Estate Settlement Cost
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Every figure tied to the law that sets it

Small-estate limits and probate costs in 51 states

For each of these 51 jurisdictions the table gives three rules — the simplified procedure, the court cost and the executor compensation rule — each with the law that sets it, or a plain note where no figure is given.

The comparison

Each published figure is quoted from the source that actually sets it — usually a statute, and where a state fixes a figure another way, the court form, fee schedule or agency notice that does. Where no figure can be quoted from such a source, the table says so and the state page names the section to read or the office to ask, instead of printing a number.

Each figure links to its state page and names the source behind it, with the date that source was last checked against the government text.

Filing costs below are the lowest statutory total each state produces when the amount the charge is assessed on is $100,000. In most states that is the estate’s value, but not in all of them: North Carolina assesses personal property plus the proceeds of real property that is sold and excludes real property that is kept, so a $100,000 estate that keeps its house is assessed on far less and pays far less. Use each state’s cost page, or the navigator, to price a real case.

These are court charges only. Publication, bond premiums, certified copies, county surcharges and professional fees are excluded, and no statute prices them. Creditor periods are shown against the events that start them; a state with several clocks is not reduced to one misleading number.

StateSimplified procedureLimitCounted howWaitCourt cost at the reference amountExecutor pay and basisCreditor periodStatewide form
FloridaFlorida small-estate limitFlorida probate costsFlorida executor feesFlorida probate timelineSummary administration$150,000Ch. 2026-57, § 7, Laws of Fla. (amending Fla. Stat. § 735.201(2))Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross, less exempt propertyNone statedFla. Stat. § 735.201Checked October 3, 2026$344Fla. Stat. § 28.2401(1)Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleCourt accountingFla. Stat. § 733.617Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNo source quotedNo
OhioOhio small-estate limitOhio executor feesOhio probate timelineRelease from administration$35,000$100,000 with spouse as sole heirOhio Rev. Code § 2113.03(A)Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross valueNone statedOhio Rev. Code § 2113.03(A)Checked October 3, 2026Not given herePercentage scheduleCourt accountingOhio Rev. Code § 2113.35Checked October 3, 2026Ohio bars creditor claims six months after the decedent's death (O.R.C. 2117.06(B), (C)). The period runs from death, not from publication, actual notice, or appointment of the executor or administrator.Ohio Rev. Code § 2117.06(B)Checked October 3, 2026Yes
North CarolinaNorth Carolina small-estate limitNorth Carolina probate costsNorth Carolina executor feesNorth Carolina probate timelineAffidavit for collection of personal property$20,000$30,000 with spouse as sole heirN.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-25-1Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysN.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-25-1Checked October 3, 2026$520N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307Checked October 3, 2026Ceiling, court sets amountReceipts and expendituresN.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-23-3Checked October 3, 2026North Carolina runs its creditor bar from publication and, for individually notified creditors, from the mailing of actual notice, with a three-year outer limit measured from death. The dates differ by trigger, so they are published separately rather than as one period.N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-14-1(a)Checked October 3, 2026N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-19-3Checked October 3, 2026Yes
VirginiaVirginia small-estate limitVirginia probate costsVirginia probate timelineSmall asset affidavit$75,000Va. Code § 64.2-601Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross value60 daysVa. Code § 64.2-601Checked October 3, 2026$25Va. Code § 17.1-275(A)(3)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingVa. Code § 64.2-1208(A)Checked October 3, 2026When a Virginia personal representative publishes notice to creditors, claims must be presented by the later of six months from first publication or 90 days after actual notice is mailed to a known disputed claimant (Va. Code § 64.2-508.1). The publication and actual-notice clocks run from different events, so they are stated separately, and Virginia fixes no single nonclaim bar running from death.Va. Code § 64.2-508.1(C)(4)Checked October 3, 2026No
WashingtonWashington small-estate limitWashington probate costsWashington executor feesWashington probate timelineSuccessor affidavit$100,000RCW 11.62.010Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens40 daysRCW 11.62.010Checked October 3, 2026$290RCW 36.18.020(2)(f)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingRCW 11.48.210Checked October 3, 2026Washington keeps the creditor clocks separate: a creditor given actual notice is barred on the later of 30 days after that notice and four months after first publication; a creditor given no actual notice who is not reasonably ascertainable at four months after first publication; and a reasonably ascertainable creditor given no actual notice — or any creditor where no notice issues — at 24 months after death (RCW 11.40.020, 11.40.051).RCW 11.40.020(1)Checked October 3, 2026RCW 11.40.051(1)Checked October 3, 2026No
ArizonaArizona small-estate limitArizona probate costsArizona executor feesArizona probate timelineAffidavit for collection of personal property$200,000A.R.S. § 14-3971Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysA.R.S. § 14-3971Checked October 3, 2026$149A.R.S. § 12-284Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingA.R.S. § 14-3719Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNo source quotedNo
