Wills, Probate and Estate Law in All 50 States and DC
Wills, probate, small estates, powers of attorney and deeds are governed by state law. Here is the rule in all 50 states and DC — each answer linked to the statute or official court page — plus the official forms.
Choose your state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Compare the states
- Official Power of Attorney Forms in Every State
- How to Find Probate Records in Every State
- Small Estate Affidavit Limits by State
- Which States Have an Estate or Inheritance Tax?
- Which States Allow Transfer-on-Death Deeds?
- Are Handwritten Wills Valid? State-by-State
- Affidavit of Heirship: State-by-State Rules
- Common questions, answered for every state
Plain-English guides
- Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will?
- How Much Does a Probate Lawyer Cost?
- How to Make a Will
- What Is a Durable Power of Attorney?
- What Is a Living Trust?
- What Is a Medical Power of Attorney?
- What Is a Power of Attorney?
- What Is a Quitclaim Deed?
- What Is an Executor?
- What Is Probate?
- Will vs. Trust: What's the Difference?
Frequently asked questions
Do all estates have to go through probate?
No. Property with a named beneficiary (life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death accounts), jointly owned property with survivorship rights, and assets in a living trust usually pass outside probate. Many states also let small estates skip full probate.
What is a small estate affidavit?
A sworn statement that lets heirs collect a deceased person's property without opening a full probate case, when the estate is under a state dollar limit and a waiting period has passed. Limits and rules differ by state.
Is a quitclaim deed the same as a warranty deed?
No. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the signer has, with no promise that the title is good. It is often used between family members or to add or remove a spouse. A warranty deed includes promises about the title.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.