Reference · free to cite · all 50 states + D.C.
Probate deadlines by state
Probate runs on filing windows: when the will must be lodged with the court, when the estate inventory is due, and how long creditors have to file claims. Each is anchored to a different event — the death, the personal representative's appointment, or the published notice to creditors — and set by state law. This table holds the verified rule for each state as a relative description, with the statute behind it.
Data last verified August 2, 2026
How this table is maintained
Every figure comes from a versioned, dated data store in which each value carries the statute citation and official source it was verified against, and values resolve by effective-date window (thresholds change over time — several states re-index annually). Where we could not verify a value against an authoritative source, the table says varies — confirm locally rather than showing a number. A scheduled sweep flags entries whose verification is older than about a year for re-review.
This is a state-by-state reference: each figure applies only in the named state, and there is no national default — the same rules the rest of this site follows.
| Row link | State | Lodge the will | File the inventory | Creditor claims close | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| § | Alabama | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 2 months after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after appointment as personal representative | Ala. Code §43-2-835 (inventory 2 mo); §43-2-350 (6-mo creditor bar); §43-8-270 (will delivery) |
| § | Alaska | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 36 months from death) | AS 13.16.365 (inventory 3 mo); 13.16.450/.460 (4-mo creditor, 3-yr outer bar); 13.12.516 (will delivery) |
| § | Arizona | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 24 months from death) | A.R.S. §14-3706 (inventory 90 days); §§14-3801/3803 (4-mo creditor, 2-yr outer bar); §14-2516 |
| § | Arkansas | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 2 months after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 24 months from death) | Ark. Code §28-49-110 (inventory 2 mo); §28-50-101 (6-mo creditor, 2-yr outer bar); §28-40-105 |
| § | California | 30 days after the date of death | 4 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after appointment as personal representative | Cal. Prob. Code §8800 (inventory 4 mo); §9100 (claims 4 mo / 60 days); §8200 (will lodged 30 days) |
| § | Colorado | 10 days after the date of death | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | C.R.S. 15-12-706 (inventory 3 mo); 15-12-801/803 (4-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); 15-11-516 (will 10 days) |
| § | Connecticut | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 60 days after appointment as personal representative | 150 days after appointment as personal representative | C.G.S. §45a-341 (inventory 60 days); §45a-356 (150-day claims from appointment); §45a-282 (will "forthwith") |
| § | Delaware | 10 days after the date of death | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 8 months after the date of death (outer bar: 8 months from death) | 12 Del. C. §1905 (inventory 3 mo); §2102 (8-mo nonclaim bar from death); §1301 (will 10 days) |
| § | District of Columbia | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | D.C. Code §20-711 (inventory 3 mo); §20-903 (6-mo creditor from publication); §18-110 (will delivery) |
| § | Florida | 10 days after the date of death | 60 days after appointment as personal representative | 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 24 months from death) | Fla. Prob. R. 5.340 (inventory 60 days); Fla. Stat. §733.702/§733.710 (3-mo claims, 2-yr outer bar); §732.901 (will deposit 10 days) |
| § | Georgia | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 6 months after appointment as personal representative | 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | O.C.G.A. §53-7-30 (inventory 6 mo unless waived); §53-7-41 (3-mo creditor notice) |
| § | Hawaii | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 18 months from death) | HRS 560:3-706 (inventory 3 mo); 560:3-801/803 (4-mo creditor, 18-mo outer bar); 560:2-516 |
| § | Idaho | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 36 months from death) | Idaho Code §15-3-706 (inventory 3 mo); §§15-3-801/803 (4-mo creditor, 3-yr outer bar); §15-2-902 |
| § | Illinois | 30 days after the date of death | 60 days after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 24 months from death) | 755 ILCS 5/14-1 (inventory 60 days); 5/18-3, 5/18-12 (6-mo claims, 2-yr outer bar); 5/6-1 (will filed 30 days) |
| § | Indiana | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 2 months after appointment as personal representative | 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 9 months from death) | IC 29-1-12-1 (inventory 2 mo); IC 29-1-14-1 (3-mo creditor, 9-mo outer bar); IC 29-1-7-3 |