MissouriMissouri small-estate limitMissouri probate costsMissouri executor feesMissouri probate timelineSmall estate affidavit$40,000Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.097Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens30 daysMo. Rev. Stat. § 473.097Checked October 3, 2026Not publishedStatutory baseline superseded by court ruleMo. Rev. Stat. § 488.012(16)Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleCourt accountingMo. Rev. Stat. § 473.153.1Checked October 3, 2026Missouri bars creditor claims six months after first published notice of letters, extended to the later of that date or two months from actual notice when a creditor is individually notified, and in all events one year after death. The periods run from different events, so they are published separately.Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.360.1Checked October 3, 2026Mo. Rev. Stat. § 473.444.1Checked October 3, 2026No
NevadaNevada small-estate limitNevada probate costsNevada executor feesNevada probate timelineSet aside without administration$150,000NRS 146.070 and 146.080Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens30 daysNRS 146.070 and 146.080Checked October 3, 2026$72NRS 19.013(1)Checked October 3, 2026NRS 19.0302(1)(c)Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleProbate property net of liensNRS 150.020(1)Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNo source quotedYes
NebraskaNebraska small-estate limitNebraska probate costsNebraska executor feesNebraska probate timelineAffidavit for collection of personal property$100,000Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125Checked October 3, 2026$22Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125(1)(a)(i)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingNeb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2480Checked October 3, 2026Nebraska bars pre-death creditor claims two months after first publication of notice (triggered by appointment and due within thirty days of it), or three years after death where no notice is given. The clocks run from different events and are published separately.Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485Checked October 3, 2026Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483(a)Checked October 3, 2026Yes
AlaskaAlaska small-estate limitAlaska probate costsAlaska probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (AS 13.16.680)$50,000AS 13.16.680Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysAS 13.16.680Checked October 3, 2026$250Alaska R. Admin. 9 (Fee Schedule)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingAS 13.16.430Checked October 3, 2026Alaska has separately-triggered creditor deadlines that cannot be reduced to one honest day count. Under AS 13.16.450 the personal representative publishes notice once a week for three successive weeks; claims that arose before death are barred (AS 13.16.460(a)) (1) within four months after the date of first publication if notice is given, but (2) within three years after death if no notice to creditors is published (outer nonclaim limit). Claims arising at/after death are barred four months after they arise or after PR performance is due (AS 13.16.460(b)).AS 13.16.460Checked October 3, 2026No
AlabamaAlabama small-estate limitAlabama probate costsAlabama executor feesAlabama probate timelineSummary distribution of small estate (Ala. Code §§ 43-2-690 to 43-2-692)$47,000Ala. State Treasurer CPI adjustments under Ala. Code § 43-8-116Checked October 28, 2026Personal property onlyGross, less exempt property30 days after the notice of the petition is published and after the Alabama Medicaid Agency receives notice of itAla. Code § 43-2-692Checked October 28, 2026Not given hereAla. Code § 12-19-90Checked October 28, 2026Ceiling, court sets amountReceipts and expendituresAla. Code § 43-2-848Checked October 28, 2026Claims must be presented within six months after the grant of letters, or within five months from the date of first publication of notice, whichever is the later to occur; claims not so presented and filed are forever barred (Ala. Code § 43-2-350). A creditor entitled to actual notice must be allowed thirty days after it. The six months are counted on the calendar from the date the letters issued, and the five months from the first publication.Ala. Code § 43-2-350Checked October 28, 2026No
ArkansasArkansas small-estate limitArkansas probate costsArkansas probate timelineAffidavit for collection of small estate (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101)Not given hereNo source quotedAll probate propertyGross, less exempt propertyNot given here$25Act 289, § 1, 2011 Ark. Acts (Reg. Sess.) (amending Ark. Code Ann. § 28-41-101(b)(1)(B))Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereGross probate propertyAct 217, §§ 1–2, 2009 Ark. Acts (Reg. Sess.) (amending Ark. Code Ann. § 28-40-111(a)(1)(A) and § 28-50-101(c))Checked October 3, 2026Arkansas runs separate, trigger-specific creditor deadlines. For a full administration, claims are barred unless filed within six (6) months of the first publication of notice (Ark. Code Ann. § 28-40-111(a)(1)(A), Act 217/2009), and the statute of nonclaim independently bars claims not presented within six (6) months of first publication (§ 28-50-101(c), Act 217/2009). A small-estate affidavit proceeding uses a shorter three (3)-month bar from first publication (§ 28-41-101, Act 526/2015).Act 217, §§ 1–2, 2009 Ark. Acts (Reg. Sess.) (amending Ark. Code Ann. § 28-40-111(a)(1)(A) and § 28-50-101(c))Checked October 3, 2026No
CaliforniaCalifornia small-estate limitCalifornia probate costsCalifornia executor feesCalifornia probate timelineAffidavit for collection of personal property (Prob. Code § 13100) and, for real property, the § 13200 small-value affidavit and § 13150 petition to determine succession$208,850deaths on or after 2025-04-01; earlier deaths differJudicial Council of California form DE-300 (Rev. April 28, 2025), implementing Prob. Code § 890Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross value40 daysCal. Prob. Code § 13100Checked September 15, 2026Not given here2026 Statewide Civil Fee Schedule, item 124 and appendix (pages 8 and 15)Checked October 17, 2026Percentage scheduleCourt accountingCal. Prob. Code § 10800Checked October 3, 2026Multiple independent deadlines run from different triggers: § 9100 requires filing before the LATER of four months after letters first issue OR sixty days after notice of administration is mailed/delivered, and Code Civ. Proc. § 366.2 imposes a separate one-year outer limit measured from death. These are expressed in months, so a single day count would mislead.Cal. Prob. Code § 9100Checked October 3, 2026No
