Probate Guides for Every State

Probate is governed state by state, so the right guide is the one for where the deceased person lived. Choose your state below for the full process, costs, timeline, where to file, and the small-estate shortcuts that can save months.

Flagship State Guides

Our most in-depth guides — with county-by-county court directories:

California

58 county court pages

Full process, costs, timeline, court directory, and forms.

Florida

deep-dive guide

Full process, costs, timeline, court directory, and forms.

Texas

26 county court pages

Full process, costs, timeline, court directory, and forms.

All 50 States + D.C.

Probate is governed by state law, so start with your state. Each guide covers the process, costs, timeline, deadlines, small-estate shortcuts, and where to file.

Alabama→ Alaska→ Arizona→ Arkansas→ California→ Colorado→ Connecticut→ Delaware→ Florida→ Georgia→ Hawaii→ Idaho→ Illinois→ Indiana→ Iowa→ Kansas→ Kentucky→ Louisiana→ Maine→ Maryland→ Massachusetts→ Michigan→ Minnesota→ Mississippi→ Missouri→ Montana→ Nebraska→ Nevada→ New Hampshire→ New Jersey→ New Mexico→ New York→ North Carolina→ North Dakota→ Ohio→ Oklahoma→ Oregon→ Pennsylvania→ Rhode Island→ South Carolina→ South Dakota→ Tennessee→ Texas→ Utah→ Vermont→ Virginia→ Washington, D.C.→ Washington→ West Virginia→ Wisconsin→ Wyoming→

Why Your State Matters

There's no national probate system. Each state sets its own court structure (probate court, surrogate's court, superior court, or county court), its own small-estate thresholds, its own deadlines, and its own forms — or none at all, as in Texas. Community-property states treat a surviving spouse's share differently than common-law states. That's why the right starting point is always your state guide, not generic advice. Not sure where to file? The probate court locator points you to the right court, and the free tools help you estimate costs and gauge complexity.

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Want help from a probate attorney?

Every state guide connects to local probate attorneys who offer a free consultation — and the fee usually comes from the estate, not your pocket.

Find a Probate Attorney →