of the estate or the validity of a will.<\/p>\n

Estate Administration Timeline<\/b><\/h2>\n

The estate administration process begins when the executor presents the will for probate. It may also start when an interested party petitions a court to appoint them as an intestate decedent’s estate administrator. The interested party petitions the\u00a0probate court where the decedent lived or owned property<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here’s a general idea of when to handle specific steps for a typical estate administration. This basic timeline applies when no interested parties object. An interested party’s objection to the will or petition could cause a delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Months After Death<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Estate Administration Task Description<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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1 to 4 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Notify people and institutions of the deceased person’s date of death. Provide a copy of the death certificate to institutions<\/b><\/a> such as:<\/p>\n

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1 to 4 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Prepare and file a “petition for probate” or a “petition for letters of administration” by:<\/p>\n

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    Providing the probate court with the decedent’s original will and any witness statements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Identifying all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties of the estate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Providing the probate court with the correct contact information for all interested parties<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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3 to 4 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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A court hearing on the petition may be scheduled. If so, gather all important evidence.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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3 to 4 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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The probate court issues the following documents, as applicable:<\/p>\n

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    Letters of administration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Letters testamentary<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Final orders appointing the personal representative<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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3 to 5 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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File an estate bond<\/b><\/a> (if ordered).<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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3 to 6 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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6 to 12 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • \n

    Complete estate inventory and appraisal of personal property to calculate the value of the estate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Collect any owed rent or property allowances.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Initiate lawsuits to collect any debts owed to the estate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Sell any real or personal property in an estate sale.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Gather and collect on any insurance policies in which the estate is a beneficiary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Provide the heirs and beneficiaries with a copy of the estate inventory and\/or an accounting of the estate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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6 to 12 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Pay bills:<\/p>\n

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  • \n

    Funeral expenses<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    The decedent’s final medical expenses<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Legal fees associated with opening the estate, including attorney’s fees and accountant fees<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Federal income tax, state income tax, federal estate tax, and gift taxes, if any<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Property taxes on any real property<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Estate administration costs, including any fees owed to the personal representative<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Family allowances<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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6 to 12 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • \n

    Accept or deny creditor claims. Enter into negotiations with outstanding creditors for any debt reductions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Provide notice to franchise tax board (if the heir is an out-of-state resident).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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7 to 15 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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    Present the heirs and beneficiaries with a final accounting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    File a petition for final distribution and accounting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Receive tax clearance letters from IRS.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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8 to 16 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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    Hold hearing on the petition for final distribution and accounting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Get order approving final distribution and accounting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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9 to 18 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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    Distribute assets to beneficiaries and heirs (including deeds transferring real property).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Request acknowledgments and release of liability from all beneficiaries and heirs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Get final discharge order.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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9 to 24 months<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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