ColoradoColorado small-estate limitColorado probate costsColorado probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (C.R.S. 15-12-1201)$88,000deaths in 2026; earlier deaths differJDF 998; operative amount under C.R.S. 15-12-1201 / 15-10-112Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens10 daysC.R.S. 15-12-1201Checked October 3, 2026$229Colorado Judicial Branch fee schedule; C.R.S. 13-32-102(1)(b),(7)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingC.R.S. 15-10-602Checked October 3, 2026Colorado runs multiple independent, separately-triggered deadlines that cannot be reduced to one honest day count. C.R.S. 15-12-801 requires published notice (at least once during each of three successive weeks) fixing a bar date not earlier than four months from first publication or one year from death, whichever occurs first. C.R.S. 15-12-803(1)(a) bars pre-death claims: (I) creditors barred by publication within the time set in the published notice; (II) creditors barred by written notice within the time set in the written notice; (III) as to all creditors within one year after the decedent's death (outer nonclaim limit). Post-death claims are barred four months after they arise / after PR performance is due (15-12-803(2)).C.R.S. 15-12-801Checked October 3, 2026Yes
ConnecticutConnecticut small-estate limitConnecticut probate costsConnecticut executor feesConnecticut probate timelineSettlement of small estates (affidavit in lieu of administration)$40,000C.G.S. § 45a-273Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross value30 days after a copy of the affidavit is sent to the Department of Administrative ServicesC.G.S. § 45a-273Checked October 3, 2026$465C.G.S. § 45a-107Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingConn. Probate Court Rules of Procedure, Rule 39Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNo source quotedYes
DelawareDelaware small-estate limitDelaware executor feesDelaware probate timelineDistribution without grant of letters (small estate affidavit) (12 Del. C. 2306)$50,00012 Del. C. 2306Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross, less exempt property30 days12 Del. C. 2306Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereReasonable compensationCourt accountingCt. Ch. R. 192Checked October 3, 2026Delaware's nonclaim bar under 12 Del. C. 2102(a) bars all claims arising before or at death unless presented within 8 months of the decedent's death, whether or not the 2101 notice was given. Claims arising after death are barred at 6 months (2102(b): contract-with-PR claims 6 months after PR performance is due; any other claim 6 months after it arises). Because claims arising before and after death run from different events, each deadline is listed separately rather than as one number of days.12 Del. C. 2102Checked October 3, 2026No
GeorgiaGeorgia small-estate limitGeorgia probate costsGeorgia executor feesGeorgia probate timelinePetition for Order Declaring No Administration NecessaryNot given hereNo source quotedAll probate propertyGross valueNot given here$1902024 SB 232, §§1, 3, 6; O.C.G.A. §§15-9-60(e), 15-21A-6(b)Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleReceipts and expendituresGa. L. 1996, Act No. 754; O.C.G.A. § 53-6-60(b)Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNo source quotedYes
HawaiiHawaii small-estate limitHawaii probate costsHawaii executor feesHawaii probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (HRS § 560:3-1201)$100,000Haw. Rev. Stat. § 560:3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross valueNone statedHaw. Rev. Stat. § 560:3-1201Checked October 3, 2026$150Haw. Rev. Stat. § 607-5(c)(14)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingHaw. Rev. Stat. § 560:3-719Checked October 3, 2026Hawaii runs multiple independently-triggered claim deadlines that cannot honestly collapse into one number: a four-month bar running from first publication of the notice to creditors (§ 560:3-801(a), published once a week for two successive weeks); for a known creditor sent written notice by mail or other delivery, the later of four months after publication or sixty days after the notice (§ 560:3-801(b)); and an outer nonclaim bar of eighteen months after death where no notice to creditors has been published or served (§ 560:3-803(a)(2)). Publishing a single figure would mislead.Haw. Rev. Stat. § 560:3-801Checked October 3, 2026No
IowaIowa small-estate limitIowa probate costsIowa executor feesIowa probate timelineAdministration of small estates (Iowa Code ch. 635)$200,000Chapter 635 petition; $100,000 personal-property affidavit under Iowa Code 633.356Iowa Code 635.1 (2026)Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross valueNot given here$200Iowa Code 633.31(3)(a) (2026)Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleGross probate propertyIowa Code 633.197 (2026)Checked October 3, 2026Iowa's general nonclaim bar (Iowa Code 633.410(1)) runs to the later of two separately-triggered deadlines: four months after the date of the second publication of the notice to creditors, or one month after service of notice by ordinary mail to a reasonably ascertainable claimant. Medical-assistance (Medicaid estate-recovery) claims have a separate six-month bar from electronic notice (633.410(2)). Because the operative bar is the later of two triggers and cannot be reduced to one honest day count, no single day count is given; both triggers are listed instead.Iowa Code 633.410 (2026)Checked October 3, 2026No
IdahoIdaho small-estate limitIdaho probate costsIdaho executor feesIdaho probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (Idaho Code § 15-3-1201)$100,000Idaho Code § 15-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysIdaho Code § 15-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereReasonable compensationCourt accountingIdaho Code § 15-3-719Checked October 3, 2026Idaho runs multiple independently-triggered claim deadlines that cannot honestly collapse into one number: a four-month bar running from first publication of the notice to creditors (§ 15-3-801(a)); a separate actual-notice period for a creditor given written notice by mail, running to the later of four months after publication or sixty (60) days after the mailing/delivery of the notice (§ 15-3-801(b)); and an outer nonclaim bar of three years after death (§ 15-3-803(a)(1)). Publishing a single figure would mislead.Idaho Code § 15-3-801Checked October 3, 2026No
