New Hampshire probate guide

Probate process in New Hampshire

New Hampshire probate runs in the Circuit Court's Probate Division. Filing fees scale by estate value, starting at $150 for estates of $10,000 or less. New Hampshire does NOT have a dollar-based small-estate affidavit; instead, it uses Waiver of Administration, which is available regardless of estate size when a single beneficiary or all heirs serve as administrator and consent. New Hampshire does NOT have a real-property TOD deed statute.

New Hampshire probate at a glance

Court
Circuit Court – Probate Division
Typical timeline
26–52 weeks
Filing fee
$150–$525
Small-estate threshold
No small-estate shortcut
TOD deed allowed?
No
Bond required by default?
Yes (unless waived)
Statute
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. LVI (Probate Courts and Decedents' Estates)

Source: www.courts.nh.gov. Fees and thresholds change — verify with your county court before filing.

How New Hampshire probate works, step by step

  1. 1File petition for estate administration with the Probate Division
  2. 2Court appoints administrator and issues letters
  3. 3Publish notice to creditors; six-month claim period runs
  4. 4File inventory within three months and pay debts and taxes
  5. 5File final account or waiver-of-administration accounting

Probate by county in New Hampshire

Filing fees, court contacts, and process detail for 1 New Hampshire county:

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This page is informational and is not legal advice. Probate procedure varies by county and changes over time. Consult a licensed New Hampshire probate attorney for advice specific to your situation.