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Texas Probate Timeline Calculator

Texas probate can close in a matter of weeks under muniment of title, or run well past a year under dependent administration — which of the state's three paths applies changes everything, along with the four-month creditor window.

Based on Estates Code 256.003, 257.001, 308.051, 355.001, 355.060 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Texas probate

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Estimated timeline in Texas
6–12 months
Independent administration, cooperative heirs, no real estate sale
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Texas's probate timeline, at a glance

MilestoneTexas ruleSource
Deadline to file the will for probate4 years from date of deathEstates Code § 256.003
Notice to secured creditorsWithin 2 months of receiving Letters TestamentaryEstates Code § 308.056
Notice to unsecured creditors publishedPromptly after qualifying (local newspaper)Estates Code § 308.051
Inventory, Appraisement & List of Claims dueWithin 90 days of qualificationEstates Code § 309.051
Unsecured creditor claim deadline (published notice)4 months from first publicationEstates Code § 355.001 et seq.
Unsecured claim deadline (direct notice given)Barred after 121 days from receiptEstates Code § 355.060
Suit after a rejected claimWithin 90 days of rejectionEstates Code § 355.064
Muniment of titleTypically closes in 4-6 weeksEstates Code § 257.001

Texas probate timeline — frequently asked questions

How long does probate take in Texas?

Muniment of title can finish in 4 to 6 weeks. Independent administration usually takes 6 to 12 months, largely driven by the 4-month creditor claim window. Dependent administration, with ongoing court supervision, commonly runs 12 to 18 months or longer.

What is muniment of title in Texas?

A simplified probate path, available when there's a valid will and the estate has no unpaid debts other than those secured by real property, where the will itself is admitted to probate as the legal instrument of title — no executor is ever appointed, which is why it's Texas's fastest and cheapest route.

How long do Texas creditors have to file a claim?

Generally 4 months from the date of first publication of notice. A creditor who receives direct permissive notice under Estates Code § 308.054 is barred if the claim isn't presented within 121 days of receiving that notice.

How long do you have to file a will for probate in Texas?

Four years from the date of death, under Estates Code § 256.003 — notably longer than most states. After that window closes, the estate is generally distributed as if there were no will at all.

Texas probate tools & guides

Texas Probate DeadlinesEvery statutory date, with citations What Delays Probate in TexasThe real causes, beyond the baseline Independent, Dependent, or MunimentWhich one applies to your estate Texas 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 Texas statute (Estates Code § 256.003, 257.001, 308.051, 308.056, 309.051, 355.001, 355.060, 355.064). Actual timelines depend on the specific county or statutory probate court's calendar, whether the estate is contested, and how quickly the personal representative files. Confirm current timelines with the county clerk or a licensed Texas attorney before acting.