IllinoisIllinois small-estate limitIllinois probate costsIllinois executor feesIllinois probate timelineSmall estate affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1)$150,000755 ILCS 5/25-1Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross valueNot given hereNot given hereReasonable compensationCourt accounting755 ILCS 5/27-1Checked October 3, 2026Illinois combines a notice-based bar date (755 ILCS 5/18-3: at least 6 months from first publication or 3 months from mailing, whichever is later) with an independent 2-year outer nonclaim bar from the date of death (755 ILCS 5/18-12). These run from different triggers and cannot honestly collapse into a single day count.755 ILCS 5/18-3Checked October 3, 2026No
IndianaIndiana small-estate limitIndiana probate costsIndiana probate timelineSmall-estate affidavit (dispensing with administration)$100,000deaths on or after 2022-07-01; earlier deaths differIC 29-1-8-1Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens45 daysIC 29-1-8-1Checked October 3, 2026$177Filing Fees/Costs for Probate CasesChecked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingIC 29-1-10-13Checked October 3, 2026Several separate deadlines apply, so no single number of days is given. Ordinary claims are generally filed within three months after first publication, while claims barrable under subsection (a) face a nine-month-from-death outer bar, subject to statutory exceptions including specified governmental, lien, and tort claims. This section sets no separate actual-notice or appointment deadline.IC 29-1-14-1Checked October 3, 2026Yes
KansasKansas small-estate limitKansas probate costsKansas executor feesKansas probate timelineSmall estate affidavit (K.S.A. 59-1507b); Kansas Simplified Estates Act administration (K.S.A. 59-3201 to 59-3206)$75,000K.S.A. 59-1507bChecked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross valueNot given hereNot given hereK.S.A. 59-104Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingK.S.A. 59-1717Checked October 3, 2026Kansas keeps three separate claim clocks. Under K.S.A. 59-2239 a demand is forever barred unless presented within the LATER of (a) four months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors under K.S.A. 59-2236, or (b) where the creditor is known or reasonably ascertainable, 30 days after actual notice was given. Both run only if the estate is opened: no creditor has a claim unless a petition for probate or administration is filed within six months after the decedent's death. The four-month period is stated in months, so it is not reduced to a fixed number of days.K.S.A. 59-2239Checked October 3, 2026No
KentuckyKentucky small-estate limitKentucky probate costsKentucky executor feesKentucky probate timelineSurviving-spouse/children $30,000 exemption (KRS 391.030); dispensing with administration when exemption plus preferred claims cover the estate (KRS 395.455)$30,000KRS 391.030Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross valueNot given hereNot given hereCeiling, court sets amountGross probate propertyKRS 395.150Checked October 3, 2026KRS 396.011 sets Kentucky's non-claim bar as one clock keyed to appointment: all pre-death claims are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees unless presented within six (6) months after the appointment of the personal representative, or where no personal representative has been appointed, within two (2) years after the decedent's death. Both periods are stated in months/years, so they are carried as descriptions rather than fixed day counts; the six-month period runs from appointment, and the two-year period is the outer bar when no representative is ever appointed.KRS 396.011Checked October 3, 2026No
LouisianaLouisiana small-estate limitLouisiana executor feesLouisiana probate timelineSmall succession affidavit$200,000La. C.C.P. art. 3421Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross valueNot given hereNot given herePercentage scheduleCourt accountingLa. C.C.P. art. 3351Checked October 3, 2026Louisiana uses ordinary prescription plus succession claim-presentation and suspension rules rather than a single common-law probate nonclaim period. Articles 3241, 3242, and 3245 do not establish one publication/appointment/outer deadline that can be reduced to days.La. C.C.P. art. 3242Checked October 3, 2026No
MassachusettsMassachusetts small-estate limitMassachusetts probate costsMassachusetts executor feesMassachusetts probate timelineVoluntary administration / collection of personal property by affidavit$25,000G.L. c. 190B, § 3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross value30 daysG.L. c. 190B, § 3-1201Checked October 3, 2026$375G.L. c. 262, § 40Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingG.L. c. 190B, § 3-719Checked October 3, 2026Section 3-803 states a general one-year-from-death action limit but also contains exceptions and equitable relief; § 3-801 is reserved. It cannot honestly be collapsed into publication, actual-notice, appointment, and outer-limit deadlines as one number.G.L. c. 190B, § 3-803Checked October 3, 2026No
MarylandMaryland small-estate limitMaryland probate costsMaryland executor feesMaryland probate timelineSmall-estate administration$50,000$100,000 with spouse as sole heirMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 5-601Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liensNot given here$200Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 2-206Checked October 3, 2026Ceiling, court sets amountGross probate propertyMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-601Checked October 3, 2026The general bar uses the earlier of a death-based outer period and an individual-notice period, while publication is weekly for three weeks and special claims have separate rules; a single number of days would misstate how these deadlines work.Md. Code, Est. & Trusts § 7-103Checked October 3, 2026Yes
MaineMaine small-estate limitMaine probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavitNot given hereNo source quotedAll probate propertyAfter liens30 days18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereReasonable compensationCourt accounting18-C M.R.S. § 3-719Checked October 3, 2026Maine combines a four-month publication bar, the later of four months after publication or 60 days after actual notice, and a nine-month-from-death outer limit for predeath claims. These separate deadlines cannot be reduced to a single number of days.18-C M.R.S. § 3-801Checked October 3, 2026No
