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How Long Does Probate Take?

Any time you lose a loved one it can be difficult as you cope with your grief and try your best to move forward.

However, things can get a bit more complex (and possibly even confusing) if you've been named as executor of that person's estate. If that happens-- and especially if you've never served in such a role -- you'll likely have many questions about what the probate process entails, including how long it will take.

Simply put, probate is the process of transferring legal title of the decedent's property to the rightful beneficiaries or heirs. Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule for the time it takes to complete probate. In fact, it can take anywhere from several months to several years

There are many factors that can impact the length of time probate takes to complete, including whether:


  • Any creditor claims exist
  • There is property that needs to be sold
  • The estate has federal or state tax liabilities
  • There are disputes among the heirs or beneficiaries
  • Someone is pursuing a will contest
  • The beneficiaries or heirs are easily identified and located
  • The beneficiaries or heirs are cooperative
  • The probate court is backlogged with other estates
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