Tools for Estate Executors in New Hampshire

Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Hampshire costs an estimated $26,585. Attorney fees run 2% to 3.2% of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

All Planning ahead Settling an estate

14 tools for New Hampshire

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Hampshire costs an estimated $26,585. Attorney fees run 2% to 3.2% of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

New Hampshire pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

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Do I Need Probate?

New Hampshire sets no dollar limit for its Waiver of Administration; eligibility turns on other tests.

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What Are the Estate Laws in My State?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in New Hampshire costs an estimated $26,585 and takes 6 months to 9 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 2% to 3.2% of the estate.

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What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?

New Hampshire allows you to name your own agent in a signed, written document, and that designation takes priority over the statutory order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.

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How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.

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Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.

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Can I Self-File Probate?

New Hampshire has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.

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How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

In New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Circuit Court, Probate Division appoints the personal representative and the Circuit Court Probate Division clerk issues Certificate of Appointment; every appointment goes through the court.

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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In New Hampshire, creditors have 6 months from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.

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What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

When an estate owes more than it holds, New Hampshire pays the claims in 6 classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration of the estate.

Check the Payment Order

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.

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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?

New Hampshire has no state income tax, so only the federal final Form 1040 is due for the decedent; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,000.

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What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.

Estimate Value

Probate costs in New Hampshire typically include attorney fees of typically 2% to 3.2% of the estate, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $26,585, roughly 5% of estate value, varying with complexity. Estimate executor compensation separately with the New Hampshire executor fee calculator.

New Hampshire uses Petition for Estate Administration (NHJB-2145-Pe), filed with the New Hampshire Circuit Court, Probate Division. Circuit Court Probate Division clerk issues Certificate of Appointment after the court grants the petition.

The creditor claim period of 6 months runs from the personal representative's appointment. Distributing assets before the period has run can leave the executor personally liable for a claim that arrives later.

New Hampshire allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules pay. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.

In principle, yes: New Hampshire allows a self-represented person to apply for letters, but it has no standardized statewide probate form, so the opening petition is drafted as a formal legal pleading, and informal probate is not available. Most people in this position work with an attorney; the small-estate procedures remain simpler to handle independently.

Tools for Estate Executors in New Hampshire

The executor of an estate is the person a will names to carry out its terms; without a will, the probate court appoints an administrator to the same role. The court issues letters testamentary or letters of administration, and those letters are what banks and title companies accept as the executor's authority. From there the executor gathers and values the assets, notifies creditors, pays debts and taxes, files the estate's returns, accounts to the court and beneficiaries, and distributes what remains. The executor is paid from the estate at a rate set by state law.

New Hampshire pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate. In New Hampshire, creditors have 6 months to present claims after notice, the inventory is due within 90 days of appointment, and the personal representative is discharged by court order.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 15, 2026

Legal Sources

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Data sourced from New Hampshire statutes and official state code. How we research.