MichiganMichigan small-estate limitMichigan probate costsMichigan probate timelineCollection of personal property by sworn statement$53,000deaths in 2026; earlier deaths differMich. Dep't of Treasury, EPIC Cost-of-Living Adjustments (MCL 700.1210), Table B, calendar year 2026 (certified Jan. 30, 2026)Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens28 daysMCL 700.3983Checked October 3, 2026$150MCL 600.880Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingMCL 700.3719Checked October 3, 2026Michigan has distinct deadlines: publication, later notice to known creditors, and a three-year death-based outer bar when statutory notice was not given, plus separate post-death claim rules. A single number of days would misstate how they work.MCL 700.3801Checked October 3, 2026Yes
MinnesotaMinnesota small-estate limitMinnesota probate costsMinnesota executor feesMinnesota probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit$75,000Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysMinn. Stat. § 524.3-1201Checked October 3, 2026$310Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingMinn. Stat. § 524.3-719Checked October 3, 2026Multiple independent deadlines run from first publication, individual service, claim accrual, and death, so a single number of days would mislead.Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801Checked October 3, 2026No
MississippiMississippi small-estate limitMississippi probate costsMississippi executor feesMississippi probate timelineSmall-estate affidavit for collection of personal property (Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322)$75,000S.B. 2850, § 7, 2020 Miss. Laws (Reg. Sess.) (amending Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322)Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysS.B. 2850, § 7, 2020 Miss. Laws (Reg. Sess.) (amending Miss. Code Ann. § 91-7-322)Checked October 3, 2026$135S.B. 2792, § 1, 2024 Miss. Laws (Reg. Sess.) (amending Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-9(2))Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereCourt accountingNot given hereNo source quotedNo
MontanaMontana small-estate limitMontana probate costsMontana executor feesMontana probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (MCA § 72-3-1101)$100,000Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysMont. Code Ann. § 72-3-1101Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereMont. Code Ann. § 25-1-201(1)(m)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingMont. Code Ann. § 72-3-631Checked October 3, 2026Montana runs multiple independently-triggered claim deadlines that cannot honestly collapse into one number: a four-month bar from first publication of the notice to creditors (§ 72-3-801(1)); an actual-notice period of four months from published notice or 30 days from mailing, whichever is later (§ 72-3-801(2)); and an outer nonclaim bar of one year after death (§ 72-3-803(1)(a)). Publishing a single figure would mislead.Mont. Code Ann. § 72-3-803(1)(a)Checked October 3, 2026No
North DakotaNorth Dakota small-estate limitNorth Dakota probate costsNorth Dakota executor feesNorth Dakota probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01)$100,000N.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysN.D.C.C. § 30.1-23-01Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereN.D.C.C. § 27-05.2-03(1)(a)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingN.D.C.C. § 30.1-18-19Checked October 3, 2026North Dakota runs multiple independently-triggered claim deadlines that cannot honestly collapse into one number: a three-month bar from the date of first publication and mailing of notice to creditors (§ 30.1-19-03(1)(a), notice under § 30.1-19-01); and an outer bar of three years after death where no notice to creditors has been given (§ 30.1-19-03(1)(b)). Publishing a single figure would mislead.N.D.C.C. § 30.1-19-03(1)Checked October 3, 2026No
New HampshireNew Hampshire small-estate limitNew Hampshire probate costsNew Hampshire probate timelineSummary administration (post-appointment closing)Not given hereNo source quotedAll probate propertyGross valueNot given here$305N.H. Circuit Court Filing Fees, Probate Division (eff. 07/01/2025); N.H. Prob. Div. R. 169; RSA 490:26-aChecked October 3, 2026Not given hereCourt accountingN.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 556:1-:7Checked October 3, 2026New Hampshire uses appointment-based stages: no action in the first six months, exhibition and demand within six months after the original grant, and suit within one year after that grant, with suspension and statutory exceptions. These are distinct procedural deadlines rather than one claim-bar number.N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 556:1-:7Checked October 3, 2026No
New JerseyNew Jersey small-estate limitNew Jersey probate costsNew Jersey executor feesNew Jersey probate timelineAffidavit for assets without administration (intestate estate)$20,000$50,000 with spouse as sole heirP.L.2015, c.232; N.J.S.A. 3B:10-3 and 3B:10-4Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross valueNot given hereNot given herePercentage scheduleGross probate propertyP.L.2000, c.29; N.J.S.A. 3B:18-14Checked October 3, 2026Written sworn claims are to be presented within nine months from death. This rule runs from death, not from publication or appointment, and it protects distributions made before a late claim rather than simply cancelling the claim. The section cited sets no separate deadline tied to publication, actual notice or appointment.P.L.2004, c.132, §84; N.J.S.A. 3B:22-4Checked October 3, 2026No
New MexicoNew Mexico small-estate limitNew Mexico probate costsNew Mexico executor feesNew Mexico probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit$50,000NMSA 1978 § 45-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens30 daysNMSA 1978 § 45-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026$30NMSA 1978 § 34-7-14Checked October 3, 2026NMSA 1978 § 34-6-40Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingNMSA 1978 § 45-3-719Checked October 3, 2026New Mexico has separate four-month publication, later-of-publication-or-60-day actual-notice, and one-year-from-death outer limits. A single number of days would misstate how these deadlines work.NMSA 1978 §§ 45-3-801, -803Checked October 3, 2026No
New YorkNew York small-estate limitNew York probate costsNew York executor feesNew York probate timelineVoluntary administration / small estate (SCPA art. 13)$50,000N.Y. Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 1301Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross, less exempt propertyNone statedN.Y. Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 1304Checked October 3, 2026$420N.Y. Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 2402(7)Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleReceipts and expendituresN.Y. Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 2307Checked October 3, 2026SCPA § 1802 bars claims not presented within 7 months from the date letters are first issued, but this is a calendar-month period running from appointment (not a fixed day count), and it interacts with the fiduciary's separate publication/notice practice; a single day number would mislead.N.Y. Surr. Ct. Proc. Act § 1802Checked October 3, 2026No
