Settle an Estate

How to Settle an Estate — A State-by-State Guide

Settling an estate is legal, financial, tax, and administrative all at once — and the deadlines that hurt people aren't just the courtroom ones, they're the 9-month federal estate tax window, the state-specific creditor-notice clock, the SSA and VA notifications that prevent overpayment clawbacks, and the inherited retirement account rules that can be irreversible if missed. Every state layers in its own probate court, small-estate threshold, intestate succession rules, and (in a handful of states) a separate estate or inheritance tax on top of that.

This guide walks the complete sequence: locking down vital papers and ordering death certificates, opening probate or qualifying for a small-estate procedure, notifying creditors and federal agencies, filing the decedent's final 1040 and the estate's 1041, claiming life insurance and handling inherited retirement accounts, transferring real property and vehicles, distributing personal property, and closing the estate. Every state has its own page with verified probate court, small-estate threshold, creditor window, intestate succession, and state estate or inheritance tax details — so you're not guessing at the rules that affect how long this takes and how much tax is owed.

What this guide covers

Each phase contains the specific, in-order steps that apply across every state — with state-specific amounts, deadlines, and official links layered in on the per-state pages.

First 7 days
Lock down assets, order death certificates, and stop the clock on benefit overpayments — the steps that fail quietly if delayed.
First 30 days
Identify the personal representative, notify federal agencies, and decide whether the estate qualifies for a small-estate or summary procedure.
Months 1–3 — Probate setup
Open the case, get appointed, obtain an EIN, open an estate account, inventory assets and debts, and notify creditors.
Months 3–6 — Taxes & insurance
File the decedent's final 1040, the estate's 1041, and any federal or state estate / inheritance tax returns. Claim life insurance and handle inherited retirement accounts.
Months 6–9 — Real estate & major assets
Transfer or sell real property, retitle vehicles, and access digital accounts under RUFADAA.
Months 9–12 — Distribution prep
Resolve creditor claims, prepare a final accounting, and distribute personal property per the will or intestate rules.
Months 12+ — Closing the estate
File the final accounting, obtain tax clearance, distribute remaining assets, and petition for discharge as personal representative.

How Life Mapt does this differently

Life Mapt sequences all of this for your state and your situation — will, intestate, or trust; estate size; real estate; surviving spouse; minor beneficiaries; veteran benefits — so the 9-month federal deadline, the state creditor window, the inherited-IRA rules, and the family-allowance protections all land in the right order without falling through the cracks.

State-by-state guides

Pick your state for the specific deadlines, fees, and official links that apply to you. Pages marked Verified have fully researched state-specific data; all other states include the same complete workflow with clear prompts for local verification.

What this guide covers

First 7 days

First 30 days

Months 1–3 — Probate setup

Months 3–6 — Taxes & insurance

Months 6–9 — Real estate & major assets

Months 9–12 — Distribution prep

Months 12+ — Closing the estate

How Life Mapt does this differently

State-by-state guides