Typically, the estate administration process takes approximately six months to one year. More complicated estates may take longer. The timetable for various tasks is as follows:
- One month – file the will and have the fiduciary appointed (i.e., the fiduciary is called an executor if there is a will, or an administrator if there is no will)
- Three months – will contest period ends and the inventory is filed
- Six months – creditors must make claims or else their claims are barred
- Nine months – estate tax returns are due
- Six months to one year (or more) – make final distributions to the heirs and file the final account
For a detailed list of due dates and a typical timetable, see:
http://www.probatect.org/services/instructions/pdf/fullAdministrationInstruct.pdf