OklahomaOklahoma small-estate limitOklahoma probate costsOklahoma executor feesOklahoma probate timelineAffidavit for collection (58 O.S. § 393); dispensing with regular proceedings in estates under $150,000 (58 O.S. § 241); summary administration (58 O.S. § 245)$50,00058 O.S. § 393Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens10 days58 O.S. § 393Checked October 3, 2026$17328 O.S. § 152Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleCourt accounting58 O.S. § 527Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNo source quotedNo
OregonOregon small-estate limitOregon probate costsOregon executor feesOregon probate timelineSimple estate affidavit$75,000ORS 114.505 to 114.560Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross value30 daysORS 114.505 to 114.560Checked October 3, 2026$591ORS 21.170Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleCourt accountingORS 116.173Checked October 3, 2026Oregon bars a claim under ORS 115.005(2) if it is not presented within the statute of limitations applicable to the claim and before the LATER of (a) four months after the date of publication of notice to interested persons, or (b) 45 days after actual notice is delivered or mailed to a known claimant under ORS 115.003. There is no independent nonclaim period measured from death: the underlying limitations period on each claim continues to apply, so the four-month/45-day bars are the estate-specific clocks and cannot be collapsed into one figure.ORS 115.005Checked October 3, 2026No
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania small-estate limitPennsylvania probate costsPennsylvania executor feesPennsylvania probate timelineSettlement of small estates on petition (20 Pa.C.S. § 3102)$50,00020 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3102Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross, less exempt propertyNot given hereNot given hereReasonable compensationCourt accounting20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3537Checked October 3, 2026The Pennsylvania framework combines the personal representative's one-year at-risk period after the first complete advertisement of the grant of letters (20 Pa.C.S. § 3532) with separate provisions on claims against distributed property; there is no single statutory day count that safely summarizes creditor exposure.20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3532Checked October 3, 2026No
Rhode IslandRhode Island small-estate limitRhode Island probate costsRhode Island probate timelineVoluntary informal administration of small estates$15,000R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross, less exempt property30 daysR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1Checked October 3, 2026$1,000R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-21(a)Checked October 3, 2026R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-24-1Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingR.I. Gen. Laws § 33-14-8Checked October 3, 2026Claims generally run six months from first publication (§ 33-11-5(a)), but § 33-11-5(b) permits a creditor lacking adequate notice to petition before distribution to present a late claim, and § 33-11-5.1 imposes a duty on the personal representative to notify known or reasonably ascertainable creditors of the commencement of the estate. Notice sent at least 60 days before the six-month period expires is deemed adequate; that 60-day language defines adequate notice rather than a standalone claim period, so a single number of days would hide the late-claim extension.R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-11-5Checked October 3, 2026No
South CarolinaSouth Carolina small-estate limitSouth Carolina probate costsSouth Carolina executor feesSouth Carolina probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (S.C. Code § 62-3-1201); small-estate summary administrative procedure (S.C. Code § 62-3-1203)$45,000S.C. Code § 62-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens30 daysS.C. Code § 62-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026$95S.C. Code § 8-21-770Checked October 3, 2026Ceiling, court sets amountGross probate propertyS.C. Code § 62-3-719Checked October 3, 2026South Carolina runs separate, differently-triggered deadlines: a publication bar of eight months from first publication of notice (§ 62-3-801), an actual-notice bar (the earlier of one year from death or 60 days from mailing), and an outer non-claim limit of one year after death (§ 62-3-803). These cannot be reduced to one number; the operative bar depends on which notice trigger applies.S.C. Code §§ 62-3-801, 62-3-803Checked October 3, 2026No
South DakotaSouth Dakota small-estate limitSouth Dakota probate costsSouth Dakota executor feesSouth Dakota probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit (SDCL § 29A-3-1201)$100,000S.D. Codified Laws § 29A-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyAfter liens30 daysS.D. Codified Laws § 29A-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereS.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-29(1)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingS.D. Codified Laws § 29A-3-719Checked October 3, 2026South Dakota runs multiple independently-triggered claim deadlines that cannot honestly collapse into one number: a four-month bar from first publication of the notice to creditors (§ 29A-3-801(a)); an actual-notice period of four months from appointment or 60 days from mailing of written notice, whichever is later (§ 29A-3-801(b)); and an outer bar of three years after death (§ 29A-3-803(a)(3)). Publishing a single figure would mislead.S.D. Codified Laws § 29A-3-803(a)(3)Checked October 3, 2026No
