Serves all three Delaware counties from offices in Wilmington, Dover, Lewes and Georgetown. The Estates & Trusts group advises executors and trustees on settling estates and administering trusts, and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in will contests, guardianship, accounting and fiduciary duty disputes. Its elder law practice handles Delaware Medicaid long-term care planning.
Wilmington is in New Castle County.
Probate in New Castle County
Probate Court Record
New Castle County Register of Wills
New Castle County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-3:30 PM; Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Office
800 North French Street, 2nd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Appointment required
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in New Castle County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in New Castle County? →Settling an estate in New Castle County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Delaware
Free Delaware forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Delaware.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Delaware, a will is signed before 212 Del. C. § 202Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony12 Del. C. § 202Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Delaware
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Delaware: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Delaware.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Delaware costs an estimated $33,96412 Del. C. § 2305 (fees "as provided by rule of the Court of Chancery"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.5%Modeled estimate under 12 Del. C. § 2305 (fees "as provided by rule of the Court of Chancery"; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.9%Modeled estimate under 12 Del. C. § 2305 (fees "as provided by rule of the Court of Chancery"; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Delaware, descendants divide what passes to them per stirpes12 Del. C. § 503Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hours12 Del. C. § 504Verified Oct 21, 2026View source to inherit.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Delaware, creditors have 8 months12 Del. C. § 2102 (8 months from death for pre-death claims; 6 months for post-death claims)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the date of death to present claims; late claims are barred.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Delaware: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysDel. Code tit. 12, §§ 1904, 1905, 1908, 1910Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 8 months12 Del. C. §§ 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105, 2109Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 9 months to 12 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Delaware pays executors reasonable compensation12 Del. C. § 2305 (commissions "as provided by rule of the Court of Chancery"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
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