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New Hampshire Probate Timeline Calculator

New Hampshire's creditor clock doesn't start at death or at publication — it starts the day the court grants administration, and it runs straight to the administrator's mailbox.

Based on RSA § 556:2 & 556:3 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your New Hampshire probate

Pick the options that match your estate — the estimate updates instantly.

Estimated timeline in New Hampshire
9–15 months
Full administration, uncontested
Waiver vs Summary? →
Facing probate in New Hampshire?

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New Hampshire's probate timeline, at a glance

MilestoneNew Hampshire ruleSource
Waiver of Administration eligibleSole beneficiary/heir serves as administrator, or all consent; any estate sizeRSA § 553:32
Summary Administration eligibleAll consent; no final account requiredRSA § 553:33
Creditor exhibition deadline6 months from the original grant of administrationRSA § 556:3
Creditor suit deadlineNot before 6 months, not after 1 year from grantRSA § 556:1, 556:5
Real estate creditor bar if probate never opened2 years from date of deathRSA § 556:29
Minimum before Summary Administration can close6 months after appointmentRSA § 553:33

New Hampshire probate timeline — frequently asked questions

How long does probate take in New Hampshire?

A full administration commonly takes 9 to 15 months, driven partly by the 6-month minimum before Waiver or Summary Administration can close. Simple estates using the waiver can move faster.

How long do New Hampshire creditors have to file a claim?

6 months from the original grant of administration — not from death or publication — to exhibit a demand directly to the administrator by registered mail, under RSA 556:2 and 556:3. No court filing is required for the claim itself.

What happens if a New Hampshire estate isn't opened within 2 years of death?

Creditors are permanently barred from reaching the decedent's real estate to satisfy claims, under RSA 556:29 — a distinct, real-estate-specific outer limit separate from the 6-month and 1-year deadlines.

Does New Hampshire have an estate or inheritance tax?

No. New Hampshire repealed its legacy and succession tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2003, and ended the separate state estate tax filing requirement for deaths on or after January 1, 2005.

New Hampshire probate tools & guides

New Hampshire Probate DeadlinesEvery statutory date, with citations What Delays Probate in New HampshireThe real causes, beyond the baseline Waiver vs Summary AdministrationWhich one applies to your estate New Hampshire Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on New Hampshire statute (RSA § 553:32, 553:33, 556:1, 556:2, 556:3, 556:5, 556:28, 556:29). Actual timelines depend on the specific Probate Division and whether the estate is contested. Confirm current timelines with the Probate Division or a licensed New Hampshire attorney before acting.