Estate Planning & Probate in Washoe County, Nevada
Most Washoe County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. Start with your situation below; both paths use Washoe County's actual court and recording details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the Second Judicial District Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Washoe County →Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Washoe County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Washoe County →The Probate Process in Washoe County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Washoe County, probate runs through the Second Judicial District Court at 1 South Sierra Street, 3rd Floor, Reno. The court sits in the 2nd Judicial District.
Full Washoe County probate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Washoe County Second Judicial District Court
Washoe County · 2nd Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Washoe County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Washoe County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Recording fee
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Washoe County · Northern Nevada Public Health Vital Statistics Office
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Certified copies
Order online
Certified copy fee
Full death certificate details →
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Washoe County · Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Full coroner or medical examiner details →
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the Second Judicial District Court
Probate commissioner hearings every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. by Zoom, moving to Thursday in a holiday week. The public dial-in is 1-877-853-5247, meeting ID 219-682-836#.
The Resource Center helps organize completed court forms and set up eFlex accounts, and assists visitors in 240 languages. It does not file documents or give legal advice.
The deficiency report shows a matter's status by the Friday twelve days before its hearing, and a deficiency is cured by noon on the Monday before the hearing. Every petition uses PR as the department number in the caption. The death certificate is filed with the first petition, or as soon as vital statistics issues it.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Nevada
Free Nevada forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Nevada.
Last Will and Testament
In Nevada, a will is signed before 2NRS 133.040Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyNRS 133.040Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Pour-Over Will
In Nevada, a pour-over will is signed before 2NRS 133.040Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Nevada allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2NRS 162A.855, 162A.865, 162A.870Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Financial Power of Attorney
Nevada treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultNRS § 162A.200-660Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementNRS § 162A.200-660Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Nevada
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Nevada: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Nevada.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Nevada: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysNRS 144.010, NRS 144.090Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsNRS 147.040, NRS 147.070, NRS 147.130, NRS 147.195, NRS 155.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Nevada happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteNRS Chapter 163, 164, 165Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
Do I Need Probate?
In Nevada, estates with personal property of $25,000NRS 146.080Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Affidavit of EntitlementNRS 146.080Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 40 daysNRS 146.080Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Nevada is a community property state, so the surviving spouse already owns half of what the couple acquired during the marriage. Without a will in Nevada, descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesNRS § 134.040, NRS § 132.290Verified Oct 21, 2026View source, and the state sets no survival period for heirs.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Nevada costs an estimated $24,726NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees on a statutory schedule presumed reasonableNRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 1%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; on the value of the estate, 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M; hourly billing also permitted)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Nevada Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Washoe County.
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