TennesseeTennessee small-estate limitTennessee probate costsTennessee executor feesTennessee probate timelineSmall estate probate — petition for limited letters of administration/testamentary (Tenn. Code Ann. tit. 30, ch. 4, "The Small Estate Probate Act," enacted by 2023 Pub. Ch. 297)$50,000Tenn. Pub. Ch. 297 (2023) (HB 337; Tenn. Code Ann. tit. 30, ch. 4)Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross value45 days unless the court waives it for good causeTenn. Pub. Ch. 297 (2023) (HB 337; Tenn. Code Ann. tit. 30, ch. 4)Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNot given hereCourt accountingTenn. Pub. Ch. 665 (2022) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-4-103)Checked October 3, 2026Tennessee runs multiple separately-triggered claim deadlines that cannot be collapsed: a period running from first publication of the notice to creditors and an actual-notice period (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-307), the ultimate bar (§ 30-2-310(a)-(b)), and the TennCare-specific limits (§ 30-2-310(c)). Only the TennCare framework (Pub. Ch. 102 (2021), which merely ADDS § 30-2-310(c)) was available as official text; the general publication/actual-notice bar in §§ 30-2-306/307/310(a)-(b) lives in the code published only by LexisNexis and no enacted Public Chapter restating it was located across GA 100–114.Tenn. Pub. Ch. 102 (2021) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-310)Checked October 3, 2026No
TexasTexas small-estate limitTexas executor feesTexas probate timelineSmall estate affidavit (Estates Code ch. 205)$75,000Tex. Est. Code § 205.001Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross, less exempt property30 daysTex. Est. Code § 205.001Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereCeiling, court sets amountReceipts and expendituresTex. Est. Code § 352.002Checked October 3, 2026Not given hereNo source quotedNo
UtahUtah small-estate limitUtah probate costsUtah executor feesUtah probate timelineCollection of personal property by affidavit$100,000Utah Code § 75-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens30 daysUtah Code § 75-3-1201Checked October 3, 2026$375Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(a)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingUtah Code § 75-3-718Checked October 3, 2026Utah has separate bars: three months from first publication, the later of 90 days from published notice or 60 days from actual notice for a notified creditor, and an outer one-year-from-death bar for predeath claims. A single number of days would merge deadlines that start from different events.Utah Code § 75-3-801Checked October 3, 2026Yes
VermontVermont small-estate limitVermont probate costsVermont executor feesVermont probate timelineCommencement of small estate$45,00014 V.S.A. § 1901Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross valueNot given here$26532 V.S.A. § 1434(a)(1)-(8), as published in the Vermont Judiciary fee scheduleChecked October 3, 202632 V.S.A. § 1434(a)(30), as published in the Vermont Judiciary fee scheduleChecked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accounting32 V.S.A. § 1143Checked October 3, 202614 V.S.A. § 1203 sets two separate claim clocks that must be read apart: a four-month bar running from first publication of notice to creditors where notice is given, and a one-year bar running from death where no notice is published. The four-month period is stated in months, so it is not reduced to a fixed number of days.14 V.S.A. § 1203Checked October 3, 2026No
WisconsinWisconsin small-estate limitWisconsin probate costsWisconsin executor feesWisconsin probate timelineTransfer by affidavit$50,000Wis. Stat. § 867.03Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross valueNot given here$200Wis. Stat. § 814.66(1)(a)2Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleCourt accountingWis. Stat. § 857.05Checked October 3, 2026The court sets a deadline 3–4 months from its order, while special rules apply to creditors lacking notice and an outer administration limit appears elsewhere; one number would collapse different triggers.Wis. Stat. §§ 859.01-.02Checked October 3, 2026Yes
West VirginiaWest Virginia small-estate limitWest Virginia executor feesWest Virginia probate timelineAdministration of a small estate upon affidavit and without appointment$50,000W. Va. Code § 44-1A-2Checked October 3, 2026Personal property onlyGross value30 days after death for a successor the will nominates as personal representative (60 days for any other successor)W. Va. Code § 44-1A-2Checked October 3, 2026Not given herePercentage scheduleCourt accountingW. Va. Code § 44-4-12aChecked October 3, 2026West Virginia publishes a 60-day claim deadline: W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a(a)(7) requires the clerk's published notice of administration to state that claims against the estate must be filed within sixty days of the date of first publication. Claims not presented by that date are barred against the personal representative under § 44-2-26, subject to the surplus exception in that section. The interval is published as a fixed period of days.W. Va. Code § 44-1-14a(a)(7)Checked October 3, 2026Yes
WyomingWyoming small-estate limitWyoming probate costsWyoming executor feesWyoming probate timelineSummary procedure for distribution of personal or real property$400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-205Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyAfter liens30 daysWyo. Stat. § 2-1-205Checked October 3, 2026$160Wyo. Stat. § 5-3-206(a)(i)Checked October 3, 2026Percentage scheduleCourt accountingWyo. Stat. § 2-7-803Checked October 3, 2026Wyoming has separate publication and mailed-notice deadlines. Published claims generally run three months from first publication; a mailed claimant receives the later of that date or 30 days after mailing. Because the deadlines start from different events, a single number of days would mislead.Wyo. Stat. §§ 2-7-201, 2-7-703Checked October 3, 2026No
District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia small-estate limitDistrict of Columbia probate costsDistrict of Columbia executor feesDistrict of Columbia probate timelineSmall estate proceeding (D.C. Code §§ 20-351 to 20-356)$80,000deaths on or after 2025-03-21; earlier deaths differD.C. Code § 20-351Checked October 3, 2026All probate propertyGross valueNot given here$350D.C. Super. Ct. Prob. R. 108(a)(1)-(2)Checked October 3, 2026Reasonable compensationCourt accountingD.C. Code § 20-751Checked October 3, 2026Creditors must present claims within 6 months after the first publication of the notice of the personal representative's appointment (D.C. Code § 20-903). The notice is published within 20 days of appointment, once a week for 2 weeks. A small estate with court-directed notice uses a 30-day period from publication (§ 20-353(b)).D.C. Code § 20-903(a)Checked October 3, 2026D.C. Code § 20-704(a)Checked October 3, 2026D.C. Code § 20-353(b)Checked October 3, 2026Yes

