Probate in New Castle County

Probate Court Record

New Castle County Register of Wills

New Castle County

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

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 →

Special Needs Planning Firms Serving New Castle County

Serves Sussex, Kent and New Castle counties from Rehoboth Beach. Guides families through probate, trust settlement and asset distribution after a death, and petitions for court-appointed guardianships of adults and minors. Founded in February 2024 by Rebecca N. Doyle, named a Delaware Today Top Lawyer five consecutive years; consultations are free.

Since 2024Serves the whole stateFree consultationEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipSpecial Needs PlanningAsset Protection

Serves Sussex County from Ocean View, near Bethany Beach, with a second office in Annapolis, Maryland, and sees clients from throughout Delaware. Guides personal representatives through estate administration with the Register of Wills, from inventory and creditor claims to final accounting, alongside Medicaid, special needs trust and estate planning. Founded in 1993 by attorney John F. Robbert.

Solo PracticeSince 1993Serves the whole stateFree consultationVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningSpecial Needs Planning+2

Serves Kent and Sussex counties from offices in Camden and Lewes, and clients throughout Delaware. Guides executors through probate and estate administration and closing, handles will contests, and files guardianships for adults and minors alongside Medicaid and long-term care planning. Bonnie M. Benson has practiced since 1983, and the firm prices its services on a flat-rate basis.

Serves the whole stateEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder LawGuardianship+3

Serves families statewide in Delaware from offices in Lewes and Seaford, with virtual consultations available statewide. Handles estate and trust administration and advises trustees through the trust administration process, alongside Medicaid planning and supplemental needs trusts. Focuses exclusively on legal matters affecting older and disabled individuals.

Since 2005Serves the whole stateVirtual consultationsEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planning+2

All 16 Delaware special needs planning firms serving New Castle County →

Forms for Planning Your Estate in Delaware

Free forms for planning your estate in Delaware: will, living trust, pour-over will, powers of attorney and TOD deed. Prepare each form for Delaware.

$12/month

Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Financial Power of Attorney

Delaware requires explicit durability language for a power of attorney to survive incapacity12 Del.C. §§ 49A-104, 49A-105, 49A-106, 49A-109, 49A-113, 49A-114, 49A-119, 49A-120, 49A-201, 49A-204 through 49A-217, 49A-301; 12 Del.C. §§ 5002, 5004, 5005; 25 Del.C. §§ 151, 154, 155, 172Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and it is signed before 112 Del.C. §§ 49A-104, 49A-105, 49A-106, 49A-109, 49A-113, 49A-114, 49A-119, 49A-120, 49A-201, 49A-204 through 49A-217, 49A-301; 12 Del.C. §§ 5002, 5004, 5005; 25 Del.C. §§ 151, 154, 155, 172Verified Oct 21, 2026View source witness and a notary.

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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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All Delaware forms

Tools for Planning Your Estate in Delaware

Free tools for planning your estate in Delaware: will and trust costs, trust or TOD deed, and the signing rules. Run each tool for Delaware and read its answer.

How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Delaware runs $4,390Estimate: 10 hours at $439, Clio's Delaware Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $6,585Estimate: 15 hours at $439, Clio's Delaware Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

In Delaware, four years at a public university cost about $105,696NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; no state estate or inheritance tax appliesNo state estate or inheritance tax. Estate tax (30 Del. C. ch. 15, §§ 1501-1507) repealed outright by 81 Del. Laws, c. 52, § 1 (HB 16, 149th Gen. Assem.), effective for estates of decedents dying after Dec. 31, 2017; inheritance tax (30 Del. C. ch. 13, §§ 1301-1314) repealed by 71 Del. Laws, c. 353, § 10, effective Jan. 1, 1999; gift tax (30 Del. C. ch. 14) repealed by 71 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 1.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

Calculate the Amount

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Delaware runs $4,390Estimate: 10 hours at $439, Clio's Delaware Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $6,585Estimate: 15 hours at $439, Clio's Delaware Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,317Estimate: 3 hours at $439, Clio's Delaware Trusts rate (no Wills and Estates rate published); Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,634Estimate: 6 hours at $439, Clio's Delaware Trusts rate (no Wills and Estates rate published); Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.

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Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

Delaware does not revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce12 Del. C. § 209Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.

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All Delaware tools