| § | Iowa | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 24 months from death) | Iowa Code §633.361/§635.7 (inventory ~90 days); §633.410 (4-mo creditor); §633.285 |
| § | Kansas | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 30 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | K.S.A. 59-1201 (inventory 30 days); 59-2239 (4-mo nonclaim bar); 59-618 (will custody) |
| § | Kentucky | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 60 days after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after appointment as personal representative (outer bar: 24 months from death) | KRS 395.250 (inventory 60 days); KRS 396.011 (6-mo creditor, 2-yr outer bar); KRS 394.110 |
| § | Louisiana | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | La. C.C.P. arts. 3136–3137 (descriptive list, no deadline); general prescription governs creditor claims |
| § | Maine | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 9 months from death) | 18-C M.R.S. §3-706 (inventory 90 days); §§3-801/803 (4-mo creditor, 9-mo outer bar); §2-516 |
| § | Maryland | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after the date of death (outer bar: 6 months from death) | Md. Est. & Trusts §7-201 (inventory 3 mo); §8-103 (earlier of 6-mo-from-death or 2-mo-from-notice); §4-202 |
| § | Massachusetts | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 12 months after the date of death (outer bar: 12 months from death) | MGL c.190B §3-706 (inventory 3 mo); §3-803 (1-yr nonclaim bar from death); §2-516 |
| § | Michigan | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 91 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | MCL 700.3706(1) (inventory, 91 days from appointment, at fair market value); MCR 5.307(A) (inventory-fee information, 91 days from letters); MCL 700.3801(1) (publish notice to creditors upon appointment; 4-month claim window); MCL 700.2516 (will delivery); MCL 700.3954(1) (no closing statement earlier than 5 months after appointment) |
| § | Minnesota | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 6 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | Minn. Stat. §524.3-706 (inventory 6 mo); §524.3-803 (4-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); §524.2-516 |
| § | Mississippi | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 90 days after first publication of the notice to creditors | Miss. Code §91-7-93 (inventory 90 days); §91-7-151 (90-day creditor bar from publication) |
| § | Missouri | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 30 days after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | RSMo 473.233 (inventory 30 days); 473.360/473.444 (6-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); 473.050 |
| § | Montana | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 9 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | MCA 72-3-607 (inventory 9 mo); 72-3-801/803 (4-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); 72-2-536 |
| § | Nebraska | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 2 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 36 months from death) | Neb. Rev. Stat. §30-2467 (inventory 3 mo); §30-2485 (2-mo creditor, 3-yr outer bar); §30-2356 |
| § | Nevada | 30 days after the date of death | 120 days after appointment as personal representative | 90 days after first publication of the notice to creditors | NRS 144.010 (inventory 120 days); NRS 147.040 (90-day creditor bar); NRS 136.050 (will 30 days) |
| § | New Hampshire | 30 days after the date of death | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after appointment as personal representative (outer bar: 12 months from death) | RSA 553:13 (inventory 90 days); RSA 556:1/556:5 (6-mo floor, 1-yr bar from grant); RSA 552:3 (will 30 days) |
| § | New Jersey | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 9 months after the date of death (outer bar: 9 months from death) | N.J.S.A. 3B:22-4 (9-mo creditor protection from death); 3B:3-22 (10-day minimum before probate) |
| § | New Mexico | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | NMSA §45-3-706 (inventory 3 mo); §§45-3-801/803 (4-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); §45-2-516 |
| § | New York | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 6 months after appointment as personal representative | 7 months after appointment as personal representative | Uniform Rule 207.20 (inventory 6 mo); SCPA §1802 (7-mo claim period from letters) |
| § | North Carolina | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | N.C.G.S. §28A-20-1 (inventory 3 mo); §28A-14-1 (3-mo creditor notice) |
| § | North Dakota | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 6 months after appointment as personal representative | 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 36 months from death) | NDCC §30.1-18-06 (inventory 6 mo); §§30.1-19-01/03 (3-mo creditor, 3-yr outer bar); §30.1-11-02 |
| § | Ohio | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after the date of death (outer bar: 6 months from death) | Ohio R.C. §2115.02 (inventory 3 mo); §2117.06 (claims within 6 mo of death); §2107.10 |