How to read this table

The limit is not the estate’s value

Every state measures a different thing. Some count only personal property and ignore real estate entirely; some count all probate property. Some measure gross value; some subtract liens and encumbrances first. Two estates with identical net worth can land on opposite sides of the same threshold because of how the property is titled.

Personal property only states in this table exclude solely-owned real property from the count, which means a house does not push the estate over the limit — but it also means the affidavit will not transfer the house. That is a separate proceeding.

The waiting period runs from the date of death

Where a state states a waiting period, it is a precondition: the affidavit or petition cannot be presented until it has run. Two states in this table state no universal waiting period for the route shown, which the table gives as “none stated” rather than as zero days, because the statute’s silence is not the same as saying there is no wait.

Court cost is the smallest part of the bill

32 of 51 states publish a computable statutory schedule, so the figures above are exact for the reference estate. What they exclude is usually larger: newspaper publication for creditor notice, a bond premium if no waiver applies, certified copies, recording fees for real property, and any professional help. This site does not estimate those, because no statute sets them.

Executor compensation is a ceiling or a schedule, not a promise

15 of 51 states publish a percentage schedule. The rest apply a reasonable-compensation standard, where a court or a commissioner of accounts decides the amount. Even in schedule states the number is a presumption or a minimum that a court can adjust, and a will can override it. A calculator can tell you what the schedule produces; it cannot tell you what a judge will approve.

A statewide form is not guaranteed

14 of 51 states publish a statewide small-estate form. In the others the affidavit is a county-clerk artifact or is defined by the statute’s own required contents. Each state page states which situation applies rather than linking an arbitrary county’s packet.

Start with the task, not the state

If the table above answered a jurisdiction question, these guides cover the work that follows.

Use this as a starting point.

This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Probate law varies by state and county and changes over time. Verify the current rule with the court or a licensed attorney in the relevant state.

How each state's figures are chosen

Each state's three rules — the simplified procedure, the court cost and the compensation rule — are quoted word for word from the law that sets them, as the government publishes it. Where a rule is published only in a commercial code, set county by county, or not yet confirmed, the state page says so plainly and names the section to read or the office to ask. No figure is guessed, because a silent gap invites a reader to assume the missing part is settled.

The sources page lists every law quoted and when it was last checked, and the methodology describes what counts as a primary source.