| § | Oklahoma | 30 days after the date of death | 2 months after appointment as personal representative | 2 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | 58 O.S. §281 (inventory 2 mo); §331/§333 (≥2-mo creditor bar); §21 (will 30 days) |
| § | Oregon | 30 days after the date of death | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | ORS 113.165 (inventory 90 days); ORS 115.005 (4-mo creditor); ORS 112.810 (will 30 days) |
| § | Pennsylvania | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 12 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | 20 Pa.C.S. §3392, §3532 (1-year claim period); §3301 (probate) |
| § | Rhode Island | 30 days after the date of death | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 6 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | R.I. Gen. Laws §33-9-1 (inventory 90 days); §33-11-5 (6-mo creditor); §33-7-5 (will 30 days) |
| § | South Carolina | 30 days after the date of death | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 8 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | S.C. Code §62-3-706 (inventory 90 days); §§62-3-801/803 (8-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); §62-2-901 (will 30 days) |
| § | South Dakota | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 6 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 36 months from death) | SDCL 29A-3-706 (inventory 6 mo); 29A-3-801/803 (4-mo creditor, 3-yr outer bar); 29A-2-516 |
| § | Tennessee | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 60 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | T.C.A. §30-2-301 (inventory 60 days); §§30-2-307/310 (4-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); §32-1-113 |
| § | Texas | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | Tex. Est. Code §309.051 (inventory 90 days); §308.051 (permissive creditor notice); §256.003 (4-yr probate limit) |
| § | Utah | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 3 months after appointment as personal representative | 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | Utah Code 75-3-705 (inventory 3 mo); 75-3-801/803 (3-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); 75-2-902 |
| § | Vermont | 30 days after the date of death | 60 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 12 months from death) | 14 V.S.A. §1051 (inventory 60 days); §§1201/1203 (4-mo creditor, 1-yr outer bar); §103 (will 30 days) |
| § | Virginia | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | 4 months after appointment as personal representative | No fixed statutory deadline — varies, confirm with the probate court. | Va. Code §64.2-1300 (inventory 4 mo); §§64.2-550/552 (voluntary debts-and-demands; general SOL otherwise) |
| § | Washington | 30 days after the date of death | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 24 months from death) | RCW 11.44.015 (inventory 90 days); RCW 11.40.051 (4-mo creditor, 2-yr outer bar); RCW 11.20.010 (will 30 days) |
| § | West Virginia | 30 days after the date of death | 90 days after appointment as personal representative | 60 days after first publication of the notice to creditors | W. Va. Code §44-1-14 (inventory 90 days); §§44-3A-4/44-2-26 (60-day creditor); §41-5-1 (will 30 days) |
| § | Wisconsin | 30 days after the date of death | 6 months after appointment as personal representative | 4 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | Wis. Stat. §858.01 (inventory 6 mo); §859.01 (3–4 mo court-set creditor window); §856.05 (will 30 days) |
| § | Wyoming | 10 days after the date of death | 120 days after appointment as personal representative | 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors | Wyo. Stat. §2-7-403 (inventory 120 days); §§2-7-201/703 (3-mo creditor); §2-6-119 (will 10 days) |
Deadlines are shown relative to their statutory anchor because the actual dates depend on the estate's own events. Where a cell says a deadline varies, we don't hold a rule verified against an authoritative source, so we don't show one. Courts can extend or shorten some windows case by case.
Working a specific estate? The free probate deadline calculator turns your date of death — and, if you have them, the appointment and notice dates — into the actual calendar dates for your state.
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“Probate Deadlines by State.” Kindeed, meetkindeed.com/reference/probate-deadlines-by-state. Data last verified August 2, 2026.
Questions about a figure, or something that changed in your state? Tell us — corrections ship with a citation, like everything else here.
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This tool provides general educational information, not legal advice. Statutory thresholds and deadlines vary by state and county and change over time; results are estimates based on the date of death you enter. Kindeed is not a law firm. For your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state. Where a value is shown as “varies — confirm locally,” we don’t hold a verified figure and you should confirm it directly with the probate court or a licensed professional.